John 8:12 (NLT) — 12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. 

If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, 

because you will have the light that leads to life."

John 8:12 (The Message) — 12 Jesus once again addressed them: “I am the world’s Light. 

No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. 

I provide plenty of light to live in.”

2 Corinthians 4:6 (NLT) — 6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” 

has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God 

that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6 (The Message) — 6 It started when God said, “Light up the darkness!” 

and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God 

in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.

All things ARE bright and beautiful in the Light of Christ Jesus!

Rejoice in Him today - He is your Eternal Life!

Numbers 6:24–26 (NLT) — 24 ‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. 

25 May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. 

26 May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’

Numbers 6:24–26 (The Message) — 24 God bless you and keep you, 

25 God smile on you and gift you, 

26 God look you full in the face and make you prosper.

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 (NRSV) — 23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; 

and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless 

at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 (NLT) — 23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, 

and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless 

until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 

24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

You are blessed of God this day and every day ...

He loves you!

Jeremiah 31:3 (NRSV) — 3b ... I have loved you with an everlasting love; 

therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

Jeremiah 31:3 (The Message) — 3b ... I’ve never quit loving you and never will. 

Expect love, love, and more love!

1 Peter 1:8 (NRSV) — 8 Although you have not seen him, you love him; 

and even though you do not see him now, 

you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,

Zephaniah 3:17 (NRSV) — 17... he will rejoice over you with gladness, 

he will renew you in his love; 

he will exult over you with loud singing.

He loves you! You are lovely! He is worthy! You are worth it!

Believe! Believe! Believe!

Isaiah 54:10 (NRSV) — 10 For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, 

but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace 

shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10 (The Message) — 10 For even if the mountains walk away and the hills fall to pieces, My love won’t walk away from you, my covenant commitment of peace won’t fall apart.”

The God who has compassion on you says so.

Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) — 17 For the Lord your God is living among you. 

He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness

With his love, he will calm all your fears. 

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

Romans 5:8 (NLT) — 8 But God showed his great love for us 

by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Romans 5:8 (The Message) — 8 But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.

1 John 4:19 (NRSV) — 19 We love because he first loved us.

Romans 8:39 (NLT) — 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed,

 nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us

 from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Be settled in His Love this day and know 

that you are loved beyond measure!

Isaiah 43:1 (NLT) — 1b ... Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. 

I have called you by name; you are mine.

Isaiah 43:1 (The Message) — 1b ... “Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. 

I’ve called your name. You’re mine.

1 Corinthians 3:23 (NRSV) — 23 you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

1 Corinthians 3:23 (The Message) — 23 you are privileged to be in union with Christ, 

who is in union with God.

John 10:14 (NRSV) — 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

John 10:14 (The Message) — 14 “I am the Good Shepherd. 

I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me.

He knows you and loves you: you are His!

IN Him you live and move and have your being - forever!

Psalm 69:3 (NRSV) — 3 I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched. 

My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.

Psalm 69:3 (The Message) — 3 I’m hoarse from calling for help, 

Bleary-eyed from searching the sky for God.

Isaiah 40:31 (NLT) — 31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. 

They will soar high on wings like eagles. 

They will run and not grow weary. 

They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 (The Message) — 31 But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. 

They spread their wings and soar like eagles, 

They run and don’t get tired, 

they walk and don’t lag behind.

Where does our strength come from?

It comes from our Lord Jesus Christ Who has anointed us

and destined us for great things!

Psalm 27:14 (NLT) — 14 Wait patiently for the Lord. 

Be brave and courageous. 

Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Psalm 37:7 (NRSV) — 7a Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret ... ...

Psalm 37:7 (NLT) — 7 Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. 

Don’t worry ... ...

Romans 12:12 (NRSV) — 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.

Romans 12:12 (NLT) — 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. 

Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

Joshua 1:9 (NRSV) — 9 I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; 

do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 (The Message) — 9 Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! 

Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. 

God, your God, is with you every step you take.”

This message two days in succession? Yes!

There is something here we need to hear and heed more astutely.

Search for what it is God's Word is urging you to note.

May you be richly blessed in this time of reflection.

Amen.

Psalm 27:14 (NLT) — 14 Wait patiently for the Lord. 

Be brave and courageous. 

Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Psalm 27:14 (The Message) — 14 Stay with God! Take heart. 

Don’t quit. I’ll say it again: 

Stay with God.

