Friends

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. ~ John 15:15 (NIV 1984)

Message of the Cross

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)

What Is Stored in Your Heart?

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. ~ Luke 6:45 (NIV 1984)

Guard Your Heart

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. ~ Proverbs 4:23 (NIV 1984)

Word of God Stands Forever

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” ~ Isaiah 40:8 (NIV 1984)

Destroyed By...

But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. ~ Proverbs 6:32 (NIV 1984)

Let HIM Quiet You

The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”

~ Zephaniah 3:17

Fix Your Eyes on the Eternal

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV 1984)

Self-Control

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV 1984)

His Strength

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. ~ 1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV 1984)

Humble Yourself and Pray

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14

He is There

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths,[a] you are there.

~ Psalm 139:7-8

Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. ~ Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV 1984)

Without Faith...

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. ~ Hebrews 11:6 (NIV 1984)

I Do Believe

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” ~ Mark 9:24 (NIV 1984)

Healing

“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. ~ Mark 10:52 (NIV 1984)

Live By Faith

For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” ~ Romans 1:17 (NIV 1984)

Faith Is...

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ~ Hebrews 11:1 (NIV 1984)

No One Can Boast

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. ~ Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV 1984)

Faith in God

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. ~ Mark 11:22 (NIV 1984)

Peace

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. ~ Proverbs 14:30 (NIV 1984)

Almighty Gives Me Life

The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. ~ Job 33:4 (NIV 1984)

Is Anything too Hard for God?

“I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? ~ Jeremiah 32:27 (NIV 1984)

Greatest Commandments

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ~ Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV 1984)

Selfish Ambition

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. ~ Philippians 2:3-4

Love Covers Sin

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ~ 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV 1984)

Humble Before God

21 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. 22 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer. ~ Ezra 8:21-23 (NIV 1984)

Love One Another

11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. ~ 1 John 4:11-12

Be Still

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” ~ Exodus 14:14 (NIV 1984)

Gift of God

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 6:23 (NIV)

Death to Life

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. ~ John 12:24 (NIV 1984)

Exalt HIM!

You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. ~ Psalm 118:28 (NIV 1984)

My Strength and Shield

The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.
~ Psalm 28:7 (NIV 1984)

Give Thanks!

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. ~ Psalm 7:17 (NIV 1984)

Don't Grumble

16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

Be Like Jesus

51 Then he (Jesus) went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. ~ Luke 2:51-52 (NIV 1984)

If My People

...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14

Filled with God

I shared a larger portion of Scripture with this verse from a different translation a couple days ago and want to share this verse today from God's Word Translation for a little different flavor of the same verse...


You will know Christ’s love, which goes far beyond any knowledge. I am praying this so that you may be completely filled with God. ~ Ephesians 3:19 (GWT)

Hunger and Thirst

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ~ Matthew 5:6 (NIV 1984)

Persevere Under Trial

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. ~ James 1:12 (NIV)

He Who Began a Good Work

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 1:6 (NIV 1984)

He Brought Me Out

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

~ Psalm 40:1-2 (NIV 1984)

Seek the Lord

5 Evil men do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.
6 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. ~ Proverbs 28:5-6 (ESV)

Forgiven!

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. ~ Psalm 32:1 (ESV)

For This Child I Prayed

For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. ~ 1 Samuel 1:27 (ESV)

Call and He Will Answer

In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. ~ Psalm 120:1 (ESV)

Renew Your Mind

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ~ Romans 12:2 (ESV)

Teach Them...

6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. ~ Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV)

His Unfailing Love

For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. ~ Psalm 33:4-5 (NIV)

Greatest Commandment

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ~ Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)

My Shepherd

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. ~ Psalm 23:1-3 (KJV)

Fear Him

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. ~ Psalm 145:19 (NIV 1984)

God of Comfort

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

He is Compassionate

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
he rises to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!

~ Isaiah 30:18

Well-Watered Garden

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. ~ Isaiah 58:11

Fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ~ Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

God Sent His Son

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ~ 1 John 4:9 (NIV)

Love with Actions

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. ~ 1 John 3:18 (NIV)

Clothe Yourselves With...

