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Ephesians 2:4-10 " ...we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. " Ephesians 2:10. Paul wrote to the Ephesians of their purpose in this world, describing them as "God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. " Paul goes on to say that God's "handiwork" of creating us would result in our "handiwork" of creating good works for His glory in our world.

Hebrews 11:1-6 "...my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. " Philippians 4:19. "...faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. " The foundation of this confidence and assurance is God Himself, who "...rewards those who earnestly seek him. " God is faithful to keep His promises.

Luke 22:39-46 "Greater love has no one than this : to lay down one's life for one's friends ". John 15:13. When Jesus was waiting for His arrest and subsequent execution, He prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me ...". But He concluded that request with an example of courage, love, and sacrifice. "...yet not my will, but yours be done". Jesus' death and resurrection made our eternal life possible.

Matthew 6:19-21 "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. " Matthew 6:20. Jesus told us to store up "treasures in heaven". We do that when we become "rich in good deeds", "rich in faith", helping others and sharing Christ with them.

1John 4:7-12 "We love because he first loved us. " 1 John 4:19. God is love. Christ's death on the cross, the ultimate demonstration of love, displays the depth of His passion for us. Because God loves us and lives in us, we can love others, based on who He is and what He has done.

Mark 1:9-15 "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news! " Mark 1:15. Jesus began His mission with these words. Instead of running to places that entrap us, or being ruled by fear, Jesus explains that we can be ruled by God, who lovingly leads us to new life and freedom.

2 Corinthians 4:16, 5:9 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16. What's true about an old house, is also true about our body. Our bodies, like an old house, will eventually look like a bit worse with time. But as Paul explains, there is good news. While we gradually lose the physical vibrancy of youth, the spirit, within us, is continually renewed, and grows.

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".