To the faithful You show Yourself faithful,
to the blameless You show yourself blameless,
to the pure You show Yourself pure,
but to the devious You show Yourself shrewd.
Psalm 18:25-26

stacked papers: Brrr! by Kristmess Designs

Heavenly Father, We read this passage and think of your beautiful, perfect, powerful attributes, we are so humbled at how you love us despite ourselves with our faults, flaws, shortcomings, mistakes and failures.  Please make us more like you every day, more useful for your service and fit for your marvelous kingdom.  We want to be faithful, blameless and pure.  We gladly submit to your will.  We have no interest in being devious or crafty to try to "outwit" our Lord and Sovereign God.  We know very well that you see and know all, even inside of our hearts.  Please search us and cleanse anything from our hearts that is not pleasing to you.  Please make us true reflections of your holy nature and righteous character.  We know that if we're not reflecting you, then we're not doing what we're here for--to serve you and help others to find you so that they can know and love you as we do.  Thank you for the unbelievably great privilege of being your very own possession, so utterly loved and cared for.  We pray that through the mighty, unfailing power of your Holy Spirit, we will be made worthy of your glorious kingdom.  We pray that by your strength, mercy, grace, wisdom and peace we will stand fast for the truth, always with your great love--that no matter what happens, your awesome name will be honored and lifted high.  In Jesus' only saving name, the one above all names on earth and in heaven, forever, Amen.

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Psalm 139:23-24

But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”  Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.  So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.  And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,  correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,  and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:19-26

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.  Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.  For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”  and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-20  

The person who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; the person who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.  Anyone finding his life will lose it, and anyone losing his life because of Me will find it. Matthew 10:37-39  

For you know how, like a father with his children,  we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.  This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—  since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you,  and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels  in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.  They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,  when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.  To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,  so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:4-12