GOD IS OUR SHELTER ANDSTRENGTH

GOD IS OURSHELTER AND

STRENGTH

WORDS OF HOPE FROMTHE BIBLE

CANADIAN BIBLE SOCIETY

Canadian Bible SocietyToronto, Ontario

God is Our Shelter and Strength Copyright © 2011 by CanadianBible Society.

This book was produced using PressBooks.com, and PDFrendering was done by PrinceXML.

Contents

About the Canadian Bible Society vIntroduction 1

The Shepherd Psalm 3Wait on the Lord 4Our Refuge and Strength 6A Prayer for Pardon 7God Our Protector 8Bless the Lord, O My Soul 9The Source of Help 10Trust 11You Would Be There 12Trust in the Lord 13Out of the Depths 14Perfect Peace 15Comfort My People 16I Will Be with You 18God is Merciful 19True Happiness 20Don't Worry 21Ask 22Don't Be Afraid 23Come to Me 24The Power of Faith 25Jesus Heals 26Follow Me 27Be Still! 28Christ's Ministry 29Good News 30The Lost Sheep 31Let the Children Come to Me 32Gratitude 33The Water of Life 34The Good Shepherd 35Eternal Life 36

iii

Words of Comfort 37Peace with God 38Love One Another 39Patience and Encouragement 40Complete Victory 41Love 42Death is Destroyed 43Help in Our Troubles 44What Cannot Be Seen 45Grace in Weakness 46Know His Love 47God Gives Us Peace 48The Word of the Lord 49The God of Peace 50Inspired by God 51God is Love 52The Lord's Prayer 53

iv

Though its work began with a Mohawk translation twohundred years ago, the Canadian Bible Society wasformally founded in 1904. We translate, publish anddistribute Bibles, New Testaments and other portions ofthe Bible in over 100 languages. Our goal is to make theBible easily accessible to every man, woman and childin a way that they will be helped and their lives will betransformed by what it has to say.

We accomplish our work in Canada through partnershipswith churches and other ministries. Outside Canada wecollaborate with 145 other national Bible Societies whoare also members of the United Bible Societies to assistcountries where our resources can help and to benefitfrom the strength of joint projects.

Our work is made possible by revenues from sales as wellas by the generosity of donors who help us provide Biblesand portions at little or no cost in circumstances wherethat best fulfills our mandate.

For more information about our ministry efforts, pleasevisitwww.biblesociety.ca

For more information about the biblical resources we offer,please visit www.biblescanada.com

Text from the Good News Bible © American Bible Society,1992

v

Introduction

Dear friend,

The Bible is an unusual book in so many ways.

The Scriptures have sometimes been described as aninstruction book for life, and they do indeed provideimportant wisdom and guidance from our Creator aboutthe best way to live fulfilling and happy lives. But whilemost instructions booklets and self-help guides presumequite a bit from those who read them, the Bible speaks tous exactly where we are, with a striking realism about howdifficult life so often is.

It speaks to the hurting, the broken and those who havelittle apparent hope.

Its stories, promises and advice were not meant for thewealthy and educated who have it all together and feel likethey are on top of the world. Many of the words of comfortit contains are spoken by individuals who met with loss,calamity and heartache themselves – and surprisingly, theyoften speak these insightful words from the midst of theirgreatest trouble.

You may well recognize your own circumstances as youread about theirs, and as you do, we pray that the comfortthey found in God would also be an encouragement to you.

Many of the passages from the Scriptures we haveincluded in this booklet will sound familiar because theyhave helped so many others before you and have oftenbeen quoted, alluded to in great literature and sometimeseven made into song. We pray that in your life now, theymay point the way to a better path ahead.

Your word is a lamp to guide meand a light for my path.

1

Psalm 119.105

Introduction 2

The Shepherd Psalm

The Lᴏʀᴅ is my shepherd;I have everything I need.He lets me rest in fields of green grassand leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.He gives me new strength.He guides me in the right paths,as he has promised.Even if I go through the deepest darkness,I will not be afraid, Lᴏʀᴅ,for you are with me.Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me.

