September 3, 2021

Being grateful by Gary Rose

Just a couple of cartoon characters, dancing for joy and a caption encouraging us to be grateful for everything. Simple, but quite profound message, though. IF we have our minds focused on the good in our lives, why shouldn’t be be grateful ( for everything )? We should be grateful because no matter how bad things seem, they could always be worse. We could lose our health, our wealth, our mental abilities, our friends, our families and so on. But if are Christians, we have something to be grateful for that the world will never fully understand.


The Apostle Paul said…


1 Corinthians 15 ( World English Bible )

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,

52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 But when this corruptible will have put on incorruption, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.


And the answer to this mystery is: Whether we live or die, God has granted to us a victory over death and sin- through our Lord Jesus Christ. Our lives will have meaning, no matter what may happen to us. In a way, God grants to us a sort of invincibility, so that our work and labor for the LORD will not be in vain. Why? Because Jesus’ life was not in vain- his sacrifice made us free from sin and death.


And, therefore ( verse 58, above ) let us continue to be grateful and to thank the one who has made our hope of heaven possible- Jesus Christ our LORD.


PS. Dancing with Snoopy is optional.

 

Bible Reading for September 3 - 5 by Gary Rose

 

Bible Reading for September 3 - 5

World  English  Bible


Sept. 3

Psalms 33-35

Psa 33:1 Rejoice in Yahweh, you righteous! Praise is fitting for the upright.

Psa 33:2 Give thanks to Yahweh with the lyre. Sing praises to him with the harp of ten strings.

Psa 33:3 Sing to him a new song. Play skillfully with a shout of joy!

Psa 33:4 For the word of Yahweh is right. All his work is done in faithfulness.

Psa 33:5 He loves righteousness and justice. The earth is full of the loving kindness of Yahweh.

Psa 33:6 By Yahweh's word, the heavens were made; all their army by the breath of his mouth.

Psa 33:7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap. He lays up the deeps in storehouses.

Psa 33:8 Let all the earth fear Yahweh. Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

Psa 33:9 For he spoke, and it was done. He commanded, and it stood firm.

Psa 33:10 Yahweh brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. He makes the thoughts of the peoples to be of no effect.

Psa 33:11 The counsel of Yahweh stands fast forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

Psa 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is Yahweh, the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance.

Psa 33:13 Yahweh looks from heaven. He sees all the sons of men.

Psa 33:14 From the place of his habitation he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,

Psa 33:15 he who fashions all of their hearts; and he considers all of their works.

Psa 33:16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an army. A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.

Psa 33:17 A horse is a vain thing for safety, neither does he deliver any by his great power.

Psa 33:18 Behold, Yahweh's eye is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his loving kindness;

Psa 33:19 to deliver their soul from death, to keep them alive in famine.

Psa 33:20 Our soul has waited for Yahweh. He is our help and our shield.

Psa 33:21 For our heart rejoices in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.

Psa 33:22 Let your loving kindness be on us, Yahweh, since we have hoped in you.


Psa 34:1 I will bless Yahweh at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth.

Psa 34:2 My soul shall boast in Yahweh. The humble shall hear of it, and be glad.

Psa 34:3 Oh magnify Yahweh with me. Let us exalt his name together.

Psa 34:4 I sought Yahweh, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Psa 34:5 They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame.

Psa 34:6 This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

Psa 34:7 The angel of Yahweh encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Psa 34:8 Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Psa 34:9 Oh fear Yahweh, you his saints, for there is no lack with those who fear him.

Psa 34:10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek Yahweh shall not lack any good thing.

Psa 34:11 Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.

Psa 34:12 Who is someone who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?

Psa 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies.

Psa 34:14 Depart from evil, and do good. seek peace, and pursue it.

Psa 34:15 Yahweh's eyes are toward the righteous. His ears listen to their cry.

Psa 34:16 Yahweh's face is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

Psa 34:17 The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.

Psa 34:18 Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.

Psa 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but Yahweh delivers him out of them all.

Psa 34:20 He protects all of his bones. Not one of them is broken.

Psa 34:21 Evil shall kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.

