Romans 3:21-22 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
John 3:3 Jesus [said], “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.
James 1:27 External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit {and} help {and} care for the orphans and widows in their affliction {and} need, and to keep oneself unspotted {and} uncontaminated from the world.
Psalm 1:1-3 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.
Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
May you be willing to follow the Lord the full distance He leads, and not settle for “good enough” or be dismayed by what “might be,” placing your trust in the love of the Lord and your faith in the Word of God, confident in His promise to give you a future and a hope, knowing that, as the Author and Finisher of your faith, He will see you through safely to the end. Numbers 32, Jeremiah 29, Hebrews 12
May you always remember the blessings of the Lord and how the hand of God has been with you, and evident in your life, giving thanks and honor to the Lord of all that He has not only accompanied you, but actively directed you through the events of your life, for He purchased your salvation, redeeming you from the hand of your enemy while you were yet His enemy. Numbers 33
May you not accept endorsement or seek approval from the powers in the world, or the arm of flesh, but wait patiently for God to confirm the word He gives you to speak before the people. Luke 4
May you not neglect the solitary time, apart with God, separate from other influences, for there you will receive direction and the Spirit will confirm your calling. Luke 4
My child, guard your heart. Keep your heart ever toward Me. Desire what I have for you.
Seek to know Me through My Word, asking for My Spirit to give you understanding in your heart of what I am saying to you. Speak to Me from your heart; say what you want Me to know.
Commune with Me, My dear one, for I want you to be involved in what I do. Come closer to Me daily through the time you spend with Me. Time spent in My presence is never wasted, My love, but will always accomplish what you need.
Let the hunger in your heart draw you closer, though the path be rough to walk. Let the satisfying love you feel from Me encourage you to press onward, though the draw of the world tugs at you. Walk steadily forward, even when you falter, for if you stumble or fall, why would you turn from Me at the time you need My strength the most? Guard your heart, My precious one, for the darting lies of the enemy of your soul are always seeking a way to devour your devotion.
Know, by My Word promised, spoken, and written, that I love you with an everlasting love, and I have made a way for you. Follow Me on that way, though the path is dim and the way is dark at times, I will be the light to guide you for the next step, and the next, and the next. At times, you will see a vista spread before you, but when the surroundings close in, I am still with you, for I have never forsaken you, nor will I ever leave you.
You are the apple of My eye, My precious one, and I will do everything necessary to protect and guard you. Any who touch you without loving you will be consumed by My jealous anger. But you must do your part, My chosen one.
You must seek, and knock, and ask, putting feet and hands and voice to your hunger. I *will* be found by you, if you seek Me. I do not hide Myself from you, else you would never find Me; instead, I hide Myself *for* you, away from the reach of the world, away from the understanding of the flesh, but always within the reach of your spirit.
Come away with Me for a time each day, My called-out one, and let Me refresh you with My mercies, which are renewed every morning. I have much to share, and you are the one I chose to share it with. Enter into the love of the Father through the Son, and rejoice in all that is yours.
May you receive, through obedient action, the overflowing and uncontainable blessing of God in your life as you give your resources for Him to use, as Peter did when he let Jesus preach from his boat. Luke 5
As Peter did, may you have the vision and wisdom to see past the material profit that God's blessing can bring and choose the eternal riches of following Jesus and serving Him in the ministry in the kingdom of God. Luke 5
May you rejoice in the Lord like the righteous do as you take refuge in Him, for all the upright in heart praise Him and all mankind will fear God as they proclaim the works of God and ponder what He has done. Psalm 64
May you voice your complaint to God, for He will hear you and protect your life from the enemy's threat, hiding you from the conspiracy of the noisy crowd of evildoers – the ones who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like arrows, ambushing the innocent without fear; for though they encourage each other in evil plans and meet secretly to set their traps, spending long hours in endless evil thoughts and sharp lookout for opportunities of crime, yet God Himself will shoot them suddenly and strike them down without recourse, turning their own tongues against them, bringing them to ruin and putting them to scorn, as He has in His mercy in our own lives, to draw us to Him. Psalm 64