You prepare a banquet for me,where all my enemies can see me;you welcome me as an honored guestand fill my cup to the brim.I know that your goodness and lovewill be with me all my life;and your house will be my home as long as I live.

Psalm 23

3

Wait on the Lord

The Lᴏʀᴅ is my light and my salvation;I will fear no one.The Lᴏʀᴅ protects me from all danger;I will never be afraid.

When evil people attack me and try to kill me,they stumble and fall.Even if a whole army surrounds me,I will not be afraid;even if enemies attack me,I will still trust God.

I have asked the Lᴏʀᴅ for one thing;one thing only do I want:to live in the Lᴏʀᴅ’s house all my life,to marvel there at his goodness,and to ask for his guidance.In times of trouble he will shelter me;he will keep me safe in his Templeand make me secure on a high rock.So I will triumph over my enemies around me.With shouts of joy I will offer sacrifices in hisTemple;I will sing, I will praise the Lᴏʀᴅ.

Hear me, Lᴏʀᴅ, when I call to you!Be merciful and answer me!When you said, “Come worship me,”I answered, “I will come, Lᴏʀᴅ.”Don’t hide yourself from me!

Don’t be angry with me;don’t turn your servant away.You have been my help;don’t leave me, don’t abandon me,O God, my savior.

4

My father and mother may abandon me,but the Lᴏʀᴅ will take care of me.

Teach me, Lᴏʀᴅ, what you want me to do,and lead me along a safe path,because I have many enemies.Don’t abandon me to my enemies,who attack me with lies and threats.

I know that I will live to seethe Lᴏʀᴅ’s goodness in this present life.Trust in the Lᴏʀᴅ.Have faith, do not despair.Trust in the Lᴏʀᴅ.

Psalm 27

5 God is Our Shelter and Strength

Our Refuge and Strength

God is our shelter and strength,always ready to help in times of trouble.So we will not be afraid, even if the earth isshakenand mountains fall into the ocean depths;even if the seas roar and rage,and the hills are shaken by the violence.There isa river that brings joy to the city of God,to the sacred house of the Most High.God is in that city, and it will never be destroyed;at early dawn he will come to its aid.Nations are terrified, kingdoms are shaken;God thunders, and the earth dissolves.

The Lᴏʀᴅ Almighty is with us;the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Come and see what the Lᴏʀᴅ has done.See what amazing things he has done on earth.He stops wars all over the world;he breaks bows, destroys spears,and sets shields on fire.“Stop fighting,” he says, “and know that I amGod,supreme among the nations,supreme over the world.”

The Lᴏʀᴅ Almighty is with us;the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Psalm 46

6

A Prayer for Pardon

Be merciful to me, O God,because of your constant love.Because of your great mercywipe away my sins!Wash away all my eviland make me clean from my sin!I recognize myfaults;I am always conscious of my sins.I have sinned against you—only against you—and done what you consider evil.So you are right in judging me;you are justified in condemning me.I have been evil from the day I was born;from the time I was conceived, I have been sinful.

Sincerity and truth are what you require;fill my mind with your wisdom.Remove my sin, and I will be clean;wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness;and though you have crushed me and broken me,I will be happy once again.Close your eyes to my sinsand wipe out all my evil.

Create a pure heart in me, O God,and put a new and loyal spirit in me.Do not banish me from your presence;do not take your holy spirit away from me.Give me again the joy that comes from yoursalvation,and make me willing to obey you.

Psalm 51.1-12

7

God Our Protector

Whoever goes to the Lᴏʀᴅ for safety,whoever remains under the protection of theAlmighty,can say to him,“You are my defender and protector.You are my God; in you I trust.”He will keep you safe from all hidden dangersand from all deadly diseases.He will cover you with his wings;you will be safe in his care;his faithfulness will protect and defend you.

