The New Life In Christ: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2Corinthians 5:17.

 “No one sews s patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the fear worse.

Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved. Matthew 9:16-17.

Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer instruments of righteousness. Romans 8:9.

You, however, are called not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. Romans 8:9. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: “The word God puts in my mouth, that is what I must say.” Numbers 22:38.

But now we are discharged from the laws, dead to that which held us captive, so that we are slaves not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit.

What then should we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. Romans 7:6-7.

I am speaking the truth in Christ-I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit. Romans 9:1.

Do not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-what is good and acceptable and perfect! Romans 12-2. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: Listen to me…for a teaching will go out from me. Isaiah 51:4.

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel…not with words of human wisdom, just the cross of Christ be employed of it’s power. 1Corinthians 1:17.

For the appeal we make does not spring from error 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. 1Thessalonians 2:

Join with others in following my example. Philippians 3:17. Amen.

                                                                          

The New Life In Christ: …how can you who are evil say anything good? Matthew 12:34.

For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 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. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:34-37.

But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one master…

And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. Matthew 23:8-10. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: …but now my eyes sees you. Job 42:5.

‘Can mortals be righteous before God? Can human beings be pure before their maker? Job 4:17.

“How happy is the whom God reproves; therefore do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

For he wounds, but he binds up; he strikes, but his hands heal. Job 5:17-18.

“Can papyrus grow where is no marsh? Can reeds flourish where there is no water?

While yet in flower and not cut down, they wither before any other plant.

Such are paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless shall perish. Job8:11-13.

“See, God will not reject a blameless person, nor tale the hand of evildoers”.

Job8:20.

Whom among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? Job 12:9. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: When you have ceased to destroy, you will be destroyed; and when you have stopped dealing treacherously, you will be dealt with treacherously. Isaiah 33:1.

Those who walk righteously and speak uprightly, who despise the gain of oppression, who wave a bribe instead of accepting it, who stop ears from hearing of bloodshed and shut their eyes from looking on evil, they will live on the heights; their refuge will be fortresses of rocks; their food will be supplied, their water assured. Isaiah 33:15-16.

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

…and find out what please the Lord.

...understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:10 & 5:17. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. Luke 16:10.

“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You can not serve both God and Money.

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight. Luke 16:13-15.

It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law. Luke 16:17.

For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commands. 2Corinthians 10:18. Amen.

                                             

The New Life In Christ: God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this, so that no one may deceive you by fine sounding arguments. Colossians 2:3.

Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of the world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Colossians: 2:20-23.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom; Colossians 3:16.

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

The New Life In Christ: For they are well instructed; their God teaches them. Isaiah 28:26.

Do those who plow for sowing plow continually?

Do they continually open and harrow their ground?

When they have leveled its surface, do they not scatter dill, sow cumin, and plant wheat in rows and barley in its proper place, and spelt as the border? Isaiah 28: 24-25.

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, no laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Hebrews 6:1-2.

No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. Hebrews 8:11. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: And I sought for anyone among them who would repair the wall and stand in the breach before me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. Ezekiel 22:30.

In you, they take bribes to shod blood; you take both advance interest, and make gain of your neighbors by extortion; and you have forgotten me, says the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 22:12.

Its priests have done violence to my teaching and have profaned my holy things, they have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean.

Its prophets have smeared whitewash on their behalf, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, “Thus says the Lord GOD,” when the LORD has not spoken. Ezekiel 22:26-28.

“Can you courage endure, or can your hands remain strong in the days when I shall deal with you!” Ezekiel 22:14. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: “For his eyes are upon the ways of mortals, and he sees all their steps.” Job 34:21.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, 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 a 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.

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

Fight the good fight of the faith. 1Tomothy 6:12. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. Colossians 3:25.

…obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with Lord, whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:22.

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instructions does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. 1Thessalonians 4:7-8.

Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. 1Thessalonians 5:21-22. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: God is greater than any mortal. Job 33:12.

For God speaks in one way, and in two, though people do not perceive it. Job 33:14.

For according to their deeds he will repay them, and according to their ways he will make it befall him. Job 34:11.

(But) For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 2Timothy 3:12.

But they will not successful in what they do (and) everyone will see that they are foolish.2Timothy 3:9. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: To this end I labor struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:29.

And we prayed this in order that you may live a life worthy of the LORD and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good word, growing in the knowledge of God… Colossians 1:10.

Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Colossians 2:20-22.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Colossians 2:5. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: Will anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing me! Malachi 3:8.

But you say, “How are we robbing you? In your tithes and offerings?

Malachi 3:8.

 Every third year you shall bring out the full tithe of your produce for that year, and store it within your towns;

…as well as the resident, aliens, the orphans, and the widows in your towns, may come and eat their fill so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work that you undertake. Deuteronomy 14:28-29.

Then once more you shall see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. Malachi 3:18. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: Live by Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Galatians 5:16.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:22-26.

Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts a new creation. Galatians 6:15. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what it fears, or be in dread. Isaiah 8:12.

