Hebrews 13: 20-21Now may the God of peace - the source of serenity and spiritual well-being - who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood that sealed and ratified the eternal covenant, equip you with every good thing to carry out His will and strengthen you, making you complete and perfect as you ought to be, accomplishing in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. ...
Psalm 34: 15-19The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, those with moral courage and spiritual integrityHis ears are open to their cryThe face of the Lord is against those who do evilto cut off the memory of them from the earthWhen the righteous cry for help, the Lord hearsand rescues them from all their distress and troublesThe Lord is near to the heartbrokenHe saves those who are crushed in spirit, contrite in heart, and truly sorry for their sinMany hardships and perplexing circumstances confront the righteousbut the Lord rescues them from them all ...
Luke 16: 19-31Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” ...
Isaiah 12: 1-6And on that day you will say“I will give thanks to You, O LordFor though You were angry with meYour anger has turned awayAnd You comfort meBehold, God, my salvation!I will trust and not be afraidFor the Lord God is my strength and songYes, He has become my salvation.”Therefore with joy you will draw waterFrom the springs of salvationAnd in that day you will say“Give thanks to the Lord, call on His nameMake His deeds known among the peoples of the earthProclaim to them that His name is exalted!”Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done excellent and glorious thingsLet this be known throughout the earthRejoice and shout for joy O inhabitant of ZionFor great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel ...
Isaiah 9: 1-7Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.The people who walk in darknesswill see a great lightFor those who live in a land of deep darkness a light will shine.You will enlarge the nation of Israeland its people will rejoice.They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunderFor you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shouldersYou will break the oppressor’s rodjust as you did when you destroyed the army of MidianThe boots of the warriorand the uniforms bloodstained by warwill all be burned.They will be fuel for the fireFor a child is born to usa son is given to usThe government will rest on his shouldersAnd he will be calledWonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of PeaceHis government and its peacewill never endHe will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor Davidfor all eternityThe passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armieswill make this happen! ...
