Tag Archive | Forgiveness

Good Morning Jesus!

Mar27

JESUS IS ALIVE!

My sins didn’t stop you.

Death didn’t defeat you.

The grave couldn’t keep you.

You are alive!

Praise God you are coming again!!

You are coming for me and all who’ll believe!

“And Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘ Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached; how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.'” Acts 10:34-43

Good morning Lord Jesus!

We celebrate You!

We Love You!

Thank You!

A Clean Page

Feb29

See your life each morning as a fresh new page.

You are not starting a new book or chapter, but you are adding to what has been written.

“Let me hear in the morning of thy steadfast love, for in thee I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to thee I lift up my soul.” Psalms 143:8

Most memories, you will not be able to crumple and discard as you would a miswritten page. No, you carry them throughout your life, but they serve to improve, enhance and even motivate you as you walk the path.

What has caused you to stumble will remind you to not walk that way again. Pass on by the hurtful entries–you must not reread them. They can control you if you let them, but I remind you that my blood is sufficient and complete–you lack nothing!

“For thou has delivered my soul from death, yea, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” Psalms 56:13

You are made perfect by My righteousness.

The price has been paid for every painful, hurtful event in your life; I carried you, by first carrying it to the cross.

“And you, who were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, having canceled the bond which stood against us with its legal demands; this he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in him.” Colossians 2:13-15

Be satisfied knowing you have no loss!

You are complete in Me.

“But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, then to wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” Hebrews 10:12-14

So when memories come to taunt, say–‘It’s under the blood–you will hurt me no more!’

I am the beloved

I am loved!

“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:5b-6

Love Wins!

Feb12

There is a seed, born out of heartache, that ‘appears’ to be repentance–an all encompassing repentance; as if one were to cover the events of their entire life. One cannot do that, one can only repent for what has been. Rather, heartache, often brings forth the ‘fruit of sorrow’ and sorrow causes one to want to repent–to rid the pain, for it ‘feels’ as if all is wrong.

“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” II Corinthians 7:10 KJV

Sorrow not

For sorrow is punishment. To continue to sorrow is unbelief–if in faith you receive love, forgiveness, comfort–sorrow leaves. Without faith it is impossible to please Me.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

Sorrow not

I want to relieve you of the hurt, answer your questions, deliver you from the pain of sorrow. But you revisit the wounds, rehearse your faults, failures and doubts–yes, I see.

Yes I know…but do you?

For if you see and know so much, that you have evidence to condemn yourself, then why is it you can grasp judgment, but not forgiveness?

Until you forgive yourself, you cannot forgive others.

And if you do not forgive others, I cannot forgive you.

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15

Now do you see?

For I do.

You must first begin with you!

Love yourself as I love you and then you will find that you love those too. Sorrow not–Love Wins!

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

Let your repentance be that of, not loving yourself, then turn your heart toward home–home is where the heart is–I AM in your heart.

“–since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies him who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:23-26

“–and I heard a voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3b-4

Fire Burns Within

Dec22

The dimly burning wick shall not be quenched!

I have seen your sorrows and witnessed your sadness, yet you have not turned away; your heart is not cold. You cling to what was, but that is no longer you; you have grown. Trials and hardships have matured you–strengthened what was weak.

Yet, all you see is ash–too weary to speak.

Stir up the coals, for fire burns within; all is not lost–there is forgiveness for your sin.

Stir up the gifts; fan the flame.

Reclaim your life–there’s more to gain. Ask of Me and I’ll give you the nations. Restore prayer–rebuke indignation.

YOU ARE STILL MINE and there is much to do. Stir up the fire–still within you.

Yes time is getting short, but it’s not over yet. Get off your bed of sorrow; it’s time we were moving on. There’s so much more for you to do.

So much more for you!

“–The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name. He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”

But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense with my God.”

And now the Lord says, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength–

he says; “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Isaiah 49 1b-6

Be Right or Be Left

Nov28

Are you right or left handed? You are born with natural tendencies and some are stronger than others, but you will develop what you practice. Most will choose to favor one over the other.

Are you left or right?

So you are born with a spirit nature–that you develop by your choices. Do you favor left or right? You are not forced into a mold. Even a child, when influenced, must make his own decision and will grow to live by the decisions he makes.

