The Bible Recap

Posted on March 2, 2024 by RichWildman

The older I get, the more I realize the importance and power of Scripture (God’s Word).

For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12, NASB1995 and https://biblehub.com/hebrews/4-12.htm).

The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble is a great help in learning about Scripture.

When I heard about it, I was already working on another long-term study, so I have not gone through a whole year of reading the book and listening to the podcast. But it appears to be excellent and is very easy to understand. (Click on the link above for more information.)

Sharon finished going through it and said she got a lot out of studying the Bible this way.

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Larson Farms – The Parents Reminiscence About Dating

Posted on May 18, 2023 by sewildman

Larson Farms has a YouTube channel that I follow. They are a large farm in Minnesota.

This is a video (11 min.) taken with the parents (Doug and Amy) while planting corn. I found their love story interesting and their continued humor with each other inspiring.

My wife and I also dated a lot in the tractor, which was not nearly as comfortable as tractors are now.

For non-farmers who are watching, the various screens are monitoring the planter, which is guided by GPS.

Note from Sharon: In the video, Amy’s right . . . there’s a whole lot more distractions than there were when we were dating!

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Context For Marriage Instructions ~ Colossians 3

Posted on March 24, 2023 by RichWildman

Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them (Colossians 3:1-19, NASB1995).

Colossians 3:1-19 includes two verses about marriage (vv. 18-19). There is tremendous controversy in the church, with much passionate disagreement about whether these two verses support a more traditional view of marriage (where the husband has a leadership role different from his wife) or whether the correct understanding is a more egalitarian view of marriage (where husband and wife have equal leadership roles).

But I don’t plan to get into the various debates about those issues in this post. I want to look at the bigger context of what Paul is saying in chapter 3:1-19.

In the first verses, he gives awe-inspiring comments that both male and female Christians are raised and hidden with Christ in God and will be revealed with Him in glory. Just those two verses are worth slowing down and meditating on.

If we read and put into practice Paul’s instructions for how to live towards our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ (and if our spouse were a Christian, it would include them), think how pleasant our homes would be. They would be filled with compassion, kindness, gentleness, and so many other good things.

It would be great if we followed Paul’s instructions and got rid of things such as anger, malice, abusive speech, and many other negative traits.

Then imagine what it would be like when our spouses and we have decisions to make together, where we see things differently or have different desires – not wrong, just different – if when we were discussing those decisions, we were flowing with compassion, kindness, and gentleness without anger, malice, or abusive speech.

If we really realize who we are in Christ and believe that we will be revealed with Him in glory someday, and we are walking in things such as kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, then when one of us wants to go to the beach for vacation and one wants to go to the mountains for vacation, do you think treating each other with those positive traits might change how we interact with each other and affect the tone of our home?

Maybe the husband sincerely believes in a more traditional view of marriage where he has a special leadership role. Is he going to lay down the law, so to speak, and tell his wife that they are going to the mountains for vacation even though she wants to go to the beach if he is really flowing in the positive traits above and not in the negative ones?

If both spouses believe in an egalitarian marriage, are they going to have a knockdown, drag-out discussion about the beach or mountains until they both agree to have a staycation (because that is all they can agree upon) if they are both overflowing with the positive traits above and have steered clear from the negative ones?

I wonder how much more pleasant our homes and churches would be if we spent more time and energy focused on how to be kind, loving, and forgiving as Paul talks about, rather than debating so hard about who is in charge in those settings.

I hope you see how much this chapter shows us how to live an honorable life as Christian brothers and sisters. If we are doing that well, then how to live as husband and wife, I believe, will naturally fall into their proper place.

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Megyn Kelly and Dr. Laura Podcast

Posted on February 3, 2022 by RichWildman

In the first hour of this Megyn Kelly show, she interviews Dr. Laura and they discuss marriage, parenting, sex, and life. I found it to be a fascinating and thought provoking discussion between two strong women who value marriage, have been through some challenges in life, and are not afraid to share their honest thoughts.  

NOTE: After the first hour, Megyn interviews other guests on other topics. I do not necessarily endorse any of those topics.

