Now may the God of peace - who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood- may he equip you with all you need to do his will.

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, everyone in the world! High and low, rich and poor—listen! For my words are wise, and my thoughts are filled with insight.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.