The Gathering

James 1:2-4 New International Version: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Psalm 51:10-12 NASB   Create in me a clean heart, God, a nd renew a steadfast spirit within me.   Do not cast me away from Your presence a nd do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.   Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, a nd sustain me with a willing spirit.

  "The Calling of Samuel" Sir Joshua Reynolds   1723 - 1792 NIV 1st Samuel 3: 8 - 10:  A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”  Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy.  So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.  The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”  Then Samuel said,  “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

  1 Peter 2:9 ESV But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.