The Megyn Kelly Show – Spotify

The Megyn Kelly Show – YouTube

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Beck’s Hybrids Podcast

Posted on February 3, 2022 by RichWildman

Becks is a seed corn company. They sponsor a podcast, Across the Acres, that is typically interviewing employees, dealers and farmers while connecting, challenging and inspiring others often about topics in agriculture.

In this podcast, two Beck’s employees, Adam and Ashley Schultz, who are married to each other, were interviewed. The interview had a light-hearted tone but covered lots of serious topics such as being coworkers at the same company, dating and finding a mate, how to sustain a long-term marriage, love languages and other topics.

What was different about this from most podcasts that I listen to about marriage was that the interviewers were not working in the marriage counseling, or coaching professions, and the couple was not sharing about overcoming a big marriage crisis. They were just sharing about life and marriage in a real way. I thought it was a fun but inspiring show.


Across the Acres Special: Valentine’s Day with Adam and Ashley Schultz

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Couple Checkup by Prepare & Enrich

Posted on November 3, 2020 by sewildman

We have been marriage mentors for several years. One of the resources we often use to help us understand a couple, and for them to understand themselves, is an assessment by Prepare & Enrich. The assessment has been developed from years of research and there are different versions for married, engaged and dating.

Prepare & Enrich does a great job highlighting various strengths and growth areas in a couple’s relationship. You each take an online assessment which asks many questions about things such as finances, communication, sexuality, spirituality, and more. A computer compares your answers, analyzes them, and sends a report to whomever your trained facilitator is. Once your facilitator has the results back, they will review them with you.

Prepare & Enrich now has a shorter version of the assessment available, called The Couple Checkup, that is designed for couples to purchase, take, and review the results on their own without a trained facilitator.

If you are a couple that has a relatively stable relationship, but may have some minor issues to improve upon, the Couple Checkup might be for right you. It works well when you may not have time to locate and meet with a trained facilitator. You can find it here: The Couple Checkup

If you are a couple who is really struggling, I would highly suggest that you find a trained Prepare & Enrich facilitator. If you go through them to purchase your codes, you will also get access to the more advanced version of Prepare & Enrich. Depending on the level of distress you are in and their level of training, the facilitator may be able to give you the support you need. Or they may be able to direct you to more appropriate levels of trained helpers or even a counselor. You can find it here: Prepare & Enrich Assessment

It is amazing how accurate these assessments have been in highlighting the underlying strengths and growth areas both in our own relationship and in the relationships of others we have helped.

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It Was Worth It

Posted on October 27, 2020 by RichWildman

If you have read this blog much, you know that our marriage was very shaky at one time. We had a lot of pain, many struggles, and much work that had to be done to reconcile before we ended up with a different and better marriage than we had before our separation.

I want to say as a way of encouragement to others who may be struggling today in their marriages, the struggle was worth it.

When our son married our daughter-in-law, I was so thankful my wife and I were reconciled. During the ceremony I realized how much more awkward of a day it would have been, and less joyful personally, if Sharon and I had been divorced.

When we have traveled to see our first grandchild out-of-state, I have often been so thankful that we were back together, because again, I realize how much more awkward for everyone it would be if we were divorced.

There is something so special about being together as a couple at milestones in your children’s lives. Yes, we probably would have been adults about the situation, and tried not to spoil our child’s special days with our own drama, but it was much more satisfying to share those special moments together as a couple.

On a practical basis, it is cheaper to travel out-of-state to weddings and grandchildren events as a couple, sharing transportation and hotel room costs.

I have had a few minor health issues in the past few years, and it has been comforting to be married, living with my wife, rather than being alone.

From time to time I think about how much different and more complicated farming would be if we had divorced and what kind of financial setbacks we might have had.

Economic reality is that no matter how much money you and your spouse have together, if you pay a divorce attorney to help you get divorced, you have less of a pile of money to split between you. And if you don’t pay an attorney, there is a good chance you will make financial mistakes that cost one or both of you.

