…Work hard to show the results of your salvation,

obeying God with deep reverence and fear.

For God is working in you,

giving you the desire and the power

to do what pleases him.

Philippians 2:12-13

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Though he was God,

he did not think of equality with God

as something to cling to.

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;

he took the humble position of a slave

and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form,

he humbled himself in obedience to God

and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor

and gave him the name above all other names,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

Once again a message came to me from the Lord: 
 
“Son of man, give your people this message: 

‘When I bring an army against a country, 

the people of that land choose one of their own to be a watchman.  

When the watchman sees the enemy coming, 

he sounds the alarm to warn the people.  

Then if those who hear the alarm refuse to take action, 

it is their own fault if they die. 

They heard the alarm but ignored it, 

so the responsibility is theirs. 

If they had listened to the warning, 

they could have saved their lives. 

But if the watchman sees the enemy coming 

and doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, 

he is responsible for their captivity. 

They will die in their sins, 

but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.’

Ezekiel 33:1-6

But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. 

We will not all die, but we will all be transformed!  

It will happen in a moment, 

in the blink of an eye, 

when the last trumpet is blown.
 
For when the trumpet sounds, 

those who have died will be raised to live forever. 

And we who are living will also be transformed.  

For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; 

our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

1 Corinthians 14:51-53

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, 

with the voice of the archangel, 

and with the trumpet call of God. 

First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves.

 Then, together with them, 

we who are still alive and remain on the earth 

will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 

Then we will be with the Lord forever. 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Blessings of understanding God’s message

Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies.

This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed,

but that you are going to be saved,

even by God himself.

For you have been given not only the privilege

of trusting in Christ

but also the privilege of suffering for him.

Philippians 1:28-29

Pray in the Spirit at all times

and on every occasion.

Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers

for all believers everywhere.

Ephesians 6:18

Stand your ground,

putting on the belt of truth 

and the body armor of God’s righteousness.

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News

so that you will be fully prepared.

In addition to all of these,

hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

Put on salvation as your helmet,

and take the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God.

Ephesians 7:14-17

A final word:

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able

to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies,

but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world,

against mighty powers in this dark world,

and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:10-12

Get wisdom, develop good judgment.

Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.

Don’t turn your back on wisdom,

for she will protect you.

Love her, and she will guard you.

Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!

And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.

If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.

Embrace her, and she will honor you.

She will place a lovely wreath on your head;

she will present you with a beautiful crown. 

Proverbs 4:5-9

…‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says:

although I have scattered you in the countries of the world,

I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile.

I, the Sovereign LORD,

will gather you back from the nations

where you have been scattered,

and I will give you the land of Israel once again.’

And I will give them singleness of heart

and put a new spirit within them.

I will take away their stony, stubborn heart

and give them a tender, responsive heart…

Ezekiel 11:16-17; 19

But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,

and he will stand upon the earth at last.

And after my body has decayed,

yet in my body I will see God!

I will see him for myself.

Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.

I am overwhelmed at the thought.

Job 19:25-27