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Faith Works By Love – Galatians 5:6

Faith, hope, and love are a team. Faith works by love, and it is the substance of things hoped for. But love is the power charge behind faith. It’s impossible to please God without faith, and since it works by love, without love faith can’t function. Why? Because God has faith, but He is love (1 John 4:7-8). First Corinthians 13:13 says, “So now abide faith, hope, and love, these three. But the greatest of these is love.” Abide means “to stay, dwell, or remain”. Faith, hope, and love are living spiritual forces. They are the forces by which God operates.

Hope is the blueprint of faith. It is the picture or vision of the thing promised in God’s Word that’s earnestly desired or needed, like healing or the finances to pay a debt. Without hope, faith has nothing to work with to bring the thing desired from the unseen into the seen world of the five physical senses. Without the force of love, faith and hope won’t work because Love is a Person. If you’re born of God by making Jesus the Lord of your life, you’re born of Love. 1 John 4:7 says, “…love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” And Romans 5:5 tells us, “The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.” The person of the Holy Spirit comes to indwell us at the new birth. God’s own love is shed abroad into our hearts when we receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. That’s why love is the foundation of each of the fruits and gifts of the Spirit and the basis for every operation of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said the commandment of love is the first and greatest commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 37-40)

The Apostle Paul prayed for the believers at Ephesus that “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19 NLT) Having an intimate knowledge of the width and length and height and depth of God’s love for you enables you to love others with His love. So, if you’re rooted and grounded in His love, you’ll be quick to forgive and slow to take offense.

When we choose to walk in His love, then as He is, so are we in this world. No wonder satan is after our love walk? Walking in God’s love releases great power. The devil’s strongholds are broken, and ‘the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing” (Isaiah 10:27). Stepping out of love and yielding to strife and division violates the love nature of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us and produces condemnation in the heart of the believer that destroys confidence toward God. No confidence toward God, no faith. No faith, no victory. “..for whoever is born of God overcomes the world, and the victory that overcomes the world is our faith. (I John 5:4) A life full of the power of God’s covenant agape love, (Greek translation – His everlasting love) , will never fail.

From Kenneth Copeland’s Study Bible

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God Loves You!

Something’s missing! You feel it. You know it. You trust God’s power. You know His promises. But inside you’re wavering. How can you be sure He will come through for you?

To answer that question, you need more than a knowledge of God’s power and promises. You need a personal relationship with Him. You need a personal revelation of His love.

     “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.” John 3:16-17 NLT

Everlasting, unconditional, never-failing love. God’s love. Our natural minds cannot grasp it. Yet Paul prayed in his letter to the Ephesians that we might “experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully”. (Ephesians 3:19) How is that possible? How can we comprehend the incomprehensible?

We can’t! At least not with simple human understanding. To know something as vast as the love of God requires a revelation from the Holy Spirit.

Revelation is comprehension imparted into our spirits from the Holy Spirit and transmitted into our minds. It doesn’t pass from the head to the heart. It must come from the heart to the head.

God wants to give that to you. It is His desire that every person know His vast love for them. If you’ve never known God’s unconditional love, start today by asking Him for a personal revelation. If you’ve never asked Jesus to be the Lord of your life, ask Him into your heart. You can pray like this: “O God in heaven, I come before You and ask for Your forgiveness for my sins. Jesus, I ask You to come into my life and save me. I make You Lord of my life. I give myself to You. I receive You into my life. I am a believer. Thank you, Lord!”

“But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much He loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love ~ not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son, as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us His Spirit as proof that we live in Him and He in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face Him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect Love. We love each other because He loved us first.” 1 John 8-19 NLT

Walk by faith into His arms of love. Receive the revelation of His unconditional love for you. God really does love you.

Excerpts from Pursuit of His Presence Devotional

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Ancient Book of Jasher 18 – Circumcision Commences

  1. And Abraham rose and did all that God had ordered him, and he took the men of his household and those bought with his money, and he circumcised them as the Lord had commanded him.
  2. And there was not one left whom he did not circumcise, and Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised in the flesh of their foreskin; thirteen years old was Ishmael when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
  3. And in the third day Abraham went out of his tent and sat at the door to enjoy the heat of the sun, during the pain of his flesh.
  4. And the Lord appeared to him in the plain of Mamre, and sent three of his ministering angels to visit him, and he was sitting at the door of the tent, and he lifted his eyes and saw, and lo three men were coming from a distance, and he rose up and ran to meet them, and he bowed down to them and brought them into his house.
  5. And he said to them, If now I have found favor in your sight, turn in and eat a morsel of bread; and he pressed them, and they turned in and he gave them water and they washed their feet, and he placed them under a tree at the door of the tent.
  6. And Abraham ran and took a calf, tender and good, and he hastened to kill it, and gave it to his servant Eliezer to dress.
  7. And Abraham came to Sarah into the tent, and he said to her, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it and make cakes to cover the pot containing the meat, and she did so.
  8. And Abraham hastened and brought before them butter and milk, beef and mutton, and gave it before them to eat before the flesh of the calf was sufficiently done, and they did eat.
  9. And when they had done eating one of them said to him, I will return to thee according to the time of life, and Sarah thy wife shall have a son.
  10. And the men afterward departed and went their ways,to the places to which they were sent.
  11. Sodom’sWickedness – In those days all the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, and of the whole five cities, were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord and they provoked the Lord with their abominations, and they strengthened in aging abominably and scornfully before the Lord, and their wickedness and crimes were in those days great before theLord.
  12. And they had in their land a very extensive valley,about half a day’s walk, and in it there were fountains of water and a great deal of herbage surrounding the water.
  13. And all the people of Sodom and Gomorrah went there four times in the year, with their wives and children and all belonging to them, and they rejoiced there with timbrels and dances.
  14. And in the time of rejoicing they would all rise and lay hold of their neighbor’s wives, and some, the virgin daughters of their neighbors, and they enjoyed them, and each man saw his wife and daughter in the hands of his neighbor and did not say a word.
  15. And they did so from morning to night, and they afterward returned home each man to his house and each woman to her tent; so they always did four times in the year.
  16. Also when a stranger came into their cities and brought goods which he had purchased with a view to dispose of there, the people of these cities would assemble, men, women, and children, young and old,and go to the man and take his goods by force, giving a little to each man until there was an end to all the goods of the owner which he had brought into the land.
  17. And if the owner of the goods quarreled with them,saying, What is this work which you have done to me, then they would approach to him one by one, and each would show him the little which he took and taunt him, saying, I only took that little which thou didst give me; and when he heard this from them all, he would arise and go from them, in sorrow and bitterness of soul, then they would all arise and go after him, and drive him out of the city with great noise and tumult.
  18. And there was a man from the country of Elam who was leisurely going on the road, seated upon his ass, which carried a fine mantle of diverse colors, and the mantle was bound with a cord upon the ass.
  19. And the man was on his journey passing through the street of Sodom when the sun set in the evening, and he remained there in order to abide during the night, but no one would let him into his homes; and at that time there was in Sodom a wicked and mischievous man, one skillful to do evil, and his name was Hedad.
  20. And he lifted up his eyes and saw the traveler in the street of the city, and he came to him and said, Whence comest thou and whither dost thou go?
  21. And the man said to him, I am traveling from Hebron to Elam where I belong, and as I passed the sun set and no one would suffer me to enter his house, though I had bread and water and also straw and provender for my ass, and am short of nothing.
  22. And Hedad answered and said to him, All that thou shalt want shall be supplied by me, but in the street thou shalt not abide all night.
  23. And Hedad brought him to his house, and he took off the mantle from the ass with the cord, and brought them to his house, and he gave the ass straw and provender whilst the traveler ate and drank in Hedad’s house, and he abode there that night.
  24. And in the morning the traveler rose up early to continue his journey, when Hedad said to him, Wait, comfort thy heart with a morsel of bread and then go, and the man did so; and he remained with him and they both ate and drank together during the day, when the man rose up to go.
  25. And Hedad said to him, Behold now the day is declining, thou hadst better remain all night that thy heart may be comforted;and he pressed him so that he tarried there all night, and on the second day he rose up early to go away, when Hedad pressed him, saying Comfort thy heart with a morsel of bread and then go, and he remained and ate with him also the second day, and then the man rose up to continue his journey.
  26. And Hedad said to him, Behold now the day is declining, remain with me to comfort thy heart and in the morning rise up early and go thy way.
  27. And the man would not remain, but rose and saddled his ass, and whilst he was saddling his ass the wife of Hedad said to her husband, Behold this man has remained with us for two days eating and drinking and he has given us nothing,and now shall he go away from us without giving anything? And Hedad said to her, Be silent.
  28. And the man saddled his ass to go, and he asked Hedad to give him the cord and mantle to tie it upon the ass.
  29. And Hedad said to him, What sayest thou?  And he said to him, That thou my lord shalt give me the cord and the mantle made with diverse colors which thou didst conceal with thee in thy house to take care of it.
  30. And Hedad answered the man, saying, This is the interpretation of thy dream, the cord which thou didst see, means that thy life will be lengthened out like a cord, and having seen the mantle colored with all sorts of colors, means that thou shalt have a vineyard in which thou wilt plant trees of all fruits.
  31. And the traveler answered, saying, Not so my lord, for I was awake when I gave thee the cord and also a mantle woven with different colors, which thou didst takeoff the ass to put them by for me; and Hedad answered and said, Surely I have told thee the interpretation of thy dream and it is a good dream, and this is the interpretation thereof.
  32. Now the sons of men give me four pieces of silver, which is my charge for interpreting dreams, and of thee only I require three pieces of silver.
  33. And the man was provoked at the words of Hedad, and he cried bitterly, and he brought Hedad to Serak judge of Sodom.
  34. And the man laid his cause before Serak the judge, when Hedad replied, saying, It is not so, but thus the matter stands; and the judge said to the traveler, This man Hedad telleth thee truth, for he is famed in the cities for the accurate interpretation of dreams.
  35. And the man cried at the word of the judge, and he said, Not so my Lord, for it was in the day that I gave him the cord and mantle which was upon the ass, in order to put them by in his house; and they both disputed before the judge, the one saying, Thus the matter was, and the other declaring otherwise.
  36. And Hedad said to the man, Give me four pieces of silver that I charge for my interpretations of dreams; I will not make allowance; and give me the expense of the four meals that thou didst eat in my house.
  37. And the man said to Hedad, Truly I will pay thee for what I ate in thy house, only give me the cord and mantle which thou didst conceal in thy house.
  38. And Hedad replied before the judge and said to the man, Did I not tell thee the interpretation of thy dream?  The cord means that thy days shall be prolonged like a cord, and the mantle, that thou wilt have a vineyard in which thou wilt plant all kinds of fruit trees.
  39. This is the proper interpretation of thy dream, now give me the four pieces of silver that I require as a compensation, for I will make thee no allowance.
  40. And the man cried at the words of Hedad and they both quarreled before the judge,and the judge gave orders to his servants, who drove them rashly from the house.
  41. And they went away quarreling from the judge, when the people of Sodom heard them,and they gathered about them and they exclaimed against the stranger, and they drove him rashly from the city.
  42. And the man continued his journey upon his ass with bitterness of soul, lamenting and weeping.
  43. And whilst he was going along he wept at what had happened to him in the corrupt city of Sodom.
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The Akeidah