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ~ Colossians 3:12 (NIV 1984)

Praise the Lord

[Praise to the LORD] LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. ~ Isaiah 25:1 (NIV)

Joshua's Encouragement

No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. ~ Joshua 1:5 (NIV 1984)

Encourage Each Other

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV 1984)

Gracious & Compassionate

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. ~ Psalm 145:8 (NIV 1984)

How Wide ~ How Long ~ How High ~ How Deep

16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. ~ Ephesians 3:16-21 (NIV 1984)

False Prophets

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. ~ Jesus from Matthew 7:15-20 (NIV 1984)

The Narrow Gate

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. ~ Jesus from Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV 1984)

Ask, Seek, Knock

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. ~ Jesus from Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV 1984)

Better Than Life

3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you. ~ Psalm 63:3-5 (NIV 1984)

...In Our Weakness...

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. ~ Romans 8:26 (NIV 1984)

God Poured Out His Love

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. ~ Romans 5:5 (NIV 1984)

Chosen

11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. ~ Ephesians 1:11-14 (NIV 1984)

His Love Endures FOREVER

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. ~ Psalm 136:26 (NIV 1984)

Children of God

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ~ 1 John 3:1 (NIV 1984)

His Great Love

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ~ Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV 1984)

He Delights in You

The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.” ~ Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV 1984)

His Unfailing Love

Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. ~ Psalm 48:9 (NIV 1984)

Nothing Can...

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38-39 (NIV 1984)

Made by God

The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. ~ Job 33:4 (NIV 1984)

Tree Planted by the Water

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” ~ Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)

Bread of Life

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. ~ John 6:35 (NIV 1984)

Meditate on the Law of the LORD Continuously

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. ~ Psalm 1:2-3 (KJV)

Living Water

but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” ~ John 4:14 (ESV)

Everything You Need

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ~ 2 Peter 1:3

Choose Life

19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. ~ Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV 1984)

Thirst for HIM

On the final and climactic day of the Feast, Jesus took his stand. He cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says." ~ John 7:37-38 (The Message)

Do Not Be Discouraged

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” ~ Deuteronomy 31:8

His Grace Is Sufficient!

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV 1984)

Don't Be Anxious

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ~ Philippians 4:6 (NIV 1984)

Do Not Fear

For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you. ~ Isaiah 41:13 (NIV 1984)

Praise His Name

Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. ~ Psalm 72:19 (NIV 1984)

Carry Your Cross

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. ~ Luke 14:27 (ESV)

Glory to God!

“I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. ~ Isaiah 42:8 (NIV 1984)

Clean Hands and Pure Heart

3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.
5 He will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God his Savior. ~ Psalm 24:3-5

God's Word Does Not Return Empty

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. ~ Isaiah 55:8-12 (NIV 1984)

Living and Active Today

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ~ Hebrews 4:12 (NIV 1984)

Rescued from Darkness

13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. ~ Colossians 1:13-14 (NIV 1984)

How to Pray

He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“‘Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come. ~ Luke 11:2 (NIV 1984)

No Other gods...

“You shall have no other gods before me. ~ Exodus 20:3 (NIV 1984)

NO Idols

“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. ~ Exodus 20:4 (NIV 1984)

Abraham Tested

1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.

2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”

3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”

6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”

15 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” ~ Genesis 22:1-18 (NIV 1984)

Don't Be Terrified

3 He shall say: “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. 4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” ~ Deuteronomy 20:3-4 (NIV 1984)

Wash Me

Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. ~ Psalm 51:2 (NIV 1984)

Troubled by Sin?

I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. ~ Psalm 38:18 (NIV 1984)

Confess and Find Mercy

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. ~ Proverbs 28:13 (NIV 1984)

Confession

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ~ 1 John 1:9

Live by the Truth

Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. ~ John 3:20-21

The Servant King

Jesus Story Book Bible Sample by Sally Lloyd Jones read by David Suchet.

