God of Hope

Whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:27-28).

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13).

Who among [you] does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? (Job 12:9)

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking (James 1:5).

The godly give good advice to their friends. . . . Those who take advice are wise. . . . Plans succeed through good counsel (Proverbs 12:26; 13:10; 20:18).

If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them (James 4:17).

Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. (Proverbs 25:28; 16:32)

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ”Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right (James 2:8).

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 6:16).

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him (James 1:12).

Today I have given you the choice between life and death,  between blessings and curses. . . .Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. . . . But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).