I.  Extent of the Trial

The Akeidah was the final and the supreme trial of Abraham. As we have seen, it was necessary to submit Abraham to ten trials in order to elevate him to his spiritual peak. After the Akeidah, he had thirty-eight years to live. But he was not tested again because he had already gained his ultimate height, nothing could be gained by testing him further. The Akeidah has assumed a central role in Jewish liturgy.

Like every trial, the Akeidah forced its subject to make a painful choice that ran counter to his nature and inclination. The test can be understood on many levels and in many dimensions ~ all of them valid. That it was the climatic test of Abraham’s greatness is reason enough for it to have been of such complexity, for it stands to reason that the extent of the reward called for an ordeal of parallel proportions.

Abraham had waited a hundred years for the gift of a son. He had been told by God that his heir must be born from Sarah, but it was a physical impossibility for them to have a child together. God raised him above the stars which are His emissaries to preside over the natural functioning of the universe and told him that the rules of nature do not apply to him and Sarah. As Abram and Sarai, they would not have children, but as Abraham and Sarah, they would (15:5). The couple waited many years after that vision until Isaac was finally born to him. Now they were both old, Abraham was 137 and Sarah was 127. Their rejuvenation had not continued; they had had no other children together. Isaac was thirty-seven, a mature man who had proven himself to be a deserving successor to Abraham’s mantle. Now Abraham was asked to slaughter him. Now in human terms, the task of him was incomprehensible. An only son! There was no chance short of a miracle that another son would be born ~ could another miracle be expected? To bring him to the altar and to inflict the cut with his own hands!

Abraham had built an empire of accomplishments in the service of God. In the sense that the offspring of the righteous are their good deeds, Abraham had armies and armies of children. From the time he was fifty-two he had been teaching the multitudes and leading people under the wings of the Shechinah. Though he lived in an immoral, idolatrous society, even they considered him a ‘Prince of God’ (23:6) and he gained respect wherever he went. Everywhere his teaching was that people must emulate God who abhors cruelty and loves kindness, that human sacrifice is murder, and that idolatry is a denial of the true God.

What would happen to his followers and those who admired him if he slaughtered Isaac and the world learned that Abraham’s teachings had been violated in the grossest manner by the preacher himself? His entire lifetime of achievement would have been nullified. He would have been despised, vilified, and ridiculed. Human nature being what it is, not only his critics, but even his past followers, would probably have embarked on orgies of excess, because the one supreme moral force acting as the conscience of the world would have been irreparably discredited. Human beings can endure many forms of suffering, but none is more difficult than disgrace ~ the fate awaiting Abraham when he returned from Mount Moriah without Isaac at his side. Could he endure all that in order to satisfy the wish of God.

Abraham had been as loyal a servant of God as had ever lived. He had been assured by God that his destiny would be continued through Isaac and none other. Now there would be no Isaac and as a result the work of Abraham himself would not endure. On the other hand, he understood that the greater goal of sanctifying God’s Name would be enhanced by his deed. For the sacrifice asked of him would demonstrate conclusively that Abraham held back nothing from God ~ not his son, not his reputation, not even his lifetime of spiritual fulfillment. In God’s scale of values, that degree of dedication outweighed all the jeers of scoffers and skeptics. It mattered not that Abraham would lose his following or that not a soul would understand the magnitude of his deed. He was alone when he began his work but that did not detract from his greatness; he would be alone when he finished his work and be even greater because he would give up so much. God does not measure value in numbers. What is more his supreme obedience would prove that accomplishment on earth, accomplishment measurable in human terms, had no ultimate value at all if God’s will were otherwise. Because it was the Divine Will, the destruction of his life’s edifice would be his greatest and most genuinely tangible achievement because, and in the Heavenly balance, it would outweigh everything else he had ever done.

Intellectually, Abraham could surely have understood that infinitely better than we could. Could he also feel it is the depths of his soul and with all of his emotions? It was his son, his loss, his sacrifice. Could he feel the same joy in serving God by slaughtering Isaac that he had in raising him?

The character traits of Israel became engraved into the national spiritual ‘genes’ through the acts and particularly the trials of the Patriarchs. We are Abraham’s offspring and the heirs of his submission to God’s will. We are descendants of Abraham, but he was a son of Terach. Therefore, it is impossible for us to fully comprehend the awesome nature of his response to God’s call to slaughter Isaac. To say that we benefit from his legacy is not to imply that we would do equally well ~ far from it. But we cannot divorce ourselves from our heritage; therefore we cannot imagine how sever the trial was for Abraham who had no patriarchal ancestor named Abraham. Suffice to say that Abraham proved himself so well that he attained perfection in the eyes of the Supreme Judge. That there are those who question his uniqueness on the ground that countless Jewish parents throughout the ages have made similar sacrifices is testimony to how well he succeeded. So totally did Abraham channel his personal ambitions and needs to the will of his Master, that the heritage remains strong almost thirty-seven centuries later.

