cannyben

1 Peter 4:7-11 "God demonstrates his own love for us in this : While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. " Romans 5:8. Peter explained, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. " The love Jesus showed through His death on the cross frees us from the debt for our sins and opens the door for our reconciliation with God. His forgiveness empowers us to forgive others. When we love others because our Saviour loves them, God gives us strength to let go of the past and go forward with Him.

2 Corinthians 5:12-21 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17. Before knowing Christ, we followed our desires wherever they led us. But when we repent, and begin to walk with Christ, the passions that once dominated our lives fade away, as we're transfomed. "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ ...."

"I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you. " John 14:18. Time and again, the scriptures remind us of the ever presence of God. There is nowhere we can go that He is not there. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Jesus, after promising to send the Holy Spirit, told the followers, "I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you. "

Proverbs 11:23-31 "A generous person will prosper, whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. " Proverbs 11:25. When we are generous with others, we're likely to experience generosity. But we shouldn't give, expecting something in return. But when we're generous, God is pleased, and often finds a way to refresh us, sometimes materially, and other times spiritually.

Acts 5:15 "... people brought those who were ill into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. " How could a shadow heal people ? Peter's reputation as a man of God empowered to heal was so widespread that people tried to get as close to him as they could. When people respond in faith to God's work, He responds in various ways.

Romans 12:3-8 "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans 12:6. Paul affirms the value and purpose of the diverse gifts God has dispersed to His people. Every member of His family is equipped to glorify the Lord and build others up in love. Paul encourages us to identify and use our gifts to edify others and point to Jesus, serving diligently and cheerfully.

Luke 6:27-36 "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. " Luke 6:27. "Love your enemies, " Jesus says, "do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you ". These words aren't meant to excuse evil or stop injustice from being pursued. Instead, they call us to imitate God.

Psalm 111 "He provided redemption for his people, he ordained his covenant forever - holy and awesome is his name. " Psalm 111:9. From the promise of salvation in Genesis 3:15, and all the way to the hope of a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-2), the Bible explains that God has an eternal plan in rescuing us from our sin and allowing us to enjoy the fellowship with Him. In every story, the Bible is pointing us to Jesus, the only One who can solve our biggest problem. Jesus offers us and explains how to live as His children.

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 "...Our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immorality to light through the gospel. " 2 Timothy 1:10. When it comes to "good news", many still haven't heard or don't believe that Jesus has "destroyed death and has brought life and immorality to light through the gospel. " Some of us, who have heard and believed still live defeated lives, trying to survive on our own. However, Jesus reminds us that the "battle" has already been "won".

Matthew 21:21 "...'Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig-tree, but also you can say to this mountain, "Go, throw yourself into the sea, " and it will be done.' " Jesus wanted his disciples to have confidence that "God's power" was available to them. Jesus knew he would soon be sending his disciples out with the daunting task of bringing the world to him.The fig tree would remind them that God's power could help them overcome any obstacle. Now, we can pray with confidence that our God is "able".

2 Corinthians 1:8-11 "On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. " 2 Corinthians 1:10-11. Paul shared this while writing to the Corinthian church. Paul experienced trouble in the province of Asia. The persecution was so severe that he and his companions "despaired of life itself. " However, Paul was helped by the prayers of believers. Though the Corinthian church was many miles away, their prayers mattered and God heard them. Similarly, today, we can continue to remember our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering for their faith.

Romans 8:31-39 "If God is for us, who can be against us ?" Romans 8:31. Through the uncertainty of this world, God can be trusted completely, knowing that nothing "...will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. "

Matthew 14:28 " ' Lord, if it's you, ' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water ' ". Why did Peter think he could walk on water ? Perhaps he sought further confirmation of the Lord's identity and power. Peter's struggling faith led him to do things that seem impulsive and even reckless. On other occasions too, he willingly risked his own safety and comfort to be near Jesus. Times of trouble are times of "trust".

1 Peter 2:4-10 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. " 1 Peter 2:9. The King of heaven considers us among His special treasures. He has rescued us from the grip of sin and death. He claims us as His own.

Psalm 46:1-11 "God is our refuge and strength. " 46:1. Amid the storms of life, the scripture points us to the safest place, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give away. " Difficulties come to us in many forms, but God outlasts them all, if we follow Him. God can not be shaken.

Matthew 8:3 "Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing ', he said. 'Be clean! ' Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. " Why did Jesus touch the leper ? By touching the "untouchable" Jesus demonstrated his authority over the law. He cared more about people's needs than about religious ritual.

John 20:24-29 "See my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe. John 20:27. When Jesus appeared after His ressurection, He brought His scars. John writes Thomas wanting to see "the nail marks in his hands" and Jesus inviting Thomas to "put your finger here, see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side". In order to demonstrate He was the same Jesus, He rose from the dead with the scars of His suffering still visible.

Matthew 16:21-28 "On this rock I will build my church. " Matthew 16:18. God uses our struggles as opportunities to equip us to continue working for Him. Peter's life was marked by inexperience and mistakes. His faith faltered as he tried to walk on water. He wasn't sure if Jesus should pay the temple tax. He rejected Christ's prophesy about the crucifixion and resurrection. Through each issue, Jesus taught Peter about who He was. Peter listened and learned what he needed to know to found the early church. Likewise, if we are discouraged by failure, we should remember Jesus would lead us forward. Jesus continued to work with Peter despite his shortcomings.

"Psalm 39:1-7 But now, Lord what do I look for? My hope is in you. " Psalm 39-7 David 's broken spirit caused him to reflect : "Show me, Lord, my life's end and the number of my days, let me know how fleeting my life is". Amid his renewed focus, David didn't despair. He had nowhere else to turn. "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you ". David would survive this personal battle and go on to serve God. Father, our hope is in You. We are in the best place we can imagine when we go to God in prayer.

Matthew 8:17 "This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah : 'He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases'. " Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows. When Christ died, He bore our sins in his body on the cross. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, who died to give us life.