Isaiah 40:31 (NRSV) — 31 but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, 

they shall mount up with wings like eagles, 

they shall run and not be weary, 

they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 (The Message) — 31 But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. 

They spread their wings and soar like eagles, 

They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.

 It is good to learn to wait waiting ...

good things happen in our spirit, soul and body

when we wait waiting!

Isaiah 41:10 (NRSV) — 10 do not fear, for I am with you, 

do not be afraid, for I am your God; 

I will strengthen you, I will help you, 

I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 (The Message) — 10 Don’t panic. I’m with you. 

There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. 

I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. 

I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

Take God at His Word ... do not fear! He will strengthen you!

He upholds you in His Victorious right Hand!

He will not let you go!

Amen.

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS ...

Isaiah 33:17 (NRSV) — 17 Your eyes will see the king in his beauty; 

they will behold a land that stretches far away.

Isaiah 33:17 (The Message) — 17a Oh, you’ll see the king—a beautiful sight!... 

2 Kings 6:17 (NRSV) — 17 Then Elisha prayed: “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” 

So the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw; 

the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2 Kings 6:17 (The Message) — 17 Then Elisha prayed, “O God, open his eyes and let him see.” 

The eyes of the young man were opened and he saw. A wonder! ...

When seemingly insurmountable obstacles surround you

look with the eyes of your heart to see the wonder of God 

in your circumstance and for the future He has planned for you.

1 John 4:18 (NRSV) — 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; 

for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.

.Romans 8:15 (NLT) — 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. 

Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. 

Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”

Romans 8:15 (The Message) — 15 This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike 

“What’s next, Papa?”

Luke 8:50 (NRSV) — 50 When Jesus heard this, he replied, “Do not fear. Only believe, ...

God's Love is far greater than any fear you may feel for Love casts out all fear.

John 10:10 (NRSV) — 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. 

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

John 10:10 (The Message) — 10 A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. 

I came so they can have real and eternal life, 

more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

Colossians 3:10 (NLT) — 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed 

as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

Colossians 3:10 (The Message) — 10 Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. 

Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, 

with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete.

Don't allow the enemy to steal your new nature ...

only IN Christ are you victorious!

Psalm 42:5 (NRSV) — 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, 

and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; 

for I shall again praise him, my help

Psalm 42:5 (The Message) — 5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? 

Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I’ll be praising again. 

He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.

Psalm 46:1 (NRSV) — 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Hebrews 13:5 (NRSV) — 5b ...  

He has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

He is with you.

Philippians 4:13 (NLT) — 13 For I can do everything through Christ, 

who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13 (The Message) — 13 Whatever I have, wherever I am, 

I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

Jeremiah 32:17 (NRSV) — 17 Ah Lord God! It is you who made the heavens and the earth 

by your great power and by your outstretched arm! 

Nothing is too hard for you.

Jeremiah 32:17 (The Message) — 17 ‘Dear God, my Master, you created earth and sky 

by your great power—by merely stretching out your arm! 

There is nothing you can’t do.

Jesus said: I came to give you abundant life!

Believe! Receive! Live that life fully in His strength!

Psalm 141:3 (NRSV) — 3 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; 

keep watch over the door of my lips.  

Psalm 141:3 (The Message) — 3 Post a guard at my mouth, God, 

set a watch at the door of my lips.

Psalm 19:14 (NLT) — 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart 

be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 (The Message) — 14 These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on 

and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, 

O God, my Altar-Rock, God, Priest-of-My-Altar.

Quality Conversation ...

Luke 6:45 (NLT)  

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart,

 ... What you say flows from what is in your heart.

Luke 6:45 (The Message) 

It’s who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. 

Your true being brims over into true words and deeds.

Amen to that!

Zephaniah 3:17 (NRSV) — 17 The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; 

he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; 

he will exult over you with loud singing

Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) — 17 For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. 

He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. 

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

Zephaniah 3:17 (The Message) — 17 Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior 

there to save you. Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love 

and delight you with his songs.

The Mighty God of the universe does this over you ... moment by moment.

Isn't that delightfully AWESOME?!!

Psalm 16:11 (NRSV) — 11 You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; 

in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11 (The Message) — 11 Now you’ve got my feet on the life path,

all radiant from the shining of your face. 

Ever since you took my hand, I’m on the right way.

Psalm 45:15 (NRSV) — 15 With joy and gladness they are led along 

as they enter the palace of the king.

