Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your mouth is renewed like the eagles. The Lord does righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. I love the Lord, for He heard my voice and my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live. [Psalms 103:1-3; Psalms 116:1-2]
Christ said (The Message Version) Watch out for the doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, ‘I’m the One’ or, ‘The end is near.’ Don’t fall for any of that. When you hear of wars and uprisings, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history and no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Huge earthquakes will occur in various places. There will be famines. You’ll think at times that the very sky is falling. But before any of this happens, they’ll arrest you, hunt you down, and drag you to court and jail. It will go from bad to worse, dog-eat-dog, everyone at your throat because you carry my name. You’ll end up on the witness stand, called to testify. Make up your mind right now not to worry about it. I'll give you the words and wisdom that will reduce all your accusers to stammers and stutters. You’ll even be turned in by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. Some of you will be killed. There’s no telling who will hate you because of me. Even so, every detail of your body and soul—even the hairs of your head! —is in my care; nothing of you will be lost. Staying with it—that’s what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry; you’ll be saved. [Luke 21:8-19]
Holy Spirit help me to live each day as a living sacrifice for You. Help me to focus on each day and live it to the fullest. Help me to not be anxious when I see so much of the world broken, beaten, dark and evil. Help me to focus on the fact that this world is not my home or my final address. My life, covered by the blood of Christ, has my name written in the Book of Life and I await the day I see the face of Jesus. Until that day help me to live my life fulfilling my purpose and using the talents, gifts, and ministry You have given for me to use and do.
Now to Him who is able to establish me according to the gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever, Amen. (Romans16:25-27)