They all do evil and abuse what power they have (Jeremiah 23:10; NLT).
Abuse
Gives birth
To fear.
Abuse
Engenders
Shame.
Abuse
Produces
Grief and dread.
Abuse
Results
In pain.
Do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them (Ephesians 6:4; NLT).
The land is full of people unfaithful to the LORD; they live wicked lives and misuse their power (Jeremiah 23:10; GNT).
“Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Mark 14:36; NLT).
Please take away our suffering;
Please take away our pain;
Please take away our grief and dread –
Then we’ll be whole again.
Please take away our selfishness;
Please take away our hate;
Please take away our foolishness –
Before it’s far too late.
Perhaps even yet they will turn from their evil ways and ask the LORD’s forgiveness before it is too late (Jeremiah 36:7; NLT).
References
The effect of an upright rule will be to take away fear for ever (Isaiah 32:17; BBE).
Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him (Hebrews 9:28; NLT).
Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31; NLT).
At death
I will fly free at last,
Forever
Leave behind my past,
Forget it all,
Bid life adieu,
Then, evermore,
Be one with you!
The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).
References
The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come (Luke 4:18-19; NLT).
Those who die in the LORD will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead! (Isaiah 26:19; NLT).
If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36; NIV).
I love you, LORD; you are my strength (Psalm 18:1; NLT).
I love you,
So I dance before you;
Love you,
So I follow you;
Love you,
So I walk beside you;
Love you,
So I praise you too;
Love you,
So I try to serve you;
Love you,
So I pray, each day;
Love you,
So I live within you;
Love you,
So I choose your way.
Choose life! (Deuteronomy 30:19; NLT).
God’s way is perfect (2 Samuel 22:31; NLT).
References
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6; NLT).
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them (1 John 4:16; NLT).
Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13; AMP).
I need you,
And I search for you.
I find you,
And I trust in you.
I serve you,
And I follow you.
I love you,
And I long for you.
As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God (Psalm 42:1; NLT).
References
My God, I trust in you (Psalm 25:2; CSB).
Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God (Psalm 86:2; NLT).
I have given you an example to follow (John 13:15; NLT).
I love you, Lord; you are my strength (Psalm 18:1; NLT).
Keep on seeking, and you will find (Luke 11:9; NLT).
Pray for peace (Psalm 122:6; NLT).
I pray for peace
In every mind,
Then all our actions
Will be kind.
I pray for truth
On every tongue,
Then we’ll confess
That all are one.
I pray for light
In every heart,
Then Christ will guide us
Through the dark.
I pray for love
In every soul,
Then humankind
Will be made whole.
Anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).
References
The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; CSB).
The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).
God is light (1 John 1:5; NLT).
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12; NLT).
In him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28; NIV).
We live in You
Like fish in water;
Move in You
Like birds in air.
You’re the God,
Who walks beside us –
All we suffer, Lord,
You share.
“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed (John 20:28; NLT.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).
References
I am with you always (Matthew 28:20; NLT).
In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years (Isaiah 63:9; NLT).
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering (Isaiah 53:4; NIV).
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens (Psalm 68:19; NIV).
There is …one God and Creator of all, who is over all, who works through all and is within all (Ephesians 4:4-6; TIB).
Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about the differences between religions of all kinds, and personal spiritual development. A conversation a few days ago helped to focus my thinking, which crystallised yesterday morning to form today’s blog. So, here are some of the significant differences between religions and personal faith I have been shown so far:
Religions often generate rules people are required to follow in order to belong, whilst true faith is based on freedom.
Religious dogmas often aim to control people’s beliefs, thoughts and behaviour, but genuine spiritual support encourages exploration of self, others, and God.
Religious creeds often discourage ongoing, personal faith development. However, spiritual change and growth are fostered by respect, acceptance, understanding and love.
Denominations often result from human intolerance of different spiritual understandings and practices. Inclusiveness, on the other hand, creates genuine oneness with all people.
Religions are often imposed on people, but spiritual development grows organically out of personal experience, personal choice, and a personal relationship with God.
Finally, let’s remember that despite having infinite power over us:
God gives us all freedom of choice.
God gives us all the right to reject Her/Him.
God loves us all unconditionally, even when we do not return Her/His love.
He loves us with unfailing love (Psalm 117:2; NLT).
He is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked (Luke 6:35; NIV).
References
This is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help (Isaiah 58:6-7; NLT).
Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: “I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.” For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners (Matthew 9:13; NLT).
I hate all your show and pretense – the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies (Amos 5:21; NLT).
The LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).
He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone (Isaiah 53:9; NLT).
Christ did nothing wrong
At all,
But look at what
He had to face!
He came to show us
How to love
Each stranger, neighbour,
Friend, and foe.
He came to heal,
And set us free,
Yet how he suffered
In our place!
So when you’re falsely blamed:
Forgive all those
Who hurt you –
Change, and grow!
When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified – one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:33-34; NLT).
Speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).
References
He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away (Isaiah 53:7-8; NLT).
I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44; NLT).
Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you. If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! (Luke 6:35; NLT).
If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you (Matthew 6:14; NLT).
Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked (Luke 6:35; NLT).
Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? (Psalm 147:4; NLT).
God is strands of shining stars in space.
God is peace and mercy, truth and grace.
God is earth, and sea, and sky, and sun.
God is light and fire in everyone.
God is strength, and joy, and life, and breath.
God is pain, and suffering, and death.
God is deepest darkness filled with love.
God is every cross, and drop of blood.
There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called into one hope when you were called. There is one Savior, one faith, one baptism, one God and Creator of all, who is over all, who works through all and is within all (Ephesians 4:4-6; TIB).