Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. Hebrews 13:18

stacked paper elements:  Kitty Love by Kristmess Designs, paper by Connie Prince

Heavenly Father, This verse is our prayer--that you will give us wisdom and strength to serve you with pure hearts in holy fear and respect, in awe of all that you are, all you have done, are doing and will do in your great love and infinite power.  We desire your perfect will, and we submit to your good plans and purposes.  We want to rely on your wisdom instead of the so-called "wisdom" of men.  We want to put all of our trust in your abilities, not in those of men or ourselves.  We want to show your love and awesome nature to the world so they can see how great you are and come to their senses.  We want all people to seek you and eternal life, to receive the gift of faith in the finished work of your Son for our salvation, and to put to death selfish motives and evil desires in order to realize true happiness, joy and fulfillment in serving you.  We know that whenever anyone perishes there is a double tragedy--they will suffer in agony for eternity and there will be one less soul praising you in heaven forever.  The very thought breaks our hearts!  Please work in us to accomplish what you prepared from the beginning for us to do  and let us not grow weary but to encourage one another to remain steadfast and faithful in the same way that our precious Savior endured and persevered to the end, in perfect obedience and undying love for you.  In His glorious, victorious, beloved and adored name, Amen.

A "P.S." if you will allow, Lord, please help us to repent of taking your word out of context and twisting Scriptures to fit our own views.  Please also help us to remember that "works" is everything we say, do and think, not only "good deeds."  We ask it in Jesus' precious name, Amen.

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.  But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.  For each will have to bear his own load.  Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.  Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.  And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.  So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:1-10  

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins  in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.  But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:1-10

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.  Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Titus 2:11-15  

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20