# Meditation For Today > To improve conscious contact with God --- ## Posts - [Speak up](https://bequette.com/speak-up/): Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Proverbs 31:8 (NIV) - [The Glory of the Lord](https://bequette.com/the-glory-of-the-lord/): Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of... - [Save the world](https://bequette.com/save-the-world/): For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through... - [From above](https://bequette.com/from-above/): Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the... - [Humble Service in the Body of Christ](https://bequette.com/humble-service-in-the-body-of-christ/): For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly... - [Hope](https://bequette.com/hope/): We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of... - [An heir](https://bequette.com/an-heir/): What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave,... - [One mind](https://bequette.com/one-mind/): May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ... - [Wisdom](https://bequette.com/wisdom/): But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and... - [God's People](https://bequette.com/gods-people/): God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have... - [Boast in the Lord](https://bequette.com/boast-in-the-lord/): Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human... - [The righteousness of God](https://bequette.com/the-righteousness-of-god/): For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone... - [Take Pride](https://bequette.com/take-pride/): Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their... - [Submit](https://bequette.com/submit/): Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he... - [Can a fig tree bear olives?](https://bequette.com/can-a-fig-tree-bear-olives/): All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no... - [Faith and Deeds](https://bequette.com/faith-and-deeds/): What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such... - [Temptation](https://bequette.com/temptation/): When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me. ” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does... - [Be kind](https://bequette.com/be-kind/): Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV - [The Greatest](https://bequette.com/the-greatest/): At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?... - [The Spirit who gives life](https://bequette.com/the-spirit-who-gives-life/): Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of... - [For this is right](https://bequette.com/for-this-is-right/): Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment... - [Rejoice always](https://bequette.com/rejoice-always/): Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other... - [That you may be healed](https://bequette.com/that-you-may-be-healed/): Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer... - [The peace of God](https://bequette.com/the-peace-of-god/): Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to... - [The fullness of God](https://bequette.com/the-fullness-of-god/): I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner... - [A Living Sacrifice](https://bequette.com/a-living-sacrifice/): Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,... - [According to His will](https://bequette.com/according-to-his-will/): This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears... - [Faith in Action](https://bequette.com/faith-in-action-2/): Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what... - [Speaking the truth](https://bequette.com/speaking-the-truth/): Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by... - [Their religion is worthless](https://bequette.com/their-religion-is-worthless/): Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their... - [A servant](https://bequette.com/a-servant/): In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did... - [A sinner](https://bequette.com/a-sinner/): When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at... - [Do right](https://bequette.com/do-right/): Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of... - [He is the one](https://bequette.com/he-is-the-one/): To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ... - [Be Holy](https://bequette.com/be-holy/): Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you... - [Each of us](https://bequette.com/each-of-us/): You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we... - [Without excuse](https://bequette.com/without-excuse/): For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood... - [My Father](https://bequette.com/my-father/): My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they... - [A mystery](https://bequette.com/a-mystery/): I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the... - [The heavenly man](https://bequette.com/the-heavenly-man/): The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in... - [The hour has already come](https://bequette.com/the-hour-has-already-come/): The Day Is Near And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake... - [Lord of all](https://bequette.com/lord-of-all/): Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by... - [God is stronger](https://bequette.com/god-is-stronger/): Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has... - [Love Fulfills the Law](https://bequette.com/love-fulfills-the-law/): Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the... - [Your stand](https://bequette.com/your-stand/): Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and... - [Accountable](https://bequette.com/accountable/): Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every... - [Follow me](https://bequette.com/follow-me/): Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross... - [He himself](https://bequette.com/he-himself/): “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live... - [The Son](https://bequette.com/the-son/): The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his... - [Life Through Christ](https://bequette.com/life-through-christ/): Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin,... - [Live by faith](https://bequette.com/live-by-faith/): “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified... - [What love is](https://bequette.com/what-love-is/): This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to... - [Christ’s love](https://bequette.com/christs-love/): For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. - [My refuge](https://bequette.com/my-refuge/): My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Psalm 62:7 NIV - [The Burial](https://bequette.com/the-burial/): The Burial of Jesus As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become... - [At just the right time](https://bequette.com/at-just-the-right-time/): You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will... - [They will condemn him to death](https://bequette.com/they-will-condemn-him-to-death/): Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We... - [He hears us](https://bequette.com/he-hears-us/): I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may... - [For our transgressions](https://bequette.com/for-our-transgressions/): But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was... - [He was despised](https://bequette.com/he-was-despised/): He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people... - [The new is here](https://bequette.com/the-new-is-here/): So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in... - [There is one God](https://bequette.com/there-is-one-god/): For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as... - [Jesus Has Risen](https://bequette.com/jesus-has-risen/): Jesus Has Risen After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other... - [The evidence](https://bequette.com/the-evidence/): Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us. ” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know... - [If we confess](https://bequette.com/if-we-confess/): If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess... - [The gift of God](https://bequette.com/the-gift-of-god/): I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves... - [Trials](https://bequette.com/trials/): Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the... - [The Armor of God](https://bequette.com/the-armor-of-god/): Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that... - [Do not let your hearts be troubled](https://bequette.com/do-not-let-your-hearts-be-troubled/): “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many... - [Obvious](https://bequette.com/obvious/): The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of... - [Wake up](https://bequette.com/wake-up/): But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is... - [With one mind](https://bequette.com/with-one-mind/): We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of... - [The Lord is my shepherd](https://bequette.com/the-lord-is-my-shepherd/): The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth... - [Dearly Loved](https://bequette.com/dearly-loved/): Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12... - [by the name of Jesus](https://bequette.com/by-the-name-of-jesus/): Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being... - [I am with you always](https://bequette.com/i-am-with-you-always/): Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore... - [In all things](https://bequette.com/in-all-things/): And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been... - [Precious promises](https://bequette.com/precious-promises/): His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called... - [Know](https://bequette.com/know/): Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to... - [Always be prepared](https://bequette.com/always-be-prepared/): But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you... - [Grace was given us](https://bequette.com/grace-was-given-us/): He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of... - [The Father of Compassion](https://bequette.com/the-father-of-compassion/): Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of... - [Lead me](https://bequette.com/lead-me/): Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive... - [Common to mankind](https://bequette.com/common-to-mankind/): No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you... - [Please the Spirit](https://bequette.com/please-the-spirit/): Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh,... - [Be strong](https://bequette.com/be-strong/): Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord... - [The Power of God](https://bequette.com/the-power-of-god/): For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved... - [To save sinners](https://bequette.com/to-save-sinners-2/): The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in... - [Value others](https://bequette.com/value-others/): Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your... - [You believe in God](https://bequette.com/you-believe-in-god/): “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many... - [Not timid](https://bequette.com/not-timid/): For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy... - [The Son of Man](https://bequette.com/the-son-of-man/): No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses... - [Teacher](https://bequette.com/teacher/): “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? ” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your... - [His one and only Son](https://bequette.com/his-one-and-only-son/): This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that... - [Seek me and find me](https://bequette.com/you-will-seek-me-and-find-me/): For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm... - [Be content](https://bequette.com/be-content/): But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out... - [No fear](https://bequette.com/no-fear/): There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The... - [The fulfillment](https://bequette.com/the-fulfillment/): The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and... - [He is faithful](https://bequette.com/he-is-faithful/): If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess... - [Dear friends](https://bequette.com/dear-friends/): Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God;... - [The love of God](https://bequette.com/the-love-of-god/): For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor... - [Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness](https://bequette.com/light-and-darkness-sin-and-forgiveness/): This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is... - [The Incarnation of the Word of Life](https://bequette.com/the-incarnation-of-the-word-of-life/): That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have... - [Prayer](https://bequette.com/prayer/): “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and... - [Dear Friends](https://bequette.com/dear-friends-2/): God’s Love and Ours: This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. - [To save the world](https://bequette.com/to-save-the-world/): For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall... - [Even as I am](https://bequette.com/even-as-i-am/): For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When... - [Love](https://bequette.com/love/): Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does... - [I gain nothing](https://bequette.com/i-gain-nothing/): If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a... - [Faith in Action](https://bequette.com/faith-in-action/): Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what... - [Love your enemies](https://bequette.com/love-your-enemies/): “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ’ But I tell you, love... - [In your relationships](https://bequette.com/in-your-relationships/): In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did... - [The gate](https://bequette.com/the-gate/): All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am... - [He said](https://bequette.com/he-said-2/): “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no... - [Be careful](https://bequette.com/be-careful/): See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and... - [Submit to Him](https://bequette.com/submit-to-him-3/): Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit... - [The Spirit](https://bequette.com/the-spirit-4/): None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord... - [The love of money](https://bequette.com/the-love-of-money-2/): For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered... - [Take courage](https://bequette.com/take-courage/): He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out... - [When you relied on the Lord](https://bequette.com/when-you-relied-on-the-lord/): At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: “Because you relied on... - [The servant](https://bequette.com/the-servant/): They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the... - [A living hope](https://bequette.com/a-living-hope/): Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us... - [The bread of life](https://bequette.com/the-bread-of-life-2/): Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes... - [The Lamb's book](https://bequette.com/the-lambs-book/): I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.... - [The peace of God](https://bequette.com/the-peace-of-god-3/): Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord... - [Be joyful](https://bequette.com/be-joyful/): For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly... - [You must believe](https://bequette.com/you-must-believe/): Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the... - [The Sheep and the Goats](https://bequette.com/the-sheep-and-the-goats/): “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his... - [Do good](https://bequette.com/do-good/): Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person... - [Who condemns](https://bequette.com/who-condemns/): He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along... - [The narrow gate](https://bequette.com/the-narrow-gate/): “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and... - [God is faithful](https://bequette.com/god-is-faithful/): Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and... - [The bread of life](https://bequette.com/the-bread-of-life/): Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes... - [The Armor of God](https://bequette.com/the-armor-of-god-3/): Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that... - [In the law](https://bequette.com/in-the-law/): but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the... - [God is Love](https://bequette.com/god-is-love/): If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so... - [The new creation](https://bequette.com/the-new-creation-2/): So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in... - [He committed no sin](https://bequette.com/he-committed-no-sin/): “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. ” When they hurled their insults at him,... - [The night is nearly