II.  Uniquely Abraham’s

What of Isaac? The Akeidah is counted as one of Abraham’s trials, but surely Isaac was being tested as well. As we see, Isaac’s achievement was awesome and his performance during those fateful three days leading up to his ascent to the altar has remained part of the national heritage as has Abraham’s. They were partners in approaching the Akeidah and they are partners in affecting us today by their accomplishment. Why then is the trial aspect of the Akediah not ascribed equally to Isaac ~ or, since he was the one who volunteered his own life, why is it understood primarily as Abraham’s trial and only secondarily as Isaac’s?

In commenting on this question, Rabbi Yosaif Yoizel Horowitz of Novardok remarked: “It is harder to live like a Jew than to die like a Jew!”

Isaac was ready to offer his life. That done, all would have been over. He was fully prepared to give everything for the sake of God, but he would not have had to deal with the aftermath.

The supreme sacrifice is not to be regarded lightly but such acts of heroism are not uncommon in human experience. People risk their lives for far smaller causes and they are soon forgotten. Great moments evoke great responses even from ordinary people; surely one would not expect less from Isaac. But Abraham would have to go on, facing Sarah, facing the world, rebuilding his shattered life, once more opening his tent to travelers who would now be afraid to accept the hospitality of the ‘barbarous old man’ who had killed his own son, preaching the word of God to people who would call him a hypocrite, wondering if the lack of a future Jewish generation might not be his unforgivable sin for having allowed his fully grown son to remain unmarried for so long. Isaac had to die like a Jew, but Abraham had to bear the infinitely harder burden of carrying on, of continuing to live like a Jew.

Abraham and Isaac had different primary traits in the service of God. Abraham was the person of ‘chesed’ (kindness) whose primary drive was to help others and use his generous nature to draw them close to God. For him, the Akeidah was a trial of awesome proportions both for what he was called upon to do to Isaac and the effect it would have on his relationship to society. But Isaac was the person of ‘gevurah’ (strength). He was inner-directed and self-critical. He sought to perfect himself and remove any hint of imperfection in himself. To Isaac, the call to give up his life was not difficult. If the way to purge his imperfections was to purge his very life, then his nature would dictate that he do so.

For Abraham to commit such an act, however, required that he rise above his own character as a ‘chesed’ person and act contrary to his way of serving God. To do so would be possible only if his faith were so great that he was capable of acting counter to everything he had understood and believed.

Abraham showed that his devotion came above all other considerations. He injected his unconditional faith into the national character so that no matter how encrusted Israel may become with sin, and no matter how much it fell in line with sin’s fleeting pleasures, there remains the spark of Abraham’s holiness within every son and daughter of Israel. Repentance, therefore, is an ever present possibility if, somehow, that spark can be reached and fanned. The basic urge of Abraham’s children is to be righteous.

III. Trial Intensified

So Abraham’s very nature, as opposed to Isaac’s, dictated that the Akeidah was more his test than his son’s. But the trial was intensified further by the way it was presented. Let’s compare the command of the Akeidah with the command to drive Ishmael from his home. There, God commanded Abraham to follow the superior insight of Sarah. He told him to feel no regret at dispatching the boy, and what is more, He promised Abraham that Ishmael would become a nation for, although only Isaac would have the status of Abraham’s true offspring, Ishmael would still be treated graciously as someone born of Abraham’s seed. Combined with the command that Abraham go against his nature by cutting off his kindness to Ishmael and Hagar, was the assurance that no harm would befall them and that Sarah’s insistence was an expression of God’s own wisdom.

What assurance was he given with regard to the slaughter of Isaac? Was he told that Isaac did not deserve the mantle of Patriarch?.. that he had sinned?… that another would take his place?… that he should cease loving him? NO…

Chapter 22:2 ~ ‘Take your son”…. Isaac remains your son ~ his status is undiminished.”

‘Your only son’ …. He remains unique. Ishmael cannot return to take his place. You were promised a son, and Isaac will always remain the fulfillment of that promise even after you slaughter him.

‘Whom you love’… Continue to love him. Do not take the easy way of convincing yourself that your love was misplaced, that Isaac is unworthy either of your love or of carrying on your mission.

When God uttered those words to Abraham, the Patriarch was infused with a new and greater realization of what Isaac was. His son for whom he had waited a lifetime and for whom all the covenants and promises were made … the bearer of Abraham’s mission … the fulfillment of creation. He was Abraham’s only son. He was unique … there was none like him … he had forged a new way to serve God and no one could take his place.

Abraham loved Isaac. God now confirmed that love and when Abraham heard the words ‘whom you love’, he was infused with a greater love for Isaac than he had ever felt before. Abraham was not to ascend to Mount Moriah with the thought that, little though he understood why, he was removing an unworthy outgrowth of himself. No. He was to go with all the love, respect, expectation, and feeling that an Abraham could possibly feel for an Isaac. He was to go with the realization that Isaac was not expendable and replaceable, neither as a son nor as a Patriarch. And still he was to go. Only by attempting feebly to imagine how difficult God made the trial can we hope to understand how great was the aged father who sought no way to delay or reinterpret, who arose early and with a cheerful willingness to make even the exhausting physical preparations himself.

Faith in the Creator need not supply instant gratification. God need not spell out His reasons and campaign for approval. It is for us to understand that we need not understand. What He wills is right even if our every instinct cries out against it; what He inflicts is merciful even if its immediate result is agony; what He desires is exalting even if its immediate result is despair.

Abraham forged on and his steps etched an eternal path in the history of his children. For if Abraham followed God’s command lovingly even when He was distant, then He would maintain His love for Abraham’s children even when they were spiritually distant and treated badly by people in power. Therefore, too, there remains an inextinguishable spark of love in every Jew. There is a piece of Abraham in every one of his children. It was this remnant that God promised to preserve when he told Abraham, ‘I am your shield’ (15:1), and it is for this eternal pledge that we bless God in our daily prayers saying, ‘Blessed are You, Hashem, Shield of Abraham.’ Not merely for the protection He afforded Abraham ages ago do we bless God. We thank Him for protecting the Abraham within us, the Abrahamic spark of love and devotion that no tidal waves of materialism, oppression, and emancipation can ever extinguish.

Abraham’s ordeal is not done. Satan said to Abraham, ‘Tomorrow God will call you a murderer!’ Abraham replied, ‘Even so, I will do His will’. (Midrash)

Abraham did not even pray for God’s mercy upon Isaac. For the sake of the perversely wicked people of Sodom, Abraham had made a forceful protest to God, but for his own righteous son, he said not a word.

Abraham prayed for Sodom because his chesed character could not endure the destruction of the cities with their people. His prayer was not a personal one, he did not specifically ask for salvation of Lot, his nephew. He begged for heavenly mercy upon the Sodomite sinners because his perception of God was derived from and based upon mercy.

But for Isaac he could not pray just as he did not pray for Lot. To do so would have meant to pray for a selfish interest. No matter how much he might purify his motives and remove all sense of self from his prayer, no matter how much he would base his plea upon the righteousness of Isaac and the destiny of Israel, he was human and his prayer might well be colored ever so slightly with a selfish plea for Isaac, his own son. To whatever extent that were true, it would not be outer-directed chesed designed only to fulfill God’s wish. It would be a plea for himself. Who more than Abraham had a ‘right’ to make such a plea? That he did not make it demonstrates more than anything else the greatness of the Patriarch and the reason God never removes the memory of the Akeidah from the balance where the fate of Israel is measured.

IV.  Ashes and Life

  • Leviticus 26:44: “And I shall remember My covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham shall I remember.” Why does it not specify remembrance in connection with Isaac? Because (God says) the ashes of Isaac are visible before Me gathered together atop the altar.
  • How did they (the Men of the Great Assembly) know where to build the altar (of the Second Temple?…’They saw the ashes of Isaac laying on that place’. (Zevachim 62a)

Isaac’s ashes lay before God. They identify the altar because the Sages knew that the altar of the Temple was built upon the site of Abraham’s altar on Mount Moriah. But how can the Sages speak of Isaac’s ashes when Isaac was never sacrificed and burned. There can be no ashes if Isaac who never became an actual sacrifice, yet the legally specified placement of the altar was determined by the ‘ashes of Isaac.’ A strange paradox! Isaac lived, but his ashes mark the pace of his sacrifice.

