“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before

“With your whole being you embrace God setting things right, and then you say it, right out loud: “God has set everything right between him

“And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced

“Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there is any wicked or hurtful

“Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand

“To the saints and faithful believers in Christ [who are] at Colossae: Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honour. Give all your worries

“So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.“ James‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ ‭AMP‬‬ When you

“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.“ Luke‬

“Grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be multiplied to you in the [true, intimate] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.