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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 adulterers and adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers;
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, nor greet him.
For whoever greets him takes part in his evil deeds.
Leave the presence of a foolish man, when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.
Make no friendship with a man of anger, and with a man of fury do not associate,
lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
But I have written to you not to keep company with any man who is called a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner. Do not even eat with such a person.
A man of many friends may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
She weeps sorely in the night, her tears are on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has none to comfort her. All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they have become her enemies.
He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates the best of friends.
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in idleness and not according to the tradition that he received from us.
Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition,
knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.
He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who chases empty pursuits will have poverty enough.
And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and he said to King Jehoshaphat, “How do you help those who are wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord.
I have not sat with the worthless, nor will I consort with hypocrites.
I have hated the assembly of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.
If anyone does not obey our word in this letter, note that man, and do not socialize with him, so that he may be ashamed.
Still, do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good.
The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season; its leaf will not wither, and whatever he does will prosper.
And do not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; instead, expose them.
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? What communion has light with darkness?
Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God! Depart from me, O bloodthirsty men!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You perceive my thought from afar.
For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take your name in vain.
Do I not hate those, O Lord, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.
You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.
A little yeast leavens the whole batch.
Be sober and watchful, because your adversary the devil walks around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father, but is of the world.
The world and its desires are passing away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
Now I urge you, brothers, to closely watch those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the teaching which you have learned, and avoid them.
For such people do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own appetites, and through smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.
But you, O man of God, escape these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.
Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, to which you are called and have made a good confession before many witnesses.
My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
let us swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit;
we will find all kinds of precious possessions, we will fill our houses with plunder;
cast in your lot among us; let us all have one purse,”
my son, do not walk in the way with them; keep your foot from their path,
He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
They are surprised that you do not join them in the same excess of wild living, and so they speak evil of you.
“Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
Like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint, so is confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble.
Brothers, if a man is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, watching yourselves, lest you also be tempted.
So flee youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
They were filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and craftiness. They are gossips,
concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh
slanderers, God-haters, insolent, proud, boastful, inventors of evil things, and disobedient toward parents,
without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, calloused, and unmerciful,
who know the righteous requirement of God, that those who commit such things are worthy of death. They not only do them, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father, but is of the world.