But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.

Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!”

and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death.

There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love.

But

As for me, however, I am filled with power
by the Spirit of the Lord,
with justice and courage,
to proclaim to Jacob his rebellion
and to Israel his sin.

So he answered me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength or by might, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of Hosts.

Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; nothing will ever harm you.

And look, I am sending you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered

from on high.”

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

But Saul grew more capable and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this One is the Messiah.

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were under the tyranny of the Devil, because God was with Him.

My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a powerful demonstration by the Spirit,

Of love

This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,

and he has told us about your love in the Spirit.

By obedience to the truth, having purified yourselves for sincere love of the brothers, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

A sound

May my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes
so that I will not be put to shame.

He stores up success for the upright;
He is a shield for those who live with integrity

I possess good advice and competence;
I have understanding and strength.

Then people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man the demons had departed from, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.

When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger!

In all the synagogues I often tried to make them blaspheme by punishing them. I even pursued them to foreign cities since I was greatly enraged at them.

For if we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we have a sound mind, it is for you.

General references

So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. Look, you have what is yours.’

and he has told us about your love in the Spirit.

For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm,