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.