Isaiah‬ ‭48‬:‭8-11‬

But even in the past you didn’t listen. You didn’t learn anything. You never listen to what I say. I have always known that you would turn against me. You have rebelled against me from the time you were born. “But I will be patient. I will do this for myself. People will praise me for not becoming angry and destroying you. You will praise me for waiting. “Look, I will make you pure, but not in the way you make silver pure. I will make you pure by giving you troubles. I will do this for myself—for me! I will not let you treat me as if I am not important. I will not let some false god take my glory and praise. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭48‬:‭8-11‬ ERV)

Isaiah‬ ‭46‬:‭3-4, 12-13

“Family of Jacob, listen to me! You who are left from the family of Israel, listen! I have carried you since you left your mother’s womb. I carried you when you were born, and I will still be carrying you when you are old. Your hair will turn gray, and I will still carry you. I made you, and I will carry you to safety.

“Listen to me, you stubborn people! You are far from doing what is right. But I am close to making things right. Salvation will not be delayed much longer. I will bring salvation to Zion and to my wonderful Israel.” (‭Isaiah‬ ‭46‬:‭3-4, 12-13‬ ERV)

Isaiah‬ ‭45‬:‭23

“When I make a promise, that promise is true. It will happen. And I swear by my own power that everyone will bow before me and will take an oath to obey me. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭45‬:‭23‬ ERV)

‭Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭20-25‬

But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit; Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)–[which will bring you] unto life eternal. And refute [so as to] convict some who dispute with you, and on some have mercy who waver and doubt. [Strive to] save others, snatching [them] out of [the] fire; on others take pity [but] with fear, loathing even the garment spotted by the flesh and polluted by their sensuality. [Zech. 3:2-4.] Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic delight]– To the one only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory (splendor), majesty, might and dominion, and power and authority, before all time and now and forever (unto all the ages of eternity). Amen (so be it).
(‭Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭20-25‬ AMP)

‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭13-15

The work of each [one] will become [plainly, openly] known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done. If the work which any person has built on this Foundation [any product of his efforts whatever] survives [this test], he will get his reward. But if any person's work is burned up [under the test], he will suffer the loss [of it all, losing his reward], though he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has passed] through fire. [Job 23:10.] (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭13-15‬ AMP)

Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭1-5

BUT NOW [in spite of past judgments for Israel's sins], thus says the Lord, He Who created you, O Jacob, and He Who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you [ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives]; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt [to the Babylonians] for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba [a province of Ethiopia] in exchange [for your release]. Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and because I love you, I will give men in return for you and peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east [where they are dispersed] and gather you from the west. [Acts 18:10.]
(‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭1-5‬ AMP)

Isaiah‬ ‭42‬:‭16‬

Then I will lead the blind along a path they never knew to places where they have never been before. I will change darkness into light for them. I will make the rough ground smooth. I will do these things for them; I will not abandon my people. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭42‬:‭16‬ ERV)

1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭16-18‬

If anyone sees his brother [believer] committing a sin that does not [lead to] death (the extinguishing of life), he will pray and [God] will give him life [yes, He will grant life to all those whose sin is not one leading to death]. There is a sin [that leads] to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin which does not [involve] death [that may be repented of and forgiven]. We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] practice committing sin, but the One Who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him [Christ's divine presence within him preserves him against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch [him]. (‭1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭16-18‬ AMP)

1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭1-5

The people who believe that Jesus is the Messiah are God’s children. Anyone who loves the Father also loves the Father’s children. How do we know that we love God’s children? We know because we love God and we obey his commands. Loving God means obeying his commands. And God’s commands are not too hard for us, because everyone who is a child of God has the power to win against the world. It is our faith that has won the victory against the world. So who wins against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. (‭1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭1-5‬ ERV)

Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭24-25

We should think about each other to see how we can encourage each other to show love and do good works. We must not quit meeting together, as some are doing. No, we need to keep on encouraging each other. This becomes more and more important as you see the Day getting closer.
(‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭24-25‬ ERV)

1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭4-9

Anyone who sins breaks God’s law. Yes, sinning is the same as living against God’s law. You know that Christ came to take away people’s sins. There is no sin in Christ. So whoever lives in Christ does not continue to sin. If they continue to sin, they have never really understood Christ and have never known him. Dear children, don’t let anyone lead you into the wrong way. Christ always did what was right. So to be good like Christ, you must do what is right. The devil has been sinning since the beginning. Anyone who continues to sin belongs to the devil. The Son of God came for this: to destroy the devil’s work. Those who are God’s children do not continue to sin, because the new life God gave them stays in them. They cannot keep sinning, because they have become children of God. (‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭4-9‬ ERV)

‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭17-23‬

Suppose a believer who is rich enough to have all the necessities of life sees a fellow believer who is poor and does not have even basic needs. What if the rich believer does not help the poor one? Then it is clear that God’s love is not in that person’s heart. My children, our love should not be only words and talk. No, our love must be real. We must show our love by the things we do. That’s how we know we belong to the way of truth. And when our hearts make us feel guilty, we can still have peace before God, because God is greater than our hearts. He knows everything.

