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1 Thessalonians 2 13
We never stop thanking God for the way you received his word. You heard it from us. But you didn’t accept it as a human word. You accepted it for what it really is. It is God’s word. It is really at work in you who believe.
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2 Thessalonians 3 7-2 Thessalonians 3 9
You know how you should follow our example. We worked when we were with you.We didn’t eat anyone’s food without paying for it. In fact, it was just the opposite. We worked night and day. We worked very hard so that we wouldn’t cause any expense to any of you.We worked, even though we have the right to receive help from you. We did it in order to be a model for you to follow.
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1 Peter 1 12
It was made known to the prophets that they were not serving themselves. Instead, they were serving you when they spoke about the things that you have now heard. Those who have preached the good news to you have told you these things. They have done it with the help of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
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2 Thessalonians 2 14
He chose you to be saved by accepting the good news that we preach. And you will share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithfuland gentle and having control of oneself. There is no law against things of that kind.
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Mark 16:20
Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere. The Lord worked with them. And he backed up his word by the signs that went with it.
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Galatians 3:2-5
I would like to learn just one thing from you. Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law? Or did you receive the Spirit by believing what you heard?Are you so foolish? You began by the Holy Spirit. Are you now trying to finish God’s work in you by your own strength?Have you experienced so much for nothing? And was it really for nothing?So I ask you again, how does God give you his Spirit? How does he work miracles among you? Is it by doing what the law says? Or is it by believing what you have heard?
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Ephesians 3:20
God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by his power that is working in us.
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James 1:16-18
My dear brothers and sisters, don’t let anyone fool you.Every good and perfect gift is from God. This kind of gift comes down from the Father who created the heavenly lights. These lights create shadows that move. But the Father does not change like these shadows.God chose to give us new birth through the message of truth. He wanted us to be the first harvest of his new creation.
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Hebrews 6:18-19
When God made his promise, he gave his word. He did this so we would have good reason not to give up. Instead, we have run to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope is set before us in God’s promise. So God made his promise and gave his word. These two things can’t change. He couldn’t lie about them.Our hope is certain. It is something for the soul to hold on to. It is strong and secure. It goes all the way into the Most Holy Room behind the curtain.
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2 Timothy 2 8
Remember Jesus Christ. He came from David’s family line. He was raised from the dead. That is my good news.
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1 Corinthians 4 20
The kingdom of God is not a matter of talk. It is a matter of power.
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Philippians 4:9
Do what you have learned or received or heard from me. Follow my example. The God who gives peace will be with you.
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1 Corinthians 2 2-1 Corinthians 2 5
My goal while I was with you was to talk about only one thing. And that was Jesus Christ and his death on the cross.When I came to you, I was weak and very afraid and trembling all over.I didn’t preach my message with clever and compelling words. Instead, my preaching showed the Holy Spirit’s power.This was so that your faith would be based on God’s power. Your faith would not be based on human wisdom.
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2 Timothy 2 10
So I put up with everything for the good of God’s chosen people. Then they also can be saved. Christ Jesus saves them. He gives them glory that will last forever.
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Colossians 2:2
My goal is that their hearts may be encouraged and strengthened. I want them to be joined together in love. Then their understanding will be rich and complete. They will know the mystery of God. That mystery is Christ.
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Hebrews 2:3-4
Then how will we escape if we don’t pay attention to God’s great salvation? The Lord first announced this salvation. Those who heard him gave us the message about it.God showed that this message is true by signs and wonders. He showed that it’s true by different kinds of miracles. God also showed that this message is true by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. God gave them out as it pleased him.
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Hebrews 6:11
We want each of you to be faithful to the very end. If you are, then what you hope for will fully happen.
