Beware of false prophets
who come disguised as harmless sheep
but are really vicious wolves.
You can identify them by their fruit,
that is,
by the way they act.
Can you pick grapes from thorn bushes,
or figs from thistles?
Yes,
just as you can identify a tree by its fruit,
so you can identify people by their actions.
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate.
The highway to hell is broad,
and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.
But the gateway to life is very narrow
and the road is difficult,
and only a few find it.”
“Keep on asking,
and you will receive what you ask for.
Keep on seeking,
and you will find.
Keep on knocking,
and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks,
receives.
Everyone who seeks,
finds.
And to everyone who knocks,
the door will be opened.“
“Do not judge others,
and you will not be judged.
For you will be treated as you treat others.
The standard you use in judging
is the standard by which you will be judged.”
So don’t worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will bring its own worries.
Today’s trouble is enough for today.
“So don’t worry about these things,
saying,
‘What will we eat?
What will we drink?
What will we wear?
These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers,
but your heavenly Father always knows all your needs.
Seek the Kingdom of God
above all else,
and live righteously,
and he will give you everything you need.”
“You have heard the law that says,
‘Love your neighbor’
and hate your enemy.
But I say,
love your enemies!
Pray for those who persecute you!
In that way,
you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.
For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good,
and he sends rain on the just and unjust alike.”
After his baptism,
as Jesus came up out of the water,
the heavens were opened
and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove
and settling on him.
And a voice from heaven said,
“This is my dearly loved Son,
who brings me great joy.”
I will praise you,
LORD,
with all my heart;
I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
I will be filled with joy because of you.
I will sing praises to your name,
O Most High.
Those who know your name trust in you,
for you,
O LORD,
do not abandon those who search for you.
(Leoncita Ranch, West Texas)
Once we,
too,
were foolish and disobedient.
We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures.
Our lives were full of evil and envy,
and we hated each other.
But—
When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love,
he saved us,
not because of the righteous things we had done,
but because of his mercy.
He washed away our sins,
giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
He generously poured out the Spirit upon us
through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Because of his grace he made us right in his sight
and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.
