Category
VERSES FOR OFFERINGS
Think about giving – it's truly beautiful in God's eyes. When you're preparing your offering, remember it should be your best, given with a sincere heart. It should be a joyful act, knowing how much God has already blessed us with, even when we don't deserve it. He's been incredibly generous, hasn't He?
If you only give what's leftover, well, life might just mirror that back to you. Think about it – give as if you're giving to yourself. Don't do it out of obligation or because you expect something in return. True giving comes from the heart.
Don't make a big show of it either. It's not about getting praised or patted on the back. Let your giving be a quiet act between you and God. He sees what's in your heart, and He loves a cheerful giver. Remember what it says in 2 Corinthians 9:7: "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Giving is an act of worship, a way to give back a portion of what God has already given us. And when God gives, He gives abundantly. When you offer from the heart, you're opening the door for even more blessings. The more you give, the more you receive. It's a beautiful cycle.
You unfaithful people! Don’t you know that love for this ⌞evil⌟ world is hatred toward God? Whoever wants to be a friend of this world is an enemy of God.
Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked people, take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers.
If anyone comes to you and doesn’t bring these teachings, don’t take him into your home or even greet him.
Whoever greets him shares the evil things he’s doing.
Do not be a friend of one who has a bad temper, and never keep company with a hothead,
or you will learn his ways and set a trap for yourself.
Don’t love the world and what it offers. Those who love the world don’t have the Father’s love in them.
Whoever walks with wise people will be wise, but whoever associates with fools will suffer.
Now, what I meant was that you should not associate with people who call themselves brothers or sisters in the Christian faith but live in sexual sin, are greedy, worship false gods, use abusive language, get drunk, or are dishonest. Don’t eat with such people.
Don’t let anyone deceive you. Associating with bad people will ruin decent people.
Jerusalem cries bitterly at night with tears running down its cheeks. Out of all those who love the city, no one offers it comfort. All of Jerusalem’s friends have betrayed it and become its enemies.
Whoever forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever keeps bringing up the issue separates the closest of friends.
Brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ we order you not to associate with any believer who doesn’t live a disciplined life and doesn’t follow the tradition you received from us.
Wounds made by a friend are intended to help, but an enemy’s kisses are too much to bear.
Have nothing to do with people who continue to teach false doctrine after you have warned them once or twice.
You know that people like this are corrupt. They are sinners condemned by their own actions.
The devious person is disgusting to the Lord. The Lord’s intimate advice is with decent people.
Whoever works his land will have plenty to eat. Whoever chases unrealistic dreams will have plenty of nothing.
Jehu, son of the seer Hanani, asked King Jehoshaphat, “Why do you help wicked people and love those who hate the Lord? The Lord’s anger is directed toward you because you have done this.
I did not sit with liars, and I will not be found among hypocrites.
I have hated the mob of evildoers and will not sit with wicked people.
It may be that some people will not listen to what we say in this letter. Take note of them and don’t associate with them so that they will feel ashamed.
Yet, don’t treat them like enemies, but instruct them like brothers and sisters.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good.
A righteous person looks out for his neighbor, but the path of wicked people leads others astray.
Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked people, take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers.
Rather, he delights in the teachings of the Lord and reflects on his teachings day and night.
He is like a tree planted beside streams— a tree that produces fruit in season and whose leaves do not wither. He succeeds in everything he does.
Have nothing to do with the useless works that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are.
Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers. Can right and wrong be partners? Can light have anything in common with darkness?
I wish that you would kill wicked people, O God, and that bloodthirsty people would leave me alone.
You alone know when I sit down and when I get up. You read my thoughts from far away.
They say wicked things about you. Your enemies misuse your name.
Shouldn’t I hate those who hate you, O Lord? Shouldn’t I be disgusted with those who attack you?
I hate them with all my heart. They have become my enemies.
You were doing so well. Who stopped you from being influenced by the truth?
The arguments of the person who is influencing you do not come from the one who is calling you.
A little yeast spreads through the whole batch of dough.
Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour.
Don’t love the world and what it offers. Those who love the world don’t have the Father’s love in them.
Not everything that the world offers—physical gratification, greed, and extravagant lifestyles—comes from the Father. It comes from the world, and
the world and its evil desires are passing away. But the person who does what God wants lives forever.
Brothers and sisters, I urge you to watch out for those people who create divisions and who make others fall away ⌞from the Christian faith⌟ by teaching doctrine that is not the same as you have learned. Stay away from them.
People like these are not serving Christ our Lord. They are serving their own desires. By their smooth talk and flattering words they deceive unsuspecting people.
But you, man of God, must avoid these things. Pursue what God approves of: a godly life, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.
Fight the good fight for the Christian faith. Take hold of everlasting life to which you were called and about which you made a good testimony in front of many witnesses.
My son, if sinners lure you, do not go along.
If they say, “Come with us. Let’s set an ambush to kill someone. Let’s hide to ambush innocent people for fun.
We’ll swallow them alive like the grave, like those in good health who go into the pit.
We’ll find all kinds of valuable possessions. We’ll fill our homes with stolen goods.
Join us. We’ll split the loot equally.”
My son, do not follow them in their way. Do not even set foot on their path,
Whoever lives honestly will live securely, but whoever lives dishonestly will be found out.
Unbelievers insult you now because they are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of wild living.
“Beware of false prophets. They come to you disguised as sheep, but in their hearts they are vicious wolves.
⌞Like⌟ a broken tooth and a lame foot, ⌞so⌟ is confidence in an unfaithful person in a ⌞time of⌟ crisis.
If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
Brothers and sisters, if a person gets trapped by wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should help that person turn away from doing wrong. Do it in a gentle way. At the same time watch yourself so that you also are not tempted.
Stay away from lusts which tempt young people. Pursue what has God’s approval. Pursue faith, love, and peace together with those who worship the Lord with a pure heart.
Their lives are filled with all kinds of sexual sins, wickedness, and greed. They are mean. They are filled with envy, murder, quarreling, deceit, and viciousness. They are gossips,
This Good News is about his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. In his human nature he was a descendant of David.
slanderers, haters of God, haughty, arrogant, and boastful. They think up new ways to be cruel. They don’t obey their parents,
don’t have any sense, don’t keep promises, and don’t show love to their own families or mercy to others.
Although they know God’s judgment that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do these things but also approve of others who do them.
Don’t love the world and what it offers. Those who love the world don’t have the Father’s love in them.
Not everything that the world offers—physical gratification, greed, and extravagant lifestyles—comes from the Father. It comes from the world, and