Both Abraham and Isaac came with all their hearts to complete the offering. There was no hesitation, no attempt to seek a reprieve. In every sense, except the physical, Abraham did slaughter Isaac and burn his remains as an offering.

No human being had ever done as Isaac did. He truly became Abraham’s offering. He mounted the altar and the knife was at his throat. It took a Divine Command to gain his release. When he descended the altar, he was no less an offering than he was when he ascended it. The ram was his substitute in an even more tangible way than even the purest sacrifice that would ever be brought in fulfillment of God’s command, because it took Isaac’s place on the altar. The ashes of the ram were on the altar in the place of Isaac’s. Thus, the ashes of the ram were Isaac’s in a very real sense.

We must remember that there are two very different worlds: the spiritual world and the physical world. In a higher world, Isaac surely can be seen as ashes. His willingness to become a sacrifice never left God’s cognizance. The spiritual effect of his deed remained imprinted on the top of Mount Moriah.

People attuned to spirituality see things that others don’t see. When Abraham and Isaac approached the mountain, they knew without being told that they had found the place. The saw a beautiful mountain covered by a pillar of smoke – the Shechinah. Their two attendants looked at the same mountain and saw only deserts. Were all four in the same place? Geographically, yes. But in the truest sense they were worlds apart. Abraham and Isaac were at the mountain of God and Ishamael and Eliezer were in the Canaanite desert. From that perspective, the participation of Abraham and Isaac at the Akeidah created his ashes, for he was truly sacrificed in every world but the material one. And in the material world, the ram took his place.

God promised to remember the covenant with Abraham and Jacob, but there was no need to bring the covenant of Isaac back from the past. Isaac’s ashes were before Him always, a living reminder of Isaac’s covenant – because an ascent to such spiritual heights as the Akeidah never dies.

Therefore, too, Isaac’s life after the Akeidah was of a different order than any other. He was a living sacrifice, sanctified and spiritual. For that reason, he was forbidden to leave the Land. Abraham had gone to Egypt and Jacob was to go to Charan and Egypt. But when famine struck in Isaac’s time, God ordered him not to leave Eretz Yisrael; he was a holy offering ~ and offerings may not leave the holy soil.

When the Akeidah was over, Abraham sent Isaac to the Academy of Shem to study Torah, for he said, ‘Whatever I have attained is only because of the Torah, therefore I want it to remain with my children forever.’ (Midrash)

Indeed, Isaac’s life after the Akeidah was different in more than a symbolic way:

  • “When the sword reached Isaac’s neck, his soul left him. When God’s voice came from between the two cherubim telling Abraham not to harm him, his soul returned to his body … Isaac experienced the resuscitation of the dead and said ‘Blessed are You, Hashem, Who makes the dead live!’” (Pesikta d’Rabbi Eliezer 31)

As the Zohar says, the letters of ‘Isaac’ form the words ‘the end of life’. Isaac’s earthly life had truly come to an end. Only the word of God brought his soul back to him. He blessed God for having given him the gift of life anew. His new life was a gift of God; his mortal life had truly ended. Thus, the intention of Abraham and Isaac to offer everything to God was fulfilled. The Isaac who walked away from the Akeidah was not the same one who had come to it. He was even greater than he had been earlier for he had given his life as a gift to God. That earlier life, the earthly one before Isaac became a sacrifice, merged with the ashes of the ram, ashes that never leave the notice of God.

Strangely, the name chosen for that climactic even hardly seems to symbolize its true essence, Akeidah Yitzchock, the binding of Isaac. True, upon placing himself upon the altar, Isaac asked his father to bind him tight lest he interfere with the knife-stroke by inadvertently moving, thereby rendering the sacrifice unfit, but that is so minor an aspect of the incident that it hardly seems appropriate to base the title of the event upon it. Sacrifice of Isaac! Slaughter of Isaac! Gift of Isaac! Selflessness of Isaac! Why ‘binding of Isaac’?

However, the name was well chosen indeed, for the very triviality it expressed reveals the greatness of Isaac.

Abraham and Isaac walked together for three days. We can imagine the turbulence in the heart of Abraham who knew why they were going, and the serenity of Isaac who thought that he would join with his father in offering an animal on the holy mountain of the future Temple. How different their feelings must have been! But the Torah testifies that ‘the two of them went together’ (22.6). Together they went, equal in resolve ~ equal in serenity ~ one to bind and the other to be bound; one to slaughter and the other to be slaughtered (Midrash). Neither thought of tragedy, only of the Creator Whose will they were going to perform.

Then Isaac learned of his destiny. ‘You are the ‘sheep’ my son!’ And again (22:8) ‘the two of them went together’. Now it was Isaac who should have been broken and depressed, but it wasn’t. The mood remained the same. The only thing that mattered was God’s will ~ whatever form it’s fulfillment would take.

It was enough of Isaac that he volunteer himself as a sacrifice. Surely he could not have had the presence of mind to worry about details. Few are the people who can maintain their calm in trying circumstances. The true test is not how one reacts when the trial comes, for a person is not himself when he is struck by tragedy. The test is how well he has lived his life in order to be prepared for the crisis. It is too late when the awful moment comes to make preparations or develop the personality to cope with it. Abraham’s response, Isaac’s response, were not born on Mount Moriah. Their reaction had been nurtured within them for years. The trial was no more than the means to reveal what had been present within them.

The measure of Isaac’s greatness was that he was conscious even of the danger that a reflex moment might ruin the slaughter. Of all the things to think of! It was a vital detail, but surely not a noticeable major aspect of the panorama of the trial. How could he be as calm? But he did think of that and he was calm.

Did his life mean so little to him? No, his life was exceedingly important to him because it was the tool with which to serve God, and without his life his service would be over. Life is so precious!! Isaac’s life was precious beyond value, but only because it was the tool with which to serve God. The greatest indication of his greatness is that, in the last moments of his worldly life, he thought not of his last will and testament, of the future generations he would not produce, or of the aged parents whom his loss would bereave. He thought of a reflex action, a sudden movement, a misplace stroke of the knife, a life that might be squandered if it were not returned to its Maker through a proper slaughter.

“Bind me tight lest I move due to fear of the knife and I cause you anguish. And perhaps the slaughter would be unfit and the offering would not be credited to you. Bind me well, very well.”

At such a time, Isaac thought of small things. People can rise up to great occasions and often do ~ even little people! But only the greatest people rise to the smallest needs.

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Sodom

When the Jewish nation was crossing the Wilderness on its way to Eretz Yisrael, it was instructed that it must not allow the Seven Nations of Canaan to remain in the Land. Israel was warned that the Land would spew forth its sinful inhabitants.

But there was another element in Eretz Yisrael, one even more wicked than the Seven Nations; a culture even more corrupt than Canaan – Sodom. Despite the abominations that were so intolerable to the very essence of the Land, the Canaanite Nations were permitted to remain there for four hundred and seventy years after Abraham first received title to it at the Covenant Between the Parts. At that time he was told that a four hundred year exile would intervene – one that began with the Birth of Isaac thirty years later. Even thereafter his descendants spent another forty years in the wilderness, before the Canaanite and Amorite quota of sin was reached (Genesis 15:16), but Sodom and its tributary cities were wiped from the earth is an unprecedented manner after only fifty-two years of settlement. The generation of the Flood was wiped out, but the world was rebuilt on its remains. The Generation of the Dispersion was banished and scattered, but it lived to populate and develop the earth. Sodom, on the other hand, was overturned; it’s people were killed, it’s possessions totally destroyed, and its very locale – the rich, grassy plain which had enticed Lot to leave his mentor and protector (13:10-11) – was transformed into the salty, sulphuric wilderness that to this day is called the Dead Sea.

What was it about Sodom?