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1 Corinthians 9 19-1 Corinthians 9 23
I am free and don’t belong to anyone. But I have made myself a slave to everyone. I do it to win as many as I can to Christ.To the Jews I became like a Jew. That was to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one who was under the law. I did this even though I myself am not under the law. That was to win those under the law.To those who don’t have the law I became like one who doesn’t have the law. I did this even though I am not free from God’s law. I am under Christ’s law. Now I can win those who don’t have the law.To those who are weak I became weak. That was to win the weak. I have become all things to all people. I have done this so that in all possible ways I might save some.I do all this because of the good news. And I want to share in its blessings.
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Ephesians 1:17-20
I pray to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the glorious Father. I keep asking him to give you the wisdom and understanding that come from the Holy Spirit. I want you to know God better.I pray that you may understand more clearly. Then you will know the hope God has chosen you to receive. You will know that what God will give his holy people is rich and glorious.And you will know God’s great power. It can’t be compared with anything else. His power works for us who believe. It is the same mighty strengthGod showed. He showed this when he raised Christ from the dead. God seated him at his right hand in his heavenly kingdom.
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Romans 1:16
I want to preach it because I’m not ashamed of the good news. It is God’s power to save everyone who believes. It is meant first for the Jews. It is meant also for the Gentiles.
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1 Corinthians 3 16
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple? Don’t you know that God’s Spirit lives among you?
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2 Corinthians 3 6
He has given us the power to serve under a new covenant. The covenant is not based on the written Law of Moses. It comes from the Holy Spirit. The written Law kills, but the Spirit gives life.
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1 Thessalonians 2 1-1 Thessalonians 2 11
Brothers and sisters, you know that our visit to you produced results.You know what happened earlier in the city of Philippi. We suffered, and people treated us very badly there. But God gave us the boldness to tell you his good news. We preached to you even when people strongly opposed us.The appeal we make is based on truth. It comes from a pure heart. We are not trying to trick you.In fact, it is just the opposite. God has approved us to preach. He has trusted us with the good news. We aren’t trying to please people. We want to please God. He tests our hearts.As you know, we never praised you if we didn’t mean it. We didn’t put on a mask to cover up any sinful desire. God is our witness that this is true.We were not expecting people to praise us. We were not looking for praise from you or anyone else. Yet as Christ’s apostles, we could have used our authority over you.Instead, we were like young children when we were with you. As a mother feeds and cares for her little children,we cared for you. We loved you so much. So we were happy to share with you God’s good news. We were also happy to share our lives with you.Brothers and sisters, I am sure you remember how hard we worked. We labored night and day while we preached to you God’s good news. We didn’t want to cause you any expense.You are witnesses of how we lived among you believers. God is also a witness that we were holy and godly and without blame.You know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children.
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Romans 2:16
This will happen on the day God appoints Jesus Christ to judge people’s secret thoughts. That’s part of my good news.
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1 Corinthians 1 24
But there are those God has chosen, both Jews and Greeks. To them Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom.
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2 Corinthians 4 1-2 Corinthians 4 3
So because of God’s mercy, we have work to do. He has given it to us. And we don’t give up.Instead, we have given up doing secret and shameful things. We don’t twist God’s word. In fact, we do just the opposite. We present the truth plainly. In the sight of God, we make our appeal to everyone’s sense of what is right and wrong.Suppose our good news is covered with a veil. Then it is veiled to those who are dying.
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Ephesians 2:4-5
But God loves us deeply. He is full of mercy.So he gave us new life because of what Christ has done. He gave us life even when we were dead in sin. God’s grace has saved you.
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2 Corinthians 6 3-2 Corinthians 6 10
We don’t put anything in anyone’s way. So no one can find fault with our work for God.Instead, we make it clear that we serve God in every way. We serve him by standing firm in troubles, hard times and suffering.We don’t give up when we are beaten or put in prison. When people stir up trouble in the streets, we continue to serve God. We work hard for him. We go without sleep and food.We remain pure. We understand completely what it means to serve God. We are patient and kind. We serve him in the power of the Holy Spirit. We serve him with true love.We speak the truth. We serve in the power of God. We hold the weapons of godliness in the right hand and in the left.We serve God in times of glory and shame. We serve him whether the news about us is bad or good. We are true to our calling. But people treat us as if we were pretenders.We are known, but people treat us as if we were unknown. We are dying, but we continue to live. We are beaten, but we are not killed.We are sad, but we are always full of joy. We are poor, but we make many people rich. We have nothing, but we own everything.