over](https://bequette.com/the-night-is-nearly-over/): The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and... - [Be holy](https://bequette.com/be-holy-2/): As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as... - [Wake up](https://bequette.com/wake-up-2/): For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the... - [The peace of God](https://bequette.com/the-peace-of-god-2/): Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord... - [The gift of God](https://bequette.com/the-gift-of-god-2/): As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed... - [Forever](https://bequette.com/forever/): For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from... - [Why do you worry](https://bequette.com/why-do-you-worry/): Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little... - [The reality](https://bequette.com/the-reality/): So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built... - [While we wait](https://bequette.com/while-we-wait/): For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to... - [God's will for you](https://bequette.com/gods-will-for-you/): And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,... - [The old has gone](https://bequette.com/the-old-has-gone/): So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in... - [God's invisible qualities](https://bequette.com/gods-invisible-qualities/): For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood... - [My Father's house](https://bequette.com/my-fathers-house/): “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many... - [Lord, show us](https://bequette.com/lord-show-us/): Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through... - [The Father Revealed in the Son](https://bequette.com/the-father-revealed-in-the-son/): At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things... - [A sacrifice](https://bequette.com/a-sacrifice/): This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and... - [Be ready](https://bequette.com/be-ready/): “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a... - [The Lord](https://bequette.com/the-lord/): Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke... - [He was named Jesus](https://bequette.com/he-was-named-jesus/): When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem... - [New birth](https://bequette.com/new-birth/): Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us... - [The true light](https://bequette.com/the-true-light/): The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though... - [Glorious Grace](https://bequette.com/glorious-grace/): Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms... - [We understand](https://bequette.com/we-understand/): Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what... - [Run the race](https://bequette.com/run-the-race/): Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and... - [To bring salvation](https://bequette.com/to-bring-salvation/): For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one;... - [Walk in love](https://bequette.com/walk-in-love/): And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his... - [Through Him](https://bequette.com/through-him/): Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— the... - [The Son of God](https://bequette.com/the-son-of-god-2/): But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive... - [Fully Human](https://bequette.com/fully-human/): Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus... - [Fix your thoughts](https://bequette.com/fix-your-thoughts/): Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as... - [God's final word](https://bequette.com/gods-final-word/): In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in... - [The Son of God](https://bequette.com/the-son-of-god/): The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were... - [Hearing and understanding](https://bequette.com/hearing-and-understanding/): They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he... - [The faith of the centurion](https://bequette.com/the-faith-of-the-centurion/): When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion’s servant,... - [The good news](https://bequette.com/the-good-news/): Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever,... - [Forevermore!](https://bequette.com/forevermore/): But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep... - [Add to your faith](https://bequette.com/add-to-your-faith/): His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called... - [Who will be saved?](https://bequette.com/who-will-be-saved/): Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by... - [God's mercy](https://bequette.com/gods-mercy/): What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy... - [Do not](https://bequette.com/do-not/): “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and... - [The birth of Jesus](https://bequette.com/the-birth-of-jesus/): This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to... - [Prayer of Faith](https://bequette.com/prayer-of-faith/): Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone... - [Submit to God](https://bequette.com/submit-to-god/): What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but... - [Wisdom](https://bequette.com/wisdom-2/): Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the... - [Mercy triumphs](https://bequette.com/mercy-triumphs-2/): My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into... - [Don't be deceived](https://bequette.com/dont-be-deceived/): When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me. ” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does... - [Rejoice in the Lord](https://bequette.com/rejoice-2/): Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord... - [Be thankful](https://bequette.com/be-thankful/): Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.... - [Overflowing with thankfulness](https://bequette.com/overflowing-with-thankfulness/): So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built... - [Do good to all](https://bequette.com/do-good-to-all/): Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh,... - [Give thanks](https://bequette.com/give-thanks/): Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through... - [Now](https://bequette.com/now/): The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Philemon 25 (NIV) - [Be alert](https://bequette.com/be-alert/): Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety... - [Love one another](https://bequette.com/love-one-another-4/): For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from... - [Love in Action](https://bequette.com/love-in-action-2/): Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love.... - [With your heart](https://bequette.com/with-your-heart/): If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the... - [The stumbling stone](https://bequette.com/the-stumbling-stone/): What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is... - [We know](https://bequette.com/we-know/): And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been... - [We wait](https://bequette.com/we-wait/): I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For... - [God's children](https://bequette.com/gods-children/): For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does... - [The Spirit gives life](https://bequette.com/the-spirit-gives-life/): Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live... - [According to the Spirit](https://bequette.com/according-to-the-spirit-2/): Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of... - [Thanks be to God](https://bequette.com/thanks-be-to-god/): So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For... - [My sinful nature](https://bequette.com/my-sinful-nature/): We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not... - [We believe](https://bequette.com/we-believe/): Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since... - [Set free](https://bequette.com/set-free/): Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We... - [Christ died for us](https://bequette.com/christ-died-for-us/): You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will... - [Righteousness Through Faith](https://bequette.com/righteousness-through-faith/): But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the... - [Fruit of the Spirit](https://bequette.com/fruit-of-the-spirit/): But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things... - [Spirit led](https://bequette.com/spirit-led/): So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh... - [What I am saying](https://bequette.com/what-i-am-saying/): What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave,... - [By faith](https://bequette.com/by-faith/): Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith. ”... - [Your enemy](https://bequette.com/your-enemy/): Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to... - [What I believe](https://bequette.com/what-i-believe/): I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son,... - [A living sacrifice](https://bequette.com/a-living-sacrifice-2/): Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,... - [Praise God](https://bequette.com/praise-god/): Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us... - [Nothing is hidden](https://bequette.com/nothing-is-hidden/): For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul... - [Love one another](https://bequette.com/love-one-another-3/): “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my... - [The Lord is my helper](https://bequette.com/the-lord-is-my-helper/): Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,... - [Without reason](https://bequette.com/without-reason/): “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it... - [Jesus Christ is Lord](https://bequette.com/jesus-christ-is-lord/): In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did... - [You know him](https://bequette.com/you-know-him/): And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you... - [We don't know](https://bequette.com/we-dont-know/): They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of... - [Stand up](https://bequette.com/stand-up/): Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were... - [Authority](https://bequette.com/authority/): “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone? ” Immediately Jesus knew... - [God is light](https://bequette.com/god-is-light/): This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is... - [According to the Spirit](https://bequette.com/according-to-the-spirit/): Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of... - [The hour has come](https://bequette.com/the-hour-has-come/): After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your... - [Love one another](https://bequette.com/love-one-another-2/): “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.... - [Be transformed](https://bequette.com/be-transformed/): Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you... - [Father of all](https://bequette.com/father-of-all/): Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity... - [Expel the wicked](https://bequette.com/expel-the-wicked/): I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people — not at all meaning the... - [The same God](https://bequette.com/the-same-god/): There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the... - [Humble yourselves](https://bequette.com/humble-yourselves/): To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will... - [Believe in him](https://bequette.com/believe-in-him/): Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed... - [What is unseen is eternal](https://bequette.com/what-is-unseen-is-eternal/): It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken. ” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also... - [Amen](https://bequette.com/amen/): “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the... - [Seek the Lord](https://bequette.com/seek-the-lord/): Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their... - [Be careful](https://bequette.com/be-careful-2/): “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth... - [Invitation](https://bequette.com/invitation/): “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what... - [Faithful and wise](https://bequette.com/faithful-and-wise/): “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his... - [Eye for Eye](https://bequette.com/eye-for-eye/): “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. ’ But I tell you, do... - [Love may abound](https://bequette.com/love-may-abound/): And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so... - [The verdict](https://bequette.com/the-verdict/): This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds... - [The thoughts of God](https://bequette.com/the-thoughts-of-god/): However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind... - [A Warning Against Hypocrisy](https://bequette.com/a-warning-against-hypocrisy/): Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in... - [One flock and one shepherd](https://bequette.com/one-flock-and-one-shepherd/): “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me... - [An advocate](https://bequette.com/an-advocate/): My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we... - [Beware](https://bequette.com/beware/): While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like... - [Justified through faith](https://bequette.com/justified-through-faith/): Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom... - [May God](https://bequette.com/may-god/): May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ... - [Grace, Love, Fellowship](https://bequette.com/grace-love-fellowship/): May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit... - [Come to me](https://bequette.com/come-to-me/): “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no... - [Are you willing](https://bequette.com/are-you-willing/): When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him... - [Blessings and Woes](https://bequette.com/blessings-and-woes/): He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and... - [Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand](https://bequette.com/jesus-feeds-the-five-thousand/): When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds... - [Hidden Treasure](https://bequette.com/hidden-treasure-2/): “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again,... - [A Lamp on a Stand](https://bequette.com/a-lamp-on-a-stand/): He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead,... - [The Parable of the Good Samaritan](https://bequette.com/the-parable-of-the-good-samaritan/): On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do... - [The Word](https://bequette.com/the-word/): The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon... - [I am He](https://bequette.com/i-am-he/): “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor... - [It will be done](https://bequette.com/it-will-be-done/): In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said... - [I live](https://bequette.com/i-live/): Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and... - [Faith in Action](https://bequette.com/faith-in-action-4/): Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what... - [By your words](https://bequette.com/by-your-words/): “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be... - [Reconciled](https://bequette.com/reconcilled/): Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he... - [Mind your own business](https://bequette.com/mind-your-own-business/): and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with... - [Glorify God](https://bequette.com/glorify-god/): May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ... - [I am with you](https://bequette.com/i-am-with-you/): Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore... - [What sign](https://bequette.com/what-sign/): In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So... - [Rejoice](https://bequette.com/rejoice/): Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do... - [I lack nothing](https://bequette.com/i-lack-nothing/): The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside... - [The Word Became Flesh](https://bequette.com/the-word-became-flesh-2/): In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with... - [By grace, through faith](https://bequette.com/by-grace-through-faith/): But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even... - [A time is coming](https://bequette.com/a-time-is-coming/): “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language... - [The works God requires](https://bequette.com/the-work-of-god/): Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires? ” Jesus answered, “The work of... - [Keep watch](https://bequette.com/keep-watch-2/): “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the... - [One body](https://bequette.com/one-body/): For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the... - [The Armor of God](https://bequette.com/the-armor-of-god-2/): Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that... - [Slaves to