Psalm 91.1-4

8

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

Praise the Lᴏʀᴅ, my soul!All my being, praise his holy name!Praise the Lᴏʀᴅ, my soul,and do not forget how kind he is.He forgives all my sinsand heals all my diseases.He keeps me from the graveand blesses me with love and mercy.He fills my life with good things,so that I stay young and strong like an eagle.

Psalm 103.1-5

9

The Source of Help

I look to the mountains;where will my help come from?My help will come from the Lᴏʀᴅ,who made heaven and earth.He will not let youfall;your protector is always awake.

The protector of Israelnever dozes or sleeps.The Lᴏʀᴅ will guard you;he is by your side to protect you.The sun will not hurt you during the day,nor the moon during the night.

The Lᴏʀᴅ will protect you from all danger;he will keep you safe.He will protect you as you come and gonow and forever.

Psalm 121

10

Trust

Those who trust in the Lᴏʀᴅ are like Mount Zion,which can never be shaken, never be moved.As the mountains surround Jerusalem,so the Lᴏʀᴅ surrounds his people,now and forever.

Psalm 125.1-2

11

You Would Be There

Where could I go to escape from you?Where could I get away from your presence?If I went up to heaven, you would be there;if I lay down in the world of the dead, you wouldbe there.If I flew away beyond the eastor lived in the farthest place in the west,you would be there to lead me,you would be there to help me.I could ask the darkness to hide meor the light around me to turn into night,but even darkness is not dark for you,and the night is as bright as the day.Darkness and light are the same to you.

Psalm 139.7-12

12

Trust in the Lord

Trust in the Lᴏʀᴅ with all your heart. Never relyon what you think you know. Remember theLᴏʀᴅ in everything you do, and he will show youthe right way.

Proverbs 3.5-6

13

Out of the Depths

From the depths of my despair I call to you, Lᴏʀᴅ.Hear my cry, O Lord;listen to my call for help!If you kept a record of our sins,who could escape being condemned?But you forgive us,so that we should stand in awe of you.I waiteagerly for the Lᴏʀᴅ’s help,and in his word I trust.I wait for the Lordmore eagerly than sentries wait for the dawn—than sentries wait for the dawn.

Israel, trust in the Lᴏʀᴅ,because his love is constantand he is always willing to save.He will save his people Israelfrom all their sins.

Psalm 130

14

Perfect Peace

You, Lᴏʀᴅ, give perfect peaceto those who keep their purpose firmand put their trust in you.Trust in the Lᴏʀᴅ forever;he will always protect us.

Isaiah 26.3-4

15

Comfort My People

“Comfort my people,” says our God. “Comfortthem!Encourage the people of Jerusalem.Tell them they have suffered long enoughand their sins are now forgiven.I have punished them in full for all their sins.”

A voice cries out,“Prepare in the wilderness a road for the Lᴏʀᴅ!Clear the way in the desert for our God!Fill every valley;level every mountain.The hills will become a plain,and the rough country will be made smooth.Then the glory of the Lᴏʀᴅ will be revealed,and all people will see it.The Lᴏʀᴅ himself has promised this.”

A voice cries out, “Proclaim a message!”“What message shall I proclaim?” I ask.“Proclaim that all human beings are like grass;they last no longer than wild flowers.Grass withers and flowers fadewhen the Lᴏʀᴅ sends the wind blowing over them.People are no more enduring than grass.Yes, grass withers and flowers fade,but the word of our God endures forever.”

Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard?The Lᴏʀᴅ is the everlasting God;he created all the world.He never grows tired or weary.No one understands his thoughts.He strengthens those who are weak and tired.Even those who are young grow weak;young people can fall exhausted.But those who trust in the Lᴏʀᴅ for help

16

will find their strength renewed.They will rise on wings like eagles;they will run and not get weary;they will walk and not grow weak.

Isaiah 40.1-8, 28-31

17 God is Our Shelter and Strength

I Will Be with You

Israel, the Lᴏʀᴅ who created you says,

“Do not be afraid—I will save you.I have called you by name—you are mine.When you pass through deep waters, I will bewith you;your troubles will not overwhelm you.When you pass through fire, you will not beburned;the hard trials that come will not hurt you.For I am the Lᴏʀᴅ your God,the holy God of Israel, who saves you.”