My dear friends, if we don’t feel that we are doing wrong, we can be without fear when we come to God. And God gives us what we ask for. We receive it because we obey God’s commands and do what pleases him. This is what God commands: that we believe in his Son Jesus Christ, and that we love each other as he commanded. (‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭17-23‬ ERV)

Isaiah‬ ‭41‬:‭8-14‬

The Lord says, “You, Israel, are my servant. Jacob, I chose you. You are from the family of my friend, Abraham. You were in a faraway country, but I reached out to you. I called you from that faraway place. I said, ‘You are my servant.’ I chose you, and I have not rejected you. Don’t worry—I am with you. Don’t be afraid—I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with my right hand that brings victory. Look, some people are angry with you, but they will be ashamed and disgraced. Your enemies will be lost and disappear. You will look for the people who were against you, but you will not be able to find them. Those who fought against you will disappear completely. I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand. And I tell you, ‘Don’t be afraid! I will help you.’ People of Israel, descendants of Jacob, you may be weak and worthless, but do not be afraid. I myself will help you.” This is what the Lord himself says. “I am the Holy One of Israel, the one who saves you. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭41‬:‭8-14‬ ERV)

Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭28-31

Surely you know the truth. Surely you have heard. The Lord is the God who lives forever! He created all the faraway places on earth. He does not get tired and weary. You cannot learn all he knows. He helps tired people be strong. He gives power to those without it. Young men get tired and need to rest. Even young boys stumble and fall. But those who trust in the Lord will become strong again. They will be like eagles that grow new feathers. They will run and not get weak. They will walk and not get tired. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭28-31‬ ERV)

‭1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭5-10‬

And this is the message [the message of promise] which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all [no, not in any way]. [So] if we say we are partakers together and enjoy fellowship with Him when we live and move and are walking about in darkness, we are [both] speaking falsely and do not live and practice the Truth [which the Gospel presents]. But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]. If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts]. If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. If we say (claim) we have not sinned, we contradict His Word and make Him out to be false and a liar, and His Word is not in us [the divine message of the Gospel is not in our hearts].
(‭1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭5-10‬ AMP)

Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭24-34‬

“You cannot serve two masters at the same time. You will hate one and love the other, or you will be loyal to one and not care about the other. You cannot serve God and Money at the same time. “So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live—what you will eat, drink, or wear. Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it. Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you know you are worth much more than they are? You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it. “And why do you worry about clothes? Look at the wildflowers in the field. See how they grow. They don’t work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that even Solomon, the great and rich king, was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers. If God makes what grows in the field so beautiful, what do you think he will do for you? It’s just grass—one day it’s alive, and the next day someone throws it into a fire. But God cares enough to make it beautiful. Surely he will do much more for you. Your faith is so small! “Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ That’s what those people who don’t know God are always thinking about. Don’t worry, because your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Tomorrow will have its own worries. (‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭24-34‬ ERV)

2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭8-9‬

But don’t forget this one thing, dear friends: To the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord is not being slow in doing what he promised—the way some people understand slowness. But God is being patient with you. He doesn’t want anyone to be lost. He wants everyone to change their ways and stop sinning. (‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭8-9‬ ERV)

Isaiah‬ ‭38‬:‭15-17‬

What can I say? He told me what would happen, and he will make it happen. I have had these troubles in my soul, so now I will be humble all my life. Lord, use this hard time to make my spirit live again. Help my spirit become strong and healthy. Help me become well! Help me live again! Look, my troubles are gone! I now have peace. You love me very much. You did not let me rot in the grave. You took my sins and threw them away. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭38‬:‭15-17‬ ERV)

