Don’t break up what God the Creator has put together in an equal, diverse, unified companionship we call marriage. God is the God of the impossible. It does not matter how bad the condition of your marriage is. Turn it over to God, follow His directions, and He can mend the brokenness.
God has created everyone. Whether you are from Africa, America, or Asia; whether your skin is white or black or brown; whether you speak English or Polish or Spanish; whether your religious affiliation is Baptist or Buddhist or B’Hai; everyone is created by God. The entire human race comes with the Manufacturer’s directions for a pattern to live by, a place to live in, a purpose to live for, and a partner to live with. Isn’t it time you followed directions?
I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? … Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. § None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy. § I will speak of Your testimonies … before kings, and will not be ashamed.
Heb. 13:6; Rom. 8:35, 37; Luke 12:4–5;
Matt. 5:10–12; Acts 20:24; Ps. 119:46
He . . . set my feet upon a rock.
That Rock was Christ. § Simon Peter … said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” … “On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” § Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Full assurance of faith … Hope without wavering. § Faith, with no doubting. He who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? … Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ps. 40:2; 1 Cor. 10:4; Matt. 16:16, 18; Acts 4:12;
Heb. 10:22–23; James 1:6; Rom. 8:35, 37–39
Jesus looked straight at Peter and asked persistently for the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” (John 21:17, NIV). Under the direct, searching gaze of his Lord, Peter must have known he was being asked whether he loved Jesus more than himself. This time did Peter squirm uncomfortably? Did he love Jesus more than the opinions of others, such as the servant girl in the courtyard? More than his own safety and comfort, as he would now be dangerously identified with Someone Who had been executed as an enemy of Rome? More than his own reputation? More than his memories of sin and failure?
Jesus reached into Peter’s heart and put His finger on Peter’s motivation for service. Peter’s motivation to live for Jesus and to serve Jesus was not to be an attempt to stave off guilt, or to earn forgiveness, or to avoid criticism, or to prove something to someone, or to gain approval or recognition. Peter’s sole motivation in service was to be his love for Jesus, pure and simple.
The humble He teaches His way.
Blessed are the meek.
I returned and saw under the sun that—the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill. § A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God. § Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.
O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. § If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. § When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.
Ps. 25:9; Matt. 5:5; Eccl. 9:11; Prov. 16:9;
Ps. 123:1–2; 143:8; 2 Chron. 20:12; James 1:5; John 16:13
O Lord God . . . with Your blessing let the
house of Your servant be blessed forever.
You have blessed it, O Lord, and it shall be blessed forever. § The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” § When you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just. § Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.
Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. § The Lord God is a sun and shield.
2 Sam. 7:29; 1 Chron. 17:27; Prov. 10:22; Acts 20:35;
Luke 14:13–14; Matt. 25:34–36; Ps. 41:1; 84:11
What could be a greater privilege than to have Jesus call us His friend? If I told you that the Queen was my friend, you would probably snicker. And rightly so. But if the Queen stated that, “Anne Lotz is my friend,” it would be impressive. It would indicate a relationship based on personal knowledge that she publicly affirmed.
Jesus did more than say you and I could call Him our friend. He promises He will call us His friends! Now that’s impressive! That’s a privileged position!
