The New life In Christ: Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10.

That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud

But gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6.

Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person…and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:5-6.

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing….this should not be. James 3:10.

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

The New life In Christ: But the upright are in his confidence. Proverbs 3:32.

He taught me, and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments, and live. Proverbs 4:4.

Keep my commandments and live, keep my teachings as apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers, write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 7:2-3.

The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. Proverbs 8:13.

Those who are greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households, but those who hate bribes will live. Proverbs 15:27.

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on evil and good. Proverbs 15:3. Amen.

The New life In Christ: I will save my people from your hand. Then you will know that I am the LORD. Ezekiel 13:23.

Mortal, say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: “Hear the word of the LORD!”

Thus says the Lord GOD, Alas for the senseless prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! Ezekiel 13:2-3.

They have envisioned falsehood and lying divination; they say, “Says the LORD,” when the LORD has not sent them, and yet they wait for the fulfillment of their word! Have you not seen a false vision or uttered a lying divination, when you have said, “Says the LORD,” even though I did not speak? Ezekiel 13:6-7.

Because, in truth, because they have misled my people, saying, “Peace, when there is no peace; Ezekiel 13:10.

I am against you, says the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 13:8. Amen.

The New life In Christ: Godliness with contentment is great gain. 1Timothy 6:6.

For the love of money is a root of all kind of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wondered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1Timothy 6:10.

Obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from heart. Ephesians 6:5-6.

Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy; Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. Revelation 22:11-12. Amen.

The New life In Christ: The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven:

Whoever humbles yourselves like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4.

For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:12.

Everything they do is done for men to see: …They love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi’.

But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master…the Christ. Matthew23:5-10. Amen.

The New life In Christ: Not many of you should presume to be teachers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. James 3:1.

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. James 3:6.

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing…Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? Can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? James 3:10-12.

But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast it or deny the truth. James 3:14. Amen.

The New life In Christ: So that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:18.

I will tell you the kind of fast I want…share your food with hungry and bring poor, homeless people into your own homes, when you see someone who has no clothes, give him yours, and don’t refuse to help your own relatives. Then…the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. Isaiah 58:6-8.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16. Amen.

The New life In Christ: For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, then to suffer for doing evil. 1Peter 3:17.

For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example, so that you should follow in his steps. 1Peter 2:19-21.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8. Amen.

The New life In Christ: Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ… Philippians 2:5.

“See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” Hebrews 8:5.

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greed only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:46-48.

Whoever says, “I have come to know him,” but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist…whoever says, “I abide in him,” ought to walk just as he walked. 1John 1:4-6. Amen.

The New life In Christ: He removes every branch in me that bear no fruit… John 15:2.

 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into fire. Matthew 7:19.

If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands… And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; if is better for you to enter the life lame than to have two feet. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes… Mark 9:43-47.

Have salt in yourselves… Mark 9:49. Amen.

The New life In Christ: Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs (spiritual blessings), but because you ate your fill of the loaves (material blessings). John 6:26.

No longer drink only water (worldly desires) but take a little wine (fear of God) for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. 1Timothy 5:23.

Better is a little that the righteous person has than the abundance of many wicked. Psalm 37:16.  

Better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be crooked in one’s ways even though rich. Proverbs 28:6. Amen.                                                                                 

The New Life In Christ: The one who is righteous will live by faith. Galatians 3:11.

Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth-as in fact there are many gods and many lords-yet for us there is one God, the Father…and one Lord, Jesus Christ… 1Corinthians 8:5-6.

And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. Mark 13:10.

“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” John 7:24.

Amen.

The New life In Christ: Am I now seeking human approval, or Gods approval? Or am I trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10.

From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. Isaiah 64:4.

…they do not know what the future holds, and no one can tell them what will happen. Ecclesiastes 8:7.

In the same way, you will know these false prophets by what they do. Matthew 15:14. Amen.

                                                                                                     

The New Life In Christ: “Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.” Deuteronomy 15:11.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this; to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27.

Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.

Your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. Acts 10:4 & 10:31.

…and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. 1Corinthians 3:13. Amen.

The New life In Christ: Anyone, then who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin. James 4:17.

