Don’t use foul or abusive language.
Let everything you say be good and helpful,
so that your words will be an encouragement
to those who hear them.
And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit
by the way you live…
Instead,
be kind to each other,
tenderhearted,
forgiving one another,
just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Always be humble and gentle.
Be patient with each other,
making allowance for each other’s faults
because of your love.
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit,
binding yourselves together with peace.
Blessings of making allowance,
Jan
Now all glory to God,
who is able,
through his mighty power at work within us,
to accomplish infinitely more
than we might ask or think.
Glory to him in the church and in Jesus Christ
through all generations forever and ever!
Amen.
Because of Christ and our faith in him,
we can now come boldly and confidently
into God’s presence.
So please don’t lose heart…
I pray that from his glorious,
unlimited resources
he will empower you with inner strength
through his Spirit.
…Here now is my final conclusion:
Fear God and obey his commands,
for this is everyone’s duty.
God will judge us for everything we do,
including every secret thing,
whether good or bad.
Life is sweet;
how pleasant to see a new day dawning.
…But remember that you must give an account to God
for everything you do.
So refuse to worry…
Honor him…
Remember him…
Remember him…
Remember him…
Remember him…
Remember him…
Remember him…
Yes, remember your Creator now…
Don’t wait…
…the dust will return to the earth,
and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
Ecclesiastes 11:7, 9-10, 12:1-7
Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant.
If they watch every cloud,
they never harvest.
Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind
or the mystery of a tiny baby
growing in its mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the activity of God,
who does all things.
Plant your seed in the morning
and keep busy all afternoon,
for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity—
or maybe both.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else,
and live righteously,
and he will give you everything you need.
So don’t worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will bring its own worries.
Today’s trouble is enough for today.
…search again for the LORD your God.
And if you search for him
with all your heart and soul,
you will find him.
Deuteronomy 4:29
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!
(Ancient Kechrees Port on the Saronic Gulf of Corinth, Greece)