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 (NLT) — 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light 

so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—

his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

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 be, 

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

Romans 8:29 (NRSV) — 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined 

to be conformed to the image of his Son, 

in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.

Romans 8:29 (NLT) — 29 For God knew his people in advance, 

and he chose them to become like his Son, 

so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NRSV) — 18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, 

seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, 

are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; 

for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) — 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed 

can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. 

And the Lord—who is the Spirit—

makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Transformed into His Glorious Image!

What a remarkable journey this is!

That veil is removed! 

We can see and reflect the glory of God!

We ARE becoming like Him!

Hallelujah!

Psalm 96:12 (NLT) — 12 Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! 

Let the trees of the forest sing for joy

Psalm 96:12 (The Message) — 12 Let Wilderness turn cartwheels, Animals, come dance, 

Put every tree of the forest in the choir—

Isaiah 55:12 (NRSV) — 12 For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; 

the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, 

and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Isaiah 55:12 (NLT) — 12 You will live in joy and peace. 

The mountains and hills will burst into song, 

and the trees of the field will clap their hands!

Isaiah 55:12 (The Message) — 12 “So you’ll go out in joy, 

you’ll be led into a whole and complete life. 

The mountains and hills will lead the parade, bursting with song. 

All the trees of the forest will join the procession, 

exuberant with applause.

You have weathered a 'wild winter' of your life!

Rejoice!

The tree colours of Fall and Spring

reflect a new beauty in you

of newness of life - 

designed by our Loving God!

Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT) — 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: 

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

23 gentleness, and self-control. 

There is no law against these things!

Galatians 5:22–23 (The Message) — 22 But what happens when we live God’s way? 

He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—

things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. 

We develop a willingness to stick with things, 

a sense of compassion in the heart, 

and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. 

We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, 

23 not needing to force our way in life, 

able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Colossians 3:12 (NRSV) — 12 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, 

[you] clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Colossians 3:12 (The Message) — 12 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, 

[you] dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: 

compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.

2 Timothy 1:14 (NRSV) — 14 Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, 

with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.

2 Timothy 1:14 (The Message) — 14 Guard this precious thing placed in your custody 

by the Holy Spirit who works in us.

Be thankful this day

that He Who calls you

equips and empowers you

with gifts and blessings

beyond measure!

You are SO blessed!

Rejoice!

Esther 4:14 (NRSV) — 14 ... ... Who knows? Perhaps you have come ... for just such a time as this.

Esther 4:14 (The Message) — 14 ... ...Who knows? Maybe you were made ... 

for just such a time as this.

Psalm 138:8 (NRSV) — 8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; 

your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. 

Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Psalm 138:8 (The Message) — 8 Finish what you started in me, God. 

Your love is eternal—don’t quit on me now.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NRSV) — 18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, 

seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, 

are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; 

for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (The Message) — 18 All of us! 

Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. 

And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, 

our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful 

as God enters our lives and we become like him.

That 'beautiful purpose' is that 

we shall become more and more like Him daily!

Transformed from one degree of glory to another!

Face shining in the Brightness of His Face!

Becoming more beautiful

as God enters our lives and we become like Him!

Amazing Grace!

Hallelujah!

1 Corinthians 1:4 (NRSV) — 4 I give thanks to my God always for you 

because of the grace of God that has been given you 

in Christ Jesus,

1 Corinthians 1:4 (The Message) — 4 Every time I think of you—and I think of you often!—

I thank God for your lives of free and open access to God, 

given by Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:30 (NRSV) — 30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, 

who became for us wisdom from God, 

and righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

1 Corinthians 1:30 (The Message) — 30 Everything that we have—

right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—

comes from God by way of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 3:26 (NRSV) — 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.

Galatians 3:26 (The Message) — 26 By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God.

Ephesians 1:4 (NRSV) — 4 ... he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world 

to be holy and blameless before him in love.

Your identity is IN Jesus!

Therein lies your strength and security,

your focus and your joy.

Amen.

Romans 5:8 (NRSV) — 8 But God proves his love for us in that 

while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

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.

Romans 6:11 (NRSV) — 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin 

and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:11 (The Message) — 11 From now on, think of it this way: 

Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; 

God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. 

You are dead to sin and alive to God. 

That’s what Jesus did. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NRSV) — 17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: 

everything old has passed away; 

see, everything has become new!

We were once that difficult package!

We embrace the Goodness of God

and He continues to restore and refine us.

PTL! Amen.

Psalm 23:2 (NRSV) — 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; 

he leads me beside still waters;

Psalm 23:2 (NLT) — 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; 

he leads me beside peaceful streams.

Psalm 23:2 (The Message) — 2 You have bedded me down in lush meadows, 

you find me quiet pools to drink from.

Matthew 11:28 (NRSV) — 28 “Come to me, all you that are weary 

and are carrying heavy burdens, 

and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 (The Message) — 28 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? 

Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. 

I’ll show you how to take a real rest.

Mark 6:31 (NRSV) — 31 He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place 

all by yourselves and rest a while.” ...

Mark 6:31 (The Message) — 31 Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; 

let’s take a break and get a little rest.” 

2 John 3 (The Message) — 3 Let grace, mercy, and peace be with us 

in truth and love from God the Father 

and from Jesus Christ, Son of the Father!

In His Rest and Peace

shall our strength be renewed

and we shall rise up and soar with Him

as on the wings of an eagle!

Be strengthened IN Him today!