22 But these are the things which the Spirit wants you to show: love, joy, peace, patience, being kind, being good, being true, being gentle, and keeping the body under control. There is no law that says, These things are wrong.
23 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have stopped doing the wrong things they want to do. They have stopped them just as if they were killed on a cross. And they have even stopped wanting to do them.
12 Be very happy because you have a hope. Be strong when you have trouble. Keep on talking with God.
2 We must keep our eyes on Jesus. He believed from first to last. What was put in front of him made him glad, so he did not give up when the people nailed him on a cross. He did not care about the shame. And now he is sitting beside God.
6 If a person does not believe God, he cannot please him. Anyone who comes to God must believe that God is real. And he must believe that God will bless those who try to find him. God will reward a person, if he really tries to find God.
15 Be happy with people who are happy. Cry with people who cry.
24 You have not asked for anything in my name yet. Ask my Father and he will give it to you. That is what will make you very glad always.
32 Ask him to let me come to you and have a good time with you.
44 The kingdom of heaven is like this. Something worth a lot of money is buried in a field. A man found it and covered it again. He was so glad that he went and sold everything he had. Then he bought that field.
6 It is true that people are much better off if they live to please God and if they are satisfied.
4 Let everyone know that you think kindly of others before yourselves. The Lord is near.
4 Let everyone know that you think kindly of others before yourselves. The Lord is near.
7 I tell you, the angels in heaven will be glad like that when one bad person stops doing wrong things. The angels will be more glad about that one person than about ninety-nine good people who do not need to change their ways.
10 So then, for the sake of Christ I am glad to be weak, to have people say wrong things about me, to be poor, to have people trouble me, and to have hard times. When I am weak, that is the time I am really strong, have been acting like one with no sense, but you have made me do it. You should have been talking about the good things I have done. The very best apostles are not one bit better than I am, even though I am nothing at all.
16 Do not stop the Spirit when he wants to do something.
17 Do not despise people who speak words from God.
18 But test everything that is said. Keep what is good.
7 Everyone should give what he wants in his heart to give. He should be glad to give it, and should not give it because he was forced to give. God loves a person who gives gladly.
22 So you also are very sad now. But I will see you again. Then you will be very glad. And no one can take your joy from you.
8 You love him even though you have not seen him. You trust him even though you do not see him. And so you are very happy. No words can tell how happy you are. Your joy is very great.
9 God will reward you because you have believed. You will then be fully saved.
8 You love him even though you have not seen him. You trust him even though you do not see him. And so you are very happy. No words can tell how happy you are. Your joy is very great.
9 God will reward you because you have believed. You will then be fully saved.
11 I have told you these things so that you may be glad in the same way I am glad. Then you will be very glad always.
11 I have told you these things so that you may be glad in the same way I am glad. Then you will be very glad always.
17 The kingdom of God is not about what a person eats and drinks. But it is about living in a way which is right with God. It is peace. It is joy because a person has the Holy Spirit.
17 The kingdom of God is not about what a person eats and drinks. But it is about living in a way which is right with God. It is peace. It is joy because a person has the Holy Spirit.
13 God gives hope. May he make you very happy. May he give you peace because you believe. Then the power of the Holy Spirit will give you much hope.
2 My brothers, be very happy when you are tested by having troubles of many kinds.
3 You know this, that when you prove you believe, you become stronger to take troubles.
17 Tell the rich people in this world not to be proud. Tell them to trust in God not in short-lived riches. He gives us richly all things to make us happy.