The cruelties of Sodom have entered the language as the epitome of selfishness, callousness and depravity. But there was a method, a rationale, behind their perverse behavior. Not unless we find the pattern behind their excesses can we understand the extent of their evil and the revulsion God felt for them.

The region of Sodom was rich and fertile. Of all the Land lying before him, Lot chose only Sodom in which to settle and make his fortune. We can well imagine that if it held such a powerful attraction for someone like Lot who, for all his deficiencies, had still been raised by Abraham and Sarah and who was a relatively righteous person as well as a wealthy one, then it must have been even more attractive for thousands of others.

The Sodomites knew this too. And they were the first to devise policies to close their gates to the unwelcome ordinary people who threatened to dilute the economic base and mar the prosperity of the limited, but comfortable population of the region. In effect, Sodom was the originator of anti-immigration laws.

They did more than take down the welcome signs. They made it a terrifying experience for a stranger to even visit Sodom. A traveler would find no door open to him. Not a crust of bread or a drop of water would be offered to him. If he dared to seek lodging, he would be violently tormented, even maimed! The traveler by foot in Sodom would be subject to perverse sexual abuse. The Sodomite who dared violate the social and legal restraints against hospitality would be treated as an enemy of the people and would be subject to abuse even worse than that handed out to the unsuspecting visitor – for, after all, the unwelcome migrant was but an unwitting and relatively harmless annoyance, but the citizen who broke the Sodomite tradition was a corrupting influence and a danger to the social and economic order.

Seeds of Sodom

The Mishnah (Avos 5:10), in describing attitudes toward follow humans, says: “The one who says ‘What is mine is mine and what is yours is yours’ (i.e., he wishes neither to give to nor to receive from others) – this is the manner of ordinary people. Some say it is the manner of Sodom.”

The Sages have given us an insight into the source of Sodomite iniquity and at the same time a sobering lesson in the evaluation of our own behavior. We are not surprised to read that ‘the manner of ordinary people’ calls for one neither to give nor to receive. ‘Neither lender nor borrower be’ has come into the language as a well-accepted maxim of conduct. This runs counter to the Torah’s teaching that a Jew is required to lend and to give – nevertheless, it is hardly a code of conduct that can be described as wicked. Therefore, the first opinion cited by the Mishnah describes it as the code of ordinary people: it shows little sensitivity to the needs of others, but one would prefer it to the grasping, selfish attitude that has been the cause of suffering and misery throughout history.

The second opinion sees it differently. In itself, the code is not evil, but what seeds of wickedness it contains. Sodom, too, began as a society that said ‘what is mine is mine and what is yours is yours’. Sodom was not an aggressive, warrior nation that plundered its neighbors. To the contrary, the one time in Scripture where we find Sodom engaged in battle, they were humiliated in defeat (14:10-11). But Sodom was concerned in protecting what it had and in not sharing it with others. To do so, it erected a new social code, one that did not stop with ‘charity begins at home’, but which erected barriers against the unfortunate, terror against the helpless, that pronounced a sentence of a slow and painful death upon a girl whose only crime was that she secretly gave a crust of bread to a hungry stranger. People can go to frightening lengths to protect ‘legitimate interests.’ The person or nation whose eyes turn inward in selfish concern for the protection of only his own concerns, should search long and hard lest he become a Sodomite.

Unforgivable Sin

In the eyes of God, the greatest abomination of all is a social contract founded on selfishness, descending to cruelty, resulting in perversion of decency. Licentiousness is a grievous sin because of it the nations of Canaan were vomited out of the Land, and Israel was warned against it in the harshest terms. But it is understandable that human beings, possessed of animal passions, may fail to control them. Even a selfish unwillingness to help others is understandable. But to erect a society with a social and legal code in defense of selfishness and in opposition to kindness – that is an abomination which both in God’s eyes and in Jewish tradition is described with the contemptuous epithet – ‘the manner of Sodom.’ That behavior, God will not tolerate. It resulted in the total upheaval that left no trace of the period’s wealthiest city.

Indeed, the people of Sodom, unanimously and brazenly, acted to oppose the elementary dictates of decency, for that reason they could not be endured nor permitted to survive. The property of Canaan was neither destroyed nor forbidden: the property of Sodom was removed from the face of the earth, so grievous was their sin.

Would the same thing have happened if Sodom had been in Africa, Europe or America? Most assuredly not. The sin would have been grievous, and it would have been punished somehow and at some time. But the Sodomites committed their blight in Eretz Yisrael, the Land of holiness, the land which cannot abide sin. A sin there is worse. In the words of Ramban:

  • “Know that the judgment of Sodom was due to the spiritual elevation of Eretz Yisrael, for it is the inheritance of God and it does not tolerate abominable people. Just as it would later vomit out the entire nation (of Canaan) because of their abomination, it preceded and vomited out this nation (Sodom) which was the worst of all, to heaven and to humans, and rained desolation upon it from heaven and earth, and ravaged the land beyond cure forever. For they were haughty because of their prosperity, and God saw that it (the total destruction of the selfish society) would be an omen for rebellious people, for Israel which was destined to inherit it (the Land) ….. For there are among the nations very wicked and sinful people, but He did not (utterly destroy) them. But (He did so to Sodom) because of the spiritual elevation of Eretz Yisrael for it is the Temple of Hashem (Genesis 19:5).”
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Ancient Book of Jasher 17 – Abram’s 99th Year

  1. Verses 1- 15 2039 AM – Sabine-Roman War
  • 16.  And Abram the son of Terah was then ninety-nine years old.
  • 17.  At that time the Lord appeared to him and he said to him, I will make my covenant between me and thee, and I will greatly multiply thy seed, and this is the covenant which I make between me and thee, that every male child be circumcised, thou and thy seed after thee.
  • 18.  At eight days old shall it be circumcised, and this covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
  • 19.  And now therefore thy name shall no more be called Abram but Abraham, and thy wife shall no more be called Sarai but Sarah.
  • 20.  For I will bless you both, and I will multiply your seed after you that you shall be come a great nation, and kings shall come forth from you.
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Ancient Book of Jasher 16 – Abram Against The Five Kings