Psa 34:22 Yahweh redeems the soul of his servants. None of those who take refuge in him shall be condemned.


Psa 35:1 Contend, Yahweh, with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me.

Psa 35:2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help.

Psa 35:3 Brandish the spear and block those who pursue me. Tell my soul, "I am your salvation."

Psa 35:4 Let those who seek after my soul be disappointed and brought to dishonor. Let those who plot my ruin be turned back and confounded.

Psa 35:5 Let them be as chaff before the wind, Yahweh's angel driving them on.

Psa 35:6 Let their way be dark and slippery, Yahweh's angel pursuing them.

Psa 35:7 For without cause they have hidden their net in a pit for me. Without cause they have dug a pit for my soul.

Psa 35:8 Let destruction come on him unawares. Let his net that he has hidden catch himself. Let him fall into that destruction.

Psa 35:9 My soul shall be joyful in Yahweh. It shall rejoice in his salvation.

Psa 35:10 All my bones shall say, "Yahweh, who is like you, who delivers the poor from him who is too strong for him; yes, the poor and the needy from him who robs him?"

Psa 35:11 Unrighteous witnesses rise up. They ask me about things that I don't know about.

Psa 35:12 They reward me evil for good, to the bereaving of my soul.

Psa 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth. I afflicted my soul with fasting. My prayer returned into my own bosom.

Psa 35:14 I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother. I bowed down mourning, as one who mourns his mother.

Psa 35:15 But in my adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together. The attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I didn't know it. They tore at me, and didn't cease.

Psa 35:16 Like the profane mockers in feasts, they gnashed their teeth at me.

Psa 35:17 Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destruction, my precious life from the lions.

Psa 35:18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly. I will praise you among many people.

Psa 35:19 Don't let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me; neither let those who hate me without a cause wink their eyes.

Psa 35:20 For they don't speak peace, but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.

Psa 35:21 Yes, they opened their mouth wide against me. They said, "Aha! Aha! Our eye has seen it!"

Psa 35:22 You have seen it, Yahweh. Don't keep silent. Lord, don't be far from me.

Psa 35:23 Wake up! Rise up to defend me, my God! My Lord, contend for me!

Psa 35:24 Vindicate me, Yahweh my God, according to your righteousness. Don't let them gloat over me.

Psa 35:25 Don't let them say in their heart, "Aha! That's the way we want it!" Don't let them say, "We have swallowed him up!"

Psa 35:26 Let them be disappointed and confounded together who rejoice at my calamity. Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me.

Psa 35:27 Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause. Yes, let them say continually, "Yahweh be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant!"

Psa 35:28 My tongue shall talk about your righteousness and about your praise all day long. 

 

Sept. 4

Psalms 36-39

Psa 36:1 An oracle is within my heart about the disobedience of the wicked: "There is no fear of God before his eyes."

Psa 36:2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes, too much to detect and hate his sin.

Psa 36:3 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. He has ceased to be wise and to do good.

Psa 36:4 He plots iniquity on his bed. He sets himself in a way that is not good. He doesn't abhor evil.

Psa 36:5 Your loving kindness, Yahweh, is in the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Psa 36:6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. Your judgments are like a great deep. Yahweh, you preserve man and animal.

Psa 36:7 How precious is your loving kindness, God! The children of men take refuge under the shadow of your wings.

Psa 36:8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the abundance of your house. You will make them drink of the river of your pleasures.

Psa 36:9 For with you is the spring of life. In your light shall we see light.

Psa 36:10 Oh continue your loving kindness to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.

Psa 36:11 Don't let the foot of pride come against me. Don't let the hand of the wicked drive me away.

Psa 36:12 There the workers of iniquity are fallen. They are thrust down, and shall not be able to rise.


Psa 37:1 Don't fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.

Psa 37:2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither like the green herb.

Psa 37:3 Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.

Psa 37:4 Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psa 37:5 Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do this:

Psa 37:6 he will make your righteousness go forth as the light, and your justice as the noon day sun.

Psa 37:7 Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don't fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.

Psa 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don't fret, it leads only to evildoing.

