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Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. [Born anew] into an inheritance which is imperishable [beyond the reach of change] and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, who are being protected and shielded by the power of God through your faith for salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time. In this you rejoice greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in [your] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy, receiving as the result [the outcome, the consummation] of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Security of the One Who Trusts in the LORD.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

Will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no enemy can withstand].

I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

My God, in whom I trust [with great confidence, and on whom I rely]!”

For He will save you from the trap of the fowler,

And from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you and completely protect you with His pinions,

And under His wings you will find refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and a wall. You will not be afraid of the terror of night,

Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

Nor of the destruction (sudden death) that lays waste at noon.

A thousand may fall at your side

And ten thousand at your right hand,

But danger will not come near you.

You will only [be a spectator as you] look on with your eyes

And witness the [divine] repayment of the wicked [as you watch safely from the shelter of the Most High].

Because you have made the LORD, [who is] my refuge,

Even the Most High, your dwelling place,

No evil will befall you,

Nor will any plague come near your tent. For He will command His angels in regard to you,

To protect and defend and guard you in all your ways [of obedience and service].

They will lift you up in their hands,

So that you do not [even] strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion and cobra;

The young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

“Because he set his love on Me, therefore I will save him;

I will set him [securely] on high, because he knows My name [he confidently trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never abandon him, no, never].

“He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will rescue him and honor him. With a long life I will satisfy him

And I will let him see My salvation.”

But whoever drinks the water that I give him will never be thirsty again. But the water that I give him will become in him a spring of water [satisfying his thirst for God] welling up [continually flowing, bubbling within him] to eternal life. So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

I always keep the LORD in front of me. When he is by my side, I cannot be moved. The source of my power and strength is God, and I know it, without a shadow of a doubt when you feel the power of God in the room; God I want to praise the wonders of your mighty love. Christ behind me.. Christ within me.. Christ beneath me.. Christ above me.. Amen!

But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth. And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity. As it is written and forever remains written,

Now He who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed for sowing [that is, your resources] and increase the harvest of your righteousness [which shows itself in active goodness, kindness, and love]. You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous, and this [generosity, administered] through us is producing thanksgiving to God [from those who benefit].

The way in which you have proved yourselves by this service will bring honor and praise to God. You believed the message about Christ, and you obeyed it by sharing generously with God's people and with everyone else.