  1. 2021 AM – Chedorlaomer attached Sodom At that time Chedorlaemer king of Elam sent to all the neighboring kings, to Nimrod, king of Shimar who was then under his power, and to Tidal, king of Goyim, and to Arioch, king of Elasar, with whom he made a covenant, saying, Come up to me and assist me, that we may smite all the towns of Sodom and its inhabitants, for they have rebelled against me these thirteen years.
  2. And these four kings went up with all their camps, about eight hundred thousand men, and they went as they were, and smote every man they found in their road.
  3. And the five kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboyim, Bera king of Sodom, Bersha king of Gomorrah, and Bela king of Zoar, went out to meet them, and they all joined together in the valley of Siddim.
  4. And these nine kings made war in the valley of Siddim; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah were smitten before the kings of Elam.
  5. And the valley of Siddim was full of lime pits and the kings of Elam pursued the kings of Sodom, and the kings of Sodom with their camps fled and fell into the lime pits, and all that remained went to the mountain for safety, and the five kings of Elam came after them and pursued them to the gates of Sodom, and they took all that there was in Sodom.
  6. And they plundered all the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and they also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, and his property, and they seized all the goods of the cities of Sodom, and they went away; and Unic, Abram’s servant, who was in the battle, saw this, and told Abram all that the kings had done to the cities of Sodom, and that Lot was taken captive by them.
  7. And Abram heard this, and he rose up with about three hundred and eighteen men that were with him, and he that night pursued these kings and smote them, and they all fell before Abram and his men, and there was none remaining but the four kings who fled, and they went each his own road.
  8. And Abram recovered all the property of Sodom, and he also recovered Lot and his property, his wives and little ones and all belonging to him, so that Lot lacked nothing.
  9. And when he returned from smiting these kings, he and his men passed the valley of Siddim where the kings had made war together.
  10. And Bera king of Sodom, and the rest of his men that were with him, went out from the lime pits into which they had fallen, to meet Abram and his men.
  11. And Adonizedek king of Jerusalem, the same was Shem, went out with his men to meet Abram and his people, with bread and wine, and they remained together in the valley of Melech.
  12. And Adonizedek blessed Abram, and Abram gave him a tenth from all that he had brought from the spoil of his enemies, for Adonizedek was a priest before God.
  13. And all the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah who were there, with their servants, approached Abram and begged of him to return them their servants whom he had made captive, and to take unto himself all the property.
  14. And Abram answered the kings of Sodom, saying, As the Lord liveth who created heaven and earth, and who redeemed my soul from all affliction, and who delivered me this day from my enemies, and gave them into my hand, I will not take anything belonging to you, that you may not boast tomorrow, saying, Abram became rich from our property that he saved.
  15. For the Lord my God in whom I trust said unto me, Thou shalt lack nothing, for I will bless thee in all the works of thy hands.
  16. And now therefore behold, here is all belonging to you, take it and go; as the Lord liveth I will not take from you from a living soul down to a shoetie or thread, excepting the expense of the food of those who went out with me to battle, as also the portions of the men who went with me, Anar, Ashcol, and Mamre, they and their men, as well as those also who had remained to watch the baggage, they shall take their portion of the spoil.
  17. And the kings of Sodom gave Abram according to all that he had said, and they pressed him to take of whatever he chose, but he would not.
  18. And he sent away the kings of Sodom and the remainder of their men, and he gave them orders about Lot, and they went to their respective places.
  19. And Lot, his brother’s son, he also sent away with his property, and he went with them, and Lot returned to his home, to Sodom, and Abraham and his people returned to their home to the plains of Mamre, which is in Hebron.
  20. At that time, the Lord again appeared to Abram in Hebron, and he said to him, Do not fear, thy reward is very great before me, for I will not leave thee, until I shall have multiplied thee, and blessed thee and made thy seed like the stars in heaven, which cannot be measured nor numbered.
  21. And I will give unto thy seed all these lands that thou seest with thine eyes, to them will I give them for an inheritance forever, only be strong and do not fear, walk before me and be perfect.
  22. 2026 AM – Reu died And in the seventy-eighth year of the life of Abram, in that year died Reu, the son of Peleg, and all the days of Reu were two hundred and thirty-nine years, and he died.
  23. And Sarai, the daughter of Haran, Abram’s wife, was still barren and in those days; she did not bear to Abram either son or daughter.
  24. And when she saw that she bare no children she took her handmaid Hagar, whom Pharaoh had given her, and she gave her to Abram her husband for a wife.
  25. For Hagar learned all the ways of Sarai as Sarai taught her, she was not in any way deficient in following her good ways.
  26. And Sarai said to Abram, Behold here is my handmaid Hagar, go to her that she may bring forth upon my knees, that I may also obtain children through her.
  27. 2033 am – Abram takes Hagar as a concubine And at the end of ten years of Abram’s dwelling in the land of Canaan, which is the eighty-fifth year of Abram’s life, Sarai gave Hagar unto him.
  28. And Abram hearkened to the voice of his wife Sarai, and he took his handmaid Hagar and Abram came to her and she conceived.
  29. And when Hagar saw that she had conceived she rejoiced greatly, and her mistress was despised in her eyes, and she said within herself, This can only be that I am better before God than Sarai my mistress, for all the days that my mistress has been with my lord, she did not conceive, but me the Lord has caused in so short a time to conceive by him.
  30. And when Sarai saw that Hagar had conceived by Abram, Sarai was jealous of her handmaid, and Sarai said within herself, This is surely nothing else but that she must be better than I am.
  31. And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee, for at the time when thou didst pray before the Lord for children why didst thou not pray on my account, that the Lord should give me seed from thee?
  32. And when I speak to Hagar in thy presence, she despiseth my words, because she had conceived, and thou wilt say nothing to her; may the Lord judge between me and thee for what thou hast done to me.
  33. And Abram said to Sarai, Behold thy handmaid is in thy hand, do unto her as it may seem good in thy eyes; and Sarai afflicted her, and Hagar fled from her to the wilderness.
  34. And an angel of the Lord found her in the place where she had fled, by a well, and he said to her, Do not fear, for I will multiply thy seed, for thou shalt bear a son and thou shalt call his name Ishmael; now then return to Sarai thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
  35. And Hagar called the place of that well Beer-lahai-roi, it is between Kadesh and the wilderness of Bered.
  36. 2034 AM – Ishmael born And Hagar at that time returned to her master’s house, and a the end of days Hagar bare a son to Abram, and Abram called his name Ishmael; and Abram was eigthty-six years old when be begat him.
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Genesis 17:1-2 The Importance of Blood Covenant

Understanding the importance of covenant will revolutionize your fellowship with the Father and create a foundation of trust in Him and the authority of His WORD. Understanding the reality and absolute bedrock of your covenant with Almighty God will cause your faith to grow by leaps and bounds to new dimensions of strength and confidence.

Ancient people knew the significance and power of covenant. Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines covenant as a “usually formal, solemn, and binding agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties, especially for the performance of some action.” This sounds like our modern word contract, but many of today’s agreements are easily broken and often not worth the ink with which they are written.

A true blood covenant, like those understood and entered into by tribal societies, was a finding agreement: “until death do us part.” Even then, the commitment could last up to eight generations. But in Deuteronomy 7:9 God promised to keep His covenant and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations. Through the eternal power of the blood of Jesus, our new covenant, based on better promises is forever sealed!

After Adam’s treason, God’s intense and unconditional love (Hebrew: hesed; Greek: agape) went into action with the eternal plan of redemption that was in the mind of God from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8; 1 Peter 1:18-20). He put into motion His plan to rescue man from his illegitimate stepfather, satan, to whom Adam had bowed his knee and yielded his God-given authority through disobedience (Luke 4:6; John 8:34;, Romans 6:16). In Genesis 17 we see God’s reaching out to a man named Abram and receiving permission to enter into a binding agreement with him.

God promised Abram to be a God to him and his seed and to bless and multiply him exceedingly (Genesis 17:2). He promised Abram land and that his barren ninety-year-old wife would have a son, through whose seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 18:18). He then bound Himself to Abram through the power of a blood covenant.

In a covenant, promises are made on both sides, names are exchanged, and the whole transaction is sealed in blood. Abram shed his blood through circumcision – the seal of his covenant with God. Since God is a Spirit (John 4:24), He had Abram shed the blood of animals to ratify His part of the covenant (Genesis 15:9-10). Then, according to true covenant rules, He gave Abram a new name – a covenant name. He called him Abraham, “the father of nations”, inserting a letter from His own Name (‘h’ Hebrew ‘hey’ from YHWH) into the middle of Abraham’s name. He did the same with Abraham’s wife’s name, Sarai, who then became Sarah: “mother of nations.” God then swore by Himself (Hebrews 6:13-17) to uphold the covenant, since there is none greater than He.

After Isaac, the son of promise, was miraculously conceived and born to a ninety-year-old woman and a one-hundred-year-old man, God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, through whom Abraham had been told his descendants would be as the sand of the seashore and the stars of the sky in multitude. Abraham obeyed: “He reasoned that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from which he indeed received him in a figurative sense” (Hebrews 11:19). Abraham was fully persuaded his covenant Partner would uphold His end of the covenant (Romans 4:20-21). He told the young men who accompanied them to the site, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there and worship and then return to you” (Genesis 22:5). Because of Abraham’s covenant with God and his faith and willingness to sacrifice his son, the way was paved for God, his covenant Partner, to sacrifice His Son. The way made for Jesus, the spotless, eternal covenant sacrifice, to legally come into the earth to redeem mankind.

When you receive revelation of the absolute, final authority of God’s covenant WORD, sealed in the eternal blood of Jesus, a new and unshakable confidence rises up in your heart that God’s unchanging WORD stands rock-solid, forever. Psalm 119:89 says, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is established in heaven.” It is guaranteed in heaven’s eternal integrity.

Jesus, the Lamb of God, the WORD made flesh, said, “Heaven and earth will pass away but My Words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33). And Hebrews 6:17-19, further revealing the steadfastness and unchangeableness of God’s Word, says, “So God, wanting to show more abundantly the immutability (Unchangeableness) of His counsel to the heirs of promise, confirmed it by an oath. So that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuse might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this hope as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, which enters the inner Place behind the veil.”