Psalm 45:15 (NLT) — 15 What a joyful and enthusiastic procession as they enter the king’s palace!

Rejoice over Him just as He rejoices over you!

Psalm 57:11 (NRSV) — 11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. 

Let your glory be over all the earth.

Psalm 57:11 (The Message) — 11 Soar high in the skies, O God! 

Cover the whole earth with your glory!

Isaiah 25:1 (NRSV) — 1 O Lord, you are my God; 

I will exalt you,  I will praise your name;

 for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

Isaiah 25:1 (The Message) — 1 God, you are my God. 

I celebrate you.  I praise you. 

You’ve done your share of miracle-wonders, 

well-thought-out plans, solid and sure.

Jesus! Son of God! YOU are the Answer!

I love You! I bless You! I exalt You!

Amen.

Romans 1:7 (NRSV) — 7b ... Grace to you and peace from God our Father 

and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:14 (NLT) — 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

Romans 6:14 (The Message) — 14 Sin can’t tell you how to live. 

After all, you’re not living under that old tyranny any longer. 

You’re living in the freedom of God.

Praise God for His Glorious Grace bestowed upon you now and forever!

Psalm 16:8 (NLT) — 8 I know the Lord is always with me. 

I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

Psalm 16:8 (The Message) — 8 Day and night I’ll stick with God; 

I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.

Ephesians 1:18 (NRSV) — 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, 

you may know what is the hope to which he has called you,

 what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints,

Ephesians 1:18 (The Message) — 18 your eyes focused and clear, 

so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, 

grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers,

Sing with me!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the Light of His Glory and Grace.

Mark 9:23 (NRSV) — 23... All things can be done for the one who believes.

I believe! I believe! I receive!

Psalm 23:4 (NLT) — 4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, 

for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Psalm 23:4 (The Message) — 4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley, 

I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. 

Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NRSV) — 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT) — 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing.

Whether it be beside still waters or in the midst of a storm

our God is good and we trust in Him to lead us aright!

Jeremiah 6:16 (NRSV) — 16a Thus says the Lord: Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. ...

Jeremiah 6:16 (The Message) — 16 God’s Message yet again: “Go stand at the crossroads and look around. Ask for directions to the old road, The tried-and-true road. 

Then take it. Discover the right route for your souls. 

Isaiah 48:6 (NRSV) — 6b ... From this time forward I make you hear new things, 

hidden things that you have not known.

Isaiah 48:6 (The Message) — 6b ... that was just the beginning. I have a lot more to tell you, 

things you never knew existed.

Romans 6:4 (NLT) — 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. 

And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, 

now we also may live new lives.

Romans 6:4 (The Message) — 4 When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus.

Lest a seed die and fall to the ground - into the fertile soil of your heart ...

new life is unable to blossom forth.

Jeremiah 32:17 (NRSV) — 17 Ah Lord God! It is you who made the heavens and the earth 

by your great power and by your outstretched arm! 

Nothing is too hard for you.

Jeremiah 32:17 (The Message) — 17... There is nothing you can’t do.

Jeremiah 16:19 (NRSV) — 19 O Lord, my strength and my stronghold, 

my refuge in the day of trouble, ...

Jeremiah 16:19 (The Message) — 19 God, my strength, my stronghold, my safe retreat 

when trouble descends ...

Nehemiah 8:10 (NRSV) — 10b ... do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

It is Jesus Who has redeemed, ransomed and restored you ...

and He will not stop now!

Isaiah 43:1 (NRSV) — 1b ... Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; 

I have called you by name, you are mine.

1 Peter 3:12 (NRSV) — 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, 

and his ears are open to their prayer. ...

1 Peter 3:12 (The Message) — 12 God looks on all this with approval, listening and 

responding well to what he’s asked; ...

Psalm 139:2 (NLT) — 2 You know when I sit down or stand up. 

You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

God is with you in His Love always ...

let not your thoughts taint that Truth!

Isaiah 63:17 (The Message) — 17b ... You own us! We belong to you!

1 Corinthians 3:23 (NRSV) — 23 ... you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

Jeremiah 31:3 (NRSV) — 3b ... I have loved you with an everlasting love; 

therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

Jeremiah 31:3 (The Message) — 3b ... “I’ve never quit loving you and never will. 

Expect love, love, and more love!

When God says I love you - you are Mine

He means it!