Righteousness](https://bequette.com/slaves-to-righteousness/): What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you... - [Sonship](https://bequette.com/sonship/): Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For... - [Through the Spirit](https://bequette.com/through-the-spirit/): Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of... - [Keep watch](https://bequette.com/keep-watch/): “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he... - [The Fulfillment of the Law](https://bequette.com/the-fulfillment-of-the-law/): “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish... - [To you who believe](https://bequette.com/to-you-who-believe/): I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may... - [What shall I choose](https://bequette.com/what-shall-i-choose/): I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that... - [Who is approved](https://bequette.com/who-is-approved/): But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord. ” For it is not the one who commends himself... - [To save sinners](https://bequette.com/to-save-sinners/): Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I... - [Worthy is the Lamb](https://bequette.com/worthy-is-the-lamb/): Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.... - [You created all things](https://bequette.com/you-created-all-things/): “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and... - [Love one another](https://bequette.com/love-one-another/): “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.... - [Be kind](https://bequette.com/be-kind-2/): Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) - [Seek peace](https://bequette.com/seek-peace/): For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful... - [Do Not Worry](https://bequette.com/do-not-worry/): “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body,... - [There was a rich man](https://bequette.com/there-was-a-rich-man/): “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At... - [Father, I thank you](https://bequette.com/father-i-thank-you/): When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if... - [The Spirit](https://bequette.com/the-spirit-3/): None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord... - [Believe in your heart](https://bequette.com/believe-in-your-heart/): Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by... - [Have hope](https://bequette.com/have-hope/): For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in... - [God's will](https://bequette.com/gods-will/): “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and... - [The Almighty](https://bequette.com/the-almighty/): “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to... - [God and money](https://bequette.com/god-and-money/): “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be... - [Grace and truth](https://bequette.com/grace-and-truth/): Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given... - [The Word became flesh](https://bequette.com/the-word-became-flesh/): The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though... - [Let your light shine](https://bequette.com/let-your-light-shine/): “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light... - [Believe](https://bequette.com/believe/): Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has... - [Press on](https://bequette.com/press-on/): Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do:... - [Perfecter of faith](https://bequette.com/perfecter-of-faith/): Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and... - [Faith in Action](https://bequette.com/faith-in-action-3/): Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what... - [Live free](https://bequette.com/live-free/): Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,... - [No one can boast](https://bequette.com/no-one-can-boast/): For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift... - [Be content](https://bequette.com/be-content-2/): they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in... - [My sheep](https://bequette.com/my-sheep/): My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they... - [Tell us](https://bequette.com/tell-us/): The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are... - [Take heart](https://bequette.com/take-heart/): Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralyzed... - [Two Kinds of Wisdom](https://bequette.com/two-kinds-of-wisdom/): Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the... - [Mercy triumphs](https://bequette.com/mercy-triumphs/): If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But... - [Do not be afraid](https://bequette.com/do-not-be-afraid/): “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do... - [In Christ](https://bequette.com/in-christ/): See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and... - [Listening and Doing](https://bequette.com/listening-and-doing/): My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow... - [Jesus](https://bequette.com/jesus-2/): Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at... - [The Advocate](https://bequette.com/the-advocate/): But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away,... - [Testing](https://bequette.com/testing/): Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by... - [Ask him](https://bequette.com/ask-him-2/): “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he... - [He cares for you](https://bequette.com/he-cares-for-you/): Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety... - [The Spirit](https://bequette.com/the-spirit-2/): Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17... - [You have been healed](https://bequette.com/you-have-been-healed/): “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live... - [Remember](https://bequette.com/remember/): And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for... - [Holy Spirit](https://bequette.com/holy-spirit/): But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away,... - [When I am weak](https://bequette.com/when-i-am-weak/): Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth.... - [The power of death](https://bequette.com/the-power-of-death/): Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might... - [Freely give](https://bequette.com/freely-give/): These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of... - [At the Home of Martha and Mary](https://bequette.com/at-the-home-of-martha-and-mary/): As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened... - [What must I do?](https://bequette.com/what-must-i-do/): On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “What must I do? Teacher,” he asked,... - [Freedom in Christ](https://bequette.com/freedom-in-christ/): So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again... - [Ask, seek, knock](https://bequette.com/ask-seek-knock/): “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened... - [The Gate](https://bequette.com/the-gate-2/): Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come... - [In the past](https://bequette.com/in-the-past/): God’s Final Word: In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and God’s Final Word - [Who is the greatest](https://bequette.com/who-is-the-greatest/): An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took... - [The Temple Tax](https://bequette.com/the-temple-tax/): After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked,... - [He saved us](https://bequette.com/he-saved-us/): He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through... - [Power](https://bequette.com/power/): I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner... - [Greetings](https://bequette.com/greetings/): Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And... - [Listen to me](https://bequette.com/listen-to-me/): Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body - [My Lord and my God](https://bequette.com/my-lord-and-my-god/): Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God! ” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you... - [Blessed](https://bequette.com/blessed/): What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. ” Now to the one... - [What good is it](https://bequette.com/what-good-is-it/): For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the... - [The Kingdom of God](https://bequette.com/the-kingdom-of-god/): Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the... - [Free indeed](https://bequette.com/free-indeed/): Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no... - [Do what pleases Him](https://bequette.com/do-what-pleases-him/): “Who are you? ” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. “I have... - [If you knew me](https://bequette.com/if-you-knew-me/): Then they asked him, “Where is your father? ” “You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If... - [Moses commanded us to stone such women](https://bequette.com/amazing-grace/): Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people... - [Ask Him](https://bequette.com/ask-him/): If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will... - [How you should pray](https://bequette.com/how-you-should-pray/): “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will... - [Hidden Treasure](https://bequette.com/hidden-treasure/): “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again,... - [Forgive](https://bequette.com/forgive/): Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the... - [Nothing will be impossible](https://bequette.com/nothing-will-be-impossible/): “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up... - [Sin](https://bequette.com/sin/): “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they... - [The revelation of the mystery](https://bequette.com/the-revelation-of-the-mystery/): Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus... - [I pray](https://bequette.com/i-pray/): I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner... - [Give thanks to God](https://bequette.com/give-thanks-to-god/): One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully... - [One person's faith](https://bequette.com/one-persons-faith/): Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything,... - [The fulfillment](https://bequette.com/the-fulfillment-2/): Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the... - [Love in Action](https://bequette.com/love-in-action/): Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love.... - [The old order](https://bequette.com/the-old-order/): I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully... - [Perfect Will](https://bequette.com/perfect-will/): Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,... - [Treasures in Heaven](https://bequette.com/treasures-in-heaven/): “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and... - [Jesus](https://bequette.com/jesus/): Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe... --- # # Detailed Content ## Posts ### Speak up - Published: 2025-06-05 - Modified: 2025-06-05 - URL: https://bequette.com/speak-up/ - Categories: The Word Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Proverbs 31:8 (NIV) --- ### The Glory of the Lord - Published: 2025-06-04 - Modified: 2025-06-04 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-glory-of-the-lord/ - Categories: The Word Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:28-29 (NIV) --- ### Save the world - Published: 2025-06-03 - Modified: 2025-06-03 - URL: https://bequette.com/save-the-world/ - Categories: The Word For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17 NIV --- ### From above - Published: 2025-06-02 - Modified: 2025-06-02 - URL: https://bequette.com/from-above/ - Categories: The Word Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:16-18 (NIV) --- ### Humble Service in the Body of Christ - Published: 2025-06-01 - Modified: 2025-06-01 - URL: https://bequette.com/humble-service-in-the-body-of-christ/ - Categories: The Word For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:3-8 (NIV) --- ### Hope - Published: 2025-05-31 - Modified: 2025-05-31 - URL: https://bequette.com/hope/ - Categories: The Word We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. ” For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:1-4 (NIV) --- ### An heir - Published: 2025-05-30 - Modified: 2025-05-30 - URL: https://bequette.com/an-heir/ - Categories: The Word What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father. ” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:1-7 (NIV) --- ### One mind - Published: 2025-05-29 - Modified: 2025-05-29 - URL: https://bequette.com/one-mind/ - Categories: The Word May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6 NIV --- ### Wisdom - Published: 2025-05-28 - Modified: 2025-05-28 - URL: https://bequette.com/wisdom/ - Categories: The Word But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18 NIV --- ### God's People - Published: 2025-05-27 - Modified: 2025-05-27 - URL: https://bequette.com/gods-people/ - Categories: The Word God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10 NIV --- ### Boast in the Lord - Published: 2025-05-26 - Modified: 2025-05-26 - URL: https://bequette.com/boast-in-the-lord/ - Categories: The Word Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord. ” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV) --- ### The righteousness of God - Published: 2025-05-25 - Modified: 2025-05-25 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-righteousness-of-god/ - Categories: The Word For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith. " Romans 1:16-17 (NIV) --- ### Take Pride - Published: 2025-05-24 - Modified: 2025-05-24 - URL: https://bequette.com/take-pride/ - Categories: The Word Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. James 1:9-11 (NIV) --- ### Submit - Published: 2025-05-23 - Modified: 2025-05-23 - URL: https://bequette.com/submit/ - Categories: The Word Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:7-10 (NIV) --- ### Can a fig tree bear olives? - Published: 2025-05-22 - Modified: 2025-05-22 - URL: https://bequette.com/can-a-fig-tree-bear-olives/ - Categories: The Word All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:7-12 (NIV) --- ### Faith and Deeds - Published: 2025-05-21 - Modified: 2025-05-21 - URL: https://bequette.com/faith-and-deeds/ - Categories: The Word What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-17 (NIV) --- ### Temptation - Published: 2025-05-20 - Modified: 2025-05-20 - URL: https://bequette.com/temptation/ - Categories: The Word When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me. ” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:13-15 (NIV) --- ### Be kind - Published: 2025-05-19 - Modified: 2025-05-19 - URL: https://bequette.com/be-kind/ - Categories: The Word Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV --- ### The Greatest - Published: 2025-05-18 - Modified: 2025-05-18 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-greatest/ - Categories: The Word At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? ” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. Matthew 18:1-5 (NIV) --- ### The Spirit who gives life - Published: 2025-05-17 - Modified: 2025-05-17 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-spirit-who-gives-life/ - Categories: The Word Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 NIV --- ### For this is right - Published: 2025-05-16 - Modified: 2025-05-16 - URL: https://bequette.com/for-this-is-right/ - Categories: The Word Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. ” Ephesians 6:1-3 (NIV) --- ### Rejoice always - Published: 2025-05-15 - Modified: 2025-05-15 - URL: https://bequette.com/rejoice-always/ - Categories: The Word Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:15-19 (NIV) --- ### That you may be healed - Published: 2025-05-14 - Modified: 2025-05-14 - URL: https://bequette.com/that-you-may-be-healed/ - Categories: The Word Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 NIV --- ### The peace of God - Published: 2025-05-13 - Modified: 2025-05-13 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-peace-of-god/ - Categories: The Word Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV --- ### The fullness of God - Published: 2025-05-12 - Modified: 2025-05-12 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-fullness-of-god/ - Categories: The Word I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV) --- ### A Living Sacrifice - Published: 2025-05-11 - Modified: 2025-05-11 - URL: https://bequette.com/a-living-sacrifice/ - Categories: The Word Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) --- ### According to His will - Published: 2025-05-10 - Modified: 2025-05-10 - URL: https://bequette.com/according-to-his-will/ - Categories: The Word This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15 NIV --- ### Faith in Action - Published: 2025-05-09 - Modified: 2025-05-09 - URL: https://bequette.com/faith-in-action-2/ - Categories: The Word Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away. ” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:1-6 (NIV) --- ### Speaking the truth - Published: 2025-05-08 - Modified: 