“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends, and his neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:3-7)

A story in the Bible came to mind after having these experiences. Luke 17:11-19 reads as follows: “Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him-and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

A good example of bartering in the Bible is in Genesis 47:17, “So they brought their livestock to Joseph and Joseph gave them food in exchange for the horses and the flocks and the herds and the donkeys, and he fed them with food in exchange for all their livestock that year.”

“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Matthew 5:13

“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” Psalm 16:8.

Mark 1: 35 shares with us a time that Jesus went into a space of solitude to pray. “And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there He prayed.” Even Jesus needed time to be alone with the
Father.”

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not claim to be wiser than you are” (Romans 12: 15-16)

My brothers and sisters, Jesus gives an example of how to live as a good influence in scripture, Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine so others can see it. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will bring glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

I love this quote by Heraclitus, “Life is like a river and you just can’t restrain it. Because when you actually limit it, you rob yourself of opportunities, happiness and meaning.”

“For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently. God is pleased with you.” (1 Peter 2:19-20)

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)

Out of the depths I cry to you; Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy” (Psalm 130:1-2)

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

The apostle Paul puts it this way in Romans 12: 2: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight of the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate” (Genesis 3:6)

“So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.” Hebrews 2:1

As I live says the Lord God, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?” Ezekiel 33: 11

“Be sober minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8