Psa 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for Yahweh shall inherit the land.

Psa 37:10 For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more. Yes, though you look for his place, he isn't there.

Psa 37:11 But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Psa 37:12 The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth.

Psa 37:13 The Lord will laugh at him, for he sees that his day is coming.

Psa 37:14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to kill those who are upright in the way.

Psa 37:15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart. Their bows shall be broken.

Psa 37:16 Better is a little that the righteous has, than the abundance of many wicked.

Psa 37:17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but Yahweh upholds the righteous.

Psa 37:18 Yahweh knows the days of the perfect. Their inheritance shall be forever.

Psa 37:19 They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil. In the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

Psa 37:20 But the wicked shall perish. The enemies of Yahweh shall be like the beauty of the fields. They will vanish-- vanish like smoke.

Psa 37:21 The wicked borrow, and don't pay back, but the righteous give generously.

Psa 37:22 For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off.

Psa 37:23 A man's goings are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way.

Psa 37:24 Though he stumble, he shall not fall, for Yahweh holds him up with his hand.

Psa 37:25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging for bread.

Psa 37:26 All day long he deals graciously, and lends. His seed is blessed.

Psa 37:27 Depart from evil, and do good. Live securely forever.

Psa 37:28 For Yahweh loves justice, and doesn't forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psa 37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and live in it forever.

Psa 37:30 The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice.

Psa 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps shall slide.

Psa 37:32 The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to kill him.

Psa 37:33 Yahweh will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

Psa 37:34 Wait for Yahweh, and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

Psa 37:35 I have seen the wicked in great power, spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.

Psa 37:36 But he passed away, and behold, he was not. Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.

Psa 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.

Psa 37:38 As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together. The future of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psa 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

Psa 37:40 Yahweh helps them, and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, Because they have taken refuge in him.


Psa 38:1 Yahweh, don't rebuke me in your wrath, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.

Psa 38:2 For your arrows have pierced me, your hand presses hard on me.

Psa 38:3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation, neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.

Psa 38:4 For my iniquities have gone over my head. As a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

Psa 38:5 My wounds are loathsome and corrupt, because of my foolishness.

Psa 38:6 I am pained and bowed down greatly. I go mourning all day long.

Psa 38:7 For my waist is filled with burning. There is no soundness in my flesh.

Psa 38:8 I am faint and severely bruised. I have groaned by reason of the anguish of my heart.

Psa 38:9 Lord, all my desire is before you. My groaning is not hidden from you.

Psa 38:10 My heart throbs. My strength fails me. As for the light of my eyes, it has also left me.

Psa 38:11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague. My kinsmen stand far away.

Psa 38:12 They also who seek after my life lay snares. Those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and meditate deceits all day long.

Psa 38:13 But I, as a deaf man, don't hear. I am as a mute man who doesn't open his mouth.

Psa 38:14 Yes, I am as a man who doesn't hear, in whose mouth are no reproofs.

Psa 38:15 For in you, Yahweh, do I hope. You will answer, Lord my God.

Psa 38:16 For I said, "Don't let them gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips."

Psa 38:17 For I am ready to fall. My pain is continually before me.

Psa 38:18 For I will declare my iniquity. I will be sorry for my sin.

Psa 38:19 But my enemies are vigorous and many. Those who hate me without reason are numerous.

Psa 38:20 They who also render evil for good are adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.

Psa 38:21 Don't forsake me, Yahweh. My God, don't be far from me.

Psa 38:22 Hurry to help me, Lord, my salvation.


Psa 39:1 I said, "I will watch my ways, so that I don't sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me."

Psa 39:2 I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred.

Psa 39:3 My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned: I spoke with my tongue:

Psa 39:4 "Yahweh, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am.

Psa 39:5 Behold, you have made my days handbreadths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath." Selah.

Psa 39:6 "Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn't know who shall gather.

Psa 39:7 Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

Psa 39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Don't make me the reproach of the foolish.

Psa 39:9 I was mute. I didn't open my mouth, because you did it.

