Get on your knees to get on your feet

James 4:10 (MSG)
Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.

We are not defined by the world

John 17:16 (MSG)
They are no more defined by the world Than I am defined by the world.

Relationship with God

Galatians 3:26-27 (MSG)
By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God.

We are Jesus' branches

John 15:4-7 (MSG)
"Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can't bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can't bear fruit unless you are joined with me.

Divorce for another

Mark 10:11-12 (MSG)
Jesus gave it to them straight: "A man who divorces his wife so he can marry someone else commits adultery against her.

Sin is always tempting, thank God

Romans 7:21-25 (MSG)
It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

Stick with Jesus and stick out for Him

2 Timothy 2:10-13 (MSG)
That's why I stick it out here-so that everyone God calls will get in on the salvation of Christ in all its glory.

Keep your eyes on Jesus - He's done this!

Hebrews 12:2 (MSG)
Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed-that exhilarating finish in and with God-he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

Celebrate God all day!

Philippians 4:4 (MSG)
Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

Really live the life if this is what you've chosen

Galatians 5:25 (MSG)
Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

We will do even greater things

John 14:12-14 (MSG)
The person who trusts me will not only do what I'm doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I've been doing. You can count on it.

It's only right to give thanks

2 Thessalonians 1:3 (MSG)
You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it's a must. We have to do it. Your faith is growing phenomenally; your love for each other is developing wonderfully. Why, it's only right that we give thanks. We're so proud of you; you're so steady and determined in your faith despite all the hard times that have come down on you. We tell everyone we meet in the churches all about you.

2 Timothy 2:1, 2 Timothy 2:3, 2 Timothy 2:5-7, 2 Timothy 2:15-16, 2 Timothy 2:21-22

2 Timothy 2:1 (MSG)
So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen!— to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn't get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It's the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over. God will make it all plain.

2 Timothy 2:3 (MSG)
When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did.

2 Timothy 2:5-7 (MSG)
An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere.

2 Timothy 2:15-16 (MSG)
Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won't be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple.

2 Timothy 2:21-22 (MSG)
Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing.

Let Jesus in

Revelation 3:20 (MSG)
"Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors!

Self control

Proverbs 25:28 (MSG)
A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.

Don't blame God for your stupidity

Proverbs 19:3 (MSG)
People ruin their lives by their own stupidity, so why does god always get blamed?

Do your actions match your belief?

Romans 14:22-23 (MSG)
Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don't impose it on others. You're fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent. But if you're not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe—some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them—then you know that you're out of line. If the way you live isn't consistent with what you believe, then it's wrong.

Grow up! Treat others well!

Matthew 5:44-48 (MSG)
I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer,

How to live

Micah 6:8 (MSG)
But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously— take God seriously.

Live as God plans... It'll be better

Galatians 5:13 (MSG)
It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That's an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?

Make friends

Romans 12:16-19 (MSG)
Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

Follow God's plan

Psalm 119:1-6 (MSG)
You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by god. You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That's right—you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, god, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I'm going to do what you tell me to do; don't ever walk off and leave me.

Love God with all you've got

Deuteronomy 6:5 (MSG)
Love god, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got!

When you want your own way...

Galatians 5:19 (MSG)
It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom.

Your life should reflect God

Ephesians 4:22-24 (MSG)
Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything-and I do mean everything-connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life-a God-fashioned life,