The New Life In Christ - Should we take only good things from God and not trouble? Job 2:10.

We are like clay, and you are the potter; your hands made us all. Isaiah 64:8.

He was using his hands to make a pot from clay, but something went wrong with it. So he used that clay to make another pot the way he wanted it to be. …You are in my hands like the clay in the potter’s hands, says the LORD. Jeremiah 18:4-6.

But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? Romans 9:20-21.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4.

That’s why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2Corinthians 12:10.

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my LORD, for whose sake I have lost all things. Philippians 3:7-8. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. Proverbs 8:19.

 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13.

All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Philippians 3:15-16.

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - That day will appear with fire, and the fire will test everyone’s work to show what sort of work it was. 1Corinthians 3:13

In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!

Any one, who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good and evil. Hebrews 5:12-14.

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you-guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 2Timothy 1:13-14.

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. Titus 1:9.

If anyone who comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work. 2John 1:10-11.

But test everything; hold fast to what is good. 1Thessalonians 5:21.  Amen. 

The New Life In Christ - Test everything. Hold on to the good. 1Thessalonians 5:21.

This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God.

The Spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: 1Corinthians 2:13-15.

Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 2Corinthians 4:2.

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6.

Those who disobey what they have taught praise the wicked, but those who obey what they have been taught are against them. Proverbs 28:4. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. Galatians 5:10.

For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

Those who belong to Christ have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:17 & 5:24.

…you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking…

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Ephesians 4:17 & 4:20.

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved-and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him… Philippians 1:28-30.

…so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life-in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. Philippians 2:14-16. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - He has testified to the truth John 5:33.

Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until day break…

“I have seen God face to face” Genesis 32:24 & 32:30.

When Moses led the flock to the west side of the desert…There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flame of fire coming out of a bush. Exodus 3:1-2.

So I was left alone to see the great vision. Daniel 10:8.

 I will see him myself; I will see him with my very own eyes. Job 19:27.

How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God? John 5:44.

Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say.

Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. John 8:43 & 8:46.

Remember the words I Spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master’ John 15:20.

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” James 4:6.

…do not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

...If you really keep the royal law found in the Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as law breakers.

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. James 2:1-10.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment…Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1Peter 3:3-4. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - Think only about the things in heaven, not the things on earth. Colossians 3:2.

Then the LORD called Samuel, and Samuel answered, “I am here!” He ran to Eli and said, “I am here. You called me.” But Eli said “I didn’t call you. Go back to bed.” So Samuel went back to bed. The LORD called again, “Samuel!” Samuel again went to Eli and said, “I am here. You called me.” Again Eli said, “I didn’t call you. Go back to bed.” …The LORD called Samuel for the third time. Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “I am here. You called me.” Then Eli realized the LORD was calling the boy. So he told Samuel, “Go to bed. If he calls you again, say, ‘Speak LORD, I am your servant and I am listening’.” 1Samuel 3:4-10.

There is no need of mediator between God and his believers and so let us be like Eli who directly guided Samuel to the LORD.

All should try to follow…and to copy those who live the way we showed you. Philippians 3:17.

So we continue to preach Christ to each person, using all wisdom to warn and to teach everyone, in order to bring each one into God’s presence as a mature person in Christ. Colossians 1:28. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - Christ Sacrifice Once for All and We...?

Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; Hebrews 9:27-28.

And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:10 & 10:14.

For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Hebrews 10:1.

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment… Hebrews 10:26.

Consider how you have fared. Haggai 1:5. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - For many are invited, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14.

Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. Matthew 12:33 & 12:35.

The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit (spiritual spirit). When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again” Mark 11:12-14.

“Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots” Matthew 15:13.

Amen.

The New Life In Christ - Try to learn what pleases the Lord…learn what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:10 & 17.

Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Philippians 4:8.

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that can not be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Titus 2:7-8.

…fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. Hebrews 3:1-2.

…for everyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter the rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. Hebrews 4:10-11. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - …think of what you were when you were called 1Corinthians 1:26.

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10.

For the appeal we make doesn’t spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts…we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed ­- God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. 1Thessalonians 2:3-6.

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1Timothy 2:5.

So then, no more boasting about men! 1Corinthians 3:21. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:11.

But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. Acts 10:28.

Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. Acts 13:46-48.

You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Romans 2;23-24.

For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. Romans 2:13. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - When our hearts make us feel guilty…God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 1John 3:20.

Do not be like Cain who belonged to the Evil One and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because the things Cain did were evil, and the things his brother did were good.

(So) do not be surprised when the people of the world hate you. 1John 3:12-13.

But their lives are not good examples for you to follow. They tell you to do things, but they themselves do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. Matthew 23:3-4.

And they belong to the world, so what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them.

But we belong to God, and those who God listen to us. But those who are not from God do not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit that is true and the Spirit that is false. 1John 4:5-6.

The LORD hates both of these things: freeing the guilty and punishing the innocent. Proverbs 17:15.

It is not good to honor the wicked or to be unfair to the innocent. Proverbs 18:5. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - His God teaches him and shows him the right way. Isaiah 28:26.

People are saying that others make plans against them, but you should not believe them. Don’t be afraid of what they fear; do not dread those things. But remember that the Lord All-Powerful is holy. He is the one you should fear; he is the one you should dread. Isaiah 8:12-13.

The Lord says: “These people say they love me; they show honor to me with words, but their hearts are far from me. The honor they show me is nothing but human rules. Isaiah 29:13.

These people choose their own ways, not mine, and they love the terrible things they do. Isaiah 66:3.