Child’s play develops–adult decisions envelop–all must choose.

“When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left.” Matthew 25:31-33

Right or left–right or wrong; decisions all life long. Some merely hinder, but some will never escape for the choices they’ve made; in stubbornness they cling to the way that seems right, but the end therein is destruction.

“There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 16:25

“For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he watches all his paths. The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is caught in the toils of his sin. He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is lost.” Proverbs 5:21-23

Are you right or left handed?

It matters not.

But right and wrong is a matter of the heart.

You choose to develop what will envelop you.

Choose rightly–choose life!

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him; for that means life to you and length of days, that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them” Deuteronomy 30:19-20

“Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. He himself shall abide in prosperity, and his children shall possess the land. The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.” Psalms 25:12-15

“Turn thou to me, and be gracious to me; for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart, and bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.” Psalms 25:16-18

“If thou, O Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.” Psalms 130:3-4

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.” Hebrews 12:11-13

“Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'” Matthew 25:34-36

Just One Look

Aug21

Amazing Grace is given to the one who has lost his way. You are not reprimanded; you are gently led. You shall not meet a harsh response, as so many think and turn away for fear of the wrath to come.

No!

My Love is far deeper than superficial acceptance, it is everlasting.

“–the Lord appeared to him from afar. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:3

Do you understand?

Unending Love

Lavish Love

It does not require an action, but that you believe to receive.

So you have wandered from the truth?

Return

“In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer.” Isaiah 54:8

All I need is one look to capture your heart. For in that glance, you will see that you’ve captured Mine–for all eternity.

Just one look.

You’ll see–I truly love thee. Do you love Me? Just one look.

Look at Me!

I forgive.

“Who is a God like thee, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger for ever because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us, he will tread our iniquities under foot. Thou wilt cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:18-19

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:16-18

“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalms 100:5

Waiting For Vindication

May12

It is good and right for the upright to see My vindication on their enemies, for it satisfies justice.

“Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind. For thy steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to thee.” Psalms 26:1-3

Some of you have waited many years for this satisfaction. But do you wait for bad things to happen to them; much as if I would rub their nose in the dirt to punish?

No, I say that is not My desire, and it is for you that I wait.

I wait for your heart to turn.

“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.” Proverbs 10:12

I wait for you to love in forgiveness, and understand that it is not My desire to harm, but to build.

My desire is to build you before your enemy, but can I do this when you have bitterness and unforgiveness in your heart?

It is for you I wait.

Learn to love those who don’t love you, for that is who I AM.

Do this and I will lift you to a position that you no longer care what your enemy has done.

Because, for you–

Life has begun!

“The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger for ever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor requite us according to our iniquities.

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgression from us.

As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” Psalms 103:6-14

“Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the Lord, and he will help you.” Proverbs 20:22

“When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows.” Psalms 23:5

Lifetime Guaranteed

Sep28

The night is far spent, let all men repent, and see Me for who I truly AM–your Deliverance!

“He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14

The scapegoat was sent out of the camp to carry the sins away.

“But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.” Leviticus 16:10 KJV

I was made to be sin, that you may know no sin…

as if it had never been.

Do you believe?

Then receive.

Understand that you do not carry the sin any longer–I do.

“And you, who once were estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him–” Colossians 1:21-22

The sin of the world was laid upon Me, in exchange–

My Blood

“He entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” Hebrews 9:12

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace which he lavished upon us.” Ephesians 1:7-8

So easy for you to do and yet so many fear the exchange, think it strange, and simply turn away. That is simple too–to turn away; to live your life as if I never was. Your pride becomes your cause, with a will stronger than what binds. But when that day comes–when fear strikes your heart–that ending part, yes, the hard part…

Your knee will bow and pride will fall, as you confess–your life a mess. Without Me there’s no future. Without Me, no life-long dream–all gone.

Turn around. Look at Me.

There’s nothing to fear, and I’m still here. Simply repent, for the night is far spent. A simple exchange–Lifetime guaranteed!