2025-05-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/speaking-the-truth/ - Categories: The Word Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:14-16 (NIV) --- ### Their religion is worthless - Published: 2025-05-07 - Modified: 2025-05-07 - URL: https://bequette.com/their-religion-is-worthless/ - Categories: The Word Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:26-27 (NIV) --- ### A servant - Published: 2025-05-06 - Modified: 2025-05-06 - URL: https://bequette.com/a-servant/ - Categories: The Word In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8 NIV --- ### A sinner - Published: 2025-05-05 - Modified: 2025-05-05 - URL: https://bequette.com/a-sinner/ - Categories: The Word When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today. ” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner. ” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount. ” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. ” Luke 19:5-10 (NIV) --- ### Do right - Published: 2025-05-04 - Modified: 2025-05-04 - URL: https://bequette.com/do-right/ - Categories: The Word Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow Isaiah 1:17 (NIV) --- ### He is the one - Published: 2025-05-03 - Modified: 2025-05-03 - URL: https://bequette.com/he-is-the-one/ - Categories: The Word To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:27-29 NIV --- ### Be Holy - Published: 2025-05-02 - Modified: 2025-05-02 - URL: https://bequette.com/be-holy/ - Categories: The Word Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy. ” Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God 1 Peter 1:13-23 (NIV) --- ### Each of us - Published: 2025-05-01 - Modified: 2025-05-01 - URL: https://bequette.com/each-of-us/ - Categories: The Word You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God. ’” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Romans 14:10-12 (NIV) --- ### Without excuse - Published: 2025-04-30 - Modified: 2025-04-30 - URL: https://bequette.com/without-excuse/ - Categories: The Word For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20 NIV --- ### My Father - Published: 2025-04-29 - Modified: 2025-04-29 - URL: https://bequette.com/my-father/ - Categories: The Word My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one. ” John 10:27-30 (NIV) --- ### A mystery - Published: 2025-04-28 - Modified: 2025-04-29 - URL: https://bequette.com/a-mystery/ - Categories: The Word I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. ” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? ” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:50-57 (NIV) --- ### The heavenly man - Published: 2025-04-27 - Modified: 2025-04-27 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-heavenly-man/ - Categories: The Word The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man. 1 Corinthians 15:41-49 (NIV) --- ### The hour has already come - Published: 2025-04-26 - Modified: 2025-04-26 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-hour-has-already-come/ - Categories: The Word The Day Is Near And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:11-14 (NIV) --- ### Lord of all - Published: 2025-04-25 - Modified: 2025-04-25 - URL: https://bequette.com/lord-of-all/ - Categories: The Word Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them. ” But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven? ’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘ Who will descend into the deep? ’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame. ” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. ” Romans 10:5-13 (NIV) --- ### God is stronger - Published: 2025-04-24 - Modified: 2025-04-24 - URL: https://bequette.com/god-is-stronger/ - Categories: The Word Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. 1 Corinthians 1:20-25 (NIV) --- ### Love Fulfills the Law - Published: 2025-04-23 - Modified: 2025-04-23 - URL: https://bequette.com/love-fulfills-the-law/ - Categories: The Word Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8 NIV --- ### Your stand - Published: 2025-04-22 - Modified: 2025-04-22 - URL: https://bequette.com/your-stand/ - Categories: The Word Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4 NIV --- ### Accountable - Published: 2025-04-21 - Modified: 2025-04-21 - URL: https://bequette.com/accountable/ - Categories: The Word Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. Romans 3:19-20 (NIV) --- ### Follow me - Published: 2025-04-20 - Modified: 2025-04-20 - URL: https://bequette.com/follow-me/ - Categories: The Word Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. Luke 9:23-24 NIV --- ### He himself - Published: 2025-04-19 - Modified: 2025-04-19 - URL: https://bequette.com/he-himself/ - Categories: The Word “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed. ” 1 Peter 2:24 NIV --- ### The Son - Published: 2025-04-18 - Modified: 2025-04-18 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-son/ - Categories: The Word The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:3 NIV --- ### Life Through Christ - Published: 2025-04-17 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://bequette.com/life-through-christ/ - Categories: The Word Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned— To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made... --- ### Live by faith - Published: 2025-04-16 - Modified: 2025-04-16 - URL: https://bequette.com/live-by-faith/ - Categories: The Word “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! ” Galatians 2:19-21 (NIV) --- ### What love is - Published: 2025-04-15 - Modified: 2025-04-15 - URL: https://bequette.com/what-love-is/ - Categories: The Word This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:16 NIV --- ### Christ’s love > For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. - Published: 2025-04-14 - Modified: 2024-11-09 - URL: https://bequette.com/christs-love/ - Categories: The Word For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV --- ### My refuge - Published: 2025-04-13 - Modified: 2025-04-13 - URL: https://bequette.com/my-refuge/ - Categories: The Word My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Psalm 62:7 NIV --- ### The Burial - Published: 2025-04-12 - Modified: 2025-04-12 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-burial/ - Categories: The Word The Burial of Jesus As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb. The Guard at the Tomb The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again. ’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first. ” “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how. ” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. Matthew 27:57-66 (NIV) --- ### At just the right time - Published: 2025-04-11 - Modified: 2025-04-11 - URL: https://bequette.com/at-just-the-right-time/ - Categories: The Word You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Romans 5:6-10 (NIV) --- ### They will condemn him to death - Published: 2025-04-10 - Modified: 2025-04-10 - URL: https://bequette.com/they-will-condemn-him-to-death/ - Categories: The Word Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life! ” Matthew 20: 17-19 NIV --- ### He hears us - Published: 2025-04-09 - Modified: 2025-04-09 - URL: https://bequette.com/he-hears-us/ - Categories: The Word I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:13-15 (NIV) --- ### For our transgressions - Published: 2025-04-08 - Modified: 2025-04-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/for-our-transgressions/ - Categories: The Word But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:5-6 NIV --- ### He was despised - Published: 2025-04-07 - Modified: 2025-04-07 - URL: https://bequette.com/he-was-despised/ - Categories: The Word He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:3-4 NIV --- ### The new is here - Published: 2025-04-06 - Modified: 2025-04-06 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-new-is-here/ - Categories: The Word So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NIV) --- ### There is one God - Published: 2025-04-05 - Modified: 2025-04-05 - URL: https://bequette.com/there-is-one-god/ - Categories: The Word For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 NIV --- ### Jesus Has Risen - Published: 2025-04-04 - Modified: 2025-04-04 - URL: https://bequette.com/jesus-has-risen/ - Categories: The Word Jesus Has Risen After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him. ’ Now I have told you. ” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me. ” Matthew 28:1-10 (NIV) --- ### The evidence - Published: 2025-04-03 - Modified: 2025-04-03 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-evidence/ - Categories: The Word Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us. ” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:8-14 (NIV) --- ### If we confess - Published: 2025-04-02 - Modified: 2025-04-02 - URL: https://bequette.com/if-we-confess/ - Categories: The Word If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:8-10 (NIV) --- ### The gift of God - Published: 2025-04-01 - Modified: 2025-04-01 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-gift-of-god/ - Categories: The Word I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:19-23 (NIV) --- ### Trials - Published: 2025-03-31 - Modified: 2025-03-31 - URL: https://bequette.com/trials/ - Categories: The Word Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. James 1:2-8 (NIV) --- ### The Armor of God - Published: 2025-03-30 - Modified: 2025-03-30 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-armor-of-god/ - Categories: The Word Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV) --- ### Do not let your hearts be troubled - Published: 2025-03-29 - Modified: 2025-03-29 - URL: https://bequette.com/do-not-let-your-hearts-be-troubled/ - Categories: The Word “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:1-3 (NIV) --- ### Obvious - Published: 2025-03-28 - Modified: 2025-03-28 - URL: https://bequette.com/obvious/ - Categories: The Word The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:19-26 (NIV) --- ### Wake up - Published: 2025-03-27 - Modified: 2025-03-27 - URL: https://bequette.com/wake-up/ - Categories: The Word But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. ” Ephesians 5:13-14 (NIV) --- ### With one mind - Published: 2025-03-26 - Modified: 2025-03-26 - URL: https://bequette.com/with-one-mind/ - Categories: The Word We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. ” For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:1-6 (NIV) --- ### The Lord is my shepherd - Published: 2025-03-25 - Modified: 2025-03-25 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-lord-is-my-shepherd/ - Categories: The Word The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV) --- ### Dearly Loved - Published: 2025-03-24 - Modified: 2025-03-24 - URL: https://bequette.com/dearly-loved/ - Categories: The Word Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV --- ### by the name of Jesus - Published: 2025-03-23 - Modified: 2025-03-23 - URL: https://bequette.com/by-the-name-of-jesus/ - Categories: The Word Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. ’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. ” Acts 4:8-12 (NIV) --- ### I am with you always - Published: 2025-03-22 - Modified: 2025-03-22 - URL: https://bequette.com/i-am-with-you-always/ - Categories: The Word Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. ” Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV) --- ### In all things - Published: 2025-03-21 - Modified: 2025-03-21 - URL: https://bequette.com/in-all-things/ - Categories: The Word And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV --- ### Precious promises - Published: 2025-03-20 - Modified: 2025-03-20 - URL: https://bequette.com/precious-promises/ - Categories: The Word His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 2 Peter 1:3-10 (NIV) --- ### Know - Published: 2025-03-19 - Modified: 2025-03-19 - URL: https://bequette.com/know/ - Categories: The Word Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV --- ### Always be prepared - Published: 2025-03-18 - Modified: 2025-03-18 - URL: https://bequette.com/always-be-prepared/ - Categories: The Word But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15 NIV --- ### Grace was given us - Published: 2025-03-17 - Modified: 2025-03-17 - URL: https://bequette.com/grace-was-given-us/ - Categories: The Word He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 2 Timothy 1:9 NIV --- ### The Father of Compassion - Published: 2025-03-16 - Modified: 2025-03-16 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-father-of-compassion/ - Categories: The Word Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV --- ### Lead me - Published: 2025-03-15 - Modified: 2025-03-15 - URL: https://bequette.com/lead-me/ - Categories: The Word Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 NIV --- ### Common to mankind - Published: 2025-03-14 - Modified: 2025-03-14 - URL: https://bequette.com/common-to-mankind/ - Categories: The Word No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) --- ### Please the Spirit - Published: 2025-03-13 - Modified: 2025-03-13 - URL: https://bequette.com/please-the-spirit/ - Categories: The Word Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV) --- ### Be strong - Published: 2025-03-12 - Modified: 2025-03-12 - URL: https://bequette.com/be-strong/ - Categories: The Word Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. ” Joshua 1:9 NIV --- ### The Power of God - Published: 2025-03-11 - Modified: 2025-03-11 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-power-of-god/ - Categories: The Word For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV) --- ### To save sinners - Published: 2025-03-10 - Modified: 2025-03-10 - URL: https://bequette.com/to-save-sinners-2/ - Categories: The Word The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:14-16 (NIV) --- ### Value others - Published: 2025-03-09 - Modified: 2025-03-09 - URL: https://bequette.com/value-others/ - Categories: The Word Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) --- ### You believe in God - Published: 2025-03-08 - Modified: 2025-03-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/you-believe-in-god/ - Categories: The Word “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. ” John 14:1-4 (NIV) --- ### Not timid - Published: 2025-03-07 - Modified: 2025-03-07 - URL: https://bequette.com/not-timid/ - Categories: The Word For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV --- ### The Son of Man - Published: 2025-03-06 - Modified: 2025-03-06 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-son-of-man/ - Categories: The Word No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. ” John 3:13-15 (NIV) --- ### Teacher - Published: 2025-03-05 - Modified: 2025-03-05 - URL: https://bequette.com/teacher/ - Categories: The Word “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? ” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. ’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. ” Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV) --- ### His one and only Son - Published: 2025-03-04 - Modified: 2025-03-04 - URL: https://bequette.com/his-one-and-only-son/ - Categories: The Word This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9 NIV --- ### Seek me and find me - Published: 2025-03-03 - Modified: 2025-03-03 - URL: https://bequette.com/you-will-seek-me-and-find-me/ - Categories: The Word For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV --- ### Be content - Published: 2025-03-02 - Modified: 2025-03-02 - URL: https://bequette.com/be-content/ - Categories: The Word But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:6-11 (NIV) --- ### No fear - Published: 2025-03-01 - Modified: 2025-03-01 - URL: https://bequette.com/no-fear/ - Categories: The Word There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 NIV --- ### The fulfillment - Published: 2025-02-28 - Modified: 2025-02-28 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-fulfillment/ - Categories: The Word The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself. ” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:9-10 NIV --- ### He is faithful - Published: 2025-02-27 - Modified: 2025-02-27 - URL: https://bequette.com/he-is-faithful/ - Categories: The Word If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. John 1:8-9 (NIV) --- ### Dear friends - Published: 2025-02-26 - Modified: 2025-02-26 - URL: https://bequette.com/dear-friends/ - Categories: The Word Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:11-12 NIV --- ### The love of God - Published: 2025-02-25 - Modified: 2025-02-25 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-love-of-god/ - Categories: The Word For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NIV --- ### Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness - Published: 2025-02-24 - Modified: 2025-02-24 - URL: https://bequette.com/light-and-darkness-sin-and-forgiveness/ - Categories: The Word This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:5-10 (NIV) --- ### The Incarnation of the Word of Life - Published: 2025-02-23 - Modified: 2025-02-23 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-incarnation-of-the-word-of-life/ - Categories: The Word That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. 