Jesus answered,
"I am the way and the truth and the life. 
No one comes to the Father except through me."

(John 14:6 -- NIV)

"I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."

(John 15:5-8 -- NIV)

The Lord is
close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed
in spirit.

(Psalm 34:18 -- NIV)

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

(Isaiah 52:7 -- NIV)




And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?  As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
(Romans 10:15 -- NIV)

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

(Romans 12:12 -- NIV)

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)

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. ² And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. ⁴ And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. ⁵ But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

(Matthew 28:1-6 -- ESV)

. . . then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

(Genesis 2:7 -- ESV)

  

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
(Psalm 19:1 -- ESV)

Be sober-minded; be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

(1 Peter 5:8 -- ESV)

Or which newspaper are you reading? 

This is what "No Guns Allowed" signs really mean. 

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.  ⁵ Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

(Psalm 25:4-5 -- ESV)

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. ¹⁴ For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

(Matthew 7:13-14 -- ESV)
_______________________________

Universalism? 
No, not everyone will go to heaven.

"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?  Tell me, if you have understanding."

(Job 38:4-5 -- ESV)

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

 (1 Peter 2:9 -- ESV)

And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name.  Your kingdom come.  ³ Give us each day our daily bread, ⁴ and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.  And lead us not into temptation.”

 

(Luke 11:2-4 -- ESV)

 

 

For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. ¹³ For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

(Romans 10:11-13 -- ESV)

As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.

(Proverbs 27:19 -- ESV)

And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” ²¹ So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind.  And God saw that it was good. ²² And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” ²³ And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.

(Genesis 1:20-23 -- ESV)

"Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you."

(Matthew 7:6 -- ESV)

 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. ¹⁹ Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, ²⁰ that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

(Acts 3:18-21 -- ESV)

 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

(Galatians 4:4-5 -- ESV)

Happy Epiphany!

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” ²⁰ Immediately they left their nets and followed him.


(Matthew 4:18-20 -- ESV)

Keep your fork . . . the best is yet to come.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 

(Romans 12:1-3 -- ESV)

Has
God
forsaken
us (U.S.) 
or
have 
we forsaken God?

Oh, that the Lord would guide my ways
To keep his statutes still!
Oh, that my God would grant me grace
To know and do his will!

Order my footsteps by your Word
And make my heart sincere;
Let sin have no dominion, Lord,
But keep my conscience clear.

Assist my soul, too apt to stray,
A stricter watch to keep;
If ever I for get your way,
Restore your wandering sheep.

Make me to walk in your commands,
A most delightful road;
Nor let my head or heart or hands
Offend against my god.

(Isaac Watts)