I have watched various friends and relatives go through divorce and some of them re-marry or be in new relationships. I have been at family events when both ex-spouses are present. Some of those events have gone fine with no major drama because both ex-spouses have exercised some maturity. However, I have often sensed an awkwardness on the parts of the ex-spouses, and I have felt sadness on their behalf. I have been at some events where there was major drama between ex-spouses, which is especially sad and hard on everyone.

So, my encouragement if you are in a struggling marriage, is to continue to do all that is within your power, with God’s help, to work through the issues. If by chance you do get divorced, I encourage you to get whatever help you need to truly heal before you get involved in another relationship. The  second and third marriages I have seen that have worked is because the new spouses really took the time and effort to heal their own pain, make changes in their own lives, and do differently in their later marriages than their first.

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Digging Deeper Into Biblical Words ~ Peace

Posted on April 26, 2024 by RichWildman

Observations

Peace comes from God.

The apostles, especially Paul, in spite of all of his various intense trials and in spite of sometimes writing forceful letters of correction, often started with a greeting asking for God’s peace.

A consistent theme is encouraging believers to make choices and to take action to live at peace with one another.

My heart longs for more peace. 

What are your observations about the word peace in the following Scriptures?

Matthew 5:9

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

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Matthew 10:13

If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace.

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Matthew 10:34

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

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Mark 5:34

And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”

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Mark 9:50

Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

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Luke 1:79

To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

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Luke 2:14

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

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Luke 2:29

“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word

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Luke 7:50

And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

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Luke 8:48

And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

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Luke 10:5

Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’

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Luke 10:6

If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.

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Luke 12:51

Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division

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Luke 19:38

shouting: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

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Luke 19:42

saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.

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Luke 24:36

While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and *said to them, “Peace be to you.”

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John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

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John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

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John 20:19

So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and *said to them, “Peace be with you.”

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John 20:21

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

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John 20:26

After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus *came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”

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Acts 7:26

On the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together, and he tried to reconcile them in peace, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren, why do you injure one another?’

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Acts 9:31

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

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Acts 10:36

The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)

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Acts 15:33

After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren in peace to those who had sent them out.

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Acts 16:36

And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The chief magistrates have sent to release you. Therefore come out now and go in peace.”

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Romans 1:7

to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Romans 2:10

but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

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Romans 3:17

And the path of peace they have not known.”

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Romans 5:1

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

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Romans 8:6

For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace

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Romans 12:18

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

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Romans 14:17

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

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Romans 14:19

So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

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Romans 15:13

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Romans 15:33

Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

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Romans 16:20

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

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1 Corinthians 1:3

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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1 Corinthians 7:15

Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace.

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1 Corinthians 14:33

for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

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1 Corinthians 16:11

So let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brethren.

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2 Corinthians 1:2

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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2 Corinthians 13:11

Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

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Galatians 1:3

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

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Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness

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Galatians 6:16

And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

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Ephesians 1:2

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Ephesians 2:14

For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall

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Ephesians 2:15

by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace

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Ephesians 2:17

And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near

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Ephesians 4:3

being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

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Ephesians 6:15

and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace

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Ephesians 6:23

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Philippians 1:2

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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Philippians 4:9

The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

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Colossians 1:2

To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

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Colossians 1:20

and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

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Colossians 3:15

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

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1 Thessalonians 1:1

Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

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1 Thessalonians 5:13

and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

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1 Thessalonians 5:23

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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2 Thessalonians 1:2

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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2 Thessalonians 3:16

Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!

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1 Timothy 1:2

To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

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1 Timothy 3:3

not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.

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2 Timothy 1:2

To Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

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2 Timothy 2:22

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

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Titus 1:4

To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

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Titus 3:2

to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.

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Philemon 1:3

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Hebrews 7:2

to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace.

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Hebrews 11:31

By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.

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Hebrews 12:11

All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

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Hebrews 12:14

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.

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Hebrews 13:20

Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord

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James 2:16

and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

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James 3:17

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

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James 3:18

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

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1 Peter 1:2

according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.

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1 Peter 3:11

“He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it.

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1 Peter 5:14

Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ.

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2 Peter 1:2

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord

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2 Peter 3:14

Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless

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2 John 1:3

Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

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3 John 1:15

Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

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Jude 1:2

May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.