‬‬‭2 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭7-10‬

But he saved Lot, a good man who lived there. Lot was greatly troubled by the morally bad lives of those evil people. This good man lived with those evil people every day, and his good heart was hurt by the evil things he saw and heard. So you see that the Lord God knows how to save those who are devoted to him. He will save them when troubles come. And the Lord will hold evil people to punish them on the day of judgment. That punishment is for those who are always doing the evil that their sinful selves want to do. It is for those who hate the Lord’s authority. These false teachers do whatever they want, and they are so proud of themselves. They are not afraid even to say bad things against the glorious ones. (‭2 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭7-10‬ ERV)

‭2 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭20-21

People can be made free from the evil in the world. They can be made free by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But if they go back into those evil things and are controlled by them, then it is worse for them than it was before. Yes, it would be better for them to have never known the right way. That would be better than to know the right way and then to turn away from the holy teaching that was given to them. (‭2 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭20-21‬ ERV)

2 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭5, 7-11

Because you have these blessings, do all you can to add to your life these things: to your faith add goodness; to your goodness add knowledge;

to your devotion add kindness toward your brothers and sisters in Christ, and to this kindness add love. If all these things are in you and growing, you will never fail to be useful to God. You will produce the kind of fruit that should come from your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who don’t grow in these blessings are blind. They cannot see clearly what they have. They have forgotten that they were cleansed from their past sins. My brothers and sisters, God called you and chose you to be his. Do your best to live in a way that shows you really are God’s called and chosen people. If you do all this, you will never fall. And you will be given a very great welcome into the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, a kingdom that never ends. (‭2 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭5, 7-11‬ ERV)

1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭8-10‬

Control yourselves and be careful! The devil is your enemy, and he goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to attack and eat. Refuse to follow the devil. Stand strong in your faith. You know that your brothers and sisters all over the world are having the same sufferings that you have. Yes, you will suffer for a short time. But after that, God will make everything right. He will make you strong. He will support you and keep you from falling. He is the God who gives all grace. He chose you to share in his glory in Christ. That glory will continue forever. (‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭8-10‬ ERV)

‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭6-7‬

So be humble under God’s powerful hand. Then he will lift you up when the right time comes. Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you. (‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭6-7‬ ERV)

‭1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭12-14

My friends, don’t be surprised at the painful things that you are now suffering, which are testing your faith. Don’t think that something strange is happening to you. But you should be happy that you are sharing in Christ’s sufferings. You will be happy and full of joy when Christ shows his glory. When people say bad things to you because you follow Christ, consider it a blessing. When that happens, it shows that God’s Spirit, the Spirit of glory, is with you. (‭1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭12-14‬ ERV)

1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬

Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow up and be saved. (‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ AMP)

1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭20-23

But if you are punished for doing wrong, there is no reason to praise you for bearing that punishment. But if you suffer for doing good and you are patient, this pleases God. This is what you were chosen to do. Christ gave you an example to follow. He suffered for you. So you should do the same as he did: “He never sinned, and he never told a lie.” Isaiah 53:9 People insulted him, but he did not insult them back. He suffered, but he did not threaten anyone. No, he let God take care of him. God is the one who judges rightly. (‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭20-23‬ ERV)

Isaiah‬ ‭35‬:‭3-4, 8-10‬

Make the weak arms strong again. Strengthen the weak knees. People are afraid and confused. Say to them, “Be strong! Don’t be afraid!” Look, your God will come and punish your enemies. He will come and give you your reward. He will save you.

There will be a road there. This highway will be called “The Holy Road.” Evil people will not be allowed to walk on that road. No fools will walk on it. Only good people will walk there. There will be no dangers on that road. There will be no lions there to hurt people or any dangerous animals on it. That road will be for the people God saves. The Lord will make his people free, and they will come back to him. They will come into Zion rejoicing. They will be happy forever. Their happiness will be like a crown on their heads. Gladness and joy will fill them completely. Sorrow and sadness will be far, far away. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭35‬:‭3-4, 8-10‬ ERV)

Judges‬ ‭6‬:‭11-16

One time the angel of the Lord came to a place called Ophrah and sat under an oak tree. This oak tree belonged to a man named Joash from the Abiezer family. His son Gideon was beating some wheat in a winepress. He was hiding so that the Midianites could not see the wheat. The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said, “The Lord be with you, brave soldier.”

