Good afternoon to all. May I first express appreciation to all who participated in the Open Conversation last night regarding Black History. I thought it

Even though Joel 1 is about an invasion of locust, I love the idea that he says, “Hear this, you elders, listen, all who live in the land. Has anything like this ever happened in you days or in the days of your ancestors? Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.”

“Let no one cheat you of your reward.” “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men.” Colossians 2: 8,18

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: but not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).

The apostle Paul writes, “But as it is written, eyes hath not seen, nor ears heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Proverbs 3: 27 says, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.“

“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 28:19-20

Remember, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine; for thy light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.”

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12: 9-13

John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

“Go is love, and He who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16

Proverbs 15:13 says, “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.”

The apostle Paul says, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:3-4)

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted” (Galatians 6:1)

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in rebellion” (Hebrews 3:12-13, 15)

The Bible says in Proverbs 15:13, “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face. But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.”

“Let them praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them. Let them exalt Him publicly before the congregation and before the leaders of the nation.” Psalms 107:31-32

Jesus teaches us, “Do not judge others and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged” (Matthew 7:1-2)

“There is a time for war and a time for peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:8b).