A God of truth and without injustice;
righteous and upright is He.
Him who judges righteously. § We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. § Each of us shall give account of himself to God. § The soul who sins shall die.
“Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the Man who is My Companion,” says the Lord of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd.” § The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. § Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed. § Mercy triumphs over judgment. § The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
A just God and a Savior; there is none besides Me. § Just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Deut. 32:4; 1 Peter 2:23; 2 Cor. 5:10;
Rom. 14:12; Ezek. 18:4; Zech. 13:7; Isa. 53:6;
Ps. 85:10; James 2:13; Rom. 6:23; Isa. 45:21; Rom. 3:26; 3:24
Death is swallowed up in victory.
Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Inasmuch … as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
If we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
1 Cor. 15:54; 15:57; Heb. 2:14–15; Rom. 6:8–11;8:37
The New Testament describes the characteristics of Christ that are to be revealed in our lives as spiritual “fruit.” Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control is the fruit of the Spirit that ought to be bountifully present in our homes. What kind of “fruit” are your children eating within your home? Does their “diet” consist of nagging, complaining, anger, bickering, gossip, impatience, meanness, selfishness, and rudeness? Or are they learning to be loving when someone is not lovable, to have joy when life is not fun, to have peace in the midst of pressure, to be kind when treated roughly, to be unselfish when they don’t get their way, to forgive when they are wronged? How easy do you make it for your children to “eat healthy”?
Our homes should be places of rich, bountiful, moral, and spiritual teaching for our children. But that is only possible if we ourselves are moral and spiritual people, fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives.
Let patience have its perfect work,
that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking nothing.
Now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. § We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. § You have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven … Do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. § Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts.
James 1:4; 1 Peter 1:6–7; Rom. 5:3–4;
Lam. 3:26; Heb. 10:34–36; 2 Thess. 2:16–17
God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ.
Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God. § The Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son … because He is the Son of Man. § The Son of God … has eyes like a flame of fire.
They say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?” § These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like you; but I will rebuke you, and set them in order before your eyes § There is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.
Lord, all my desire is before You; and my sighing is not hidden from You. § Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my mind and my heart.
Rom. 2:16; 1 Cor. 4:5; John 5:22, 27; Rev. 2:18;
Ps. 73:11; 50:21; Luke 12:2; Ps. 38:9; 26:2
Is God silent in your life? Could it be that He has given you Truth to which you have not responded obediently? Has He given you truth through a Bible study,
or your pastor’s sermon,
or your daily devotions,
or an inspirational book,
or a godly friend,
that you have yet to apply and obey? Have you been frustrated because the Bible doesn’t seem to make sense to you? And when you pray, is it as though your prayers hit the ceiling of your room and bounce back? Have you felt as though God has abandoned you? If so, you need to go back to the last thing you can remember that He told you and act on it. If you can’t remember, just return to the Cross by faith. In prayer, confess your sin of disobedience whether it was willful or not. Ask God to break His silence in your life.
It is good for me to draw near to God.
Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells. § A day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. § Blessed is the man whom You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, of Your holy temple.
The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. § Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us … let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience.
Ps. 73:28; 26:8; 84:10; 65:4;
Lam. 3:25; Isa. 30:18; Heb. 10:19–20, 22
You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. § You are fairer than the sons of men; grace is poured upon Your lips. § All bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth.
You have tasted that the Lord is gracious. § He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself. § We speak what We know and testify what We have seen.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! § I sat down in his shade with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” § To each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. § As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
2 Cor. 8:9; John 1:14; Ps. 45:2; Luke 4:22;
1 Peter 2:3; 1 John 5:10; John 3:11; Ps. 34:8;
Song 2:3; 2 Cor. 12:9; Eph. 4:7; 1 Peter 4:10
