And (2/4)

So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care… Ezra 8:23

So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer. Ezra 8:23	So we fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He listened to our pleading. fasting prayer
As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” Ephesians 5:31	For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. marriage body sexuality

Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. Jeremiah 33:3	Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know. prayer understanding listening
And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. Ezekiel 36:27	And I will put My Spirit within you and bring it about that you walk in My statutes, and are careful and follow My ordinances. Spirit law following
And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law. Mark 12:33	And to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices. heart mind strength
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12	For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Word of God strength thoughts
Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:18	But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. grace worship understanding
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 1 John 4:16	We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. trust love God
Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the Lord. Lamentations 3:40	Let’s examine and search out our ways, And let’s return to the Lord. conversion repentance life
In those days when you pray, I will listen. Jeremiah 29:12	Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. worship prayer listening
The Lord makes some poor and others rich; he brings some down and lifts others up. 1 Samuel 2:7	The Lord makes poor and rich; He humbles, He also exalts. money almighty humility
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14	And My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. humility forgiveness healing
Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37	Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. judgment forgiveness
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8	Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever. reliability Jesus
Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21	One who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness, and honor. love righteousness life
Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them. John 14:21	The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him. law love Father
The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. Psalm 103:8	The Lord is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in mercy. grace love patience
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28	Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. hope encouragement rest
Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Psalm 82:3	Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. orphans neighbor righteousness
Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. Proverbs 31:9	Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the poor and needy. righteousness speaking giving
So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. Acts 13:3	Then, when they had fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. blessing prayer fasting
“Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Joel 2:13	“And tear your heart and not merely your garments.” Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in mercy And relenting of catastrophe. heart grace love
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24	Search me, God, and know my heart; Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there is any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. eternal life holiness righteousness
I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. Revelation 3:19	Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. love life punishment
Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. Matthew 11:29-30	Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light. humility rest learning