1 John 1 (NIV) --- ### Prayer - Published: 2025-02-22 - Modified: 2025-02-22 - URL: https://bequette.com/prayer/ - Categories: The Word “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’ Matthew 6:5-14 (NIV) --- ### Dear Friends > God’s Love and Ours: This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. - Published: 2025-02-21 - Modified: 2025-02-21 - URL: https://bequette.com/dear-friends-2/ - Categories: The Word Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:7-12 (NIV) --- ### To save the world - Published: 2025-02-20 - Modified: 2025-02-20 - URL: https://bequette.com/to-save-the-world/ - Categories: The Word For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 (NIV) --- ### Even as I am - Published: 2025-02-19 - Modified: 2025-02-19 - URL: https://bequette.com/even-as-i-am/ - Categories: The Word For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:9-13 (NIV) --- ### Love - Published: 2025-02-18 - Modified: 2025-02-18 - URL: https://bequette.com/love/ - Categories: The Word 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. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 1 Corinthians 13:4-10 (NIV) --- ### I gain nothing - Published: 2025-02-17 - Modified: 2025-02-17 - URL: https://bequette.com/i-gain-nothing/ - Categories: The Word If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NIV --- ### Faith in Action - Published: 2025-02-16 - Modified: 2025-02-16 - URL: https://bequette.com/faith-in-action/ - Categories: The Word Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:1-3 (NIV) --- ### Love your enemies - Published: 2025-02-15 - Modified: 2025-02-15 - URL: https://bequette.com/love-your-enemies/ - Categories: The Word “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:43-45 NIV --- ### In your relationships - Published: 2025-02-14 - Modified: 2025-02-14 - URL: https://bequette.com/in-your-relationships/ - Categories: The Word In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8 --- ### The gate - Published: 2025-02-13 - Modified: 2025-02-13 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-gate/ - Categories: The Word All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:8-10 (NIV) --- ### He said - Published: 2025-02-12 - Modified: 2025-02-12 - URL: https://bequette.com/he-said-2/ - Categories: The Word “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. ” Matthew 11:25-30 (NIV) --- ### Be careful - Published: 2025-02-11 - Modified: 2025-02-11 - URL: https://bequette.com/be-careful/ - Categories: The Word See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8 (NIV) --- ### Submit to Him - Published: 2025-02-10 - Modified: 2025-02-10 - URL: https://bequette.com/submit-to-him-3/ - Categories: The Word Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) --- ### The Spirit - Published: 2025-02-09 - Modified: 2025-02-09 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-spirit-4/ - Categories: The Word None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:8-10 (NIV) --- ### The love of money - Published: 2025-02-08 - Modified: 2025-02-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-love-of-money-2/ - Categories: The Word For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV) --- ### Take courage - Published: 2025-02-07 - Modified: 2025-02-07 - URL: https://bequette.com/take-courage/ - Categories: The Word He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. ” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, Mark 6:48-51 (NIV) --- ### When you relied on the Lord - Published: 2025-02-06 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://bequette.com/when-you-relied-on-the-lord/ - Categories: The Word At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: “Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war. ” Asa was angry with the seer because of this; he was so enraged that he put him in prison. At the same time Asa brutally oppressed some of the people. The events of Asa’s reign, from beginning to end, are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians. Then in the forty-first year of his reign Asa died and rested with his ancestors. They buried him in the tomb that he had cut out for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bier covered with spices and various blended perfumes, and they made a huge fire in... --- ### The servant - Published: 2025-02-05 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-servant/ - Categories: The Word They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road? ” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all. ” He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me. ” Mark 9:33-37 (NIV) --- ### A living hope - Published: 2025-02-04 - Modified: 2025-02-04 - URL: https://bequette.com/a-living-hope/ - Categories: The Word Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9 (NIV) --- ### The bread of life - Published: 2025-02-03 - Modified: 2025-02-03 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-bread-of-life-2/ - Categories: The Word Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. ” John 6:35-40 (NIV) --- ### The Lamb's book - Published: 2025-02-02 - Modified: 2025-02-02 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-lambs-book/ - Categories: The Word I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:22-27 (NIV) --- ### The peace of God - Published: 2025-02-01 - Modified: 2025-02-01 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-peace-of-god-3/ - Categories: The Word Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV) --- ### Be joyful - Published: 2025-01-31 - Modified: 2025-01-31 - URL: https://bequette.com/be-joyful/ - Categories: The Word For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:3-13 (NIV) --- ### You must believe - Published: 2025-01-30 - Modified: 2025-01-30 - URL: https://bequette.com/you-must-believe/ - Categories: The Word Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:2-12 (NIV) --- ### The Sheep and the Goats - Published: 2025-01-29 - Modified: 2025-01-29 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-sheep-and-the-goats/ - Categories: The Word “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. ’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? ’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. ’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed,... --- ### Do good - Published: 2025-01-28 - Modified: 2025-01-28 - URL: https://bequette.com/do-good/ - Categories: The Word Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:1-10 (NIV) --- ### Who condemns - Published: 2025-01-27 - Modified: 2025-01-27 - URL: https://bequette.com/who-condemns/ - Categories: The Word He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. ” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:32-39 (NIV) --- ### The narrow gate - Published: 2025-01-26 - Modified: 2025-01-26 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-narrow-gate/ - Categories: The Word “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV) --- ### God is faithful - Published: 2025-01-25 - Modified: 2025-01-25 - URL: https://bequette.com/god-is-faithful/ - Categories: The Word Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry. ” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:7-13 (NIV) --- ### The bread of life - Published: 2025-01-24 - Modified: 2025-01-24 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-bread-of-life/ - Categories: The Word Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. ” John 6:35-40 (NIV) --- ### The Armor of God - Published: 2025-01-23 - Modified: 2025-01-23 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-armor-of-god-3/ - Categories: The Word Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17 (NIV) --- ### In the law - Published: 2025-01-22 - Modified: 2025-01-22 - URL: https://bequette.com/in-the-law/ - Categories: The Word but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say? ” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. ” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? ” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin. ” John 8:1-11 (NIV) --- ### God is Love - Published: 2025-01-21 - Modified: 2025-01-21 - URL: https://bequette.com/god-is-love/ - Categories: The Word If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. 1 John 4:15-21 (NIV) --- ### The new creation - Published: 2025-01-20 - Modified: 2025-01-20 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-new-creation-2/ - Categories: The Word So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NIV) --- ### He committed no sin - Published: 2025-01-19 - Modified: 2025-01-19 - URL: https://bequette.com/he-committed-no-sin/ - Categories: The Word “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. ” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed. ” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:22-25 (NIV) --- ### The night is nearly over - Published: 2025-01-18 - Modified: 2025-01-18 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-night-is-nearly-over/ - Categories: The Word The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself. ” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:9-14 (NIV) --- ### Be holy - Published: 2025-01-17 - Modified: 2025-01-17 - URL: https://bequette.com/be-holy-2/ - Categories: The Word As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy. ” Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:14-19 (NIV) --- ### Wake up - Published: 2025-01-16 - Modified: 2025-01-16 - URL: https://bequette.com/wake-up-2/ - Categories: The Word For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. ” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:8-17 (NIV) --- ### The peace of God - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-01-15 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-peace-of-god-2/ - Categories: The Word Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV) --- ### The gift of God - Published: 2025-01-14 - Modified: 2025-01-14 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-gift-of-god-2/ - Categories: The Word As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV) --- ### Forever - Published: 2025-01-13 - Modified: 2025-01-13 - URL: https://bequette.com/forever/ - Categories: The Word For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever. ” And this is the word that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:18-25 (NIV) --- ### Why do you worry - Published: 2025-01-12 - Modified: 2025-01-12 - URL: https://bequette.com/why-do-you-worry/ - Categories: The Word Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:25-34 (NIV) --- ### The reality - Published: 2025-01-11 - Modified: 2025-01-11 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-reality/ - Categories: The Word So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. Colossians 2:6-8,2:16-19 (NIV) --- ### While we wait - Published: 2025-01-10 - Modified: 2025-01-10 - URL: https://bequette.com/while-we-wait/ - Categories: The Word For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14 (NIV) --- ### God's will for you - Published: 2025-01-09 - Modified: 2025-01-09 - URL: https://bequette.com/gods-will-for-you/ - Categories: The Word And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 (NIV) --- ### The old has gone - Published: 2025-01-08 - Modified: 2025-01-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-old-has-gone/ - Categories: The Word So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NIV) --- ### God's invisible qualities - Published: 2025-01-07 - Modified: 2025-01-07 - URL: https://bequette.com/gods-invisible-qualities/ - Categories: The Word For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Romans 1:20-25 (NIV) --- ### My Father's house - Published: 2025-01-06 - Modified: 2025-01-06 - URL: https://bequette.com/my-fathers-house/ - Categories: The Word “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. ” John 14:1-4 (NIV) --- ### Lord, show us - Published: 2025-01-05 - Modified: 2025-01-05 - URL: https://bequette.com/lord-show-us/ - Categories: The Word Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. ” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us. ” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. John 14:6-11 (NIV) --- ### The Father Revealed in the Son - Published: 2025-01-04 - Modified: 2025-01-04 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-father-revealed-in-the-son/ - Categories: The Word At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. ” Matthew 11:25-30 (NIV) --- ### A sacrifice - Published: 2025-01-03 - Modified: 2025-01-03 - URL: https://bequette.com/a-sacrifice/ - Categories: The Word This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood — to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished — he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith Romans 3:22-26 (NIV) --- ### Be ready - Published: 2025-01-02 - Modified: 2025-01-02 - URL: https://bequette.com/be-ready/ - Categories: The Word “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. ” Luke 12:35-40 (NIV) --- ### The Lord - Published: 2025-01-01 - Modified: 2025-01-01 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-lord/ - Categories: The Word Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:11 (NIV) --- ### He was named Jesus - Published: 2024-12-31 - Modified: 2024-12-31 - URL: https://bequette.com/he-was-named-jesus/ - Categories: The Word When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. ” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. Luke 2:15-21 (NIV) --- ### New birth - Published: 2024-12-30 - Modified: 2024-12-30 - URL: https://bequette.com/new-birth/ - Categories: The Word Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9 (NIV) --- ### The true light - Published: 2024-12-29 - Modified: 2024-12-29 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-true-light/ - Categories: The Word The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:9-14 (NIV) --- ### Glorious Grace - Published: 2024-12-28 - Modified: 2024-12-28 - URL: https://bequette.com/glorious-grace/ - Categories: The Word Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:3-6 (NIV) --- ### We understand - Published: 2024-12-27 - Modified: 2024-12-27 - URL: https://bequette.com/we-understand/ - Categories: The Word Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:1-3 (NIV) --- ### Run the race - Published: 2024-12-26 - Modified: 2024-12-26 - URL: https://bequette.com/run-the-race/ - Categories: The Word Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) --- ### To bring salvation - Published: 2024-12-25 - Modified: 2024-12-25 - URL: https://bequette.com/to-bring-salvation/ - Categories: The Word For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:24-28 (NIV) --- ### Walk in love - Published: 2024-12-24 - Modified: 2024-12-24 - URL: https://bequette.com/walk-in-love/ - Categories: The Word And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work. 2 John 6-11 (NIV) --- ### Through Him - Published: 2024-12-23 - Modified: 2024-12-23 - URL: https://bequette.com/through-him/ - Categories: The Word Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. Romans 1:1-6 (NIV) --- ### The Son of God - Published: 2024-12-22 - Modified: 2024-12-22 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-son-of-god-2/ - Categories: The Word But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end. ” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin? ” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:30-35 (NIV) --- ### Fully Human - Published: 2024-12-21 - Modified: 2024-12-21 - URL: https://bequette.com/fully-human/ - Categories: The Word Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises. ” And again, “I will put my trust in him. ” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me. ” Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil — and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:11-18 (NIV) --- ### Fix your thoughts - Published: 2024-12-20 - Modified: 2024-12-20 - URL: https://bequette.com/fix-your-thoughts/ - Categories: The Word Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory. Hebrews 3:1-6 (NIV) --- ### God's final word - Published: 2024-12-19 - Modified: 2024-12-19 - URL: https://bequette.com/gods-final-word/ - Categories: The Word In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. Hebrews 1:1-4 (NIV) --- ### The Son of God - Published: 2024-12-18 - Modified: 2024-12-18 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-son-of-god/ - Categories: The Word The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV) --- ### Hearing and understanding - Published: 2024-12-17 - Modified: 2024-12-17 - URL: https://bequette.com/hearing-and-understanding/ - Categories: The Word