But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.

“God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality).”

You have been reborn—not from seed that eventually dies but from seed that is eternal—through the word of God that lives and endures forever.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

“The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.”

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted.”

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God’s favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand.

“When you are yoked to Me, your weary souls will find rest. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

“Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.”

“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.”

For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship)…

A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?...Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

It is more blessed (makes one happier and more to be envied) to give than to receive.

“Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.”

His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.