Isaiah 55:11 Everyday Life So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; "It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God's will, both publicly and privately--behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage];
so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1:19-21 So we have the prophetic word made more certain. You do well to pay [close] attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and light breaks through the gloom and the morning star arises in your hearts.
But understand this first of all, that no prophesy of Scripture is a matter of or comes from one's own [personal or special] interpretation,
for no prophesy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
How to hear and understand the Gospel
Job 38:1-3 THEN THE Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,
"Who is this that darkens counsel [questioning my authority and wisdom] By words without knowledge?
"Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!
Job 40:6-7 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, saying,
"Now gird up your loins (prepare yourself) like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me.
Job 42:4-7 'Hear, please, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct [and answer] me.'
"I had heard of You [only] by the hearing of the ear, But now my Mxolisi Duma eyes sees You.
"Therefore I retract [my words and hate myself] And I repent in dust and ashes."
It came about that after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.
Romans 10:14-17 But how will people call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher (messenger)?
And how will they preach unless they are commissioned and sent [for that purpose]? just as it is written and forever remains written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"
But they did not all pay attention to the good news [of salvation]; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?"
So faith comes from hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the [preaching of the] message concerning Christ.
Acts 26:17-18 [choosing you for Myself and] rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you,
to open their Mxolisi Duma eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness and release from their sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified (set apart, made holy) by faith in me.'
Romans 15:4-7 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.
Now may the God who gives endurance and who supplies encouragement grant that you be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify and praise and honor the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, [continue to] accept and welcome one another, just and Christ has accepted and welcomed us to the glory of [our great] God.
Here is Today's Message
1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 Everyday Life
1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We do not belong to the night nor to darkness.
So then let us not sleep [in spiritual indifference] as the rest [of the world does], but let us keep wide awake [alert and cautious] and let us be sober [self-controlled, calm, and wise].
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night.
But since we [believers] belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope and confident assurance of salvation.
For God has not destined us to [incur His] wrath [that is, He did not select us to condemn us], but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who died [willingly] for us, so that whether we are awake (alive) or asleep (dead) [at Christ's appearing], we will live together with Him [sharing eternal life].
Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.
Ephesians 5:8-14 For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light]
(for the fruit [the effect, the result] of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him--your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation].
Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them [by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character];
for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that such people practice in secret.
But all things become visible when they are exposed by the Light [of God's precepts], for it is light that makes everything visible.
For this reason He says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine [as dawn] upon you and give you light."
Matthew 25:1-13 "THEN THE kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
"Five of them were foolish [thoughts, silly, and careless], and five were wise [far-sighted, practical, and sensible].
"For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them,
but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps.
"Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep.
"But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.'
"Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil and lit them].
"But the foolish virgins said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.'
"But the wise replied, 'No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too; go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves.'
"But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked.
"Later the others also came, and said, 'Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.'
"But He replied, 'I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].'
"Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come].
Luke 21:34-38 "But be on guard, so that your hearts are not weighed down and depressed with the giddiness of debauchery and the nausea of self-indulgence and the worldly worries of life, and then that day [when the Messiah returns] will not come on you suddenly like a trap;
for it will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth.
"But keep alert at all times [be attentive and ready], praying that you may have the strength and ability [to be found worthy and] to escape all these things that are gong to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming]."
Now in the daytime Jesus was teaching in [the porches and courts of] the temple, but at night He would go out and spend the night on the mount that is called Olivet.
And early in the morning all the people would come to Him in the temple to listen to Him.
Ephesians 6:10-18 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.
Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.
Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immoveable, victorious].
So stand firm and hold your ground, HAVING TIGHTENED THE WIDE BAND OF TRUTH (personal integrity, moral courage) AROUND YOUR WAIST AND HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (an upright heart),
and having strapped on YOUR FEET THE GOSPEL OF PEACE IN PREPARATION [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news].
Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God's people.
2 Corinthians 5:12-21 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you an occasion to be [rightfully] proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in [outward] appearances [the virtues they pretend to have] rather than what is [actually] in heart.
If we are out of our mind [just unstable fanatics as some critics say], it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for your benefit.
For the love of Christ controls and compels us, because we have concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died;
and He died for all, so that all those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for their sake.
So from now on we regard no one from a human point of view [according to worldly standards and values]. Though we have known Christ from a human point of view, now we no longer know Him in this way.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].
But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him],
that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people's sins against them [but canceling them] . And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God].