Choose Life

19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. ~ Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV 1984)

Precious Promises

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. ~ 2 Peter 1:4 (NIV 1984)

His Encouragement

16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NIV 1984)

Call on the Lord

A song of ascents. I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me. ~ Psalm 120:1 (NIV)

Do Not Be Discouraged

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1:9 (NIV 1984)

Plans of the Lord

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ~ Joshua 29:11-13 (NIV)

Redemption Available

He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever— holy and awesome is his name. ~ Psalm 111:9 (NIV 1984)

Orphans & Widows

26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. ~ James 1:26-27 (NIV 1984)

Actions Speak Loudest

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. ~ James 1:22-25 (NIV 1984)

Give Thanks

Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence. ~ Psalm 140:13 (KJV)

God's Benefit Plan

2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. ~ Psalm 103:2-5 (NIV 1984)

Good Medicine

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. ~ Proverbs 17:22 (NIV 1984)

Find Wisdom

20 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. ~ Proverbs 4:20-22 (NIV 1984)

Pride Before the Fall

Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. ~ Proverbs 18:12 (ESV)

Refuge in HIM

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. ~ Psalm 91:4 (NIV 1984)

God of Our Salvation

8 O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.

9 help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake. ~ Psalm 79:8-9 (KJV)

Overflow with Hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~ Romans 15:13 (NIV 1984)

No Rock Like Our God

“There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. ~ 1 Samuel 2:2 (NIV 1984)

Wait for God

But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. ~ Micah 7:7 (ESV)

Living and Active

God's Word is the authority to base everything on...it judges the thoughts and attitudes of our heart.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ~ Hebrews 4:12 (NIV 1984)

Be Strong and Courageous

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” ~ Deuteronomy 31:6

Truth

Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. ~ Proverbs 12:19 (NIV 1984)

Mercy & Grace

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. ~ Hebrews 4:16 (NIV 1984)

Rejoicing

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” ~ Luke 15:10 (NIV 1984)

Look Toward Heaven

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. ~ 2 Peter 3:14 (NIV 1984)

Plans...

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. ~ Proverbs 19:21 (NIV 1984)

There Is NO Other

Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. ~ Deuteronomy 4:39 (NIV 1984)

Be Merciful

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. ~ Luke 6:36 (NIV 1984)

Train a Child

Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 (NIV 1984)

Are You an Alien?

One day last week my mischievous nine year old wrote (with a green marker) "I am an alien." on the top of his three year old sister's foot. I hope those words are true in her life one day and she is empowered by God to live verses 11-12 below.


11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. ~ 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV 1984)

A Chosen People

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. ~ 1 Peter 2:9-10 (NIV 1984)

Press on to the Prize

13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV 1984)

My Help Comes from the Lord

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. ~ Psalm 121:1-2 (KJV)

A Heritage of the Lord

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. ~ Psalm 127:3-4 (KJV)

Obedience...

Jesus is the ultimate example of obedience...

And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross! ~ Philippians 2:8 (NIV 1984)

No Temptation...

This is a verse that I memorized as a teen in Sunday School. Thanks, Marlin!

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV 1984)

Fix Our Eyes on Jesus

I memorized this verse when I was a camp counselor with my kids...We had a lot of fun learning it.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ~ Hebrews 12:2 (NIV 1984)

Pursue Peace

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. ~ Psalm 34:14 (NIV 1984)

Pray Together

But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. ~ Acts 21:5 (NIV 1984)

What Should I Do?

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV 1984)

Don't Grumble

Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! ~ James 5:9 (NIV 1984)

...Without Complaining or Arguing...

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe ~ Ephesians 2:14-15 (NIV 1984)

Quick-Tempered = Folly

A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly. ~ Proverbs 14:29 (NIV 1984)

He Loves Justice

For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face. ~ Psalm 11:7 (NIV 1984)

Sing Praise

I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high. ~ Psalm 7:17 (KJV)

Great and Precious Promises

by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. ~ 2 Peter 1:4 (ESV)

Beautiful Treasures Are Built...

