2 Corinthians 5:4-5

For Reading and Meditation:     John 8:31-47

Jesus publicly made the challenge: " Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?" Here we are face to face with a kind of person who had not been seen since Adam in his pre-fallen condition - a man without sin. The disciples had shared every kind of experience with Him that mortals can share, had seen Him at all hours of day...

In the world you will have tribulation. § The whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. § We who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.These are the ones who come out of the great...

Here we have no continuing city. § You have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.Now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials. § There the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary are at rest.We who are in this tent groan, being burdened. § God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death,...

Lord, all my desire is before You; and my sighing is not hidden from You. My iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. § O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?The whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. § In this...

There the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest. There the prisoners rest together; they do not hear the voice of the oppressor.Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on … That they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.“Our friend Lazarus sleeps.” … Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.We who are in this tent groan, being burdened. § We also who have the firstfruits of the...

Beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. § Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. § Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. § Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected.Everyone who...

The king commanded them to quarry large stones, costly stones, and hewn stones, to lay the foundation of the temple. § The temple, when it was being built, was built with stone finished at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house. § Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole...

So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest …. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.”In this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven … For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. § Having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.Let us run with endurance...