Isaiah 43.1-3

18

God is Merciful

Turn to the Lᴏʀᴅ and pray to him,now that he is near.Let the wicked leave their way of lifeand change their way of thinking.Let them turn to the Lᴏʀᴅ, our God;he is merciful and quick to forgive.“My thoughts,” says the Lᴏʀᴅ, “are not like yours,and my ways are different from yours.As high as the heavens are above the earth,so high are my ways and thoughts above yours.”

Isaiah 55.6-9

19

True Happiness

Happy are those who know they are spirituallypoor;the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!Happy are those who mourn;God will comfort them!Happy are those who are humble;they will receive what God has promised!Happy are those whose greatest desireis to do what God requires;God will satisfy them fully!Happy are those who are merciful to others;God will be merciful to them!Happy are the pure in heart;they will see God!Happy are those who work for peace;God will call them his children!Happy are those whoare persecuted because they do what Godrequires;the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

Matthew 5.3-10

20

Don't Worry

“This is why I [Jesus] tell you: do not be worriedabout the food and drink you need in order tostay alive, or about clothes for your body. Afterall, isn’t life worth more than food? And isn’t thebody worth more than clothes? Look at the birds:they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and putit in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes careof them! Aren’t you worth much more than birds?Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying aboutit?

“And why worry about clothes? Look how the wildflowers grow: they do not work or make clothesfor themselves. But I tell you that not even KingSolomon with all his wealth had clothes asbeautiful as one of these flowers. It is God whoclothes the wild grass—grass that is here todayand gone tomorrow, burned up in the oven. Won’the be all the more sure to clothe you? What littlefaith you have!”

So do not start worrying: “Where will my foodcome from? or my drink? or my clothes?” (Theseare the things the pagans are always concernedabout.) Your Father in heaven knows that youneed all these things. Instead, be concernedabove everything else with the Kingdom of Godand with what he requires of you, and he willprovide you with all these other things. So donot worry about tomorrow; it will have enoughworries of its own. There is no need to add to thetroubles each day brings.

Matthew 6.25-34

21

Ask

Jesus said: “Ask, and you will receive; seek, andyou will find; knock, and the door will be openedto you. For everyone who asks will receive, andanyone who seeks will find, and the door will beopened to those who knock.”

Matthew 7.7-8

22

Don't Be Afraid

“For only a penny you can buy two sparrows,yet not one sparrow falls to the ground withoutyour Father’s consent. As for you, even the hairsof your head have all been counted. So do notbe afraid; you are worth much more than manysparrows!”

Matthew 10.29-31

23

Come to Me

Jesus said: “Come to me, all of you who are tiredfrom carrying heavy loads, and I will give yourest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learnfrom me, because I am gentle and humble inspirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I willgive you is easy, and the load I will put on you islight.”

Matthew 11.28-30

24

The Power of Faith

When Jesus entered Capernaum, a Roman officermet him and begged for help: “Sir, my servant issick in bed at home, unable to move and sufferingterribly.”

“I will go and make him well,” Jesus said.

“Oh no, sir,” answered the officer. “I do notdeserve to have you come into my house. Just givethe order, and my servant will get well.

Then Jesus said to the officer, “Go home, and whatyou believe will be done for you.”

Matthew 8.5-8, 13

25

Jesus Heals

Large crowds came to him, bringing with themthe lame, the blind, the crippled, the dumb, andmany other sick people, whom they placed atJesus’ feet; and he healed them. The people wereamazed as they saw the dumb speaking, thecrippled made whole, the lame walking, and theblind seeing; and they praised the God of Israel.

Matthew 15.30-31

26

Follow Me

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of youwant to come with me, you must forget yourself,carry your cross, and follow me. For if you wantto save your own life, you will lose it; but if youlose your life for my sake, you will find it. Will yougain anything if you win the whole world but loseyour life? Of course not! There is nothing you cangive to regain your life.”