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Revelation 1:4

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne

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Revelation 6:4

And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him.

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New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

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Digging Deeper Into Biblical Words ~ Joy

Posted on April 24, 2024 by RichWildman

Observations

Sometimes joy is just sent from Heaven.

Often joy comes through the Holy Spirit.

Often joy on this earth comes after or through great pain.

Happiness is talked about much more in our culture than joy.

My heart longs for more joy, and I see hints as to how to have more joy.

What are your observations about joy in these passages?

Matthew 2:10

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

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Matthew 13:20

The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy

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Matthew 13:44

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

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Matthew 25:21

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

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Matthew 25:23

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

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Matthew 28:8

And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.

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Mark 4:16

In a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy

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Luke 1:14

You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

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Luke 1:44

For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.

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Luke 2:10

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people

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Luke 6:23

Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.

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Luke 8:13

Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.

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Luke 10:17

The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

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Luke 15:7

I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

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Luke 15:10

In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

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Luke 19:37

As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen

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Luke 24:41

While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”

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Luke 24:52

And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy

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John 3:29

He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full.

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John 15:11

These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

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John 16:20

Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.

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John 16:21

Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.

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John 16:22

Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.

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John 16:24

Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.

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John 17:13

But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.

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Acts 12:14

When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate.

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Acts 13:52

And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

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Acts 15:3

Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren.

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Romans 7:22

For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man

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Romans 14:17

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

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Romans 15:13

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Romans 15:32

so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company.

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2 Corinthians 1:24

Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.

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2 Corinthians 2:3

This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all.

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2 Corinthians 7:4

Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.

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2 Corinthians 7:13

For this reason we have been comforted. And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.

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2 Corinthians 8:2

that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.

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Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness

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Philippians 1:4

always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all

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Philippians 1:25

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith

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Philippians 2:2

make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

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Philippians 2:17

But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.

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Philippians 2:18

You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

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Philippians 2:29

Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard

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Philippians 4:1

Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

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Colossians 1:11

strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously

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1 Thessalonians 1:6

You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit

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1 Thessalonians 2:19

For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?

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1 Thessalonians 2:20

For you are our glory and joy.

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1 Thessalonians 3:9

For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account

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2 Timothy 1:4

longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.

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Philemon 1:7

For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

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Hebrews 10:34

For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one.

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Hebrews 12:2

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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Hebrews 12:11

All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

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Hebrews 13:17

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

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James 1:2

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials

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James 4:9

Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.

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1 Peter 1:8

and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory

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1 John 1:4

These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.

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2 John 1:12

Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made full.

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3 John 1:4

I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

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Jude 1:24

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy

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New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

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Digging Deeper Into Biblical Words ~ Love

Posted on April 22, 2024 by RichWildman

Observations

Love is the most important thing.

Love is a commandment from Jesus.

Love is sacrificial.

Love originates from God.

Love is a lot about action.

Love can be fueled by deep feelings.

There are many words in Scripture to cause people to have passionate disagreements about their meanings, but most of those words are used much less in Scripture than the word Love.

What are your observations about love?

Matthew 5:43

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

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Matthew 5:44

But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

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Matthew 5:46

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

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Matthew 6:24

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

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Matthew 10:37

“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

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Matthew 19:19

Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

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Matthew 22:37

And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

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Matthew 22:39

The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

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Matthew 24:12

Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.

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Mark 10:21

Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

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Mark 12:30

and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’

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Mark 12:31

The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

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Mark 12:33

and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

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Luke 6:27

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

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Luke 6:32

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

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Luke 6:35

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

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Luke 7:42

When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?”

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Luke 7:47

For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

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Luke 10:27

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”

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Luke 11:42

“But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

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Luke 11:43

Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the chief seats in the synagogues and the respectful greetings in the market places.

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Luke 16:13

No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

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Luke 16:14

Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him.

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Luke 20:46

“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets”

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John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

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John 3:35

The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.

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John 5:20

For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel.

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John 5:42

but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves.

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John 8:42

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me.

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John 10:17

For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.

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John 11:3

So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

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John 11:5

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

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John 11:36

So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him!”

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John 12:25

He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.