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Ephesians 2:10
We are God’s creation. He created us to belong to Christ Jesus. Now we can do good works. Long ago God prepared these works for us to do.
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Galatians 2:2
I went because God showed me what he wanted me to do. I spoke in private to those who are respected as leaders. I told them the good news that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I wasn’t running my race for no purpose. And I wanted to know that I had not been running my race for no purpose.
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Philippians 2:13
God is working in you. He wants your plans and your acts to fulfill his good purpose.
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Romans 15:18-19
I will speak about what Christ has done through me. I won’t try to speak about anything else. He has been leading the Gentiles to obey God. He has been doing this by what I have said and done.He has given me power to do signs and wonders. I can do these things by the power of the Spirit of God. From Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum I have finished preaching. In those places, I preached the good news about Christ.
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1 Corinthians 4 9-1 Corinthians 4 13
It seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of a parade. We are like people sentenced to die in front of a crowd. We have been made a show for the whole creation to see. Angels and people are staring at us.We are fools for Christ. But you are so wise in Christ! We are weak. But you are so strong! You are honored. But we are looked down on!Up to this very hour we are hungry and thirsty. We are dressed in rags. We are being treated badly. We have no homes.We work hard with our own hands. When others curse us, we bless them. When we are attacked, we put up with it.When others say bad things about us, we answer with kind words. We have become the world’s garbage. We are everybody’s trash, right up to this moment.
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Acts 10:44-46
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.Some Jewish believers had come with Peter. They were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.They heard them speaking in languages they had not known before. They also heard them praising God. Then Peter said,
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John 16:7-15
But what I’m about to tell you is true. It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Friend will not come to help you. But if I go, I will send him to you.When he comes, he will prove that the world’s people are guilty. He will prove their guilt concerning sin and godliness and judgment.The world is guilty as far as sin is concerned. That’s because people do not believe in me.The world is guilty as far as godliness is concerned. That’s because I am going to the Father, where you can’t see me anymore.The world is guilty as far as judgment is concerned. That’s because the devil, the prince of this world, has already been judged.“ I have much more to say to you. It is more than you can handle right now.But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own. He will speak only what he hears. And he will tell you what is still going to happen.He will bring me glory. That’s because what he receives from me he will show to you.Everything that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said what the Holy Spirit receives from me he will show to you.”
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1 Timothy 4 12-1 Timothy 4 16
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Set an example for the believers in what you say and in how you live. Also set an example in how you love and in what you believe. Show the believers how to be pure.Until I come, spend your time reading Scripture out loud to one another. Spend your time preaching and teaching.Don’t fail to use the gift the Holy Spirit gave you. He gave it to you through a prophecy from God. It was given when the elders placed their hands on you.Keep on doing these things. Give them your complete attention. Then everyone will see how you are coming along.Be careful of how you live and what you believe. Never give up. Then you will save yourself and those who hear you.
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Isaiah 55:11
The words I speak are like that. They will not return to me without producing results. They will accomplish what I want them to. They will do exactly what I sent them to do.
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Acts 16:14
One of the women listening was from the city of Thyatira. Her name was Lydia, and her business was selling purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to accept Paul’s message.
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1 Corinthians 10 33
Follow my example. I try to please everyone in every way. I’m not looking out for what is good for me. I’m looking out for the interests of others. I do it so that they might be saved.
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1 Corinthians 12 7-1 Corinthians 12 11
The Holy Spirit is given to each of us in a special way. That is for the good of all.To some people the Spirit gives a message of wisdom. To others the same Spirit gives a message of knowledge.To others the same Spirit gives faith. To others that one Spirit gives gifts of healing.To others he gives the power to do miracles. To others he gives the ability to prophesy. To others he gives the ability to tell the spirits apart. To others he gives the ability to speak in different kinds of languages they had not known before. And to still others he gives the ability to explain what was said in those languages.All the gifts are produced by one and the same Spirit. He gives gifts to each person, just as he decides.
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Acts 11:21
The Lord’s power was with them. Large numbers of people believed and turned to the Lord.
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2 Corinthians 10 4-2 Corinthians 10 5
The weapons I fight with are not the weapons the world uses. In fact, it is just the opposite. My weapons have the power of God to destroy the camps of the enemy.I destroy every claim and every reason that keeps people from knowing God. I keep every thought under control in order to make it obey Christ.
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2 Peter 1 10
My brothers and sisters, try very hard to show that God has appointed you to be saved. Try hard to show that he has chosen you. If you do everything I have just said, you will never trip and fall.
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1 Peter 1 3
Give praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his great mercy he has given us a new birth and a living hope. This hope is living because Jesus Christ rose from the dead.
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1 Corinthians 3 6
I planted the seed. Apollos watered it. But God has been making it grow.
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Acts 20:33-35
I haven’t longed for anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.You yourselves know that I have used my own hands to meet my needs. I have also met the needs of my companions.In everything I did, I showed you that we must work hard and help the weak. We must remember the words of the Lord Jesus. He said,‘ It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
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Acts 2:33
Jesus has been given a place of honor at the right hand of God. He has received the Holy Spirit from the Father. This is what God had promised. It is Jesus who has poured out what you now see and hear.
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Acts 20:18-19
When they arrived, he spoke to them.“ You know how I lived the whole time I was with you,” he said.“ From the first day I came into Asia Minor,I served the Lord with tears and without pride. I served him when I was greatly tested. I was tested by the evil plans of the Jews who disagreed with me.
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Galatians 1:8-12
But suppose even we should preach a different“ good news.” Suppose even an angel from heaven should preach it. Suppose it is different from the good news we gave you. Then let anyone who does that be cursed by God.I have already said it. Now I will say it again. Suppose someone preaches a“ good news” that is different from what you accepted. That person should be cursed by God.Am I now trying to get people to think well of me? Or do I want God to think well of me? Am I trying to please people? If I were, I would not be serving Christ.Brothers and sisters, here is what I want you to know. The good news I preached does not come from human beings.No one gave it to me. No one taught it to me. Instead, I received it from Jesus Christ. He showed it to me.
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Acts 11:15-18
“ As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them. He came just as he had come on us at the beginning.Then I remembered the Lord’s words.‘ John baptized with water,’ he had said.‘ But you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’God gave them the same gift he gave those of us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. So who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”When they heard this, they didn’t object anymore. They praised God. They said,“ So then, God has allowed even Gentiles to turn away from their sins. He did this so that they could live.”
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Galatians 5:5
But we long to be made completely holy because of our faith in Christ. Through the Holy Spirit we wait for this in hope.
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2 Peter 1 19
We also have the message of the prophets. This message can be trusted completely. You must pay attention to it. The message is like a light shining in a dark place. It will shine until the day Jesus comes. Then the Morning Star will rise in your hearts.
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Psalms 10:2-3
An evil person is proud and hunts down those who are weak. He catches weak people by making clever plans.He brags about what his heart desires. He speaks well of those who always want more. He attacks the Lord with his words.
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1 Peter 5 3
Don’t act as if you were a ruler over those under your care. Instead, be examples to the flock.
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Titus 3:5-6
He saved us. It wasn’t because of the good things we had done. It was because of his mercy. He saved us by washing away our sins. We were born again. The Holy Spirit gave us new life.God poured out the Spirit on us freely. That’s because of what Jesus Christ our Savior has done.
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Hebrews 10:22
So let us come near to God with a sincere heart. Let us come near boldly because of our faith. Our hearts have been sprinkled. Our minds have been cleansed from a sense of guilt. Our bodies have been washed with pure water.