They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet: “‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. ” For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. ’ “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen! ” For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! Acts 28:23-31 (NIV) Posted on --- ### The faith of the centurion - Published: 2024-12-16 - Modified: 2024-12-16 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-faith-of-the-centurion/ - Categories: The Word When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue. ” So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it. ” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel. ” Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well. Luke 7:1-10 (NIV) --- ### The good news - Published: 2024-12-15 - Modified: 2024-12-15 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-good-news/ - Categories: The Word Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God! ” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah. At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent. ” And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea. Luke 4:38-44 (NIV) --- ### Forevermore! - Published: 2024-12-14 - Modified: 2024-12-14 - URL: https://bequette.com/forevermore/ - Categories: The Word But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 20-25 (NIV) --- ### Add to your faith - Published: 2024-12-13 - Modified: 2024-12-13 - URL: https://bequette.com/add-to-your-faith/ - Categories: The Word His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 2 Peter 1:3-9 (NIV) --- ### Who will be saved? - Published: 2024-12-12 - Modified: 2024-12-12 - URL: https://bequette.com/who-will-be-saved/ - Categories: The Word Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them. ” But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven? ’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the deep? ’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame. ” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. ” Romans 10:5-13 (NIV) --- ### God's mercy - Published: 2024-12-11 - Modified: 2024-12-11 - URL: https://bequette.com/gods-mercy/ - Categories: The Word What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. ” It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. ” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will? ” But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this? ’” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? Romans 9:14-21 (NIV) --- ### Do not - Published: 2024-12-10 - Modified: 2024-12-10 - URL: https://bequette.com/do-not/ - Categories: The Word “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:19-24 (NIV) --- ### The birth of Jesus - Published: 2024-12-09 - Modified: 2024-12-09 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-birth-of-jesus/ - Categories: The Word This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. ” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV) --- ### Prayer of Faith - Published: 2024-12-08 - Modified: 2024-12-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/prayer-of-faith/ - Categories: The Word Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:13-16 (NIV) --- ### Submit to God - Published: 2024-12-07 - Modified: 2024-12-07 - URL: https://bequette.com/submit-to-god/ - Categories: The Word What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. ” James 4:1-6 (NIV) --- ### Wisdom - Published: 2024-12-06 - Modified: 2024-12-06 - URL: https://bequette.com/wisdom-2/ - Categories: The Word Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:13-18 (NIV) --- ### Mercy triumphs - Published: 2024-12-05 - Modified: 2024-12-05 - URL: https://bequette.com/mercy-triumphs-2/ - Categories: The Word My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:1-7, 12-13 (NIV) --- ### Don't be deceived - Published: 2024-12-04 - Modified: 2024-12-04 - URL: https://bequette.com/dont-be-deceived/ - Categories: The Word When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me. ” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:13-18 (NIV) --- ### Rejoice in the Lord - Published: 2024-12-03 - Modified: 2024-12-03 - URL: https://bequette.com/rejoice-2/ - Categories: The Word Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV) --- ### Be thankful - Published: 2024-12-02 - Modified: 2024-12-02 - URL: https://bequette.com/be-thankful/ - Categories: The Word Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17 (NIV) --- ### Overflowing with thankfulness - Published: 2024-12-01 - Modified: 2024-12-01 - URL: https://bequette.com/overflowing-with-thankfulness/ - Categories: The Word So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ Colossians 2:6-8 (NIV) --- ### Do good to all - Published: 2024-11-30 - Modified: 2024-11-30 - URL: https://bequette.com/do-good-to-all/ - Categories: The Word Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:7-10 (NIV) --- ### Give thanks - Published: 2024-11-29 - Modified: 2024-11-29 - URL: https://bequette.com/give-thanks/ - Categories: The Word Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:16-17 (NIV) --- ### Now - Published: 2024-11-28 - Modified: 2024-11-28 - URL: https://bequette.com/now/ - Categories: The Word The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Philemon 25 (NIV) --- ### Be alert - Published: 2024-11-27 - Modified: 2024-11-27 - URL: https://bequette.com/be-alert/ - Categories: The Word Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:6-11 (NIV) --- ### Love one another - Published: 2024-11-26 - Modified: 2024-11-26 - URL: https://bequette.com/love-one-another-4/ - Categories: The Word For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Peter 1:18-23 (NIV) --- ### Love in Action - Published: 2024-11-25 - Modified: 2024-11-25 - URL: https://bequette.com/love-in-action-2/ - Categories: The Word Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:9-19 (NIV) --- ### With your heart - Published: 2024-11-24 - Modified: 2024-11-24 - URL: https://bequette.com/with-your-heart/ - Categories: The Word If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame. ” Romans 10:9-11 (NIV) --- ### The stumbling stone - Published: 2024-11-23 - Modified: 2024-11-23 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-stumbling-stone/ - Categories: The Word What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it righteousness were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. Romans 9:30-32 (NIV) --- ### We know - Published: 2024-11-22 - Modified: 2024-11-22 - URL: https://bequette.com/we-know/ - Categories: The Word And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:We know28-30 (NIV) --- ### We wait - Published: 2024-11-21 - Modified: 2024-11-21 - URL: https://bequette.com/we-wait/ - Categories: The Word I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:18-25 (NIV) --- ### God's children - Published: 2024-11-20 - Modified: 2024-11-20 - URL: https://bequette.com/gods-children/ - Categories: The Word For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father. ” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:14-17 (NIV) --- ### The Spirit gives life - Published: 2024-11-19 - Modified: 2024-11-19 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-spirit-gives-life/ - Categories: The Word Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. Romans 8:5-10 (NIV) --- ### According to the Spirit - Published: 2024-11-18 - Modified: 2024-11-18 - URL: https://bequette.com/according-to-the-spirit-2/ - Categories: The Word Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4 (NIV)According to the Spirit --- ### Thanks be to God - Published: 2024-11-17 - Modified: 2024-11-17 - URL: https://bequette.com/thanks-be-to-god/ - Categories: The Word So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Romans 7:21-25 (NIV) --- ### My sinful nature - Published: 2024-11-16 - Modified: 2024-11-16 - URL: https://bequette.com/my-sinful-nature/ - Categories: The Word We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. Romans 7:14-20 (NIV) --- ### We believe - Published: 2024-11-15 - Modified: 2024-11-15 - URL: https://bequette.com/we-believe/ - Categories: The Word Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:8-11 (NIV) --- ### Set free - Published: 2024-11-14 - Modified: 2024-11-14 - URL: https://bequette.com/set-free/ - Categories: The Word Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin — because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Romans 6:3-7 (NIV) --- ### Christ died for us - Published: 2024-11-13 - Modified: 2024-11-13 - URL: https://bequette.com/christ-died-for-us/ - Categories: The Word You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8 (NIV) --- ### Righteousness Through Faith - Published: 2024-11-12 - Modified: 2024-11-12 - URL: https://bequette.com/righteousness-through-faith/ - Categories: The Word But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Romans 3:21-26 (NIV) --- ### Fruit of the Spirit - Published: 2024-11-11 - Modified: 2024-11-11 - URL: https://bequette.com/fruit-of-the-spirit/ - Categories: The Word But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV) --- ### Spirit led - Published: 2024-11-10 - Modified: 2024-11-10 - URL: https://bequette.com/spirit-led/ - Categories: The Word So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:16-18 (NIV) --- ### What I am saying - Published: 2024-11-09 - Modified: 2024-11-09 - URL: https://bequette.com/what-i-am-saying/ - Categories: The Word What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father. ” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:1-7 (NIV) --- ### By faith - Published: 2024-11-08 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/by-faith/ - Categories: The Word Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith. ” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them. ” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole. ” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Galatians 3:11-14 (NIV) --- ### Your enemy - Published: 2024-11-07 - Modified: 2024-11-07 - URL: https://bequette.com/your-enemy/ - Categories: The Word Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV --- ### What I believe - Published: 2024-11-06 - Modified: 2024-11-06 - URL: https://bequette.com/what-i-believe/ - Categories: The Word I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. --- ### A living sacrifice - Published: 2024-11-05 - Modified: 2024-11-05 - URL: https://bequette.com/a-living-sacrifice-2/ - Categories: The Word Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) --- ### Praise God - Published: 2024-11-04 - Modified: 2024-11-04 - URL: https://bequette.com/praise-god/ - Categories: The Word Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. Praise God 1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV) --- ### Nothing is hidden - Published: 2024-11-03 - Modified: 2024-11-03 - URL: https://bequette.com/nothing-is-hidden/ - Categories: The Word For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV) --- ### Love one another - Published: 2024-11-02 - Modified: 2024-11-02 - URL: https://bequette.com/love-one-another-3/ - Categories: The Word “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:9-17 (NIV) --- ### The Lord is my helper - Published: 2024-11-01 - Modified: 2024-11-01 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-lord-is-my-helper/ - Categories: The Word Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. ” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? ”The Lord is my helper Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV) --- ### Without reason - Published: 2024-10-31 - Modified: 2024-10-31 - URL: https://bequette.com/without-reason/ - Categories: The Word “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason. John 15:18-25 (NIV) --- ### Jesus Christ is Lord - Published: 2024-10-30 - Modified: 2024-10-30 - URL: https://bequette.com/jesus-christ-is-lord/ - Categories: The Word In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV) --- ### You know him - Published: 2024-10-29 - Modified: 2024-10-29 - URL: https://bequette.com/you-know-him/ - Categories: The Word And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17 (NIV) --- ### We don't know - Published: 2024-10-28 - Modified: 2024-10-28 - URL: https://bequette.com/we-dont-know/ - Categories: The Word They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things? ” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this? ” Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me! ” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him? ’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ ... ” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet. ) So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know. ” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ” Mark 11:27-33 (NIV) --- ### Stand up - Published: 2024-10-27 - Modified: 2024-10-27 - URL: https://bequette.com/stand-up/ - Categories: The Word Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone. ” Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill? ” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand. ” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus. Mark 3:1-6 (NIV) --- ### Authority - Published: 2024-10-26 - Modified: 2024-10-26 - URL: https://bequette.com/authority/ - Categories: The Word “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone? ” Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. ” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home. ” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this! ” Mark 2:7-12 (NIV) --- ### God is light - Published: 2024-10-25 - Modified: 2024-10-25 - URL: https://bequette.com/god-is-light/ - Categories: The Word This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:5-10 (NIV) --- ### According to the Spirit - Published: 2024-10-24 - Modified: 2024-10-24 - URL: https://bequette.com/according-to-the-spirit/ - Categories: The Word Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law According to the Spirit might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4 (NIV) --- ### The hour has come - Published: 2024-10-23 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-hour-has-come/ - Categories: The Word After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. John 17:1-5 (NIV) --- ### Love one another - Published: 2024-10-22 - Modified: 2024-10-22 - URL: https://bequette.com/love-one-another-2/ - Categories: The Word “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. ” John 13:34-35 (NIV) --- ### Be transformed - Published: 2024-10-21 - Modified: 2024-10-21 - URL: https://bequette.com/be-transformed/ - Categories: The Word Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:2-5 (NIV) --- ### Father of all - Published: 2024-10-20 - Modified: 2024-10-20 - URL: https://bequette.com/father-of-all/ - Categories: The Word Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:2-6 (NIV) --- ### Expel the wicked - Published: 2024-10-19 - Modified: 2024-10-19 - URL: https://bequette.com/expel-the-wicked/ - Categories: The Word I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people — not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you. ” 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (NIV) --- ### The same God - Published: 2024-10-18 - Modified: 2024-10-18 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-same-god/ - Categories: The Word There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NIV) --- ### Humble yourselves - Published: 2024-10-17 - Modified: 2024-10-17 - URL: https://bequette.com/humble-yourselves/ - Categories: The Word To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. ” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:1-7 (NIV) --- ### Believe in him - Published: 2024-10-16 - Modified: 2024-10-16 - URL: https://bequette.com/believe-in-him/ - Categories: The Word Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. John 2:23-25 (NIV) --- ### What is unseen is eternal - Published: 2024-10-15 - Modified: 2024-10-15 - URL: https://bequette.com/what-is-unseen-is-eternal/ - Categories: The Word It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken. ” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal 2 Corinthians 4:13-18 (NIV)F --- ### Amen - Published: 2024-10-14 - Modified: 2024-10-14 - URL: https://bequette.com/amen/ - Categories: The Word “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. ” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come! ” And let the one who hears say, “Come! ” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon. ” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. Revelation 22:16-21 (NIV) --- ### Seek the Lord - Published: 2024-10-13 - Modified: 2024-10-13 - URL: https://bequette.com/seek-the-lord/ - Categories: The Word Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7 (FNIV) --- ### Be careful - Published: 2024-10-12 - Modified: 2024-10-12 - URL: https://bequette.com/be-careful-2/ - Categories: The Word “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man. ” Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple. Luke 