Unlike the old covenant that depended on His people’s ability to keep it, the new covenant, now between God the Father and Jesus (Galatians 3:16-20), can never be broken. You are in Christ Jesus by the new birth, made a joint heir with Him – forever bound, by faith, into this unchangeable and eternal covenant. When you believe and rely on the steadfastness and integrity of God’s unchanging WORD to you, nothing can stop the fulfillment of His promises. The believer who knows and stands on his covenant with the living God, like Abraham, can confidently stake his life on the integrity of his covenant Partner’s WORD, knowing that Almighty God has sworn by Himself in the blood of His own Son. The words of this eternal covenant are activated by faith, so if you’ll believe it, receive it, and act on it, it will surely come to pass!

This is from an article written in the Kenneth Copeland Study Bible.

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153 Scriptures About Living A Holy Life

God has not only called you to be holy—or separated—to Him, but He has also made it possible. If you’re born again, the blood of Jesus has cleansed you from all unrighteousness. Holiness is a decision you must make to cause your actions to line up with the Word of God.

No matter how hard you try, you can’t walk holy in your own strength. But when you are connected to God and His way of thinking, then you are strong spiritually.

Start by allowing the Word of God to separate you from the world and its way of thinking. Study the following scriptures, and use your faith to activate them in your life. Put them in your heart, and speak them out of your mouth. Begin to walk in holiness one step at a time. Learn to recognize any disobedience or sin in your life that is standing between you and God—and let it go! With the leading and help of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God as your firm foundation, you will not fail! Begin today with these 153 scriptures for living holy.

Exodus 19:5-6

Now if you will obey Me and keep My covenant, you will be My own special treasure from among all the peoples on the earth; for all the earth belongs to Me. And you will be My kingdom of priests, My holy nation.

Exodus 20:2-5

I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. You must not have any other god before Me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.

Deuteronomy 6:18

Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, so all will go well with you.

Deuteronomy 28:9, 14

If you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in His ways, the Lord will establish you as His holy people as He swore He would do.   You must not turn away from any of the commands I am giving you today, nor follow after other gods and worship them.

Joshua 24:15

Choose today who you will serve. As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.

1 Chronicles 28:9

Learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve Him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek Him, you will find Him.

Psalm 4:3

You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for Himself. The Lord will answer when I call to Him.

Psalm 19:12-14

How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 24:3-5

Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior.

Psalm 32:8-9

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

Psalm 37:27-28

Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever. For the Lord loves justice, and He will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will die.

Psalm 40:6-8

You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that You have made me listen, I finally understand. You don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: I take joy in doing Your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”

Psalm 51:10-11

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your Presence, and don’t take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Psalm 119:9

How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your Word.

Psalm 132:9, 13-16

May Your priests be clothed in godliness; may Your loyal servants sing for joy. For the Lord has chosen Jerusalem; He has desired it for His home. “This is my resting place forever,” He said. “I will live here for this is the home I desired. I will bless this city and make it prosperous; I will satisfy its poor with food. I will clothe its priests with godliness; its faithful servants will sing for joy.

Proverbs 3:7-8

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.

Proverbs 4:24-27

Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

Proverbs 6:16-19

There are six things the Lord hates: seven are an abomination to Him:  proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that plots evil, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness who speaks lies, and a person who sows discord in a family.

Proverbs 16:6

Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.

Proverbs 20:11

Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.

Proverbs 21:8

The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road.

Proverbs 30:12

There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from its filthiness.

Isaiah 1:16-19

Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

Isaiah 3:10-11

Tell the godly that all will be well for them. They will enjoy the rich reward they have earned! But the wicked are doomed, for they will get exactly what they deserve.

Isaiah 43:21

I have made Israel for Myself, and they will someday honor Me before the whole world.

Isaiah 55:6-9

Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for He will forgive generously. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.’

Jeremiah 15:19

This is how the Lord responds: :If you return to Me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve Me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be My spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you!”

Jeremiah 18:11

Turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do what is right.

Daniel 1:8

But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.

Matthew 5:8

God blesses those whose hearts are pure for they will see God.

Matthew 5:48

You are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 6:33

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

Matthew 10:24-25

Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. Students are to be like their teacher , and slaves are to be life their master.

Matthew 15:8

These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me..

Mark 8:34-38

“If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? If anyone is ashamed of Me and My message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when He returns in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Luke 1:15

For he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He will drink neither wine or other alcoholic drinks.

Luke 3:8

Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.

Luke 6:40

Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.

Luke 11:2

Jesus said, “This is how you should pray: Father, may Your name be kept holy. May Your kingdom come soon.

John 14:21, 23-24

“Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones who love Me. And because they love Me, My Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them”. “All who love Me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and We will come and make Our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love Me will not obey Me. And remember, My words are not My own. What I am telling you is from the Father Who sent Me.”

John 15:2-4

“Every branch in Me that bears no fruit, He takes away. And every branch that bears fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fuit. You are already clean through the word which I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, as I also reamin in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, neither can you, unless you remain in Me. “

John 15:5-8

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who remains in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit. For without Me you can do nothing. If a man does not remain in Me, he is thrown out as a branch and withers. And they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it shall be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”

John 17:15-20

“I’m not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your word, which is truth. Just as you sent Me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by Your truth. I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message.”

Acts 20:32

And now I entrust you to God and the message of His grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those He has set apart for Himself.

Acts 26:18

“To open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in Me.”

Romans 6:1-6

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of His wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined Him in His death? 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. Since we have been united with Him in His death, we will also be raised to life as He was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.

Romans 6:11-14

So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 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 6:15-16

Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.

Romans 6:17-18

Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living..

Romans 6:19, 22

Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living, so that you will become holy. Now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.

Romans 8:6, 13-14

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.

Romans 8:29

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.

Romans 12:1-2

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 15:16

I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 1:2

I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be His own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as He did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.

1 Corinthians 1:10

I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

1 Corinthians 1:30

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit, God made Him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; He made us pure and holy, and He freed us from sin.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people – none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:13-20

You can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. And God will raise us from the dead by His power, just as He raised our Lord from the dead. Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.” But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

1 Corinthians 7:14

For the believing wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the believing husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 10:1-2, 4-11

I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground. In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses. And all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ. Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did, or worship idols as some of them did. As the Scriptures say, “The people celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry”. And we must not engage in sexual immorality as some of them did, causing 23,000 of them to die in one day. Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died from snakebites. And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death. These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.

1 Corinthians 10:13

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.

1 Corinthians 10:21

You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s table and at the table of demons, too.

1 Corinthians 15:33-34

Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all.

2 Corinthians 4:10

Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

Galatians 2:20

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Galatians 4:3-7

And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world. But when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children. And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are His child, God has made you His heir.

Galatians 4:19

Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.

Galatians 5:13, 16-18

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. So, I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

Galatians 5:19-25

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Galatians 6:1

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

Galatians 6:7-8

Don’t be misled – you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.

Ephesians 1:4

Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.

Ephesians 1:7

He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins.

Ephesians 2:19-21

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are His house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself. We are carefully joined together in Him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.

Ephesians 4:11-15

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the church.

Ephesians 4:17-24

With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense or shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew our thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy.

Ephesians 4:25-28

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.

Ephesians 4:29-32

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, He has identified you as His own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 5:1-7

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes – these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey Him. Don’t participate in the things these people do.

Ephesians 5:8-15

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produce s only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” So, be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.

Ephesians 5:18

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:21-24

And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of His body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.

Ephesians 5:25-27

For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up His life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to Himself as a glorious church without a spot or winkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.

Philippians 4:8

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Colossians 1:10, 12-14, 21-23

Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. ..always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light. For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who purchases our freedom and forgave our sins. This includes you who were once far away from God. You were His enemies, separated from Him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now He has reconciled you to Himself through the death of Christ in His physical body. As a result, He has brought you into His own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault. But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it.

Colossians 2:6

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him.

Colossians 3:1-2

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

Colossians 3:5-10

So put death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him.

