Selective readings from The Message, NIV, ESV, and NRSUE bibles.
Colossians 3:16 ESV — Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
John 15:11-17 — These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that they lay down their life for their friends. You are my friends if you do what I commanded of you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his master is doing; but I call you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have told you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
A Word from God I Corinthians 15:3-4
The first thing I did was place before you what was placed so emphatically before me: that the Messiah died for our sins, exactly as Scripture tells it; that he was buried; that he was raised from death on the third day, again exactly as Scripture says;
Psalm 119:13-20 — I delight in the way of your decrees as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your words and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your law; I will not forget your words. Be generous with your servant, so that I may live and observe your word. Open my eyes, so that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. I live as an alien in the land; do not hide your truth from me. My soul is consumed with longing for your ways…
Matthew 28:16-19, Acts 10:36 — Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Jesus Christ is Lord of all
John 8:12 — When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Psalm 81:1-3, James 5:13 — How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
Isaiah 1:18 — Come now let us settle the matter, says the Lord. Though your sins are like Scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red is Crimson, they shall be like wool.
And to repeat from John… but I call you friends, You did not choose me, but I chose you.
Covenant Presbyterian Church 