What Matters Most- ThanksGIVING

~Usually, we concentrate on the THANKS part of Thanksgiving, but this year I'm focused on the GIVING part. We are just supposed to 'be' thankful, we are to 'give' thanks. I don't know about you, but I see a difference. Being thankful is all of an inward thing, while giving thanks is reflecting that thanks to the Lord, an active doing and presenting the Lord with expressions of gratefulness. This Thanksgiving, I want to give Thanks to my Lord for all the good things He has given me... and give thanks to those who surround me.... just as Jesus showed us by example (Mark 10) and taught us (1 Peter 1).

Jesus Gives Thanks
The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. —Mark 10:45

To me, the whole Thanksgiving meal is actually an analogy of Thanksgiving. First of all, it's hard to give to someone, if they're not there. So, we gather around the table... coming from near and far to be with one another. Then, we give thanks together, and everyone has something to give. At most Thanksgivings I've been at, it's been at least semi-potluck style. Even within our family, someone would give time to set the table, another would give effort to run to the store for that inevitably forgotten last ingredient, another would give energy to cook and prepare delicious dishes, another would give joyful conversation, and another would give the gift of cleaning up the many pots, pans and dishes. Perhaps that's why Paul in Acts mentions how the church would meet together for a meal: an opportunity to practice serving, just as Jesus did before us. Serving involves giving of yourself for the benefit of another.

Last night we had a lovely little potluck at my place. Ruth, Joseph, Michelle, Jess, Pacifica and I enjoyed a meal together. And they all gave me the wonderful present of their presence, being there and giving each other our time (which I believe is the most precious commodity of a grad student). Lord, this Thanksgiving, I once again dedicate myself to You. Help keep me focused on serving and giving to You and all Your children.

A Mind on Things Above

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. —Colossians 3:2

Life in Heaven
²⁵ "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Hear, O house of Israel: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust?.... ³² For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! -Ezekiel 18:25, 32

This morning I'm feeling the sadness a bit for the Salerno family... yet another life has ended and we cry out, "Why? She was so young. She was too young." But she was in pain; she was not herself for a long time.

So what my father told me at my taunt's funeral seems relevant: "Katie, when we cry at funerals, our sadness is somewhat of a selfish sadness.... because we know that the person is better off. Taunt is rejoicing today, happy and healthy... in heaven with Jesus. But we're sad, because she's no longer here with us. We need to remember that we're not sad for her... but we're so happy because she's in the best place ever."

Indeed, Taunt is living with the Lord, the most wonderful place ever, as is Tricia and Amanda and so many other wonderful people. They're really living... we're just preparing for that day. Still it's hard, and still it's sad, and this isn't going to make it feel any better but somehow it helps to remember that our Lord is just and loving and He promises us Life.

Friendship with Heaven
⁴You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. ⁵Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? ⁶But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble." -James 4:4-6

What does it mean to have friendship with the world? It seems to me that James is talking about consumerism, materialism, greed, ambition, etc... especially when followed the by scripture references. The world is full of temptations... telling us that this or that is more important, distractions to take us away from the Heaven goal. Lord, teach me to follow Your ways and stay away from the temptations of this world. You're the one I care about.

Each One

How to Appreciate Each One

-a minister with gifts from God

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. —1 Peter 4:10

How to Treat Each One

-a precious child of God independent of wealth (no favoritism allowed)

¹My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. ²Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. ³If 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," ⁴have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

⁵Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? ⁶But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? ⁷Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? -James 2:1-7

Money, Get Away

⁴¹Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴²But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

⁴³Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on." -Mark 12:41-44

The woman and her offering... she gave so much. And it was to her benefit. Sometimes I think we forget that giving does us good too. There is something about money, this strange symbolic system, that is contrary to the way that we are meant to live in this world. Of all the things that the church emphasizes, this is one that it often forgets... yet it is one of the topics Jesus most talked about! And last night, we finished up Romans 6, where we read about how we are to "offer" ourselves in obedience as a slave to God. Our very lives should be an offering. Every day, everything. It's similar to our money. Just as it's not enough to give out of our wealth, it's not enough to give the extra time left over... we have to give all we have to live on.

¹Therefore, 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. ²Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. -Hebrews 12:1-3

This is one of my favorite verses, and this morning it also seems to relate quite well to the previous verse. We need to "throw off" everything that hinders us as well as sin. Money can be a hindrance and a sin if we focus on that instead of fixing our eyes on Jesus. I like that image of "throwing off" also. Every day we are challenged to focus on obeying God, making an effort to live it for Him... remembering who our Lord is and the joy we have in His miraculous story.. so we don't lose heart.

