For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city;
salvation is established as its walls and ramparts.
Open the gates so a righteous nation may enter—
one that remains faithful.
You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind,
because he trusts in You.
Trust in the LORD forever,
because GOD the LORD is the Rock eternal.
For He has humbled those who dwell on high;
He lays the lofty city low.
He brings it down to the ground;
He casts it into the dust.
Feet trample it down—
the feet of the oppressed,
the steps of the poor.
The path of the righteous is level;
You clear a straight path for the upright.
Yes, we wait for You, O LORD;
we walk in the path of Your judgments.
Your name and renown
are the desire of our souls.
My soul longs for You in the night;
indeed, my spirit seeks You at dawn.
For when Your judgments come upon the earth,
the people of the world learn righteousness.
Though grace is shown to the wicked man,
he does not learn righteousness.
In the land of righteousness he acts unjustly
and fails to see the majesty of the LORD.
O LORD, Your hand is upraised,
but they do not see it.
They will see Your zeal for Your people
and be put to shame.
The fire set for Your enemies
will consume them!
O LORD, You will establish peace for us.
For all that we have accomplished,
You have done for us.
O LORD our God, other lords besides You have had dominion,
but Your name alone do we confess.
The dead will not live;
the departed spirits will not rise.
Therefore You have punished and destroyed them;
You have wiped out all memory of them.
You have enlarged the nation, O LORD;
You have enlarged the nation.
You have gained glory for Yourself;
You have extended all the borders of the land.
O LORD, they sought You in their distress;
when You disciplined them, they poured out a quiet prayer.
As a woman with child about to give birth
writhes and cries out in pain,
so were we in Your presence, O LORD.
We were with child; we writhed in pain;
but we gave birth to wind.
We have given no salvation to the earth,
nor brought any life into the world.
Your dead will live; their bodies will rise.
Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust!
For your dew is like the dew of the morning,
and the earth will bring forth her dead.
Scriptures and Encouragement For When You’re Feeling Crushed
Scriptures and Encouragement For When You’re Feeling Crushed
A few weeks ago, I posted about some analogies of the pressing of olive oil and the pressing of Jesus. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, I encourage you to take some time to visit that post and read over some of the parallels and symbolism of the three phases of pressings. I think it can definitely give us encouragement and…
If you're a teacher in a school shooting, you have more options than human shield. If you're gonna die anyway, maybe you can take the fucker with you. (source)
Watch the American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 now: https://youtu.be/bWiW4Rp8vF0?feature=shared
The American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 broadcast recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by active climate leaders. Watch to find out which finalist received the $50,000 grand prize! Hosted by Vanessa Hauc and featuring Bill McKibben and Katharine Hayhoe!
But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 'He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.'