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. ~ Proverbs 24:3-4 (NIV 1984)

Refined Like Silver

For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. 11 You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. 12 You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance. ~ Psalm 66:10-12 (NIV 1984)

Obey Your Leaders - Hebrews 13:17

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (NIV 1984) Obey your leaders. Put yourselves under their authority. They keep watch over you. They know they are accountable to God for everything they do. Obey them so that their work will be a joy. If you make their work a heavy load, it won't do you any good. (NIRV) Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. (ESV) Obey your rulers and recognise their authority. They are like men standing guard over your spiritual good, and they have great responsibility. Try to make their work a pleasure and not a burden—by so doing you will help not only them but yourselves. (J.B. Phillips New Testament - PHILLIPS) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you. (ASV) ~ Hebrews 13:17

Perfect Peace

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. ~ Isaiah 26:3-4 (KJV)

Desired Sacrifices

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. ~ Psalm 51:17 (KJV)

Clean Heart

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. ~ Psalm 51:10-12 (KJV)

Joy and Gladness

Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. ~ Psalm 51:8-9 (KJV)

Wash Me...

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. ~ Psalm 51:6-7 (KJV)

My Sin...

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. ~ Psalm 51:3-5 (KJV)

Have Mercy on Me

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.~ Psalm 51:1-2 (KJV)

Weary?

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~ Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV 1984)

He Who Began a Good Work

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 1:6 (NIV 1984) "He Who Began a Good Work" ~ song

An Everlasting Love

The LORD appeared to us in the past,[a] saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. ~ Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV 1984)

His Love Endures...

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. ~ Psalm 100:5 (NIV 1984)

Sacrifices...

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. ~ Psalm 51:17 (KJV)

Cast Me Not Away...

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. ~ Psalm 51:11 (KJV)

Work for the Lord

24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. ~ Colossians 3:24-25 (NIV 1984)

The Wife of Noble Character

10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. ~ Proverbs 31:10-11 (NIV 1984)

Day of Salvation

This is what the LORD says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances ~ Isaiah 49:8 (NIV 1984)

T O D A Y is the DAY!

For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. ~ 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NIV 1984)

Love Your Enemies

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ~ Matthew 5:44 (NIV 1984)

Give...

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” ~ Acts 20:35 (NIV 1984)

Refreshed

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. ~ Proverbs 11:25 (NIV 1984)

Trust in the Lord...

Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal. ~ Isaiah 26:4

Don't Give Up

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. ~ Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV 1984)

Impress Them

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ~ Deuteronomy 6:4-7

Protection...

for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. ~ Proverbs 2:8 (NIV 1984)

My Purpose in Teaching My Children

2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ~ Colossians 2:2-3 (NIV 1984)

Let Us Rejoice

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

Strong Tower

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. ~ Proverbs 18:10 (ESV)

Full Armor of God

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. ~ Ephesians 6:13-18 (NIV 1984)

Spiritual Wickedness in High Places

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ~ Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

Whole Armor of God

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ~ Ephesians 6:11 (KJV)

Be Strong in the Lord

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ~ Ephesians 6:10 (KJV)

Be of Good Cheer

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. ~ John 16:33 (KJV)

Come Forth as Gold

10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. ~ Job 23:10-11 (KJV)

Children of God

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” ~ John 1:12-13 (ESV)

Make the Best Use of Your Time

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ~ Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV)

Thy Word

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. ~ Psalm 119:11 (KJV)

Please the Lord

and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. ~ Ephesians 5:10 (ESV)

A Sabbath Rest

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, ~ Hebrews 4:9 (ESV)

Rejoice & Mourn

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ~ Romans 12:15 (NIV 1984)

Jesus and the Little Children

13 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” ~ Mark 10:13-15 (NIV 1984)

Love One Another

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ~ 1 John 4:11 (NIV 1984)

Simplify Your Life Here to Enrich Your Life There...

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ~ Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV)

Greatest Commandments

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ~ Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV 1984)

Walk with Integrity at Home

I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. ~ Psalm 101:2 (KJV)

Lose to Find

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. ~ Matthew 16:25 (ESV)

Rock and Fortress

For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. ~ Psalm 31:3 (KJV)

Fear Not

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. ~ Isaiah 43:1 (ESV)

Cover Over an Offense

Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. ~ Proverbs 17:9 (NIV)

My Portion Forever

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. ~ Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV)

Seek Wisdom

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out. ~ Proverbs 18:15 (NIV 1984)

Children of Light

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ~ Ephesians 5:8 (NIV 1984)

Desire God

I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart. ~ Psalm 40:8