Amidst Sorrow & Joy

In Singing and Sadness

When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the LORD, as prescribed by David king of Israel. ¹¹ With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD :
"He is good;
his love to Israel endures forever."
And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. ¹² But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. ¹³ No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away. -Ezra 3:10-13

I LOVE this passage, and I don't think I've taken much notice of it until today. As they rebuilt Solomon's temple it was one of those frequent moments of bittersweet emotions. Sweet in the joy of building a new temple... bitter in sadness of the temple that had been destroyed by war and violence.

I remember talking to my dad about all the memories that he had, and he told me it made him a bit sad. I didn't understand why at the time, but he was happy to talk about his parents and his childhood, but he was sad that it was a part of his life that he wouldn't get back.

The same thing happens to me so many times with the so many things that remind me of Amanda. Most recently I was playing guitar hero (so much fun), and there was a Dylan song. I just had to play that one of course... and I tangled up in blue-ed for Amanda- fun but also a bit sad.

But I think it's important to point out that in the verse they are not the same people who are singing and weeping. Different people are singing and weeping, so that there is always a chorus of laughter and tears... so much the truth in our lives, and it's so important. If not, the world would all be chaos and grief at once... this way we can carry each other through in the times when we feel faint.

His Love Never Fails

I have been deprived of peace;
I have forgotten what prosperity is.

¹⁸ So I say, "My splendor is gone
and all that I had hoped from the LORD."

¹⁹ I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.

²⁰ I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.

²¹ Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

²² Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

²³ They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

²⁴ I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

²⁵ The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;

²⁶ it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD. -Lamentations 3:17-26

These verses are much more familiar, and I love them, and I love the poetry in it. The sadness so clearly expressed and then the 'bridge' or 'turning point'- "Yet I call to mind...." When we are feeling that way we need to remember God. We need to wait and hope in Him and seek Him.

This week I was feeling so distraught at one point that I just couldn't see God. I couldn't recognize my value... I felt like I had committed an unforgivable sin. I felt like all my value had disappeared, and I was doing more harm in so many ways than good. But so many angels came along my side and helped me to remember exactly what I needed to hear: God is the one who ultimately gives me value, He will never give up on me, His love is unfailing. And that is what I need to remember, amidst the sorrow and amidst the joy.

We Don't Shrink Back

³⁵So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. ³⁶You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. ³⁷For in just a very little while,
"He who is coming will come and will not delay.
³⁸But my righteous one will live by faith.
And if he shrinks back,
I will not be pleased with him." ³⁹But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. -Hebrews 10:35-39

These verses remind me of a slinky... I don't know... maybe it's all the repetition of "shrink." Anyway, I remember how I'd put the slinky on my Baba's stairwell... always exciting since we didn't have stairs in our house. If it was planted firmly on the step, it wouldn't move. But there was a delicate tipping point, and when reached it would slink down, down, down, down.

I think it is an analogy for us... if we persevere and are planted squarely (or circlely) on the step of faith, we won't 'slink' back down. We'll stay there, and actually God will move us closer and closer towards Him. But, God will not be pleased if we slink back... moving away from our Lord. Father, help me to remain in You always... firmly planted in Your foundation in the midst of sorrow and joy.

Good For Nothing Vanity

^{Alone We Accomplish Nothing}

³For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. ⁴Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. ⁷If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; ⁸if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

⁹Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. -Romans 12:3-11

It's beautiful to read this scripture this morning- just after Bible Study last night. I found a fun trivia jeopardy game online. And at Bible Study we played the game together. All on the same team, we each contributed something: whether it was an answer to a certain set of questions or choosing the category or keeping track of the score. 13600! (Ok, so what if there was no other team?) Well, some of us are better at remembering names, others are better at recognizing trick questions, yet others will pick out numbers. Together we each did our part in the game.

And it was quite poignant, since we were talking about being 'death to sin' (Romans 6). We need the power of God's glory and grace for that to be true. And I'd also add that we need each other. With the encouragement gleamed from uniting with my brothers and sisters every week, I feel better prepared to keep away from sin, to do my part, and to recognize that alone I can't do anything... but only with God and with the help of His awesome multi-talented kids!

<sup>Boasting Accomplishes Nothing

29</sup> "We have heard of Moab's pride—
her overweening pride and conceit,
her pride and arrogance
and the haughtiness of her heart.

³⁰ I know her insolence but it is futile,"
declares the LORD,
"and her boasts accomplish nothing.-Jeremiah 48:29-30

It can be very tempting to believe someone who acts so certain in what they do and say. But the truth is, you can talk as much as you want, but 'accomplishes nothing.' It's not all that uncommon for the underdog to win. The favorite gets a bit to sure of him/herself. The walk into the game without practicing or taking it to seriously- and the outcome is an 'upset.' Vanity will get you nowhere.