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John 12:43

for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.

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John 13:1

Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

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John 13:23

There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.

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John 13:34

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

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John 13:35

By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

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John 14:15

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

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 John 14:21

He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”

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 John 14:23

Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.

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 John 14:24

He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.

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 John 14:28

You heard that I said to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

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John 14:31

but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. Get up, let us go from here.

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John 15:9

Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.

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John 15:10

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

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John 15:12

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.

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John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

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John 15:17

This I command you, that you love one another.

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John 15:19

If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.

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John 16:27

for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father.

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John 17:23

I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.

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John 17:24

Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

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John 17:26

and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

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John 19:26

When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He *said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”

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John 20:2

So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”

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John 21:7

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea.

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John 21:15

So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Tend My lambs.”

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John 21:16

He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”

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John 21:17

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

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John 21:20

Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”

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Romans 5:5

and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

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Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

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Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

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Romans 8:35

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

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Romans 8:37

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

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Romans 8:39

nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Romans 12:9

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

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Romans 12:10

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor

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Romans 13:8

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

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Romans 13:9

For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

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Romans 13:10

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

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Romans 14:15

For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.

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Romans 15:30

Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,

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Romans 16:1

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea

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1 Corinthians 2:9

but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”

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1 Corinthians 4:21

What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

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1 Corinthians 8:1

Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.

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1 Corinthians 8:3

but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.

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1 Corinthians 13:1

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

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1 Corinthians 13:2

If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

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1 Corinthians 13:3

And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

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1 Corinthians 13:4

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant

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1 Corinthians 13:8

Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.

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1 Corinthians 13:13

But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

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1 Corinthians 14:1

Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

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1 Corinthians 16:14

Let all that you do be done in love.

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1 Corinthians 16:22

If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha.

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1 Corinthians 16:24

My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

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2 Corinthians 2:4

For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.

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2 Corinthians 2:8

Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.

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2 Corinthians 5:14

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died

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2 Corinthians 6:6

in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love

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2 Corinthians 8:7

But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.

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 2 Corinthians 8:8

I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also.

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 2 Corinthians 8:24

Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.

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2 Corinthians 9:7

Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

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2 Corinthians 11:11

Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

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2 Corinthians 12:15

I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

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2 Corinthians 13:11

Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

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2 Corinthians 13:14

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

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Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

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Galatians 5:6

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

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Galatians 5:13

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

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Galatians 5:14

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

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Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness

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Ephesians 1:4

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love

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Ephesians 1:15

For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints

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Ephesians 2:4

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us

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Ephesians 3:17

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love

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Ephesians 3:19

and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

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Ephesians 4:2

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love

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Ephesians 4:15

but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ

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Ephesians 4:16

from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

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Ephesians 5:2

and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

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Ephesians 5:25

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her

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Ephesians 5:28

So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself

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Ephesians 5:33

Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

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Ephesians 6:23

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Ephesians 6:24

Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.

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Philippians 1:9

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment

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Philippians 1:16

the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel

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Philippians 2:1

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion

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Philippians 2:2

make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

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Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

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Colossians 1:4

since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints

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Colossians 1:8

and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.

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Colossians 2:2

that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself

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Colossians 3:14

Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

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Colossians 3:19

Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.

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1 Thessalonians 1:3

constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father

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1 Thessalonians 3:6

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you

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1 Thessalonians 3:12

and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you

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1 Thessalonians 4:1

Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.

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1 Thessalonians 4:9

Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another

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1 Thessalonians 5:8

But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

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1 Thessalonians 5:13

and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

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2 Thessalonians 1:3

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater

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2 Thessalonians 2:10

and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.

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2 Thessalonians 2:16

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace

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2 Thessalonians 3:5

May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.

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1 Timothy 1:5

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

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1 Timothy 1:14

and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.

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1 Timothy 2:15

But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.

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1 Timothy 4:12

Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

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1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

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1 Timothy 6:11

But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

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2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

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2 Timothy 1:13

Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

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2 Timothy 2:22

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

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2 Timothy 3:10

Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance

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2 Timothy 4:8

in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

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Titus 2:2

Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.

