section 1
God has a purpose for you. Take heart and fight the dark doubts within you; the Lord is working all things to His good end romans 8:28 , this includes you ephesians 1:11-13 psalm 57:2 and everyone around you proverbs 27:17 . God has a purpose for everything and everyone. His desire is to use every person for noble ends ii peter 3:9 ezekiel 18:32 , but He has given us a choice, not whether we will serve or not serve, but how we will serve joshua 24:15 . Tragically, we sinful humans reject His good purpose luke 7:30 in our own lust for control, selfishness, and pride. God though is not thwarted in His glorious purposes job 42:2 and still uses even the wicked in their ignoble actions to serve His glorious purposes proverbs 16:4 that are from Him, through Him and to Him romans 11:36 . So, if we want to be used in noble ways we must choose to be used in that way decision by decision as we seek to fulfill His good purpose in our lives psalm 40:5-10 ii thessalonians 1:11 at the very time of His purpose…NOW acts 17:26-28 ii corinthians 6:2 …in every circumstance colossians 3:23-24 , so that we will be useful to Him for good works ii timothy 2:20-21 .
reference scriptures
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
my notes:
In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him Who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the Gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live."
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
my notes:
The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.
Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things You planned for us. None can compare with You; were I to speak and tell of Your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened— burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, "Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; Your law is within my heart." I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, LORD, as You know. I do not hide Your righteousness in my heart; I speak of Your faithfulness and Your saving help. I do not conceal Your love and Your faithfulness from the great assembly.
my notes:
So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of His call. May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.
And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
For He says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
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.
my notes:
section 2
As God uses us in other’s lives and others in our lives to encourage ephesians 6:22 or discipline ii samuel 7:14 we must not think we know the particular means of how God will accomplish His purpose for each other, in each other and through each other john 21:22 . Rather, we should keep our focus on our own life’s purpose to bless others with Christ philippians 1:20-27 and keep in mind that God uses others, no matter what, to bless His children with Himself romans 8:28-39 and reveal His glory romans 9:17 . So do not seek great things for your own significance jeremiah 45:5 , but rather we should seek Christ to be lifted high john 3:30, 12:32 even by our mundane i corinthians 10:31-11:1 , respectable lives i thessalonians 4:11-12 .
reference scriptures
I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.
I will be his father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands.
Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!"
my notes:
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain...it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ...
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son...If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else?...
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, "For Your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") No, {in} all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, Who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
my notes:
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
{Christ} must increase, but I must decrease."
As for Me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to Myself."
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
my notes:
section 3
Much of the very specifics of God’s purposes in the innumerable happenings of creation are a mystery to us as not all of it has been revealed to us job 9:10-11 deuteronomy 29:4 , but that which is revealed is for our benefit to guide us in His purposes for us and the blessings found therein deuteronomy 29:29 . If you try to figure out all the particulars of God’s purposes before you seek to fulfill His revealed purpose for you, you will only be confused and frustrated romans 11:33 , but as He reveals and will reveal the point jeremiah 23:20 i corinthians 13:9-13 we should respond in harmony and cooperation with Him romans 14:17 . He meets our own specific heart’s needs and others as well in all daily circumstances i kings 8:37-40, 58-60 to make us more like Him so that we all may have unity, love, fellowship, and joy with and in Him and each other romans 8:28-29 john 17:21 . This is why we should give thanks in all circumstances, for this is His all-encompassing purpose for us i thessalonians 5:14-18 .
reference scriptures
He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles. Yet when He comes near, I cannot see Him. When He moves by, I do not see Him go.
But to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear.
my notes:
The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
The anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has executed and accomplished the intents of His heart. In the latter days you will understand it clearly.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
my notes:
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when an enemy besieges them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, and when a prayer or plea is made by anyone among your people Israel—being aware of the afflictions of their own hearts, and spreading out their hands toward this temple—then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know every human heart), so that they will fear you all the time they live in the land you gave our ancestors.
May He turn our hearts to Him, to walk in obedience to Him and keep the commands, decrees and laws He gave our ancestors. And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, that He may uphold the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel according to each day’s need, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other.
my notes:
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.
And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
my notes:
section 4
You were called; you were given the honor philippians 1:29 ; you were purposed to suffer so that God’s glory would be revealed to others that they too might have the chance to inherit the blessed relationship with the Lord i peter 2:19-25 ii timothy 1:8-9 . Your troubles and weaknesses are truly purposed to display His glory to others ii corinthians 4:5-12 and so that we also would clearly recognize Him as the ever-present strength of our lives ii corinthians 12:7-10 . So, whatever difficulty, suffering, disappointment, weakness, etc. that you experience, know the purpose is God drawing you ever closer to Himself job 36:15-16 and revealing Himself to others through you i corinthians 1:27-31 . This is why our suffering occurs so that we will intentionally seek His ways i peter 4:1-2 so that His blessed purpose for us might be accomplished for us and through us i peter 3:8-12 .
reference scriptures
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake...