21:32-38 (NIV) --- ### Invitation - Published: 2024-10-11 - Modified: 2024-10-11 - URL: https://bequette.com/invitation/ - Categories: The Word “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. ” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come! ” And let the one who hears say, “Come! ” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:12-1 (NIV) --- ### Faithful and wise - Published: 2024-10-10 - Modified: 2024-10-10 - URL: https://bequette.com/faithful-and-wise/ - Categories: The Word “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24:45-51 (NIV) --- ### Eye for Eye - Published: 2024-10-09 - Modified: 2024-10-09 - URL: https://bequette.com/eye-for-eye/ - Categories: The Word “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. ’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you . Matthew 5:38-42 (NIV) --- ### Love may abound - Published: 2024-10-08 - Modified: 2024-10-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/love-may-abound/ - Categories: The Word And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)Love may abound --- ### The verdict - Published: 2024-10-07 - Modified: 2024-10-07 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-verdict/ - Categories: The Word This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. John 3:19-21 (NIV) --- ### The thoughts of God - Published: 2024-10-06 - Modified: 2024-10-06 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-thoughts-of-god/ - Categories: The Word However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him — these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:9-14 (NIV) --- ### A Warning Against Hypocrisy - Published: 2024-10-05 - Modified: 2024-10-05 - URL: https://bequette.com/a-warning-against-hypocrisy/ - Categories: The Word Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others. “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:1-12 (NIV) --- ### One flock and one shepherd - Published: 2024-10-04 - Modified: 2024-10-04 - URL: https://bequette.com/one-flock-and-one-shepherd/ - Categories: The Word “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father. ” John 10:14-18 (NIV) --- ### An advocate - Published: 2024-10-03 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/an-advocate/ - Categories: The Word My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 1 John 2:1 NIV --- ### Beware - Published: 2024-10-02 - Modified: 2024-11-09 - URL: https://bequette.com/beware/ - Categories: The Word While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely. ” Luke 20:45-47 (NIV) --- ### Justified through faith - Published: 2024-10-01 - Modified: 2024-11-09 - URL: https://bequette.com/justified-through-faith/ - Categories: The Word Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Peace and HopeRomans 5:1-5 (NIV) --- ### May God - Published: 2024-09-30 - Modified: 2024-11-09 - URL: https://bequette.com/may-god/ - Categories: The Word May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:5-7 (NIV) --- ### Grace, Love, Fellowship - Published: 2024-09-29 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/grace-love-fellowship/ - Categories: The Word May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV --- ### Come to me - Published: 2024-09-28 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/come-to-me/ - Categories: The Word “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. ” Matthew 11:27-30 (NIV) --- ### Are you willing - Published: 2024-09-27 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/are-you-willing/ - Categories: The Word When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean. ” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean! ” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them. ” Matthew 8:1-4 (NIV) --- ### Blessings and Woes - Published: 2024-09-26 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/blessings-and-woes/ - Categories: The Word He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all. Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets. Luke 6:17-26 (NIV) --- ### Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand - Published: 2024-09-25 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/jesus-feeds-the-five-thousand/ - Categories: The Word When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food. ” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat. ” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:13-21 (NIV) --- ### Hidden Treasure - Published: 2024-09-24 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/hidden-treasure-2/ - Categories: The Word “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:44-50 (NIV) --- ### A Lamp on a Stand - Published: 2024-09-23 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/a-lamp-on-a-stand/ - Categories: The Word He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear. ” “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Who ever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. ” Mark 4:21-25 (NIV) --- ### The Parable of the Good Samaritan - Published: 2024-09-22 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-parable-of-the-good-samaritan/ - Categories: The Word On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life? ” “What is written in the Law? ” he replied. “How do you read it? ” He answered, “‘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, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. ’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live. ” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor? ” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and... --- ### The Word - Published: 2024-09-21 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-word/ - Categories: The Word The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown. ” Mark 4:14-20 (NIV) --- ### I am He - Published: 2024-09-20 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/i-am-he/ - Categories: The Word “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. ” The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us. ” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he. ” John 4:21-26 (NIV) --- ### It will be done - Published: 2024-09-19 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/it-will-be-done/ - Categories: The Word - Tags: The Word In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered! ” “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. ” Mark 11:20-26 (NIV) --- ### I live - Published: 2024-09-18 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/i-live/ - Categories: The Word - Tags: The Word Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever. ” He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. John 6:53-59 (NIV) --- ### Faith in Action - Published: 2024-09-17 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/faith-in-action-4/ - Categories: The Word Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:1-3 (NIV) --- ### By your words - Published: 2024-09-16 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/by-your-words/ - Categories: The Word “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up. By your words in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up. By your words in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. ” Matthew 12:33-37 (NIV) --- ### Reconciled - Published: 2024-09-15 - Modified: 2024-09-15 - URL: https://bequette.com/reconcilled/ - Categories: The Word Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. Colossians 1:21-23 (NIV) --- ### Mind your own business - Published: 2024-09-14 - Modified: 2024-09-14 - URL: https://bequette.com/mind-your-own-business/ - Categories: The Word and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV) --- ### Glorify God - Published: 2024-09-13 - Modified: 2024-09-13 - URL: https://bequette.com/glorify-god/ - Categories: The Word May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6 (NIV) --- ### I am with you - Published: 2024-09-12 - Modified: 2024-09-12 - URL: https://bequette.com/i-am-with-you/ - Categories: The Word Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. ” Matthew 28:18-20 NIV --- ### What sign - Published: 2024-09-11 - Modified: 2024-09-11 - URL: https://bequette.com/what-sign/ - Categories: The Word In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market! ” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me. ” The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this? ” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days. ” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days? ” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. John 2:14-22 (NIV) --- ### Rejoice - Published: 2024-09-10 - Modified: 2024-09-10 - URL: https://bequette.com/rejoice/ - Categories: The Word Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (NIV) --- ### I lack nothing - Published: 2024-09-09 - Modified: 2024-09-09 - URL: https://bequette.com/i-lack-nothing/ - Categories: The Word The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 (NIV) --- ### The Word Became Flesh - Published: 2024-09-08 - Modified: 2024-09-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-word-became-flesh-2/ - Categories: The Word - Tags: The Word In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The Word Became Flesh. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I... --- ### By grace, through faith - Published: 2024-09-07 - Modified: 2024-09-07 - URL: https://bequette.com/by-grace-through-faith/ - Categories: The Word But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:4-10 (NIV) --- ### A time is coming - Published: 2024-09-06 - Modified: 2024-09-06 - URL: https://bequette.com/a-time-is-coming/ - Categories: The Word “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father. ” Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God. ” “Do you now believe? ” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. ” John 16:25-33 (NIV) --- ### The works God requires - Published: 2024-09-05 - Modified: 2024-09-05 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-work-of-god/ - Categories: The Word Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires? ” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent. ” John 6:28-29 (NIV) --- ### Keep watch - Published: 2024-09-04 - Modified: 2024-09-04 - URL: https://bequette.com/keep-watch-2/ - Categories: The Word “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matthew 24:42-44 (NIV) --- ### One body - Published: 2024-09-03 - Modified: 2024-09-03 - URL: https://bequette.com/one-body/ - Categories: The Word For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-5 NIV --- ### The Armor of God - Published: 2024-09-02 - Modified: 2024-09-02 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-armor-of-god-2/ - Categories: The Word Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17 (NIV) --- ### Slaves to Righteousness - Published: 2024-09-01 - Modified: 2024-09-01 - URL: https://bequette.com/slaves-to-righteousness/ - Categories: The Word What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Romans 6:15-18 (NIV) --- ### Sonship - Published: 2024-08-31 - Modified: 2024-08-31 - URL: https://bequette.com/sonship/ - Categories: The Word Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father. ” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:12-17 (NIV) --- ### Through the Spirit - Published: 2024-08-30 - Modified: 2024-08-30 - URL: https://bequette.com/through-the-spirit/ - Categories: The Word Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4 (NIV) --- ### Keep watch - Published: 2024-08-29 - Modified: 2024-08-29 - URL: https://bequette.com/keep-watch/ - Categories: The Word “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. Mark 13:26-36 (NIV) --- ### The Fulfillment of the Law - Published: 2024-08-28 - Modified: 2024-08-28 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-fulfillment-of-the-law/ - Categories: The Word “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-20 (NIV) --- ### To you who believe - Published: 2024-08-27 - Modified: 2024-08-27 - URL: https://bequette.com/to-you-who-believe/ - Categories: The Word I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:13-15 (NIV) --- ### What shall I choose - Published: 2024-08-26 - Modified: 2024-08-26 - URL: https://bequette.com/what-shall-i-choose/ - Categories: The Word I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! Philippians 1:20-22 (NIV) --- ### Who is approved - Published: 2024-08-25 - Modified: 2024-08-25 - URL: https://bequette.com/who-is-approved/ - Categories: The Word But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord. ” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 (NIV) --- ### To save sinners - Published: 2024-08-24 - Modified: 2024-08-24 - URL: https://bequette.com/to-save-sinners/ - Categories: The Word Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:15-17 (NIV) --- ### Worthy is the Lamb - Published: 2024-08-23 - Modified: 2024-08-23 - URL: https://bequette.com/worthy-is-the-lamb/ - Categories: The Word Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! ” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever! ” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. Revelation 5:11-14 (NIV) --- ### You created all things - Published: 2024-08-22 - Modified: 2024-08-22 - URL: https://bequette.com/you-created-all-things/ - Categories: The Word “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. ” Revelation 4:11 (NIV) --- ### Love one another - Published: 2024-08-21 - Modified: 2024-08-21 - URL: https://bequette.com/love-one-another/ - Categories: The Word “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. ” John 13:34-35 (NIV)Love one another --- ### Be kind - Published: 2024-08-20 - Modified: 2024-08-20 - URL: https://bequette.com/be-kind-2/ - Categories: The Word Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) --- ### Seek peace - Published: 2024-08-19 - Modified: 2024-08-19 - URL: https://bequette.com/seek-peace/ - Categories: The Word For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. ” 1 Peter 3:10-12 (NIV) --- ### Do Not Worry - Published: 2024-08-18 - Modified: 2024-08-18 - URL: https://bequette.com/do-not-worry/ - Categories: The Word “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat? ’ or ‘What shall we drink? ’ or ‘What shall we wear? ’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV) --- ### There was a rich man - Published: 2024-08-17 - Modified: 2024-08-17 - URL: https://bequette.com/there-was-a-rich-man/ - Categories: The Word “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire. ’ “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us. ’ “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment. ’ “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them. ’ “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said,... --- ### Father, I thank you - Published: 2024-08-16 - Modified: 2024-08-16 - URL: https://bequette.com/father-i-thank-you/ - Categories: The Word When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him? ” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him! ” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying? ” Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days. ” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God? ” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me. ” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out! ” The dead man came... --- ### The Spirit - Published: 2024-08-15 - Modified: 2024-08-15 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-spirit-3/ - Categories: The Word None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” -the things God has prepared for those who love him- these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 1 Corinthians 2:8-12 (NIV) --- ### Believe in your heart - Published: 2024-08-14 - Modified: 2024-08-14 - URL: https://bequette.com/believe-in-your-heart/ - Categories: The Word Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them. ” But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven? ’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the deep? ’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:5-10 (NIV) --- ### Have hope - Published: 2024-08-13 - Modified: 2024-08-13 - URL: https://bequette.com/have-hope/ - Categories: The Word For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:4-7 (NIV) --- ### God's will - Published: 2024-08-12 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/gods-will/ - Categories: The Word “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. ” Revelation 4:11 (NIV) --- ### The Almighty - Published: 2024-08-11 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-almighty/ - Categories: The Word “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. ” Revelation 1:8 (NIV) --- ### God and money - Published: 2024-08-10 - Modified: 2024-08-10 - URL: https://bequette.com/god-and-money/ - Categories: The Word “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. ” The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law. Luke 16:13-17 (NIV) --- ### Grace and truth - Published: 2024-08-09 - Modified: 2024-08-09 - URL: https://bequette.com/grace-and-truth/ - Categories: The Word Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. John 1:16-18 (NIV) --- ### The Word became flesh - Published: 2024-08-08 - Modified: 2024-08-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-word-became-flesh/ - Categories: The Word The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:9-14 (NIV) --- ### Let your light shine - Published: 2024-08-07 - Modified: 2024-08-07 - URL: https://bequette.com/let-your-light-shine/ - Categories: The Word “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) --- ### Believe - Published: 2024-08-06 - Modified: 2024-08-06 - URL: https://bequette.com/believe/ - Categories: The Word Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. 