Without Jesus We Accomplish Nothing

²³Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; ²⁴but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. ²⁵Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

²⁶Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. ²⁷Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. ²⁸For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. -Hebrews 7:23-26

These are the verses that I really love. We, even those holy appointed high preists, are weak. And our weakness makes us able to recognize our need for Christ. Yet I wonder, how does this fit in with people who talk about holiness and sanctification and being 'dead to sin'?

Some people talk about greater or lesser sins, but I don't quite buy that either. Otherwise, we'd be under the law again: classifying Christians, weighing and measuring. I believe that sin is sin... no matter how great or how large. That's the only way Christ can be the equalizer, level the playing field for people who grew up with 'the silver spoon,' those who grew up in Christian families, and those who grew up without families and without knowing Him.

To me, I think of it as more a change of heart. We are all sinners... but as Christians, we recognize our need for Him to intercede for our sins. Before that change, we didn't recognize that.

In Love with God

As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.

² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?

³ My tears have been my food
day and night,
while men say to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"

⁴ These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
among the festive throng.

⁵ Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and ⁶ my God.
My soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.

⁷ Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.

⁸ By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.

⁹ I say to God my Rock,
"Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?"

¹⁰ My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"

¹¹ Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

I've always loved this song, and I still love it. It speaks exactly to what the pastor talked about in church yesterday. We should be so in love with God. When you're in love, you want to spend hours and hours in that person's presence. You want to talk to them forever. You love being with that person and doing anything to make them happy.

We should want to go to church every day to we with our Lord. We should want to talk to Him in prayer every single day. We should long for the moments to read more of His word, to be in fellowship with His people, to talk about Him. We should love pleasing Him, in all the ways He has taught us through scripture.

Lord, fill me with an even deeper desire and longing for You.

It's How You Look at It

Suffering or Serving

¹⁶However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. ¹⁷For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸And,

"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

¹⁹So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. - 1 Peter 4:16-19

Reflecting on these passages this morning, I think it really does depend on how you look at it. I think about how I don't really feel like I suffer for the gospel. Sometimes I wonder why. But, I think it's just the fact that you can't be both suffering and joyful at the same time. It's a competition, and true joy will always win.

Perhaps some people would think that going away to a land far away from home, earning less than $60 a month and starting over again would be suffering. I came back last year and lived with in a room with the bed and dresser that came with the La Aldea room. I sat on the floor with my laptop, but I never felt the need to buy anything else... What I had in my room was already so much more, so much nicer than what I had in Brazil. But I never, not even when I first arrived there, felt like I was suffering. It was so wonderful. People who've never done that don't understand.

But, maybe it is just me... I remember that the leader of the Study Abroad program warned people not to talk to me... Katie has rose-colored vision. But, why suffer? God wants to fill us with the joy of joining in His service.


Sinning or Struggling

¹Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. ²He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. ³This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.

⁴No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. ⁵So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,
"You are my Son;
today I have become your Father." ⁶And he says in another place,
"You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek."

⁷During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. ⁸Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered ⁹and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him ¹⁰and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. -Hebrews 5:1-10

I love this passage. While it doesn't mention the word "humility," that is exactly what it's talking about. "No one takes glory upon him/herself." That's comforting, especially right now.

In hearing Lise's father talk about ministry, I got a little nervous. Would I ever be able to do this? But, I need to have faith that God will put me in that position, and recognize that everyone is "subject to weakness." Through prayers, petitions, cries and tears, God will hear me like He heard his Son. He will work on my struggles and prepare me.

Reap What You Sow

<sup>Reap Goodness, Sow Goodness

7</sup>Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ⁹Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. -Galatians 6:7-10

This reminds me of what we talked about in Bible Study last night- what kind of fruit we bear, what good we produce... do good was repeated, I don't know how many times, in the passage of Luke that we looked at. I really like the turn of phrase: Let us not become weary of doing good.... not become weary... that seems to be a grad students goal. The weeks where you have 50 research papers to grade and a poster to present and a presentation in a class... you're just praying that somehow you can make it through on little sleep without growing weary.

But, it's not just grad students. Moms- who have 2 sick kids and are feeling under the weather themselves, making treats for a church bake sale and taking kids to practices. Fathers who are working hard outside and inside the home to somehow balance their work and family time. Lord, let us not become weary of doing good... show us the opportunities you present to us in our business.