Matthew 16.24-26

27

Be Still!

Suddenly a strong wind blew up, and the wavesbegan to spill over into the boat, so that it wasabout to fill with water. Jesus was in the back ofthe boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. Thedisciples woke him up and said, “Teacher, don’tyou care that we are about to die?”

Jesus stood up and commanded the wind, “Bequiet!” and he said to the waves, “Be still!” Thewind died down, and there was a great calm.

Mark 4.37-39

28

Christ's Ministry

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has chosen me to bring good news tothe poor.He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captivesand recovery of sight to the blind,to set free the oppressedand announce that the time has comewhen the Lord will save his people.”Jesus rolledup the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, andsat down. All the people in the synagogue hadtheir eyes fixed on him, as he said to them, “Thispassage of scripture has come true today, as youheard it being read.”

They were all well impressed with him andmarveled at the eloquent words that he spoke.

Luke 4.18-22a

29

Good News

For God loved the world so much that he gave hisonly Son, so that everyone who believes in himmay not die but have eternal life. For God did notsend his Son into the world to be its judge, but tobe its savior.

John 3.16-17

30

The Lost Sheep

Jesus told them this parable:

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep andloses one of them—what do you do? You leavethe other ninety-nine sheep in the pasture and golooking for the one that got lost until you find it.When you find it, you are so happy that you put iton your shoulders and carry it back home. Thenyou call your friends and neighbors together andsay to them, ‘I am so happy I found my lost sheep.Let us celebrate!’ In the same way, I tell you,there will be more joy in heaven over one sinnerwho repents than over ninety-nine respectablepeople who do not need to repent.”

Luke 15.3-7

31

Let the Children Come to Me

Some people brought their babies to Jesus forhim to place his hands on them. The disciplessaw them and scolded them for doing so, butJesus called the children to him and said, “Letthe children come to me and do not stop them,because the Kingdom of God belongs to such asthese. Remember this! Whoever does not receivethe Kingdom of God like a child will never enterit.”

Luke 18.15-17

32

Gratitude

Jesus was going into a village when he was metby ten men suffering from a dreaded skin disease.They stood at a distance and shouted, “Jesus!Master! Have pity on us!” Jesus saw them andsaid to them, “Go and let the priests examineyou.”

On the way they were made clean. When oneof them saw that he was healed, he came back,praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself tothe ground at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. Theman was a Samaritan. Jesus spoke up, “Therewere ten who were healed; where are the othernine? Why is this foreigner the only one whocame back to give thanks to God?” And Jesus saidto him, “Get up and go; your faith has made youwell.”

Luke 17.12-19

33

The Water of Life

Jesus answered, “Those who drink this water willget thirsty again, but those who drink the waterthat I will give them will never be thirsty again.The water that I will give them will become inthem a spring which will provide them with life-giving water and give them eternal life.”

John 4.13-14

34

The Good Shepherd

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd, who iswilling to die for the sheep. When the hired man,who is not a shepherd and does not own thesheep, sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheepand runs away; so the wolf snatches the sheepand scatters them. The hired man runs awaybecause he is only a hired man and does not careabout the sheep. I am the good shepherd. As theFather knows me and I know the Father, in thesame way I know my sheep and they know me.And I am willing to die for them. There are othersheep which belong to me that are not in thissheep pen. I must bring them, too; they will listento my voice, and they will become one flock withone shepherd.”

John 10.11-16

35

Eternal Life

Eternal life means to know you, the only true God,and to know Jesus Christ, whom you sent.

John 17.3

36

Words of Comfort

“Do not be worried and upset,” Jesus told them.“Believe in God and believe also in me. There aremany rooms in my Father’s house, and I am goingto prepare a place for you. I would not tell youthis if it were not so. And after I go and preparea place for you, I will come back and take you tomyself, so that you will be where I am. You knowthe way that leads to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know whereyou are going; so how can we know the way to getthere?”

Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, andthe life; no one goes to the Father except by me.Now that you have known me,” he said to them,“you will know my Father also, and from now onyou do know him and you have seen him.”

John 14.1-7

37

Peace with God

Now that we have been put right with Godthrough faith, we have peace with God throughour Lord Jesus Christ. He has brought us by faithinto this experience of God’s grace, in which wenow live. And so we boast of the hope we haveof sharing God’s glory! We also boast of ourtroubles, because we know that trouble producesendurance, endurance brings God’s approval, andhis approval creates hope. This hope does notdisappoint us, for God has poured out his loveinto our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, whois God’s gift to us.

Romans 5.1-5

38

Love One Another

My commandment is this: love one another, justas I love you. The greatest love you can have foryour friends is to give your life for them. And youare my friends if you do what I command you.I do not call you servants any longer, becauseservants do not know what their master is doing.Instead, I call you friends, because I have toldyou everything I heard from my Father. You didnot choose me; I chose you and appointed youto go and bear much fruit, the kind of fruit thatendures. And so the Father will give you whateveryou ask of him in my name. This, then, is what Icommand you: love one another.

John 15.12-17

39

Patience and Encouragement

Everything written in the Scriptures was writtento teach us, in order that we might have hopethrough the patience and encouragement whichthe Scriptures give us. And may God, the sourceof patience and encouragement, enable you tohave the same point of view among yourselves byfollowing the example of Christ Jesus, so that allof you together may praise with one voice the Godand Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15.4-6

40

Complete Victory

In view of all this, what can we say? If God isfor us, who can be against us? Certainly not God,who did not even keep back his own Son, butoffered him for us all! He gave us his Son—will henot also freely give us all things? Who will accuseGod’s chosen people? God himself declares themnot guilty! Who, then, will condemn them? NotChrist Jesus, who died, or rather, who was raisedto life and is at the right side of God, pleadingwith him for us! Who, then, can separate us fromthe love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardshipor persecution or hunger or poverty or danger ordeath? As the scripture says,

“For your sake we are in danger of death at alltimes;we are treated like sheep that are going to beslaughtered.”

No, in all these things we have complete victorythrough him who loved us! For I am certain thatnothing can separate us from his love: neitherdeath nor life, neither angels nor other heavenlyrulers or powers, neither the present nor thefuture, neither the world above nor the worldbelow—there is nothing in all creation that willever be able to separate us from the love of Godwhich is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8.31-39

41

Love

I may be able to speak the languages of humanbeings and even of angels, but if I have no love,my speech is no more than a noisy gong or aclanging bell. I may have the gift of inspiredpreaching; I may have all knowledge andunderstand all secrets; I may have all the faithneeded to move mountains—but if I have no love,I am nothing. I may give away everything I have,and even give up my body to be burned —but if Ihave no love, this does me no good.

Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous orconceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered orselfish or irritable; love does not keep a record ofwrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happywith the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith,hope, and patience never fail.

Love is eternal. There are inspired messages, butthey are temporary; there are gifts of speakingin strange tongues, but they will cease; thereis knowledge, but it will pass. For our gifts ofknowledge and of inspired messages are onlypartial; but when what is perfect comes, thenwhat is partial will disappear.

When I was a child, my speech, feelings, andthinking were all those of a child; now that I aman adult, I have no more use for childish ways.What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror;then we shall see face-to-face. What I know now isonly partial; then it will be complete—as completeas God’s knowledge of me.

Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, andlove; and the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13

42

Death is Destroyed

So when this takes place, and the mortal has beenchanged into the immortal, then the scripturewill come true: “Death is destroyed; victory iscomplete!”

“Where, Death, is your victory?Where, Death, is your power to hurt?”

Death gets its power to hurt from sin, and singets its power from the Law. But thanks be to Godwho gives us the victory through our Lord JesusChrist!

So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady.Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, sinceyou know that nothing you do in the Lord’sservice is ever useless.

