From his abundance we have all received 

one gracious blessing after another.

For the law was given through Moses,

but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness

came through Jesus Christ.

John 1:16-17

May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ

give you grace and peace.

Jesus gave his life for our sins,

just as God our Father planned,

in order to rescue us from this evil world

in which we live.

Galatians 1:3-4

And we know that in all things

God works for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

If it is possible,

as far as it depends on you,

live at peace with everyone.

Do not take revenge, 

my friends,

but leave room for God’s wrath,

for it is written:

“It is mine to avenge;

I will repay,” says the Lord. 

Romans 12:17-19

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.

Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed

into bodies that will never die,

this Scripture will be fulfilled:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.

O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”

1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 54-55

Now this is what the LORD says…

“Come back to me and live!”

Amos 5:4

…”No eye has seen, no ear has heard,

and no mind has imagined

what God has prepared

for those who love him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9

 

But we who are being saved know

 it is the very power of God.

As the Scriptures say,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise

and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”

So where does this leave the philosophers, 

the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters?…

Since God in his wisdom saw to it

that the world would never know him through human wisdom…

1 Corinthians 1:18-21

Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,

and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. 

Even when I am old and gray,

do not forsake me, O God,

till I declare your power to the next generation,

your might to all who are to come.

Psalm 71:17-18

Worship the LORD with gladness.

Come before him, singing with joy.

Acknowledge that the LORD is God!…

For the LORD is good…

Psalm 100:2-3, 5