Then Gideon said, “Pardon me, sir, but if the Lord is with us, why are we having so many troubles? We heard that he did wonderful things for our ancestors. They tell us that the Lord took them out of Egypt. But now it seems the Lord has left us and is letting the Midianites defeat us.” The Lord turned toward Gideon and said, “Then use your great power and go save the Israelites from the Midianites. I am sending you to save them.” But Gideon answered and said, “Pardon me, sir. How can I save Israel? My family group is the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh, and I am the youngest one in my family.” The Lord answered Gideon and said, “I will be with you, so you can defeat the Midianites as easily as if they were only one man.” (‭Judges‬ ‭6‬:‭11-16‬ ERV)

‭James‬ ‭2‬:‭14-17, 19‬

My brothers and sisters, if a person claims to have faith but does nothing, that faith is worth nothing. Faith like that cannot save anyone. Suppose a brother or sister in Christ comes to you in need of clothes or something to eat. And you say to them, “God be with you! I hope you stay warm and get plenty to eat,” but you don’t give them the things they need. If you don’t help them, your words are worthless. It is the same with faith. If it is just faith and nothing more—if it doesn’t do anything—it is dead.

You believe there is one God. That’s good, but even the demons believe that! And they shake with fear. (‭James‬ ‭2‬:‭14-17, 19‬ ERV)

James‬ ‭1‬:‭5-8‬

Do any of you need wisdom? Ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to everyone. So he will give you wisdom. But when you ask God, you must believe. Don’t doubt him. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is blown up and down by the wind. People like that are thinking two different things at the same time. They can never decide what to do. So they should not think they will receive anything from the Lord. (‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭5-8‬ ERV)

Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭5-6

Keep your lives free from the love of money. And be satisfied with what you have. God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 So we can feel sure and say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. People can do nothing to me.” Psalm 118:6 (‭Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭5-6‬ ERV)

Isaiah‬ ‭30‬:‭15-16

The Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, says, “If you come back to me you will be saved. Only by remaining calm and trusting in me can you be strong.” But you don’t want to do that. You say, “No, we need fast horses for battle.” That is true—you will need fast horses, but only to run away because your enemy will be faster than your horses. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭30‬:‭15-16‬ ERV)

Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭5-8, 11

And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭5-8, 11‬ NIV)

Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1-3‬

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1-3‬ NIV)

Joshua‬ ‭22‬:‭5‬

But remember—continue to obey the law that the Lord ’S servant Moses gave you. You must love the Lord your God and obey his commands. You must continue to follow him and serve him the very best that you can.” (‭Joshua‬ ‭22‬:‭5‬ ERV)

Jeremiah‬ ‭32‬:‭27‬

Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me? (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭32‬:‭27‬ AMP)

Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭2-3, 10-12, 14

If the law could make people perfect, those sacrifices would have already stopped. They would already be clean from their sins, and they would not still feel guilty. But that’s not what happens. Their sacrifices make them remember their sins every year,

Jesus Christ did the things God wanted him to do. And because of that, we are made holy through the sacrifice of Christ’s body. Christ made that sacrifice one time—enough for all time. Every day the priests stand and do their religious service. Again and again they offer the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But Christ offered only one sacrifice for sins, and that sacrifice is good for all time. Then he sat down at the right side of God.

With one sacrifice Christ made his people perfect forever. They are the ones who are being made holy. (‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭2-3, 10-12, 14‬ ERV)

Hebrews‬ ‭9‬:‭12-15, 22, 25-28

Christ entered the Most Holy Place only one time—enough for all time. He entered the Most Holy Place by using his own blood, not the blood of goats or young bulls. He entered there and made us free from sin forever. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a cow were sprinkled on those who were no longer pure enough to enter the place of worship. The blood and ashes made them pure again—but only their bodies. So surely the blood sacrifice of Christ can do much more. Christ offered himself through the eternal Spirit as a perfect sacrifice to God. His blood will make us completely clean from the evil we have done. It will give us clear consciences so that we can worship the living God. So Christ brings a new agreement from God to his people. He brings this agreement so that those who are chosen by God can have the blessings God promised, blessings that last forever. This can happen only because Christ died to free people from sins committed against the commands of the first agreement.

The law says that almost everything must be made clean by blood. Sins cannot be forgiven without a blood sacrifice.

The high priest enters the Most Holy Place once every year. He takes with him blood to offer. But he does not offer his own blood like Christ did. Christ went into heaven, but not to offer himself many times like the high priest offers blood again and again. If Christ had offered himself many times, he would have needed to suffer many times since the time the world was made. But he came to offer himself only once. And that once is enough for all time. He came at a time when the world is nearing an end. He came to take away all sin by offering himself as a sacrifice. Everyone must die once. Then they are judged. So Christ was offered as a sacrifice one time to take away the sins of many people. And he will come a second time, but not to offer himself for sin. He will come the second time to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (‭Hebrews‬ ‭9‬:‭12-15, 22, 25-28‬ ERV)