1 Corinthians 15.54-58

43

Help in Our Troubles

Let us give thanks to the God and Father of ourLord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the Godfrom whom all help comes! He helps us in all ourtroubles, so that we are able to help others whohave all kinds of troubles, using the same helpthat we ourselves have received from God. Just aswe have a share in Christ’s many sufferings, soalso through Christ we share in God’s great help.

2 Corinthians 1.3-5

44

What Cannot Be Seen

For this reason we never become discouraged.Even though our physical being is graduallydecaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed dayafter day. And this small and temporary troublewe suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternalglory, much greater than the trouble. For we fixour attention, not on things that are seen, but onthings that are unseen. What can be seen lastsonly for a time, but what cannot be seen lastsforever.

2 Corinthians 4.16-18

45

Grace in Weakness

The Lord says: “My grace is all you need, for mypower is greatest when you are weak.”

2 Corinthians 12.9a

46

Know His Love

For this reason I fall on my knees before theFather, from whom every family in heaven andon earth receives its true name. I ask God fromthe wealth of his glory to give you power throughhis Spirit to be strong in your inner selves, and Ipray that Christ will make his home in your heartsthrough faith. I pray that you may have your rootsand foundation in love, so that you, together withall God’s people, may have the power tounderstand how broad and long, how high anddeep, is Christ’s love. Yes, may you come to knowhis love—although it can never be fullyknown—and so be completely filled with the verynature of God.

To him who by means of his power working in usis able to do so much more than we can ever askfor, or even think of: to God be the glory in thechurch and in Christ Jesus for all time, foreverand ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3.14-21

47

God Gives Us Peace

May you always be joyful in your union with theLord. I say it again: rejoice!

Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. TheLord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything,but in all your prayers ask God for what youneed, always asking him with a thankful heart.And God’s peace, which is far beyond humanunderstanding, will keep your hearts and mindssafe in union with Christ Jesus.

In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds withthose things that are good and that deservepraise: things that are true, noble, right, pure,lovely, and honorable. Put into practice what youlearned and received from me, both from mywords and from my actions. And the God whogives us peace will be with you.

Philippians 4.4-9

48

The Word of the Lord

For through the living and eternal word of Godyou have been born again as the children of aparent who is immortal, not mortal. As thescripture says,

“All human beings are like grass,and all their glory is like wild flowers.The grass withers, and the flowers fall,but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

1 Peter 1.23-25a

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The God of Peace

God has raised from death our Lord Jesus, whois the Great Shepherd of the sheep as the resultof his blood, by which the eternal covenant issealed. May the God of peace provide you withevery good thing you need in order to do his will,and may he, through Jesus Christ, do in us whatpleases him. And to Christ be the glory foreverand ever! Amen.

Hebrews 13.20-21

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Inspired by God

But as for you, continue in the truths that youwere taught and firmly believe. You know whoyour teachers were, and you remember that eversince you were a child, you have known the HolyScriptures, which are able to give you the wisdomthat leads to salvation through faith in ChristJesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and isuseful for teaching the truth, rebuking error,correcting faults, and giving instruction for rightliving, so that the person who serves God may befully qualified and equipped to do every kind ofgood deed.

2 Timothy 3.14-17

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God is Love

Dear friends, let us love one another, becauselove comes from God. Whoever loves is a child ofGod and knows God. Whoever does not love doesnot know God, for God is love. And God showedhis love for us by sending his only Son into theworld, so that we might have life through him.This is what love is: it is not that we have lovedGod, but that he loved us and sent his Son to bethe means by which our sins are forgiven.

Dear friends, if this is how God loved us, then weshould love one another. No one has ever seenGod, but if we love one another, God lives in unionwith us, and his love is made perfect in us.

1 John 4.7-12

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The Lord's Prayer

Our Father in heaven:May your holy name be honored;may your Kingdom come;may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.Give us today the food we need.Forgive us the wrongs we have done,as we forgive the wrongs that others have done tous.Do not bring us to hard testing,but keep us safe from the Evil One.

Matthew 6.9-13

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