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Titus 2:4

so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children

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Titus 3:4

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared

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Titus 3:15

All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

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Philemon 1:5

because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints

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Philemon 1:7

For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

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Philemon 1:9

yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus

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Hebrews 1:9

“You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness above Your companions.”

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Hebrews 6:10

For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.

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Hebrews 10:24

and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds

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Hebrews 12:6

For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.”

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James 1:12

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

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James 2:5

Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

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James 2:8

If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

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1 Peter 1:8

and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory

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1 Peter 1:22

Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart

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1 Peter 2:17

Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

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1 Peter 3:10

For, “The one who desires life, to love and see good days, Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

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1 Peter 4:1

Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin

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1 Peter 4:8

Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

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1 Peter 5:14

Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ.

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2 Peter 1:7

and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

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1 John 2:5

but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him

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1 John 2:10

The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

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1 John 2:15

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

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1 John 3:1

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

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1 John 3:10

By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.

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1 John 3:11

For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another

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1 John 3:14

We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.

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1 John 3:16

We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

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1 John 3:17

But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?

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1 John 3:18

Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

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1 John 3:23

This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.

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1 John 4:7

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

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1 John 4:8

The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

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1 John 4:9

By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

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1 John 4:10

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

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1 John 4:11

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

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1 John 4:12

No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.

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1 John 4:16

We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

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1 John 4:17

By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.

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1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

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1 John 4:19

We love, because He first loved us.

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1 John 4:20

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.

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1 John 4:21

And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.

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1 John 5:1

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.

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1 John 5:2

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments.

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1 John 5:3

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.

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2 John 1:1

The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth

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2 John 1:3

Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

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2 John 1:5

Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.

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2 John 1:6

And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.

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3 John 1:1

The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

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3 John 1:6

and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

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Jude 1:2

May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.

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Jude 1:17

But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ

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Jude 1:21

keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

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Revelation 1:5

and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood

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Revelation 2:4

But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

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Revelation 2:19

‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.

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Revelation 3:9

Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.

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Revelation 3:19

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.

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Revelation 12:11

And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.

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New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 

by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

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Digging Deeper Into Biblical Words ~ Introduction

Posted on April 22, 2024 by RichWildman

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16, NASB1995).

I’ve searched www.biblegateway.com for certain words in Scripture, such as love, joy, and peace, most often from the New Testament. Then, I copied those references into a Word doc and eliminated any references that did not seem to be germane to the word being studied. I left the links to the context, full chapter, and other translations so you can quickly study further.

I made some observations, but I primarily want the reader to make their own.

If you want to study a specific verse with links to concordances or interlinear Scripture, I highly suggest going to www.Biblehub.com and typing in the verse reference.

So often, when I hear various debates about the meaning of a word in Scripture, one party will mention that the other party took the word out of context, one will emphasize their favorite translation or dismiss other translations, or they will debate about the original Greek.

I like to study for myself. However, I am not enough of a scholar to definitively have my own opinion about which understanding is correct. With all the Bible tools available, I think I can have a stronger understanding of the issues and also more of an inclination of what I think the correct understanding might be or if there are two very valid understandings.

I find BibleGateway great for researching the many uses of the word in Scripture and comparing translations. However, I find www.Biblehub.com better for researching the interlinear Bible, Strong’s definitions, and other deeper studies.

I hope you are inspired to go deeper in your own study of Biblical words and be encouraged, just as I have been. 

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Love Never Fails

Posted on March 31, 2023 by RichWildman

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NASB1995).

When 1 Corinthians 13 is often quoted, verse 8 (“Love never fails”) gets left out. This is unfortunate because if we truly believe love never fails, it can inspire us to love when it is hard.

During our separation, I got to the point where I became convinced that each day my job was to do the best I could, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to love Sharon as laid out in 1 Corinthians 13. I often failed, but I became more and more confident that whether we reconciled our marriage or not, if I were truly loving her, in the long run, there would be wonderful results, even though I did not know what those would be.

Some days loving her was leaving her alone. Somedays, it was showing up at a counseling appointment or a mediation appointment with her and doing my best to be loving in those tough situations. Somedays, loving her was to say no to a dissolution. Every day, loving her included finding hope for us when there appeared to be no hope.