For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, with goodness with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection with love… For anyone who lacks these things is short-sighted and blind, and is forgetful of the cleansing of past sins…for if you do this, you will never stumble. 2Peter 1:5-10.

What good is it,…if you say you have faith but do not have works? James 2:14.

Save yourselves from this corrupt generation. Acts 2:40. Amen.

                                                                                                     

The New life In Christ: A New Covenant:

No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the LORD,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; Jeremiah 31:34.

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above…Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth… Colossians 3:1-2.

Try to find out what is pleasing to the LORD. Ephesians 5:10. Amen.

                                                                                                     

The New life In Christ: But many of those who heard the word believed; Acts 4:29.

I worked with my own hands to support myself and my companions… I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the LORD Jesus, for he himself said, “It is more blessed you give than to receive.” Acts 20:34-35.

 You received without payment; give without payment. Matthew 10:8.

Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin. James 4:17. Amen.

                                                                                                     

The New life In Christ: Beloved, do not believe every, but test the Spirits to see whether they are from God; 1John 4:1.

Turn away from mortals, who have only breathe in their nostrils, for of what account are they? Isaiah 2:22.

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2.

Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ… Philippians 1;27. Amen.

                                                                                                     

The New life In Christ: And if a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a ditch. Matthew 15:14.

Listen to the word of the LORD… Mortal, prophesy against the prophets…who are prophesying…say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination. Ezekiel 13:2.

…they do not know what the future holds, and no one can tell them what will happen. Ecclesiastes 8:7.

To show partiality is not good, yet for a piece of bread a person may do wrong. Proverbs 28:21.

In the same way, you will know these false prophets by what they do. Matthew 7:17-20. Amen.

                                                                                                     

The New life In Christ: Those people show honor to me with words. But their hearts are far from me… Mark 7:6.

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.

Their worship of me is worthless. The things they teach are nothing but human rules. Mark 7:7.

By your own rules, which you teach people, you are rejecting what God said. And you do many things like that. Mark 7:13. Amen.

                                                                                                     

The New life In Christ: No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. John 1:18.

No one can explain the things God decides or understand his ways. Romans 11:33.

…they have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean… Ezekiel 22:26.

Those false teachers only want your money, so they will use you by telling you lies… 2Peter 2:3. Amen.

                                                                                                     

The New life In Christ: Test everything: hold fast to what is good; 1Thessalonuians 5:21.

The LORD alone guided him; Deuteronomy 32:10-11.

Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice. John 18:37.

Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you; they are deluding you. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.

Remember your leaders; those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7. Amen.

                                                                                                     

The New life In Christ: …that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me. John 6:39.

I am the good shepherd,…and I lay down my life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. John 10:12-15.

He chose his servant David,…to be the shepherd of his people…with upright heart he tended them and guided them with skilful hand. Psalm 78:70-72.

 In the later days you will understand it clearly. Amen.

                                                                                                     

The New life In Christ: All of them are seeking their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:21.

For such boasters are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ…Their end will match their deeds. 2Corinthians 11:13-15.

Am I now seeking human approval, or Gods approval? Or am I trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10.

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30. Amen.

                                                                                                     

The New life In Christ: God shows no partiality. Romans 2:11.

…the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. Ephesians 3:3.

 God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. Acts 10:34-35.

It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles…Thus the word of LORD spread through out the region. Acts 13:46-49. Amen.

                                                                                                     

The New life In Christ: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone. Ecclesiastes 12:13.

You received without payment; give without payment. Matthew 10:8. Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch you’re your souls and will give an account. Hebrews 13:17.

Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ… Philippians 1:27. Amen.

                                                                                                   

The New life In Christ: Godlessness in the last days:

For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money…ungrateful, unholy, inhuman…lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the outward form of godliness but denying it’s power. Avoid them!... But they will not make much progress…their folly will become plain to everyone. 2Timothy 3:2-9.

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches…Proverbs 22:1.Amen.

                                                                                                   

The New life In Christ: …The Holy Spirit…will teach you everything and remind you all that I have said to you. John 14:26.

If you love me, you will keep my commandments… They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me… Those who love me will keep my word… John 14:12 & 14:15 & 14:21 & 14:23.