For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God, Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began...
For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, Who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
my notes:
But those who suffer He delivers in their suffering; He speaks to them in their affliction. He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, Who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
my notes:
section 5
Where there is life there is hope ecclesiastes 9:4 for where there is life you know God has a purpose for that life to still remain acts 13:36 because He is the intentional Giver of Life job 34:14-15 acts 17:28 . Your own life here will end when God’s purpose of your life is completely spent. So, take heart; God still has a purpose for you here philippians 1:22, 25-26 , even if it is just to be poured out for the faith of others philippians 2:17-18 .
reference scriptures
Anyone who is among the living has hope—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!
For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption,
If it were His intention and He withdrew His Spirit and breath, all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
my notes:
If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
my notes:
section 6
What is my purpose? How can we sum up our purpose within all the myriad of purposeful moments God has orchestrated us to participate in? Ultimately, we exist to bring about the praise of the Lord’s glory ephesians 1:11-12 by being the very specific instrument of His glory ii corinthians 4:6-7 while each one of us participates in the glory of His love for others romans 8:17 . We see that the Lord has given us many purposes within His purpose for each of us. And though the workings out of the exact circumstances, outcomes, timing, etc. are often mysterious ephesians 1:9 acts 1:7-8 the Lord has made known the necessary details through His commands deuteronomy 30:11-16 matthew 22:36-40 amos 3:7 so that we may volitionally john 7:17 ii corinthians 8:5 , joyfully, and blessedly participate romans 12:2 ii peter 1:4 in what He is accomplishing through all i corinthians 15:28 .
reference scriptures
In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him Who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.
For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, Who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
my notes:
And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering.
...making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ
He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it. "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you today, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in His ways, and by keeping His commandments and His statutes and His rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"
And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."
Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.
Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether My teaching comes from God or whether I speak on My own.
and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to Him Who put all things in subjection under Him, that God may be all in all.
my notes:
section 7
Here are some specific, revealed purposes God has made you for hebrews 13:20-21 :
Now may the God of peace, Who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—through the blood of the everlasting covenant, equip you with everything good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
To inhabit the Earth
isaiah 45:18 niv
For this is what the LORD says— He Who created the heavens, He is God; He Who fashioned and made the earth, He founded it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited— He says: "I am the LORD, and there is no other.
To lovingly build up the Earth
genesis 2:15 niv
The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
To silence the foolishness of sinful humanity
i peter 2:15 esv
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
To clearly display God’s wisdom to heavenly beings
ephesians 3:10-12 niv
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to His eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
i peter 1:11-12 niv
...trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. ...preached the Gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
To give cause for God’s praise from all
matthew 5:16 esv
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in heaven.
To have eternal, wondrous life
ii corinthians 5:4-5 niv
For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the One Who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, Who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
To build other’s faith
philippians 1:25-26 esv
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
To bring others joy
philippians 1:25-26 esv
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
To warn the complacent
i thessalonians 5:14 niv
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
To enCOURAGE the discouraged
i thessalonians 5:14 niv
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
To help the weak
i thessalonians 5:14 niv
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
To seek the good of ALL you have opportunity with
i thessalonians 5:15 esv
See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
To rejoice always in the Lord
i thessalonians 5:16 esv
Rejoice always...
philippians 4:4 esv
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
To communicate with God continuously
i thessalonians 5:17 niv
pray continually...
To give thanks to God in all circumstances
i thessalonians 5:18 esv
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
To seek God and find Him
acts 17:26-27 esv
And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him. Yet He is actually not far from each one of us,
To praise God
psalm 139:14 esv
I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.
To bring God pleasure
ii corinthians 5:9 nlt
So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please {God}.
To have our Lord and know Him intimately
philippians 3:8-14 esv
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
hosea 6:3 esv
Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; His going out is sure as the dawn; He will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth."
To bring God glory
ephesians 1:11-12 niv
In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him Who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.
To love God and others
matthew 22:36-40 esv
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."
my notes:
Scripture quotations taken from one or more of the following versions as noted:
ESV = The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.
NIV = The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973 1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NLT = The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
NASB = NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), Copyright (C) 1960,1962,1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
HCSB = Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Used by Permission HCSB ©1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 Holman Bible Publishers. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
NKJV = New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.