I am so thankful that Jesus brought us back together. We continue to learn how to love one another and others better each day. It is a lifelong journey.

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Secrets Of Sex and Marriage

Posted on March 28, 2023 by RichWildman

Dr. Michael Sytsma and Shaunti Feldhahn have just released a new book titled Secrets of Sex and Marriage.

What is unique is that in preparation for writing the book, they paid for a professional survey of about 500 married couples in which both spouses answered the questions. Many of those questions were about sex, and the researchers could compare the answers of the spouses.

More commonly, research is done where just one spouse answers the survey questions, which provides useful information but just not as complete of a picture as when both spouses are answering the same survey.

The link above for the book has background information about the research and many helpful resources about sex in marriage.

Dr. Corey Allan (Passionately Married Podcast) had a great interview with Systma and Feldhahn about their book (click here).

Shannon Ethridge held separate interviews with Sytsma and Feldhahn.

You can find them here:

The Sytsma Interview

The Feldhahn Interview

One of the biggest takeaways from the book is that there is a broad range of normal regarding sexual frequency and desire.

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Context For Marriage Instructions ~ Ephesians 5

Posted on March 27, 2023 by RichWildman

Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering, and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason, it says,

“Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

Husbands love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband (Ephesians 5, NASB1995).

There is tremendous controversy within the church and Christian marriages about how to interpret Ephesians 5:21-33 as far as roles for husbands and wives in marriage. Most of the passionate disagreement is about what words such as head, submit, love, and respect mean. There are whole books and studies and passionate online discussions about how to interpret the Greek behind these words.

The primary disagreement is whether this passage supports a more traditional view of marriage (where the husband has an authority role or leadership role different than his wife) or whether the husband and wife are true equals in all aspects of their roles (an egalitarian view of marriage).

I want to look back at the context surrounding these verses.

Most of Ephesians 5 is addressed to the whole church (and thus, husbands and wives are included). The thrust of this passage seems to be instructing the church on what to do in life, how their lives should look, and what things to avoid if Christ is living within them.

Some things that both men and women should be doing are walking in love, walking as children of the light, being wise, making the most of our time, being filled with the Spirit, singing songs, hymns, and spiritual songs, and being thankful. When walking in these various attributes, life, relationships, and marriage can be very pleasant even if tough things happen to us or around us.

Paul also warns against greed, immorality, evil deeds, drunkenness, and being foolish. If you have ever been around a secular environment, you may have noticed that it is often not a pleasant place to be. Some of these more blatant sins, such as drunkenness or immorality, may not be part of many Christians’ lives. Still, it is very easy to get sucked into things that Paul warned against in Ephesians 4:31: “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”

When you get sucked into those things in your marriage or in church debates about roles for men and women, it is not a pleasant place filled with love, songs, and hymns.

It seems to me that regardless of what you, your spouse, or theologians believe about the correct interpretation of the various controversial words in Ephesians 5, if we focus on things such as being loving, having a heart of thankfulness, and being filled with hymns, and spiritual songs these other issues are more likely to take their proper place in life.

If you are a man walking in love and thankfulness with songs in your heart and who sincerely believes Scripture teaches that you have a special leadership role in your marriage, you are not going to be saying things like, “I am the head of the family, and I have decided we are going to the mountains for vacation this summer even though I know you want to go to the beach. You just need to go to the mountains with me and be happy.”

And if you are a couple that sincerely believes this passage shows an egalitarian marriage, and you are walking in love and thankfulness with songs in your heart, you are not going to be having a big verbal tug of war between equals as to whether to go to the beach or the mountain on vacation.

It is important to focus on both the big-picture encouragement and the big-picture warnings and then really focus on the specific instructions that apply to us as husband or wife. When we have all of these things in mind and incorporate them into our lives, we are less likely to get so wrapped up in exactly what the most controversial words mean because we will already be focused on living a life of love with our spouse.

Yes, it is still worthwhile to study the more controversial words. Still, I think when we are less focused on having our interpretation be accepted by our spouse and others as the only possible interpretation, we are likely to have a more peaceful life and marriage.

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