<sup>Reap Evil, Sow Evil

26</sup> Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: ²⁷ "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? ²⁸ Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I am about to hand this city over to the Babylonians and to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will capture it. ²⁹ The Babylonians who are attacking this city will come in and set it on fire; they will burn it down, along with the houses where the people provoked me to anger by burning incense on the roofs to Baal and by pouring out drink offerings to other gods. Jeremiah 32:26-29

And the counterexample. Israel and Judah were not doing what was 'good and pleasing' in the Father's eyes... to use the Bible terminology. They were burning incense to Baal and offering things to other gods. And I often wonder if we aren't doing the same thing sometimes... holding our own work, our own ambitions, our own desires and wants and needs above God. Whenever we offer our time to these "idols," we are offering to false gods what belongs to our one true God. Lord, teach me to stay focused on You... offering You everything.

<sup>Reap Righteousness, Sow Righteousness

9</sup>You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy." Hebrews: 1:9

This verse is puzzling to me this morning. I really think it requires a bit more time, so I hope to look up some commentary on it. It reads as if this is speaking of Jesus... and the phrase "oil of joy" particularly stands out to me. I don't think I remember reading it before... not noticing it at least.

Fear Moves Us to Wisdom, Peace, & Testimony

Fear

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. —Proverbs 9:10

It's quite a cliche- that of the God-fearing man. I can almost hear the Duncar women sitting around their quilts and praying for a God-fearing man. I think 'fear' is so far removed from our vocabulary today. In fact, I believe it's somehow morphed into something quite different than the meaning here. Rather than that awful emotion experienced when watching a scary movie, this fear is more like an awe, a recognition of God's might power... a need to serve and honor the one who created and knows and is everything. Only when we begin by understanding the beginning and the end of all things can we hope for a bit of understanding, gleamed from His wisdom.

Lord, so many times I lose sight of the fact that You are the center of it all... like last night, frustrated with my poster, I couldn't see beyond it to the things that matter more than adverbs. And yes, looking back on it now, it is absolutely ridiculous. But for you maybe it's not adverbs, maybe it's a loss from your favorite sport's team, missing a show you really like, a shirt that someone borrowed and ruined. It's so so small God, and only fearing Your power and ultimate holiness can bring us out of ourselves and into You... into a knowledge of You and a motivation to do Your will- living, loving, studying, in a way that is honoring to You.

¹⁰ " 'So do not fear, O Jacob my servant;
do not be dismayed, O Israel,'
declares the LORD.
'I will surely save you out of a distant place,
your descendants from the land of their exile.
Jacob will again have peace and security,
and no one will make him afraid. -Jeremiah 30:10

Here we have proof of the fact that there are indeed two different meanings behind the surface form of "fear." While we do need to fear the Lord, we do not need to fear in that "hide behind the covers" sort of way... or that "jump 10 feet in the air" sort of way. I remember when I was watching "The Butterfly Effect" with my friends. I jumped off the couch! They couldn't believe it, and said, "Wo! Katie, it's only 3 minutes into the movie!"

Well, I may be a scaredy Katie, but I don't have be be afraid of what the Lord will do. Last night, Kara pointed out the same thing about Romans. We often talk about our own justification as Roman's message, but everything that is mentioned is to show God's righteousness. We don't have to fear (in hiding way) our Lord, because He is righteous (with a capital R) and holy (with a capital H) and good (with a capital G). Whatever he does is for good... to ultimately be the bringer of peace and security. Lord, I pray that you would teach us to experience the peace of Your goodness... by the grace of Your power, 'fearing' and recognizing Your goodness.

⁴I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, ⁵because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. ⁶I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. ⁷Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. -Philemon 4-7

And this is an interesting little letter that I read this morning, as Paul uses all his powers of persuasion. But what I never realized before is the mention of saints. Who are these saints? Why is he praised for the love of them? How does he express this love? But, this seems to be connected to the fear of the Lord again. If fear of the Lord moves us to understanding... and sharing of faith also moves us to a full understanding of every good thing, the two (fear and sharing) must be connected. When we acknowledge God's power and authority, we tell about it. It also struck me this morning that sharing has benefits for the sharer as well... we gain understanding... and others have refreshed hearts.

Lord, help me to fear You as I go about this day... sharing Your love.

Following the Rules

We Were Spiritual Prisoners... But Now We Are Free from the Law

Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. ²²But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

²³Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. ²⁴So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. -Galatians 3:19-29

And We Wait Faithfully, Patiently for His Promises

⁴ This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ⁵ "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. ⁶ Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. ⁷ Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." ⁸ Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. ⁹ They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them," declares the LORD.

¹⁰ This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."-Jeremiah 29:4-14

All the While Following the Rules of Society, Showing Humility in This.

¹Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, ²to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

³At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

⁹But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. ¹¹You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. -Titus 3:1-11