1 Corinthians 1:20-25 (NIV) --- ### Press on - Published: 2024-08-05 - Modified: 2024-08-05 - URL: https://bequette.com/press-on/ - Categories: The Word Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Philippians 3:13-15 (NIV) --- ### Perfecter of faith - Published: 2024-08-04 - Modified: 2024-08-04 - URL: https://bequette.com/perfecter-of-faith/ - Categories: The Word Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) --- ### Faith in Action - Published: 2024-08-03 - Modified: 2024-08-03 - URL: https://bequette.com/faith-in-action-3/ - Categories: The Word Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:1-3 (NIV) --- ### Live free - Published: 2024-08-02 - Modified: 2024-08-02 - URL: https://bequette.com/live-free/ - Categories: The Word Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. ” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? ” Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV) --- ### No one can boast - Published: 2024-08-01 - Modified: 2024-08-01 - URL: https://bequette.com/no-one-can-boast/ - Categories: The Word For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) --- ### Be content - Published: 2024-07-31 - Modified: 2024-07-31 - URL: https://bequette.com/be-content-2/ - Categories: The Word they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:4-10 (NIV) --- ### My sheep - Published: 2024-07-30 - Modified: 2024-07-30 - URL: https://bequette.com/my-sheep/ - Categories: The Word My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one. ” John 10:27-30 (NIV) --- ### Tell us - Published: 2024-07-29 - Modified: 2024-07-29 - URL: https://bequette.com/tell-us/ - Categories: The Word The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly. ” Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. John 10:24-26 (NIV) --- ### Take heart - Published: 2024-07-28 - Modified: 2024-07-28 - URL: https://bequette.com/take-heart/ - Categories: The Word Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven. ” At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming! ” Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. ” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home. ” Then the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man. Matthew 9:1-8 (NIV) --- ### Two Kinds of Wisdom - Published: 2024-07-27 - Modified: 2024-07-27 - URL: https://bequette.com/two-kinds-of-wisdom/ - Categories: The Word Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:13-18 (NIV) --- ### Mercy triumphs - Published: 2024-07-26 - Modified: 2024-07-26 - URL: https://bequette.com/mercy-triumphs/ - Categories: The Word If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder. ” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:8-13 (NIV) --- ### Do not be afraid - Published: 2024-07-25 - Modified: 2024-07-25 - URL: https://bequette.com/do-not-be-afraid/ - Categories: The Word “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:4-7 (NIV) --- ### In Christ - Published: 2024-07-24 - Modified: 2024-07-24 - URL: https://bequette.com/in-christ/ - Categories: The Word See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. Colossians 2:8-10 (NIV) --- ### Listening and Doing - Published: 2024-07-23 - Modified: 2024-07-23 - URL: https://bequette.com/listening-and-doing/ - Categories: The Word My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. James 1:19-24 (NIV) --- ### Jesus - Published: 2024-07-22 - Modified: 2024-07-22 - URL: https://bequette.com/jesus-2/ - Categories: The Word Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV) --- ### The Advocate - Published: 2024-07-21 - Modified: 2024-07-21 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-advocate/ - Categories: The Word But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you. ” John 16:7-15 (NIV) --- ### Testing - Published: 2024-07-20 - Modified: 2024-07-20 - URL: https://bequette.com/testing/ - Categories: The Word Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread. ” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. ’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. ’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test. ’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me. ” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only. ’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. Matthew 4:1-11 (NIV) --- ### Ask him - Published: 2024-07-19 - Modified: 2024-07-19 - URL: https://bequette.com/ask-him-2/ - Categories: The Word “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! ” Luke 11:11-13 (NIV)Ask him --- ### He cares for you - Published: 2024-07-18 - Modified: 2024-07-18 - URL: https://bequette.com/he-cares-for-you/ - Categories: The Word Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. He cares for you1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV) --- ### The Spirit - Published: 2024-07-17 - Modified: 2024-07-17 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-spirit-2/ - Categories: The Word Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV) --- ### You have been healed - Published: 2024-07-16 - Modified: 2024-07-16 - URL: https://bequette.com/you-have-been-healed/ - Categories: The Word “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed. ” 1 Peter 2:24 (NIV) --- ### Remember - Published: 2024-07-15 - Modified: 2024-07-15 - URL: https://bequette.com/remember/ - Categories: The Word And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds. ” Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more. ” And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary. Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, Hebrews 10:10-20 (NIV) --- ### Holy Spirit - Published: 2024-07-14 - Modified: 2024-07-14 - URL: https://bequette.com/holy-spirit/ - Categories: The Word But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you. ” John 16:7-15 (NIV) --- ### When I am weak - Published: 2024-07-13 - Modified: 2024-07-13 - URL: https://bequette.com/when-i-am-weak/ - Categories: The Word Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:6-10 (NIV) --- ### The power of death - Published: 2024-07-12 - Modified: 2024-07-12 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-power-of-death/ - Categories: The Word Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:14-18 (NIV) --- ### Freely give - Published: 2024-07-11 - Modified: 2024-07-11 - URL: https://bequette.com/freely-give/ - Categories: The Word These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near. ’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Matthew 10:5-8 (NIV) --- ### At the Home of Martha and Mary - Published: 2024-07-10 - Modified: 2024-07-10 - URL: https://bequette.com/at-the-home-of-martha-and-mary/ - Categories: The Word As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me! ” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. ” Luke 10:38-42 (NIV) --- ### What must I do? - Published: 2024-07-09 - Modified: 2024-07-09 - URL: https://bequette.com/what-must-i-do/ - Categories: The Word On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "What must I do? Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life? ” “What is written in the Law? ” he replied. “How do you read it? ” He answered, “ ‘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, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. ’ ” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live. ” Luke 10:25-28 (NIV) --- ### Freedom in Christ - Published: 2024-07-08 - Modified: 2024-07-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/freedom-in-christ/ - Categories: The Word So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. Galatians 5:1 (NLT) --- ### Ask, seek, knock - Published: 2024-07-07 - Modified: 2024-07-07 - URL: https://bequette.com/ask-seek-knock/ - Categories: The Word “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7(NIV)Ask, seek, knock --- ### The Gate - Published: 2024-07-06 - Modified: 2024-07-06 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-gate-2/ - Categories: The Word Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:7-10 (NIV) --- ### In the past > God’s Final Word: In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and God’s Final Word - Published: 2024-07-05 - Modified: 2024-11-09 - URL: https://bequette.com/in-the-past/ - Categories: The Word In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and God’s Final Word: His Son through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. Hebrews 1:1-4 (NIV) --- ### Who is the greatest - Published: 2024-07-04 - Modified: 2024-11-09 - URL: https://bequette.com/who-is-the-greatest/ - Categories: The Word An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest. ” Luke 9:46-48 (NIV) --- ### The Temple Tax - Published: 2024-07-03 - Modified: 2024-07-03 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-temple-tax/ - Categories: The Word After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax? ” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon? ” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others? ” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours. ” Matthew 17:24-27 (NIV) --- ### He saved us - Published: 2024-07-02 - Modified: 2024-07-02 - URL: https://bequette.com/he-saved-us/ - Categories: The Word He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:5-7 (NIV) --- ### Power - Published: 2024-07-01 - Modified: 2024-07-01 - URL: https://bequette.com/power/ - Categories: The Word I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:16-21 (NIV) --- ### Greetings - Published: 2024-06-30 - Modified: 2024-06-30 - URL: https://bequette.com/greetings/ - Categories: The Word Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All God’s people here send their greetings. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:11-14 (NIV) --- ### Listen to me > Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body - Published: 2024-06-29 - Modified: 2024-11-09 - URL: https://bequette.com/listen-to-me/ - Categories: The Word Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them. ” After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. “Are you so dull? ” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body. ” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean. ) He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person. ” Mark 7:14-23 (NIV) --- ### My Lord and my God - Published: 2024-06-28 - Modified: 2024-06-28 - URL: https://bequette.com/my-lord-and-my-god/ - Categories: The Word Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God! ” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. ” Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:28-31 (NIV) --- ### Blessed - Published: 2024-06-27 - Modified: 2024-06-27 - URL: https://bequette.com/blessed/ - Categories: The Word What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. ” Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them. ” Romans 4:3-8 (NIV) --- ### What good is it - Published: 2024-06-26 - Modified: 2024-06-26 - URL: https://bequette.com/what-good-is-it/ - Categories: The Word For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? Mark 8:35-37 (NIV) --- ### The Kingdom of God - Published: 2024-06-25 - Modified: 2024-06-25 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-kingdom-of-god/ - Categories: The Word Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst. ” Luke 17:20-21 (NIV) --- ### Free indeed - Published: 2024-06-24 - Modified: 2024-06-24 - URL: https://bequette.com/free-indeed/ - Categories: The Word Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:34-36 (NIV) --- ### Do what pleases Him - Published: 2024-06-23 - Modified: 2024-06-23 - URL: https://bequette.com/do-what-pleases-him/ - Categories: The Word “Who are you? ” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world. ” They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him. ” John 8:25-29 (NIV) --- ### If you knew me - Published: 2024-06-22 - Modified: 2024-06-22 - URL: https://bequette.com/if-you-knew-me/ - Categories: The Word Then they asked him, “Where is your father? ” “You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also. ” John 8:19 (NIV) --- ### Moses commanded us to stone such women - Published: 2024-06-21 - Modified: 2024-06-21 - URL: https://bequette.com/amazing-grace/ - Categories: The Word Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher Moses commanded us to stone such women, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say? ” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. ” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? ” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin. ” John 8:1-11 (NIV) --- ### Ask Him - Published: 2024-06-20 - Modified: 2024-06-20 - URL: https://bequette.com/ask-him/ - Categories: The Word If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! ” Luke 11:13 NIV --- ### How you should pray - Published: 2024-06-19 - Modified: 2024-06-19 - URL: https://bequette.com/how-you-should-pray/ - Categories: The Word “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV) Andrea Bocelli - The Lord's Prayer --- ### Hidden Treasure - Published: 2024-06-18 - Modified: 2024-06-18 - URL: https://bequette.com/hidden-treasure/ - Categories: The Word “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Matthew 13:44-50 (NIV) --- ### Forgive - Published: 2024-06-17 - Modified: 2024-06-17 - URL: https://bequette.com/forgive/ - Categories: The Word Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13 NIV --- ### Nothing will be impossible - Published: 2024-06-16 - Modified: 2024-06-16 - URL: https://bequette.com/nothing-will-be-impossible/ - Categories: The Word “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me. ” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out? ” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. ” Matthew 17:17-20 (NIV) --- ### Sin - Published: 2024-06-15 - Modified: 2024-06-15 - URL: https://bequette.com/sin/ - Categories: The Word “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. ’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. Matthew 18:15-17 (NIV) --- ### The revelation of the mystery - Published: 2024-06-14 - Modified: 2024-06-14 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-revelation-of-the-mystery/ - Categories: The Word Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. Romans 16:25-27 (NIV) --- ### I pray - Published: 2024-06-13 - Modified: 2024-06-13 - URL: https://bequette.com/i-pray/ - Categories: The Word I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV) --- ### Give thanks to God - Published: 2024-06-12 - Modified: 2024-06-12 - URL: https://bequette.com/give-thanks-to-god/ - Categories: The Word One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. Romans 14:5-9 (NIV) --- ### One person's faith - Published: 2024-06-11 - Modified: 2024-06-11 - URL: https://bequette.com/one-persons-faith/ - Categories: The Word Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. Romans 14:1-4 (NIV) --- ### The fulfillment - Published: 2024-06-10 - Modified: 2024-06-10 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-fulfillment-2/ - Categories: The Word Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself. ” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:8-10 (NIV) --- ### Love in Action - Published: 2024-06-09 - Modified: 2024-06-09 - URL: https://bequette.com/love-in-action/ - Categories: The Word Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. ” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:9-21(NIV) --- ### The old order - Published: 2024-06-08 - Modified: 2024-06-08 - URL: https://bequette.com/the-old-order/ - Categories: The Word I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. ” Revelation 21: 2-4 NIV --- ### Perfect Will - Published: 2024-06-07 - Modified: 2024-06-07 - URL: https://bequette.com/perfect-will/ - Categories: The Word Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) --- ### Treasures in Heaven - Published: 2024-06-06 - Modified: 2024-06-06 - URL: https://bequette.com/treasures-in-heaven/ - Categories: The Word “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:19-24 (NIV) --- ### Jesus - Published: 2024-06-05 - Modified: 2024-06-05 - URL: https://bequette.com/jesus/ - Categories: The Word Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV) --- ---