GOD CREATED In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth: and it was so. And God created great whales, and every living creature that moves, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it. And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. from Genesis 1 16ess501 GOD SPOKE And God spoke all these words, saying, I am the LORD your God. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make to you any graven image. You shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, showing mercy to them that love me. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shall you labor, and do all your work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD your God: in it you shall not do any work, For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Honor your father and your mother: that your days may be long on the land which the LORD your God gives you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor any thing that is your neighbor's. from Exodus 20 www.bf.org 16ess502 LOVE THE LORD The LORD our God is one LORD: you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Know therefore that the LORD your God, he is God, the faithful God, which keeps covenant and mercy with them that love him. Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and you turn aside, and serve other gods. Therefore shall you lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul. And you shall teach them your children. Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; a curse, if you go after other gods. Hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain on the tender herb, and as the showers on the grass. Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! For the LORD shall say, I live forever. from Deuteronomy 6 - 32 16ess503 SERVE THE LORD The people said, we will have a king over us. And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD. And the LORD said to Samuel, Listen to their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said to the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers. And Samuel said to the people, Fear not: you have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; and turn not aside: for then should you go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it has pleased the LORD to make you his people. Moreover I will teach you the good and the right way: only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he has done for you. But if you shall still do wickedly, you shall be consumed, both you and your king. from 1 Samuel 8, 12 www.bf.org 16ess504 THE LORD LIVES The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, in him will I trust. I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from my enemies. In my distress I called on the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear. With the merciful you will show yourself merciful, and with the upright man you will show yourself upright. With the pure you will show yourself pure; and with the fraudulent you will show yourself unsavory. And the afflicted people you will save: but your eyes are on the haughty, that you may bring them down. For you are my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is God, but the LORD? and who is a rock, but our God? God is my strength and power: and he Makes my way perfect. You have also given me the shield of your salvation. The LORD lives; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be God. Therefore I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises to your name. from 2 Samuel 22 16ess505 SEEK THE LORD Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing to him, sing psalms to him, talk of all his wondrous works. Glory in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. Remember his marvelous works that he has done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth. He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. Be mindful always of the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. Declare his marvelous works among all nations. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. Glory and honor are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigns. O give thanks to the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endures for ever. O LORD, there is none like you, neither is there any God beside you. from 1 Chronicles 16 & 17 www.bf.org 16ess506 KNOW GOD Know God and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found of you. Be strong and of good courage. Fear not nor be dismayed: for the Lord God will be with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you. And David said, Blessed be you, LORD God for ever and ever. Yours, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. You reign over all; and in your hand is power and might. Now therefore, our God, we thank you, and praise your glorious name. For we are strangers before you, and sojourners: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD. from 1 Chronicles 28 - 29 16ess507 O LORD GOD In that night did God appear to Solomon, and said to him, Ask what I shall give you. And Solomon said to God, O LORD God, give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this your people, that is so great? And God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of your enemies, neither yet have asked long life; but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king: wisdom and knowledge is granted to you; and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before you, neither shall there any after you have the like. And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him, If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. from 2 Chronicles 1 & 7 www.bf.org 16ess508 THE BREATH OF THE ALMIGHTY The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty has given me life. God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment. His eyes are on the ways of man, and he sees all his goings. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it. Judgment is before him; therefore trust in him. God thunders marvelously with his voice; great things does he, which we cannot comprehend. For he said to the snow, Be on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength. He seals up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work. Out of the south comes the whirlwind: and cold out of the north. By the breath of God frost is given: Also by watering he wearies the thick cloud: he scatters his bright cloud: and it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatever he commands them on the face of the world in the earth. He causes it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy. Consider the wondrous works of God. The Almighty is excellent in power, and in judgment. from Job 33 - 37 16ess509 THE LORD ANSWERED JOB Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now your loins like a man; for I will demand of you, and answer me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding. Who has laid the measures thereof, if you know? or who has stretched the line on it? Know you the ordinances of heaven? can you set the dominion thereof in the earth? Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover you? Can you send lightning, that they may go and say to you, Here we are? Does the hawk fly by your wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south? Does the eagle mount up at your command, and make her nest on high? Then Job answered the LORD, and said, I know that you can do everything, and that no thought can be withheld from you. I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear: but now my eye sees you. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. from Job 38 - 42 www.bf.org 16ess510 O LORD MY GOD O LORD my God, in you do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth! When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; what is man, that you are mindful of him? and the son of man, that you visit him? The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know your name will put their trust in you: for you, LORD, have not forsaken them that seek you. The LORD is known by the judgment which he executes: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God. You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for ever more. I have called on you, for you will hear me, O God from Psalm 7 - 17 16ess511 THE GLORY OF GOD The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust. In my distress I called on the LORD, and cried to my God: he heard my voice. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork. Day to day utters speech, and night to night shows knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever. The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. from Psalm 18 & 19 www.bf.org 16ess512 THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Show me your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me: for you are the God of my salvation; on you do I wait all the day. Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth to such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. The troubles of my heart are enlarged. O bring me out of my distresses. Look on my affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. from Psalm 23 & 25 16ess513 THE LIVING GOD The word of the LORD is right. He loves righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The LORD is near to them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit. How excellent is your loving kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of your wings. Fret not yourself because of evildoers. Trust in the LORD, and do good. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not yourself to do evil. A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked. The wicked borrows, and pays not again: but the righteous shows mercy, and gives. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he heard my cry. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. he knows the secrets of the heart. Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever. You love righteousness, and hate wickedness. from Psalms 33 - 45 www.bf.org 16ess514 HAVE MERCY ON ME, O GOD Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving kindness: according to the multitude of your tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence; and take not your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation; and uphold me with your free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors your ways; and sinners shall be converted to you. The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do to me. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me: for my soul trusts in you: yes, in the shadow of your wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be over. I will cry to God most high; to God that performs all things for me. Be you exalted, O God, above the heavens: let your glory be above all the earth. from Psalm 51 - 57 16ess515 THE LORD IS GOOD Know that the LORD he is God: it is he that has made us, and not we ourselves. The LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endures to all generations. I will behave myself wisely. I will set no wicked thing before my eyes. The LORD will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities; who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies. The LORD executes righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He has not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great. O LORD, how manifold are your works! in wisdom have you made them all: the earth is full of your riches. from Psalm 100 - 104 www.bf.org 16ess516 THE LORD IS GREAT Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to your word. Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Great peace have they which love your law: and nothing shall offend them. There is forgiveness with you. I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, and in his word do I hope. For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. O give thanks to God: to him that by wisdom made the heavens: to him that stretched out the earth above the waters: to him that made great lights: the sun to rule by day: the moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endures forever. I will praise your name for your loving kindness and for your truth: for you have magnified your word above all your name. In the day when I cried you answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul. O LORD, you have searched me, and known me. You understand my thought and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, O LORD, you know it altogether. How precious are your thoughts to me, O God! Lead me in the way everlasting. from Psalm 119, 130 - 139 16ess517 TRUST IN THE LORD Let not mercy and truth forsake you: bind them about your neck; write them on the table of your heart: So shall you find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to your navel, and marrow to your bones. My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights. Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things you can desire are not to be compared to her. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her: and happy is every one that retains her. The LORD by wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding has he established the heavens. from Proverbs 3 www.bf.org 16ess518 THE EYES OF THE LORD A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. The integrity of the upright shall guide them. The wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. Through knowledge shall the just be delivered. Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: they that deal truly are his delight. Only by pride comes contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want. Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you perceive not in him the lips of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. A wise man fears, and departs from evil: but the fool rages, and is confident. He that is soon angry deals foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. He that has mercy on the poor, happy is he. Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tends only to penury. A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. from Proverbs 11 - 15 16ess519 EVERY WORD OF GOD The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but he loves him that follows after righteousness. The ear that hears the reproof of life abides among the wise. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keeps his way preserves his soul. Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. He that handles a matter wisely shall find good: and whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whoever is deceived thereby is not wise. The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD has made even both of them. The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenty; but of every one that is hasty only to want. He that follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor. There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. Every word of God is pure: he is a shield to them that put their trust in him. from Proverbs 15 - 30 www.bf.org 16ess520 RETURN TO THE LORD For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. And the spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. Seek the LORD while he may be found, call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not thither, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater. So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. from Isaiah 9, 11, & 55 16ess521 THE TRUE GOD Thus said the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight, said the LORD. But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king. He has made the earth by his power, he has established the world by his wisdom, and has stretched out the heavens by his discretion. When he utters his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he makes lightning with rain, and brings forth the wind out of his treasures. O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself. O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing. Thus said the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not. from Jeremiah 9, 10, & 33 www.bf.org 16ess522 THE KING OF HEAVEN Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied to you. I thought it good to show the signs and wonders that the high God has worked toward me. How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honored him that lives forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say to him, What do you? At the same time my reason returned to me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. from Daniel 4 16ess523 OUR FATHER Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask him. After this manner therefore pray you: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. from Matthew 5 & 6 www.bf.org 16ess524 THE LORD OF THE HARVEST Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knows the Son, but the Father; neither knows any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. from Matthew 7 - 11 16ess525 THE SON OF MAN HAS POWER And when they could not come near to him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the sick of the palsy, Son, your sins be forgiven you. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why does this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said to them, Why reason you these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Your sins be forgiven you; or to say, Arise, and take up your bed, and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (he said to the sick of the palsy,) I say to you, Arise, and take up your bed, and go your way into your house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it in this fashion. from Mark 2 www.bf.org 16ess526 GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST And the angel said to her, Fear not, Mary. The Holy Ghost shall come on you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God. And Joseph also went up from Nazareth to Bethlehem; To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, see, the angel of the Lord came on them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said to them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. from Luke1 & 2 16ess527 THE LORD IS RISEN And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him. Now on the first day of the week, women came to the sepulcher, and found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. Two men stood by them in shining garments: and said He is not here, but is risen. And two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus. And Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they rose up the same hour, and returned and found the eleven gathered together, Saying, The Lord is risen indeed. And as they thus spoke, Jesus himself stood in the middle of them, and said to them, Peace be to you. And he said to them, all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said to them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations. from Luke 23 & 24 www.bf.org 16ess528 THE TRUE LIGHT In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came to his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. from John 1 16ess529 GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD Nicodemus said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him. Jesus said Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are worked in God. from John 3 www.bf.org 16ess530 O RIGHTEOUS FATHER These words spoke Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you: As you have given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do. For I have given to them the words which you gave me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from you, and they have believed that you did send me. Father, I will that they also, whom you have given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which you have given me: for you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world has not known you: but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me. And I have declared to them your name, and will declare it: that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them. from John 17 16ess531 HIM GOD RAISED UP Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, you know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; Not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of living and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins. from Acts 10 www.bf.org 16ess532 THE UNKNOWN GOD Paul, reasoned with them out of the scriptures that Christ must have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that Jesus is Christ. And some of them believed. Paul said, men of Athens, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Him declare I to you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands. He gives to all life, and breath, and all things; and has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being. For as much then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like to gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. The times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men everywhere to repent: because he has appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained; whereof he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead. from Acts 17 16ess533 REPENTANCE TOWARD GOD Paul said to them, You know, I have been with you serving the LORD with all humility of mind. And how I kept back nothing that was profitable to you, but have showed you, and have taught you repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. For I have not shunned to declare to you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore to yourselves, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch. Now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. You yourselves know, that these hands have ministered to my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have showed you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. from Acts 20 www.bf.org 16ess534 THE GOSPEL OF GOD Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, separated to the gospel of God, (Which he had promised before by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: by whom we have received grace. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone that believes; For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has showed it to them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance. from Romans 1 - 2 16ess535 THE LORD OVER ALL The righteousness of God is manifested, which is by faith of Jesus Christ to all and on all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and joint-heirs with Christ. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God. The Lord over all is rich to all that call on him. For whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Now the God of peace be with you all. from Romans 3 - 15 www.bf.org 16ess536 THE KINGDOM OF GOD Be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Abhor that which is evil; hold to that which is good. Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. Whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things with which one may edify another. from Romans 12-14 16ess537 THE POWER OF GOD The preaching of the cross is the power of God. It pleased God to save them that believe. Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. If any man think he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. Whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not; love boasts not itself, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. Now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. I delivered to you that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. from 1 Corinthians 1 - 15 www.bf.org 16ess538 THE FATHER OF MERCIES Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God. Our sufficiency is of God; Who also has made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life. God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be you reconciled to God. For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation: but the sorrow of the world works death. from 2 Corinthians 1 - 7 16ess539 PEACE FROM GOD Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world. We have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by faith not by works. The just shall live by faith. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. The scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. By love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. from Galatians 1 - 6 www.bf.org 16ess540 BE STRONG IN THE LORD For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs. Be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) proving what is acceptable to the Lord; redeeming the time, because the days are evil; understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might; taking the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. from Ephesians 2 - 6 16ess541 THANKS TO THE FATHER Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That you might walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, to all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks to the Father, Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell. from Colossians 1 www.bf.org 16ess542 BY INSPIRATION OF GOD This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing of whom you have learned them; and that from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works. from 2 Timothy 3 16ess543 THE GRACE OF GOD Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that you affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. from Titus 1 - 3 www.bf.org 16ess544 THE WORD OF GOD For the word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. from Hebrews 4 - 13 16ess545 ASK OF GOD The trying of your faith works patience. Let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God. Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. If you fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well. The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. From where come wars and fights among you? Come they not, even of your lusts that war in your members? You lust, and have not: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not. You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it on your lusts. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Be patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draws near. from James 1 - 5 www.bf.org 16ess546 THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise; but is longsuffering to us-ward, that all should come to repentance. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. from 2 Peter 1 - 3 16ess547 GOD IS LOVE God is light. The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleans us from all sin. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us. Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. God is love. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God. We love him, because he first loved us. This is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life. These things have I written to you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he hears us. And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. from 1 John 1 - 5 www.bf.org 16ess548