From Start to Finish

“Meaningless! Meaningless!” say the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun? Generations come and generation go, …”

-       Ecclesiastes 1:1-4a

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say “I find no pleasure in them—” … Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear GOD and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For GOD will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

-       Ecclesiastes 12:1 and 13-14

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father [Creator] – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

-       I John 2:1-2

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he (Creator] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

-       I John 1:8-9

From Start to Finish - POEM of the MONTH!

The Blessed and the Cursed - Matthew 25:31-46

 [Jesus said to His disciples:]

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' “Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' “The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' 

“Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' “They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' “He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Renewal

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is---his good, pleasing and perfect will.

- Romans 12:2

... put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

- Colossians 3:10

... when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:4-7

Unshakeable Love - Isaiah 54:10

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

- Isaiah 54:10

Words for the Contrite and Lowly - Isaiah 57:15

For this is what the high and exalted One says---he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

- Isaiah 57:15

Perfect Love Drives Out Fear - I John 4:18a

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear." 

- I John 4:18a

Follow Me - Matthew 4:19

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people."
- Matthew 4:19

No Greater Love - John 15:13-14a

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends ...
- John 15:13-14a

The Spirit of GOD

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

—John 3:8

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
—Galatians 5:22

The LORD Rises Upon You

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. 

—Psalm 105:4

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 

—Psalm 19:1-2

See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 

—Isaiah 60:2

My Shield, My Refuge - Nothing to Fear!

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. —Psalm 18:30

For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. —Isaiah 41:13

Peace in Darkness

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
- Psalm 23:4

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
- Romans 8:31

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
- Philippines 4:7

Matthew 24:4-8 and 35

Jesus [said]: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pangs." ... "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

- Matthew 24:4-8 and 35

Romantic Love - Song of Songs

"How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves."

- Song of Songs 1:15


"Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the young women."

- Song of Songs 2:2


#withoutacure

Forgiveness

... "And forgive us debts, as we also forgive our debtors. ... For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
- Matthew 6:12 & 14-15

"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?'
Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seven times seventy.'"
- Matthew 18:21-22