Anyone who resolves to do the will of the God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own. John 7:17.

I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me… John 8:28.

Whoever is from God hears the words of God… John 8:47. Amen.

                                                                                                   

The New life In Christ: Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Isaiah 58:4.

Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

…Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. Isaiah 58:6-9.  Amen.

                                                                                                   

The New life In Christ: And a word in season, how it good it is! 15:23.

Wealth hastily gotten will dwindle, but those who gather little by little will increase it. Proverbs 13:11.

Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it. Proverbs 15:16.

A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of those who give it; wherever they turn they prosper. Proverbs 17:8.

When your eyes light upon it, it is gone; Proverbs 23:5. Amen.

                                                                                                   

The New life In Christ: When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, said the LORD. Jeremiah 29:13-14.

For thus says the LORD of hosts…: Do not let the prophets and the diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, says the LORD. Jeremiah 29:8-9.

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Jeremiah 29:11. Amen.

                                                                                                   

The New life In Christ: I will tear off your veils, and save my people from your hands; Ezekiel 13:21.

Because, in truth, because they have misled my people, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace; and because, when the people build a wall, these prophets smear whitewash on it.

Say to those who smear whitewash on it that it shall fall.

…When the wall falls, will it not be said to you, “Where is the whitewash you smeared on it?” Ezekiel 13: 10-12.

Thus I will spend my wrath upon the wall and upon those who have smeared it with whitewash; and I will say to, The wall is no more, not those who smeared it…, says the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 13: 15. Amen.

                                                                                                   

The New life In Christ: “Hear the word of the LORD!” Ezekiel 13:2.

Thus says the Lord GOD, Alas for the senseless prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! Ezekiel 13:3.

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have uttered falsehood and envisioned lies. I am against you, says the Lord GOD.

My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations; Ezekiel 13:8-9. Amen.

                                                                                                   

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

There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devices wicked plans, feet that hurry to run to evil, a lying witness who testifies falsely, and one who sows discard in a family.               Proverbs 6:16-19.

The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. Proverbs 8:13.

Those who are greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households, but those who hate bribes will live. Proverbs 15: 27. Amen.

                                                                                                   

The New Life In Christ: “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt;” They beat me, but I did not feel it. Proverbs 23:35.

If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat; and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink; for you will heap coals of fire on their heads, and the LORD will reward you. Proverbs 25: 21-22.

Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the LORD, and he will help you. Proverbs 20:22.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Proverbs 3:27. Amen.

The New life In Christ: And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. Mark 13:10.

God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the Gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers. And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. Acts 15:7-8.

The stone that the believers rejected became the cornerstone. The LORD did this… Psalm 118:22-23. Amen.

                                                                                                   

The New Life In Christ: So the law is Holy, and the command is holy and right and good. Romans 7:12.

For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”….the only thing that counts is faith working through love. Galatians 5:14 & 5:16.

You might think I am saying that sin and the law are the same thing. That is not true. But the law was the only way I could learn what sin meant. Romans 7:7.

So what should we do? Should we sin because we are under grace and not under law? No. Romans 6:15. Amen.

The New life In Christ: Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the LORD. Romans 12:19.

Don’t be afraid or discourages because of this large army. The battle is not your battle, it is God’s…and see the victory of the LORD on your behalf. 2Chronicles 20:15.

You won’t need to fight in this battle. Just stand strong in your places, and you will see the LORD save you. 2Chronicles 20:17.

I will now give that cup of punishment to those who gave you pain, who told you.

“Bow down so we can walk over you.

They made your back like dirt for them to walk on; you were like a street for them to travel on.” Isaiah 51:23. Amen.

                                                                                                   

The New life In Christ: “Think about what you have done…” Haggai 1:5.

…You take unfair interest and profits and make profits by mistreating your neighbor. And you have forgotten me, says the LORD God. Ezekiel 22:12.

Like a bird hatching an egg it did not lay, so are the people who get rich by cheating. When their lives are half finished, they will lose their riches. At the end of their lives, it will be clear they were fools. Jeremiah 17:11.

Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. Romans 13:5. Amen.