Psa 39:10 Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

Psa 39:11 When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, You consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath." Selah.

Psa 39:12 "Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear to my cry. Don't be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were.

Psa 39:13 Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away, and exist no more." 

 

Sept. 5

Psalms 40-42

Psa 40:1 I waited patiently for Yahweh. He turned to me, and heard my cry.

Psa 40:2 He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand.

Psa 40:3 He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in Yahweh.

Psa 40:4 Blessed is the man who makes Yahweh his trust, and doesn't respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Psa 40:5 Many, Yahweh, my God, are the wonderful works which you have done, and your thoughts which are toward us. They can't be declared back to you. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

Psa 40:6 Sacrifice and offering you didn't desire. You have opened my ears. You have not required burnt offering and sin offering.

Psa 40:7 Then I said, "Behold, I have come. It is written about me in the book in the scroll.

Psa 40:8 I delight to do your will, my God. Yes, your law is within my heart."

Psa 40:9 I have proclaimed glad news of righteousness in the great assembly. Behold, I will not seal my lips, Yahweh, you know.

Psa 40:10 I have not hidden your righteousness within my heart. I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation. I have not concealed your loving kindness and your truth from the great assembly.

Psa 40:11 Don't withhold your tender mercies from me, Yahweh. Let your loving kindness and your truth continually preserve me.

Psa 40:12 For innumerable evils have surrounded me. My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head. My heart has failed me.

Psa 40:13 Be pleased, Yahweh, to deliver me. Hurry to help me, Yahweh.

Psa 40:14 Let them be disappointed and confounded together who seek after my soul to destroy it. Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt.

Psa 40:15 Let them be desolate by reason of their shame that tell me, "Aha! Aha!"

Psa 40:16 Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let such as love your salvation say continually, "Let Yahweh be exalted!"

Psa 40:17 But I am poor and needy. May the Lord think about me. You are my help and my deliverer. Don't delay, my God.


Psa 41:1 Blessed is he who considers the poor. Yahweh will deliver him in the day of evil.

Psa 41:2 Yahweh will preserve him, and keep him alive. He shall be blessed on the earth, and he will not surrender him to the will of his enemies.

Psa 41:3 Yahweh will sustain him on his sickbed, and restore him from his bed of illness.

Psa 41:4 I said, "Yahweh, have mercy on me! Heal me, for I have sinned against you."

Psa 41:5 My enemies speak evil against me: "When will he die, and his name perish?"

Psa 41:6 If he comes to see me, he speaks falsehood. His heart gathers iniquity to itself. When he goes abroad, he tells it.

Psa 41:7 All who hate me whisper together against me. They imagine the worst for me.

Psa 41:8 "An evil disease," they say, "has afflicted him. Now that he lies he shall rise up no more."

Psa 41:9 Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate bread with me, has lifted up his heel against me.

Psa 41:10 But you, Yahweh, have mercy on me, and raise me up, that I may repay them.

Psa 41:11 By this I know that you delight in me, because my enemy doesn't triumph over me.

Psa 41:12 As for me, you uphold me in my integrity, and set me in your presence forever.

Psa 41:13 Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting and to everlasting! Amen and amen.


Psa 42:1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God.

Psa 42:2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

Psa 42:3 My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually ask me, "Where is your God?"

Psa 42:4 These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, how I used to go with the crowd, and led them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping a holy day.

Psa 42:5 Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence.

Psa 42:6 My God, my soul is in despair within me. Therefore I remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon, from the hill Mizar.

Psa 42:7 Deep calls to deep at the noise of your waterfalls. All your waves and your billows have swept over me.

Psa 42:8 Yahweh will command his loving kindness in the daytime. In the night his song shall be with me: a prayer to the God of my life.

Psa 42:9 I will ask God, my rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"

Psa 42:10 As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries reproach me, while they continually ask me, "Where is your God?"

Psa 42:11 Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God. 

 

Sept. 3

Romans 15

Rom 15:1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Rom 15:2 Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up.

Rom 15:3 For even Christ didn't please himself. But, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."

