For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ,

not to pour out his anger on us.

Christ died for us so that,

whether we are dead or alive when he returns,

we can live with him forever.

so encourage each other and build each other up…

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

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

Devote yourselves to prayer

with an alert mind

and a thankful heart. 

Colossians 4:2

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves,

you must clothe yourselves

with tenderhearted mercy,

kindness,

gentleness,

and patience.

Make allowance for each other’s faults,

and forgive anyone who offends you.

Remember,

the Lord forgave you,

so you must forgive others.

Colossians 3:12-13

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ,

set your sights on the realities of heaven,

where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

Think about the things of heaven,

not the things of earth.

For you died to this life,

and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:1-3

Don’t let anyone capture you

with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense

that come from human thinking

and from the spiritual powers of this world,

rather than from Christ. 

Colossians 2:8

Do everything without complaining or arguing,

so that you may become blameless and pure,

children of God without fault

in a crooked and depraved generation,

in which you shine like stars in the universe

as you hold out the word of life…

Philippians 2:14-16

…offer your bodies as living sacrifices,

holy and pleasing to God—

this is your spiritual act of worship.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…

Romans 12:1-2

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus

as your Lord,

you must continue to follow him.

Let your roots grow down into him,

and let your lives be built on him.

Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught,

and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:6-7

…And this is the secret:

Christ lives in you.

This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

…understand God’s mysterious plan,

which is Christ himself.

In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 1:27; 2:2-3