Bible Verses

 

Philippians 4:4-8   —   Celebrate joyfully in the Lord, all the time.  I’ll say it again:  be filled with joy;  be rejoicing.        Let your kindness be known to all people.  The Lord is always with us.        Don’t worry about anything.  Pray about everything.  With a thankful heart,* offer up your prayers and requests to God.     Then the peace of God, surpassing all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.         Finally, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good, and deserve praise:  things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.     {* joy comes from thanksgiving with faith } 

 

Romans 12:10, Philippians 2:14, Romans 12:15   —   Love with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.     Do everything without grumbling or arguing.     Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

 

Matthew 22:35-40,  The Two Great Commandments   —   Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.  Love your neighbor as you love yourself.     {more}

 

1 Corinthians 13:2-5   —   Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, does not boast, is not proud.   Love is not rude, is not selfish, is not easily angered.  It keeps no record of wrongs.

 

Romans 12:17-18   —   If someone does you wrong, don’t try to pay them back by hurting themTry to [want to, make it your goal to] do what is honorable in the sight of everyone.  If it's possible, as much as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

 

James 1:19-20   —   Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness* that God desires.     {more}  {* being righteous = doing justice by doing things right, the way God wants them to be}

 

James 1:5, 3:13,17-18   —   If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.     Who among you is wise and understanding?  Let them show it by their good life, by doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.     The wisdom from above is pure, peaceful, kind, open to reason, full of compassion and good fruits, impartial and sincere.  When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest a crop of righteousness.

 

1 Peter 3:15   —   In your hearts revere Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect.

 

Colossians 3:12-14   —   Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Be tolerant with each other, and forgive whenever you have a complaint against someone else.  You must forgive each other, just as the Lord has forgiven you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

 

Psalm 19:14   —   May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

 

WHAT-and-HOW of Christian Virtues:  above is mainly WHAT to do, and below (especially in red & purple underlined parts) includes HOW to do it, how to "let God transform you" so you can "bear fruit" in life, as a follower of Christ.     {but... our WHAT-and-HOW are connected, because God's purpose for HOW is to help you do the WHAT's;  and much of our HOW is the WHAT of intending-to-obey, of "accepting Christ Jesus as Lord" so we want to live "dedicated to His service" by doing WHAT He wants.}

 

WHAT & HOW,   Philippians 4:4,6-7  &  James 1:5  &  Galatians 5:22  &  Philippians 1:11   —   Celebrate joyfully in the Lord, all the time.  ...  Don’t worry about anything.  Pray about everything.   With a thankful heart,* offer up your prayers and requests to GodThen the peace of God, surpassing all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.       If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.       the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.       Your lives will be filled [it's what-noun & how-verb] with the fruit of righteousness [what] that [how] only Jesus Christ can produce, for [why] the glory and praise of God.

 

HOW,   John 15:4  &  Colossians 2:6-7  &  John 15:7   —   Remain united to me, and I will remain united to youA branch cannot bear fruit by itself;  it can do so only if it remains in the vine.  In the same way, you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.     Since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lordlive in union with HimKeep your roots deep in him, build your lives on Him, and become stronger in your faith, as you were taught.  And be filled with thanksgiving.*     If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you,  ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you.     {* joy comes from thanksgiving with faith}  {Abide in Christ, through the Holy Spirit}

 

Romans 12:1-2   —   In view of God’s mercy, offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to him.  This is the true worship that you should offer.     Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind.  Then you will be able to approve the will of God — what is good and is pleasing to Him and is perfect.

 

Exodus 17:11   —   As long as Moses held up his hands,* the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.     {* to acknowledge the importance of God's theistic actions and ask Him for His blessing-and-actions}

 

1 Thessalonians 5:15-18   —   Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to do what is good for each other and for everyone elseRejoice alwayspray without ceasinggive thanks in all circumstances;  for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.     {* is it possible to "pray without ceasing"?  is this wise?  if yes, how can we do it? }

 

Philippians 1:8-11   —   I feel affection for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus.     And this is my prayer:  that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

 

Colossians 1:9-11-14   —   We ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will, with all the wisdom and understanding given by His Spirit.     This will help you live in a way that brings honor to the Lord and pleases Him in every way, so your life will produce good works of every kind, and you will grow in your knowledge of God.       We ask God to strengthen you by His glorious might with all the power you need to patiently endure everything with joy.

 

Corinthians 4:17-18  and  Colossians 3:23,24b   —   For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.       Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not merely for people, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

 

Matthew 6:9-13   —   Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored as holy.  May your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever.   Amen.

 

 

17.  Abide in Christ: Through the Holy Spirit   [quoted from the book "Abide in Christ" by Andrew Murray]
        The Holy Spirit
... comes to us from the heart of Christ, is the bearer of Christ's life, the revealer and communicator of Christ Himself within us.  .....  He is the bond of fellowship between all believers: by Him we are one.  Above all, He is the bond of fellowship between Christ and believers;  He is the life-sap through which Vine and branch grow into real and living oneness: by Him we are one.  
        Believe that He is working, even when you cannot discern it.  Believe that He will work mightily if you ask this from the Father.  It is impossible to live the life of full abiding without being full of the Holy Spirit.  Believe that the fullness of the Spirit is indeed your daily portion.  .....
        The Holy Spirit was given for this one purpose — that the glorious redemption and life in Christ might with divine power be conveyed and communicated to us.  We have the Holy Spirit to make the living Christ, in all His saving power, and in the completeness of His victory over sin, ever present within us.

HOW,   John 15:4  &  Colossians 2:6-7  &  John 15:7   —   Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you.  A branch cannot bear fruit by itself;  it can do so only if it remains in the vine.  In the same way, you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.     Since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, live in union with HimKeep your roots deep in him, build your lives on Him, and become stronger in your faith, as you were taught.  And be filled with thanksgiving.*     If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you,  ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you.     {* joy comes from thanksgiving with faith}  {Abide in Christ, through the Holy Spirit}

Romans 12:1-2   —   Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to him.  This is the true worship that you should offer.     Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind.  Then you will be able to approve the will of God — what is good and is pleasing to Him and is perfect.

 

 

 

 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.  Amen.       ( The Lord's Prayer, in version used by Methodists ) 

 

In 1987, I made a BIGGER collection of verses.

 

        1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  / 
        2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.  /  3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.  /  4 Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.  /  5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.   /  6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth  / 
        7 The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  /  8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.  /  9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.  /  10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.  /  11 By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.  / 
        12 But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.  /  13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.  / 
       14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

 

        The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.
        2 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. 3 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.[a] 4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.   /   God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. 5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. 6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat.   /  
        7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. 9 Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. 10 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. 11 They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.   /  
       12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.
       14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

 

 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.

9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.
9 Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
10 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.

11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
11 By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
11 They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.

12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
12 But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.

13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.

Psalm 19:14   —   May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.