Rom 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through patience and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Rom 15:5 Now the God of patience and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus,

Rom 15:6 that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rom 15:7 Therefore accept one another, even as Christ also accepted you, to the glory of God.

Rom 15:8 Now I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers,

Rom 15:9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore will I give praise to you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name."

Rom 15:10 Again he says, "Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people."

Rom 15:11 Again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Let all the peoples praise him."

Rom 15:12 Again, Isaiah says, "There will be the root of Jesse, he who arises to rule over the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles will hope."

Rom 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Rom 15:14 I myself am also persuaded about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish others.

Rom 15:15 But I write the more boldly to you in part, as reminding you, because of the grace that was given to me by God,

Rom 15:16 that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Rom 15:17 I have therefore my boasting in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.

Rom 15:18 For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,

Rom 15:19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God's Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ;

Rom 15:20 yes, making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another's foundation.

Rom 15:21 But, as it is written, "They will see, to whom no news of him came. They who haven't heard will understand."

Rom 15:22 Therefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you,

Rom 15:23 but now, no longer having any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come to you,

Rom 15:24 whenever I journey to Spain, I will come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.

Rom 15:25 But now, I say, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the saints.

Rom 15:26 For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem.

Rom 15:27 Yes, it has been their good pleasure, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to serve them in fleshly things.

Rom 15:28 When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by way of you to Spain.

Rom 15:29 I know that, when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the Good News of Christ.

Rom 15:30 Now I beg you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,

Rom 15:31 that I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints;

Rom 15:32 that I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and together with you, find rest.

Rom 15:33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. 

 

Sept. 4

Romans 16

Rom 16:1 I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the assembly that is at Cenchreae,

Rom 16:2 that you receive her in the Lord, in a way worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may need from you, for she herself also has been a helper of many, and of my own self.

Rom 16:3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

Rom 16:4 who for my life, laid down their own necks; to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the Gentiles.

Rom 16:5 Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.

Rom 16:6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us.

Rom 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Rom 16:8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.

Rom 16:9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.

Rom 16:10 Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.

Rom 16:11 Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.

Rom 16:12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.

Rom 16:13 Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

Rom 16:14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.

Rom 16:15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.

Rom 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The assemblies of Christ greet you.

Rom 16:17 Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.

Rom 16:18 For those who are such don't serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.

Rom 16:19 For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil.

Rom 16:20 And the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Rom 16:21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives.

Rom 16:22 I, Tertius, who write the letter, greet you in the Lord.

Rom 16:23 Gaius, my host and host of the whole assembly, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, as does Quartus, the brother.

Rom 16:24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! Amen.

Rom 16:25 Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Good News and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages,

Rom 16:26 but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations;

Rom 16:27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen. 

 

Sept. 5

1 Corinthians 1

1Co 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

1Co 1:2 to the assembly of God which is at Corinth; those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours:

1Co 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co 1:4 I always thank my God concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus;

1Co 1:5 that in everything you were enriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge;

1Co 1:6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

1Co 1:7 so that you come behind in no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ;

1Co 1:8 who will also confirm you until the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co 1:9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

1Co 1:10 Now I beg you, brothers, through the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1Co 1:11 For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brothers, by those who are from Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you.

1Co 1:12 Now I mean this, that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," "I follow Apollos," "I follow Cephas," and, "I follow Christ."

1Co 1:13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?

1Co 1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, except Crispus and Gaius,

1Co 1:15 so that no one should say that I had baptized you into my own name.

1Co 1:16 (I also baptized the household of Stephanas; besides them, I don't know whether I baptized any other.)

1Co 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Good News--not in wisdom of words, so that the cross of Christ wouldn't be made void.

1Co 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are saved it is the power of God.

1Co 1:19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing."

1Co 1:20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn't God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

1Co 1:21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn't know God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.

1Co 1:22 For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom,

1Co 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks,

1Co 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1Co 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1Co 1:26 For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble;

1Co 1:27 but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;

1Co 1:28 and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are:

1Co 1:29 that no flesh should boast before God.

1Co 1:30 But of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:

1Co 1:31 that, according as it is written, "He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord."