For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

The high and lofty one who lives in eternity,

the Holy One, says this:

“I live in the high and holy place

with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.

I restore the crushed spirit of the humble

and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.”

“But those who still reject me are like the restless sea,

which is never still

but continually churns up mud and dirt.

There is no peace for the wicked,”

says my God.

Isaiah 57:15, 20-21

Some went off to sea in ships,

plying the trade routes of the world.

They, too, observed the LORD’s power in action,

his impressive works on the deepest seas.

He spoke, and the winds rose,

stirring up the waves.

Their ships were tossed to the heavens

and plunged again to the depths;

the sailors cringed in terror.

They reeled and staggered like drunkards

and were at their wits’ end.

“LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble,

and he saved them from their distress.

He calmed the storm to a whisper

and stilled the waves.

What a blessing was that stillness

as he brought them safely into harbor!

Psalm 107:23-30

Has the LORD redeemed you?

then speak out!

Tell others he has redeemed you…

Psalm 107:2

Let all that I am praise the LORD.

O LORD my God, how great you are!

You are robed with honor and majesty.

You are dressed in a robe of light.

You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens;

you lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds.

You make the clouds your chariot;

you ride upon the wings of the wind.

Psalm 104:1-3

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God,

the Almighty—

the one who always was, who is,

and who is still to come.”

“You are worthy, O Lord our God,

to receive glory and honor and power.

For you created all things,

and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

Revelation 4:8, 11

“…I will comfort those who mourn,

bringing words of praise to their lips.

May they have abundant peace,

both near and far,”

says the LORD, who heals them.

Isaiah 57:18-19

The rain and snow come down from the heavens

and stay on the ground to water the earth.

They cause the grain to grow,

producing seed for the farmer

and bread for the hungry.

It is the same with my word.

I send it out, and it always produces fruit.

It will accomplish all I want it to,

and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

Isaiah 55:10-11

…the Scriptures say,

‘You must not speak evil of any of your rulers.’

Acts 23:5

(colonnade walk to Jordan River baptismal site)

But my life is worth nothing to me

unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me

by the Lord Jesus—

the work of telling others the Good News

about the wonderful grace of God.

Acts 20:24