Colossians 3:12

Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. May He, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all His holy people. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-7

Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already and we encourage you to do so even more. For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor – not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and His ways. Never harm or cheat a fellow believer in this matter by violating his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.

1 Thessalonians 5:15

See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

Test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.

2 Thessalonians 2:13pl;.

As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation – a salvation that came through the Spirit Who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth.

1 Timothy 2:8

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

1 Timothy 4:1-5

Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.

1 Timothy 4:14-16

Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and the salvation of those who hear you.

1 Timothy 6:11

Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

2 Timothy 1:9 

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was His plan from before the beginning of time – to show us His grace through Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:19-22

But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.

Hebrews 2:1-3

So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus Himself and then delivered to us by those who heard Him speak?

Hebrews 2:9, 11

What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because He suffered death for us, He is now “crowned with glory and honor”. Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. So now Jesus and the ones He makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them His brothers and sisters.

Hebrews 2:18-3:1

Since He Himself has gone through suffering and testing, He is able to help us when we are being tested. And so, dear brother and sisters, who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus Whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest.

Hebrews 3:14, 18

For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. And to whom was God speaking when He took an oath that they would never enter His rest? Wasn’t it the people who disobeyed Him?

Hebrews 4:14-16

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Hebrews 5:7-9

While Jesus was here on earth, He offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the One Who could rescue Him from death. And God heard His prayers because of His deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered. In this way, God qualified Him as a perfect High Priest, and He became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him.

Hebrews 5:12-6:1

You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.

Hebrews 7:19

For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Hebrews 9:13-14

Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered Himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Hebrews 9:24-26

For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in Heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. And He did not enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Host Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. Now, once for all time, He has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by His own death as a sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:10, 14

For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. For by that one offering He forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

Hebrews 10:19-22

And so, brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By His death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:23-26

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near. Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Champion Who imitates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Hebrews 12:3-4

Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people, then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

Hebrews 12:9-11

Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the disciplines of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in His holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

Hebrews 12:14-15

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:28

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe.

Hebrews 13:12

So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make His people holy by means of His own blood.

Hebrews 13:20-21

Now may the God of peace – Who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of all sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with His blood – may He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen.

James 1:19-27

Understand this, brothers and sisters, You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says, Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

James 3:2

Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

James 3:13-16

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For where ever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

James 4:1-3

What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong – you want only what will give you pleasure.

James 4:4-8, 10

You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the Spirit He has placed within us should be faithful to Him. As He gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor.

1 Peter 1:1-2

This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and His Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.

1 Peter 1:13-17

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy”. And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of Him during your time here as “temporary residents.”

1 Peter 1:18-19 

For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.

1 Peter 2:1-2

So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment..

1 Peter 2:5, 9

And you are living stones that God is building into His spiritual temple. What’s more, you are His holy priests. Through the meditation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:11-12

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desire that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when He judges the world.

1 Peter 3:10-12

For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and His ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns His face against those who do evil.”

1 Peter 3:15-18

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, then to suffer for doing wrong? Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but He died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but He was raised to life in the Spirit.

1 Peter 4:1

So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude He had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.

1 Peter 4:7-8

The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplines in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:15-16

If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by His Name.

2 Peter: 1:3-4

By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

2 Peter 2:9

So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment.

2 Peter 3:9-14

The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, He will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth He has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in His sight.

1 John 2:1, 3, 6

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin.   But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one Who is truly righteous. And we can be sure that we know Him is we obey His commandments. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

1 John 2:9-11

If anyone claims, “I am living in the light”, but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.

1 John 2:15-17

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But everyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

1 John 2:20, 24, 28-29 (NKJV)

But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you His Spirit, and all of you know the truth. So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son, and with the Father. And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when He returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from Him in shame. Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children.

1 John 3:1-3

See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know Him. Dear friend, we are already God’s children, but He has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as He is pure.

1 John 3:18-22

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and He knows everything. Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. And we will receive from Him whatever we ask because we obey Him and do the things that please Him.

1 John 5:17-18, 21

All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death. We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.

Revelation 22:10-11

Then He instructed me, “Do not seal up the prophetic words in this book, for the time is near. Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.

 

When you let the truth of these scriptures get down inside your spirit, you will get a revelation of what holiness is and how, with the help of the Holy Spirit, it is something you can achieve! Separate yourself from the world, meditate on these scriptures and make a decision to start living holy!

Kenneth Copeland Ministries Website

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Daily Healing Scriptures

When you need healing—you need faith! To activate and grow your faith for healing, the Word of God is a powerful tool in getting the truth down inside your spirit. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God—over and over and over.

The following scriptures, from the New King James Version of the Bible (unless otherwise noted), have helped many get healed and stay healed, again and again. Read them continually to keep your faith for healing high. Most of them originated from a list made by Dodie Osteen, who was healed of terminal liver cancer many years ago. She took them daily like medicine until every symptom was gone, and she still takes them every day to maintain divine health.

“To be spoken by mouth three times a day until faith comes, then once a day to maintain faith. If circumstances grow worse, double the dosage. There are no harmful side effects.”    Charles Capps

Exodus 15:26 

If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases on you which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord who heals you.

Exodus 23:25-26 

So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread, and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.

Deuteronomy 7:14-15 

You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your livestock. And the Lord will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those that hate you.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, and that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him: for He is your life, and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.

1 Kings 8:56 

Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses.

Psalm 91:9-10, 14-16 

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your habitation, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

Because he has set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation.

Psalm 103:1-5 

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 107:17, 19-21 

Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, were afflicted.

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!

Psalm 118:17 

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.

Proverbs 4:20-24 

My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you.

Isaiah 41:10 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed; for I am your God. I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 53:4-5 

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and by His stripes we are healed.

Jeremiah 1:12 

Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word.”

Jeremiah 17:14 

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise.

Jeremiah 30:17 

For I will restore health to you, and heal you of your wounds, says the Lord.

Joel 3:10 

Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, “I am strong.”

Nahum 1:9 

What do you conspire against the Lord? He will make an utter end of it. Affliction will not rise up the second time.

Matthew 8:2-3 

And, behold, a leper came and worshipped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus put out His hand, and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Matthew 8:16-17 

When the evening had come, they brought to Him many that were demon possessed.   And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “He Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses.”

Matthew 15:30-31 

Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them those that were lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them. So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.

Matthew 18:18-19 

Assuredly I say to you, Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.

Matthew 21:21-22 

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, If you have faith and do not doubt, ye will not only do was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed, and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. “And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Mark 9:23 

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Mark 10:27 

But looking at them, Jesus said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

Mark 11:22-24 

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be removed and be cast into the sea; and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass; he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.”

Mark 16:14-18 

Afterward He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Luke 6:19 

And the whole multitude sought to touch Him: for power went out from Him and healed them all.

Luke 9:2 

And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Luke 13:16 

“So sought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound – think of it – for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”

Acts 5:16 

Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Acts 10:38 

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him.

Romans 4:16-21 

Therefore it is of faith that it might according to grace; so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead, and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; who contrary to hope believed, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised, he was able to perform.

Romans 8:2, 11 

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies by His Spirit who dwells in you.

2 Corinthians 4:18 

While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Galatians 3:13-14, 29 

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Ephesians 6:10-17 

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Philippians 2:13 

For it is God Who works in you both to do for His good pleasure.

Philippians 4:6-9

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things. Do those things which you have both learned and received, and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

2 Timothy 1:7 

For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and self control.

Hebrews 10:23 

Let us firmly hold the profession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:35-36 

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which will be greatly rewarded. For you need patience, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive the promise.

Hebrews 11:11 

By faith Sarah herself also received the ability to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

Hebrews 13:8 

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

James 4:7 

There submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 5:14-16 

Is anyone sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another, that you will be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much.

1 Peter 2:24 

He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness. “By His wounds you were healed.”

1 John 3:21-22 

Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, then have we confidence before God. And whatever we ask, we will receive from Him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.

1 John 5:14-15 

This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. So if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have whatever we asked of Him.

3 John 2 

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, even as your soul is well.

Revelation 12:11 

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.