These are the people I am pleased with: those who are not proud or stubborn and who fear my word. Isaiah 66:2. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - My conscience is ruled by the Holy Spirit, and it tells me I am not lying Romans 9:2.

The Seven Deadly Sins	The Virtue it Sins Against	What it is
Pride	Humility	Seeing ourselves as we are and not comparing ourselves to others is humility. Pride and vanity are competitive. If someone else's pride really bothers you, you have a lot of pride.
Greed	Generosity	This is about more than money. Generosity means letting others get the credit or praise. It is giving without having expectations of the other person. Greed wants to get its "fair share" or a bit more.
Envy	Love	"Love is patient, love is kind…" Love actively seeks the good of others for their sake. Envy resents the good others receive or even might receive. Envy is almost indistinguishable from pride at times.
Anger	Kindness	Kindness means taking the tender approach, with patience and compassion. Anger is often our first reaction to the problems of others. Impatience with the faults of others is related to this.
Lust	Self-control	Self control prevents pleasure from killing the soul by suffocation. Lust is the self-destructive drive for pleasure out of proportion to its worth. Sex, power, or image can be used well, but they tend to go out of control.
Gluttony	Temperance	Temperance accepts the natural limits of pleasures and preserves this natural balance. This does not pertain only to food, but to entertainment and other legitimate goods, and even the company of others.
Sloth	Zeal	Zeal is the energetic response of the heart to God's commands. The other sins work together to deaden the spiritual senses so we first become slow to respond to God and then drift completely into the sleep of complacency.

So now we serve God in a new way with the Spirit, and not the old way with written rules.

But the law was the only way I could learn what sin meant. I would never have known what it means to want to take something belonging to someone else if the law had not said, “You must not want to take your neighbor’s things”. Romans 7:6-7.

But I see another law working in my body, which makes war against the law that my mind accepts.

So in my mind I am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful self I am a slave to the law of sin. Romans 7:23 & 7:25.

If people’s thinking is controlled by the sinful self, there is death. But if their thinking is controlled by the Spirit, there is life and peace.

Those people who are ruled by their sinful selves can not please God. Romans 8:6-8.

YOUR BELIEFS ABOUT THESE THINGS SHOULD BE KEPT SECRET BETWEEN YOU AND GOD. ROMANS 14:22. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - The same thing is true of the words I speak. They will not return to me empty. Isaiah 55:11.

The Lord God gave me the ability to teach so that I know what to say to make the weak strong. Every morning he wakes me. He teaches me to listen like a student. The Lord God helps me learn, and I have not turned against him nor stopped following him… The Lord God helps me, so I will not be ashamed. I will be determined, and I know I will not be disgraced. Isaiah 50:4-7.

I (the Lord God) will give you the words I want you to say. I will cover you with my hands and protect you. Isaiah 51:16.

You have been hated and left empty with no one passing through. But I will make you great from now on; you will be a place of happiness forever and ever.

Isaiah 60:15. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - I have found that what you are doing is less than what my God wants. Revelation 3:2.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If you love the world, the love of the Father is not in you. These are the ways of the world: wanting to please our sinful selves, wanting the sinful things we see, and being too proud of what we have. (But) None of these come from the Father, but all of them come from the world. 1John 2:15-16.

“In the last times there will be people following their own evil desires which are against God. These are the people…who do not have the Spirit. Jude 1:18-19.

But they quickly forgot what he had done; they did not wait for his advice. They became greedy… So he gave them what they wanted, but he also sent a terrible disease among them. Psalm 106: 13-15. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - Have salt in yourselves. Mark 9:50.

People did not think it was important to have a true knowledge of God. So God left them and allowed them to have their own worthless thinking and to do things they should not do. Romans 1:28.

Let whoever is doing evil continue to do evil. Let whoever is unclean continue to be unclean… “Listen! I am coming soon! I will bring my reward with me, and I will repay each one of you for what you have done. Revelation 22: 11-12.

(So) Honor God and obey his commands, because this is all people must do. God will judge everything, even what is done in secret, the good and the evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - For human ways are under the eyes of the LORD, and he examines all the paths. Proverbs 5:21.

Whenever you are able, do good to people who need help. Proverbs 3:27.

Whoever mistreats the poor insults their Maker. But whoever is kind to the needy honors God. Proverbs 14:31.

Do not abuse the poor people because they are poor, and do not take away the rights of the needy of the court. Proverbs 22:22.

It is better to be poor and innocent than to be rich and wicked. Proverbs 28:6.

If you say, “Look, we did not know this” _ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it? Proverbs 24:12.

So in everything, do to others what you want them to do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - I (Jesus) honor my Father… John 8:29. (Do we?)

 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him. John 8:29.

“If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do the things Abrahams did. John 8:39.

Whoever serves me must follow me; John 12:26.

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. H e will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work 1Corinthians 3:13.

Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers,” Matthew 21:12-13.

If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! …Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are bold. 2Corinthians 3:9-12. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - This cup is the new covenant in my blood… 1Corinthians 11:25.

We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2Corinthians 4:10 & 4:16.
A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 1Corinthians 11:28. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - I have good advice and sound wisdom; I have insight, I have strength. Proverbs 8:14.

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit- just as it has taught you, remain in him. 1John 2:20 & 2:27. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - …in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. Philippians 2:16.

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27.

…you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way; Colossians 1:10.

Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. 1Thessalonians 4:8. Amen.

The New Life In Christ - Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Jeremiah 15:18.

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him. “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. John 9:1-3.

S o the sisters sent a word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” John 11:3-4.

“Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?” Job 2:10.

However, if you suffer, as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1Peter 4:16. Amen.