So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ's representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God.
He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God's will, both publicly and privately--behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage];
so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1:19-21 So we have the prophetic word made more certain. You do well to pay [close] attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and light breaks through the gloom and the morning star arises in your hearts.
But understand this first of all, that no prophesy of Scripture is a matter of or comes from one's own [personal or special] interpretation,
for no prophesy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
How to hear and understand the Gospel
Job 38:1-3 THEN THE Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,
"Who is this that darkens counsel [questioning my authority and wisdom] By words without knowledge?
"Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!
Job 40:6-7 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, saying,
"Now gird up your loins (prepare yourself) like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me.
Job 42:4-7 'Hear, please, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct [and answer] me.'
"I had heard of You [only] by the hearing of the ear, But now my Mxolisi Duma eyes sees You.
"Therefore I retract [my words and hate myself] And I repent in dust and ashes."
It came about that after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.
Romans 10:14-17 But how will people call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher (messenger)?
And how will they preach unless they are commissioned and sent [for that purpose]? just as it is written and forever remains written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"
But they did not all pay attention to the good news [of salvation]; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?"
So faith comes from hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the [preaching of the] message concerning Christ.
Acts 26:17-18 [choosing you for Myself and] rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you,
to open their Mxolisi Duma eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness and release from their sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified (set apart, made holy) by faith in me.'
Romans 15:4-7 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.
Now may the God who gives endurance and who supplies encouragement grant that you be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify and praise and honor the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, [continue to] accept and welcome one another, just and Christ has accepted and welcomed us to the glory of [our great] God.
Here is Today's Message
1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 Everyday Life
1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We do not belong to the night nor to darkness.
So then let us not sleep [in spiritual indifference] as the rest [of the world does], but let us keep wide awake [alert and cautious] and let us be sober [self-controlled, calm, and wise].
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night.
But since we [believers] belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope and confident assurance of salvation.
For God has not destined us to [incur His] wrath [that is, He did not select us to condemn us], but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who died [willingly] for us, so that whether we are awake (alive) or asleep (dead) [at Christ's appearing], we will live together with Him [sharing eternal life].
Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.
Ephesians 5:8-14 For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light]
(for the fruit [the effect, the result] of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him--your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation].
Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them [by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character];
for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that such people practice in secret.
But all things become visible when they are exposed by the Light [of God's precepts], for it is light that makes everything visible.
For this reason He says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine [as dawn] upon you and give you light."
Matthew 25:1-13 "THEN THE kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
"Five of them were foolish [thoughts, silly, and careless], and five were wise [far-sighted, practical, and sensible].
"For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them,
but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps.
"Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep.
"But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.'
"Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil and lit them].
"But the foolish virgins said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.'
"But the wise replied, 'No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too; go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves.'
"But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked.
"Later the others also came, and said, 'Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.'
"But He replied, 'I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].'
"Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come].
Luke 21:34-38 "But be on guard, so that your hearts are not weighed down and depressed with the giddiness of debauchery and the nausea of self-indulgence and the worldly worries of life, and then that day [when the Messiah returns] will not come on you suddenly like a trap;
for it will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth.
"But keep alert at all times [be attentive and ready], praying that you may have the strength and ability [to be found worthy and] to escape all these things that are gong to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming]."
Now in the daytime Jesus was teaching in [the porches and courts of] the temple, but at night He would go out and spend the night on the mount that is called Olivet.
And early in the morning all the people would come to Him in the temple to listen to Him.
Ephesians 6:10-18 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.
Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.
Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immoveable, victorious].
So stand firm and hold your ground, HAVING TIGHTENED THE WIDE BAND OF TRUTH (personal integrity, moral courage) AROUND YOUR WAIST AND HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (an upright heart),
and having strapped on YOUR FEET THE GOSPEL OF PEACE IN PREPARATION [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news].
Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God's people.
2 Corinthians 5:12-21 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you an occasion to be [rightfully] proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in [outward] appearances [the virtues they pretend to have] rather than what is [actually] in heart.
If we are out of our mind [just unstable fanatics as some critics say], it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for your benefit.
For the love of Christ controls and compels us, because we have concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died;
and He died for all, so that all those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for their sake.
So from now on we regard no one from a human point of view [according to worldly standards and values]. Though we have known Christ from a human point of view, now we no longer know Him in this way.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].
But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him],
that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people's sins against them [but canceling them] . And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God].
So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ's representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God.
He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].