“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, from my mouth has gone forth in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.’ “Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed, all who were incensed against him.”” Isaiah 45:22-24

“Truly no man can ransom himself, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of his life is costly, and can never suffice, that he should continue to live on for ever, and never see the Pit.” Psalms 49:7-9

“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who has not the Son of God has not life.” I John 4:11-12

“And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:27-28

“See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less shall we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. His voice then shook the earth; but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.”” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what is shaken, as of what has been made, in order that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:25-29

“Because he cleaves to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation.” Psalms 91:14-16

“No one who denies the Son has the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he has promised us, eternal life.” I John 2:23-25

Super-Naturally

Jul5

Frustrations come when one attempts to ‘work’ with his own might. Man has been given strength to function in day-to-day tasks but, beyond daily living, the strength needed must come from above.

Supernatural strength is given, not earned

Good works are the fruit of obedience, but unlike mans’ ways, I do not award ‘points’ for being good. Every man begins a supernatural life by receiving My shed Blood. Your repentance releases your hold on the old. My Blood washes it all away–I never see it again, and neither should you.

A relinquished life has no hold on you

and you should no longer lay hold of it. Now, see what I see–

A man that is brand new
Never has sinned
He has no faults

Complete in every way–simply by My Blood

So why would you need to earn points? No, rather, supernatural strength is given when the need for it arises. When you use what you have, more will be given. As you grow, so increases the requirement. Much like body building, but this My son, My daughter, is supernatural power!

You can fight a battle in the heavenlies without leaving your room–now that is power! And that is only the beginning. The ‘point’ therefore, I AM making is this–

Work with Me, not for Me

If you are working ‘for’ Me, you will earn wages for a job complete. Work ‘with’ Me, and you as a son I treat. I will teach you to walk as a king, to battle as a warrior–salvation it will bring to those you meet.

The devil I did defeat, but a war continues for each soul.

It is My desire that all would know the Truth, receive My Love, and therefore repent and be saved–as did you. You are now My warrior–empowered.

Super-Naturally

“–we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. but when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, then to wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, ‘This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,’ then he adds, ‘I will remember their sins and their misdeeds no more.'” Hebrews 10:10b-17

“–thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” Luke 24:46-47

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature.” II Peter 1:3-4

“–God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir.” Galatians 4:4b-7

“–The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary, his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles.” Isaiah 40:28-31

“Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. you shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.'” Isaiah 41:10-13

“Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; my rock and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues the peoples under him.” Psalms 144:1-2

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:10-12

A Dedicated Heart

May19

Sing praises to Me. Think of Me as a dedication to your heart, for when a heart is truly dedicated to Me, I return the honor, in honor to them.

Do not trample on your brother’s heart for that belongs to Me.

Do you see?

His heart belongs to Me, and yet, so many think nothing of slandering, on a regular basis, the heart and life of another. He might not hear–may not even be near, but still the damage is done.

He and I are one, as are you and I, and yet so easily the words flow; bringing harm to another soul, as if I were not standing by.

Why?

Why do you not think before you speak?

Your words must be sweet. I repeat–your words must be sweet! Slander is sinful and divides you and I. You receive My love, will you receive My correction? For sometimes it must be. I will defend the one, before more damage is done–to the brother you do not see. For he is mine–as are you, My Bride, and these wrinkles must not be.

Speak kindness and love, words are gifts from above–speak ever so wisely to Me. The praises on your lips, are offerings you bring, to the One who gives good gifts to men. But when you bring your gift to the altar, be it an offering or praise, if things are not right, please settle it tonight–go to him and see it through.

Now Come

Bring your gift–be it a sacrifice of praise, from lips bearing the pain, of continuous restrain, of slandering those that I love. Make this your habit, and your requests will be granted, with no hesitation on my part…

For such a gift to receive, is an honor I believe, from one with a pure and true heart.

Well Done My Bride

Well Done!

“You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. These things you have done and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you, and lay the charge before you. ‘Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I rend, and there be none to deliver! He who brings thanksgiving as his sacrifice honors me; to him who orders his way aright I will show the salvation of God!'” Psalms 50:19-23

“So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24

“Do not speak evil against one another, brethren. He that speaks evil against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you that you judge your neighbor?” James 4:11-12

“So the tongue is a little member and boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature and st on fire by hell.” “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not be so.” James 3:6, 10

“He who heeds instruction is on the path of life, but he who rejects reproof goes astray. He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who utters slander is a fool. When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the mind of the wicked is of little worth. Proverbs 10:17-20

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away; anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Colossians 3:1-10

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:12-17

“–as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 25-27