But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it. Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun. Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you. He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live. Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Whoever is patient has great understanding,
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.Next verse!With image