Isaiah 55:11 Everyday Life So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; "It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God's will, both publicly and privately--behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage];
so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1:19-21 So we have the prophetic word made more certain. You do well to pay [close] attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and light breaks through the gloom and the morning star arises in your hearts.
But understand this first of all, that no prophesy of Scripture is a matter of or comes from one's own [personal or special] interpretation,
for no prophesy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
How to hear and understand the Gospel
Job 38:1-3 THEN THE Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,
"Who is this that darkens counsel [questioning my authority and wisdom] By words without knowledge?
"Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!
Job 40:6-7 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, saying,
"Now gird up your loins (prepare yourself) like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me.
Job 42:4-7 'Hear, please, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct [and answer] me.'
"I had heard of You [only] by the hearing of the ear, But now my [spiritual] eyes sees You.
"Therefore I retract [my words and hate myself] And I repent in dust and ashes."
It came about that after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.
Romans 10:14-17 But how will people call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher (messenger)?
And how will they preach unless they are commissioned and sent [for that purpose]? just as it is written and forever remains written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"
But they did not all pay attention to the good news [of salvation]; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?"
So faith comes from hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the [preaching of the] message concerning Christ.
Acts 26:17-18 [choosing you for Myself and] rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you,
to open their [spiritual] eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness and release from their sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified (set apart, made holy) by faith in me.'
Romans 15:4-7 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.
Now may the God who gives endurance and who supplies encouragement grant that you be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify and praise and honor the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, [continue to] accept and welcome one another, just and Christ has accepted and welcomed us to the glory of [our great] God.
Here is Today's Message
1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 Everyday Life
1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We do not belong to the night nor to darkness.
So then let us not sleep [in spiritual indifference] as the rest [of the world does], but let us keep wide awake [alert and cautious] and let us be sober [self-controlled, calm, and wise].
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night.
But since we [believers] belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope and confident assurance of salvation.
For God has not destined us to [incur His] wrath [that is, He did not select us to condemn us], but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who died [willingly] for us, so that whether we are awake (alive) or asleep (dead) [at Christ's appearing], we will live together with Him [sharing eternal life].
Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.
Ephesians 5:8-14 For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light]
(for the fruit [the effect, the result] of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him--your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation].
Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them [by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character];
for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that such people practice in secret.
But all things become visible when they are exposed by the Light [of God's precepts], for it is light that makes everything visible.
For this reason He says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine [as dawn] upon you and give you light."
Matthew 25:1-13 "THEN THE kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
"Five of them were foolish [thoughts, silly, and careless], and five were wise [far-sighted, practical, and sensible].
"For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them,
but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps.
"Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep.
"But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.'
"Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil and lit them].
"But the foolish virgins said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.'
"But the wise replied, 'No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too; go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves.'
"But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked.
"Later the others also came, and said, 'Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.'
"But He replied, 'I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].'
"Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come].
Luke 21:34-38 "But be on guard, so that your hearts are not weighed down and depressed with the giddiness of debauchery and the nausea of self-indulgence and the worldly worries of life, and then that day [when the Messiah returns] will not come on you suddenly like a trap;
for it will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth.
"But keep alert at all times [be attentive and ready], praying that you may have the strength and ability [to be found worthy and] to escape all these things that are gong to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming]."
Now in the daytime Jesus was teaching in [the porches and courts of] the temple, but at night He would go out and spend the night on the mount that is called Olivet.
And early in the morning all the people would come to Him in the temple to listen to Him.
Ephesians 6:10-18 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.
Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.
Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immoveable, victorious].
So stand firm and hold your ground, HAVING TIGHTENED THE WIDE BAND OF TRUTH (personal integrity, moral courage) AROUND YOUR WAIST AND HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (an upright heart),
and having strapped on YOUR FEET THE GOSPEL OF PEACE IN PREPARATION [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news].
Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God's people.
2 Corinthians 5:12-21 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you an occasion to be [rightfully] proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in [outward] appearances [the virtues they pretend to have] rather than what is [actually] in heart.
If we are out of our mind [just unstable fanatics as some critics say], it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for your benefit.
For the love of Christ controls and compels us, because we have concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died;
and He died for all, so that all those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for their sake.
So from now on we regard no one from a human point of view [according to worldly standards and values]. Though we have known Christ from a human point of view, now we no longer know Him in this way.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].
But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him],
that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people's sins against them [but canceling them] . And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God].
So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ's representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God.
He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].
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