Now (3/4)

The birth of Jesus Christ occurred in this way. When his mother… Matthew 1:18

The birth of Jesus Christ occurred in this way. When his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they came to live together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:18 christmas Holy Spirit miracles
He continued, “Then put away the foreign gods from among you. Bend your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel.”
Joshua 24:23 idols heart purification

Then Nehemiah added: “You now may go. Eat rich food and drink what is sweet. Moreover, send some of these to those for whom nothing has been prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord. Furthermore, do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10 food giving joy
And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who are peacemakers.
James 3:18 righteousness peace harvest
I urge you, brethren, to watch out for those who incite dissensions and obstacles in opposition to the teaching that you have learned. Take care to avoid them.
Romans 16:17 holiness community evil
May the God of peace—who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant— make you perfect in every respect so that you may do his will. And may he enable us to achieve what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21 peace covenant resurrection
The one who provides seed for sowing and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
2 Corinthians 9:10 righteousness food giving
Do you suppose that I cannot appeal to my Father for help and he will not immediately send me more than twelve legions of angels?
Matthew 26:53 protection Jesus angels
May the God of perseverance and encouragement grant that you may live in harmony with one another, following in the example of Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5 community encouragement patience
This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God:
every spirit that acknowledges
that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh
is from God,
and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus
is not from God.
This is the spirit of the Antichrist,
about whose coming you have been told,
and that it is already in the world.
1 John 4:2-3 Spirit Jesus acknowledging
Behold, we are now going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death. Then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and on the third day he will be raised to life.
Matthew 20:18-19 easter Jesus sacrifice
The entire community of believers was united in heart and soul. No one claimed any of his possessions as his own, for everything was held in common.
Acts 4:32 materialism community
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may grow rich in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 faith Spirit hope
After Jesus had been born in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod, wise men traveled from the east and arrived in Jerusalem, inquiring, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw the rising of his star, and we have come to pay him homage.”
Matthew 2:1-2 christmas worship
Jesus answered, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive in this age a hundred times more houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and lands—as well as persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.”
Mark 10:29-30 evangelism blessing persecution
Everyone who seeks a prize submits himself to rigorous self-discipline in every respect. They do so to win a perishable crown, while we seek an imperishable one.
1 Corinthians 9:25 self-control reward eternal life
While physical training has some value, the benefits of godliness are unlimited, since it holds out promise not only for this life but also for the life to come.
1 Timothy 4:8 health obedience life
After John had baptized all the people, and while Jesus was engaged in prayer after also having been baptized, heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased.”
Luke 3:21-22 baptism prayer Spirit
Godliness produces great gain, but only to those who are content.
1 Timothy 6:6 faith joy materialism
Brethren, I exhort you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to be in full agreement with one another and not permit any divisions to arise among you. Be perfectly united in mind and purpose.
1 Corinthians 1:10 community family transformation
At the time that discipline is received, it always seems painful rather than pleasant, but afterward it yields a harvest of peace and uprightness to those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:11 righteousness peace children
This is the end of my teaching.
All has been heard.
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for that is the responsibility of everyone.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 awe law life
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
Matthew 19:30 reward
You have already been cleansed
by the word I have spoken to you.
John 15:3 purification Word of God speaking
Cure the sick who are there, and say, ‘The kingdom of God has come unto you.’
Luke 10:9 healing sickness nearness

Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the prophets of that time proclaimed. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Forsake your evil ways and your evil deeds. But they refused to listen or to pay attention to me, says the Lord.