Essential Indeed...

Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty,

Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name;

Worship the LORD in the beauty and majesty of His holiness [as the creator and source of holiness].

The voice of the LORD is upon the waters;

The God of glory thunders;

The LORD is over many waters.

The voice of the LORD is powerful;

The voice of the LORD is full of majesty. (Psalm 29:1-4) For if we have become one with Him [permanently united] in the likeness of His death, we will also certainly be [one with Him and share fully] in the likeness of His resurrection. We know that our old self [our human nature without the Holy Spirit] was nailed to the cross with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. For the person who has died [with Christ] has been freed from [the power of] sin. (Romans 6:5-7) The LORD is near to the heartbroken And He saves those who are crushed in spirit (contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin). (Psalm 34:18)

Glory in His holy name;

Let the hearts of those who seek and require the LORD [as their most essential need] rejoice.

Seek and deeply long for the LORD and His strength [His power, His might];

Seek and deeply long for His face and His presence continually. (Psalm 105:3-4) A heart full of joy and goodness makes a cheerful face,

But when a heart is full of sadness the spirit is crushed.

The mind of the intelligent and discerning seeks knowledge and eagerly inquires after it,

But the mouth of the [stubborn] fool feeds on foolishness.

All the days of the afflicted are bad,

But a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of the circumstances]. (Proverbs 15:13-15) The LORD also will be a refuge and a stronghold for the oppressed,

A refuge in times of trouble;

And those who know Your name [who have experienced Your precious mercy] will put their confident trust in You,

For You, O LORD, have not abandoned those who seek You. (Psalm 9:9-10) For just as in one [physical] body we have many parts, and these parts do not all have the same function or special use, so we, who are many, are [nevertheless just] one body in Christ, and individually [we are] parts one of another [mutually dependent on each other]. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them accordingly: if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new message from God to His people] in proportion to the faith possessed; if service, in the act of serving; or he who teaches, in the act of teaching; or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4-8)