But the LORD of host, him you shall regard as holy; let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. Isaiah 8:13.

Now if people say to you, “Consult the ghosts and the familiar spirits that chirp and mutter; should not a people consult their goods, the dead on behalf of the living; for teaching and for instruction?” Isaiah 8:19-20.

…the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11-12.

 Each one should test his own actions. Galatians 6:4. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30.

The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and ii is now complete. John 3:29.

Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master…’

If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey you also. John 15:20.

My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Romans 4:4.

Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 1Corinthians 9:16.

Not that we are competent in ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 2Corinthians 3:5.

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2Corinthians 4:1.

…and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 1Corinthians 3:13. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; 1Corinthians 14:22.

Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. 1Corinthians 14:10-11.

For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 1Corinthians 14:13-16.

But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 1Corinthians 14:19. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: “What then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding?” Job 28:20.

It is hidden from the eyes of all living, and concealed from the birds of the air;

Abaddon and Death say,

‘We have heard a rumor of it with out ears.’

God understands the way to it,

and he knows its place.

For he looks to the ends of the earth, and sees everything under the heavens.

When he gave to the wind its weight, and apportioned out the waters by measure;

When he made a decree for the rain and a way for the thunderbolt it;

then he saw it and declare it;

he established it, and search it out,

And he said to the humankind,

“Truly, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;

and to depart from evil is understanding,’” Job 28:21-28. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: But he knows the way that I take; When he has tested me, I shall come out like gold. Job 23:10.

I am a laughingstock to my friends; I, who called upon God and he answered me, a just and blameless man, I am a laughingstock. Job 12:4.

“As for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit and unsearchable, marvelous things without number. Job 5:8-9.

“Surely God is mighty and does not despise any; He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives the afflicted their right. Job 36: 5-6.

Did I not weep for those whose date was hard? Was not my soul grieved for the poor?

But when I looked for good, evil came; and when I waited for light, darkness came. Job 30:25-26.

For he will complete what he appoints for me; Job 23:14. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. Matthew 13:17.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought it.

“Again the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.

This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

… “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” Matthew 13:44-52. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvesters are angels. Matthew 13:38-39.

 “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

“The owner’s servants came to him and said, “Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?”

“ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

“ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

Matthew 13:24-30. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.” Matthew 13:35.

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:

When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, (has no fear of God) the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

The one who received the seed that fell on rocky and at ones receives it with joy. But since he has no root, (spiritual blessings) he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.

The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns (worldly desires) is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.

But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil (walks in the Spirit) is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty time what was sown. Matthew 13:18-23. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants. Psalm 92:11.

When I thought, “My foot is slipping,” your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.

When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. Psalm 94:18-19.

“You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”;

do not fear, I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you.

I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

Yes, all who are incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced;

those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish.

You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them;

Those who war against you shall be as nothing at all.

For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:9-13. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hands of evildoers. Jeremiah 20:13.

For I hear many whispering: “Terror is all around!

Denounce him! Let us denounce him!”

All my close friends are watching for me to stumble,

“Perhaps he can be enticed, and we can prevail against him, and take our revenge on him.”

But the LORD is with me like a dread warrior;

therefore my persecutors will stumble, and they will not prevail.

They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed.

Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten.

O LORD of hosts, you test the righteous, you see the heart and the mind;

let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. Psalm 20:10-12. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied beholding your likeness. Psalm 17:15.

O LORD, who abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?

Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth fro their heart;

Who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;

in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the LORD;

who stand by their oath even to their hurt;

who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent.

Those who do these things shall never be moved. Psalm 15:1-5. Amen.

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

Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes?

Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?

Is not this is 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 the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Isaiah 58:5-7. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: For they are well instructed; their God teaches them. Isaiah 28:26.

The Lord said: Because these people draw near with their mouths and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their worship of me is a human commandment learned by rote; Isaiah 29:13.

And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21.

This also comes from the LORD of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in wisdom. Isaiah 28:29.

“One who trusts will not panic.” Isaiah 28:16.Amen.

The New Life In Christ: O LORD, I am oppressed; be my security! Isaiah 38:14.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:5.

“Remember now, O LORD, I impose you, how I have walked before you in faithfulness with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your right.” Isaiah 38:3.

“I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; Isaiah 49:4.

You are my refuge in the day of disaster; Jeremiah 17:17. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: For a long time I have held my peace, I have kept still and restrained myself; Isaiah 42:14.

Those who walk righteously and speak uprightly, who despise the gain of oppression who wave away a bribe instead of accepting it, who stop their ears from hearing of bloodshed and shut their eyes from looking on evil they will live on the heights; their refuge will be fortresses of rocks; their food will be supplied, their water assured. Isaiah 33:15.

No one brings suit justly, no one goes to law honestly; they rely on empty pleas, they speak lies, conceiving mischief and begetting iniquity. Isaiah 59:4.

…the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure. Isaiah 33:6.

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; Psalm 19:10. Amen.