Be Self-Controlled

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” ~ 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV 1984)

He Will Cover You

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)

He Will 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 (NIV 1984)

A Cord of Three Strands

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV)

Saved By Grace

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” ~ Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

His Love Endures Forever

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. ~ Psalm 107:1 (NIV 1984)

Renew Your Mind

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 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 12:1-2 (ESV)

Rejoice & Be Glad

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

Do Not Be Anxious

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

~ Matthew 6:25-34 (ESV)

Your Pick

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. ~ Mattthew 6:24 (ESV)

Lamp of the Body

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! ~ Matthew 6:22-23 (ESV)

Where Is Your Treasure?

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ~ Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)

Pleasing to God

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. ~ Psalm 19:14 (NIV 1984)

Live ~ Die

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ~ Philippians 1:21 (NIV 1984)

We Live in the World, BUT...

3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. ~ 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV 1984)

The Lord Remains Forever

“for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.” 1 Peter 1:24-25 (ESV)

Being Renewed Day by Day

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV)

Living and Active

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” ~ Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

God Freely Gives Wisdom

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. ~ James 1:5-6 (ESV)

Greatest Commandments

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” ~ Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV)

More Blessed to Give

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” ~ Acts 20:35 (ESV)

When You Fast

16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ~ Matthew 6:16-18 (ESV)

How to Be Thoroughly Equipped

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV 1984)

Exercise Self-Control

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:25 (ESV)

Speak with Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ Ephesians 5:19-20 (NIV 1984)

Nothing Can Separate Us from the Love of God

38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)

Fear of the Lord

““The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” ~ Proverbs 9:10 (NIV 1984)

Don't Lose Hope

3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ~ Romans 5:3-4 (ESV)

Be Content

5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”
6 So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?”

~ Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV 1984)

Burdens...

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” ~ Galatians 6:2 (NIV 1984)

Work Hard

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. ~ Proverbs 14:23 (NIV 1984)

Take Refuge in Him

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. ~ Nahum 1:7 (ESV)

An Apt Reply

“A man finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!” ~ Proverbs 15:23 (NIV 1984)

Like a Shepherd

He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.

~ Isaiah 40:11 (ESV)

Desire God's Will

“I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”” ~ Psalm 40:8 (NIV 1984)

Guard Your Heart

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. ~ Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)

Don't Worry

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~ Matthew 6:34 (NIV 1984)

Live By the Spirit

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. ~ Galatians 5:16 (NIV 1984)

Discipline...

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it ~ Hebrews 12:11 (NIV 1984)

Be Thankful!

4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. ~ 1 Timothy 4:4-5 (NIV 1984)

Restore the Joy

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” ~ Psalm 51:12 (NIV 1984)

Desires of the Flesh

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. ~ 1 John 2:16 (ESV)

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 (NIV 1984)

Delight in the Lord

“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” ~ Psalm 37:4 (NIV 1984)

Now may the God of peace...

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (ESV)

No Temptation...

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)

Wait for the Lord

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” ~ Psalm 27:14 (NIV 1984)

The Lord Looks at the Heart

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” ~ 1 Samuel 16:7

Thirst Like a Man in the Dessert

5 I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all that you have done;
I ponder the work of your hands.
6 I stretch out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah
~ Psalm 143:5-6

Living HOPE

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. ~ 1 Peter 1:3-9 (NIV 1984)

Fear the Lord

“The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.” ~ Psalm 25:14-15 (NIV 1984)

Thirst for God

1 As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.

~ Psalm 42:1-2a

Self-Control...

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

Words of My Mouth

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” ~ Psalm 19:14 (NIV 1984)

What Do You Want...?

And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” ~ Mark 10:51 (ESV)

Greater Is He...

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. ~ 1 John 4:4 (NIV 1984)

Inheritance...

A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. ~ Proverbs 13:22 (NIV 1984)

If You Are Alive There IS Hope!

But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. ~ Ecclesiastes 9:4 (ESV)

People Are Watching

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. ~ 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV 1984)

Sovereign LORD!

““How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.” ~ 2 Samuel 7:22 (NIV 1984)

In the Morning

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.

~ Psalm 5:3 (NIV 1984)

Only Water to Drink

“Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. ~ Daniel 1:12 (ESV)

A Place for You

2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ~ John 14:2-3 (NIV 1984)

Search Me, O God...

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!

~ Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)

New Every Morning

 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
 23 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

~ Lamentations 3:22-23(ESV)

True Worshipers

23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” ~ John 4:23-24 (ESV)

Sow Righteousness

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. ~ Hosea 10:12 (NIV 1984)

Sow & Reap...

He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. ~ Proverbs 22:8 (NIV 1984)

Sowing & Reaping

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. ~ Psalm 126:5 (NIV 1984)

Renew Your Mind

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” ~ Romans 12:2 (NIV 1984)

First Will be Last

So the last will be first, and the first last.” ~ Matthew 20:16 (ESV)

God's Plans

“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.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV 1984)

Run With Perseverance

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. ~ Hebrews 12:1 (NIV 1984)

Happy Heart

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. ~ Proverbs 15:13 (NIV 1984)

Don't Argue with a Fool

"If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet." ~ Proverbs 29:9 (ESV)

Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the 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 by men.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

~ Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV 1984)

Your Mission Should You Choose to Accept It...

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

~ Isaiah 6:8 (NIV 1984)

All Good Gifts...

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ~ James 1:17 (NIV 1984)

God's Plans

But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. ~ Psalm 33:11 (NIV 1984)

Spirit, Soul, and Body

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NIV 1984)

Listen to Your Parents

“[Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom][Warning Against Enticement] Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.” ~ Proverbs 1:8-9 (NIV 1984)

Love the Lord Your God

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ~ Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV 1984)

God Is My Salvation

“[My Soul Waits for God Alone] To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.” ~ Psalm 62:1 (ESV)

Time is Short

“O Lord, make me know my end
and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting I am!

~ Psalm 39:4 (ESV)

Saved by Grace

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ~ Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

Accept Instruction

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” ~ Proverbs 19:20-21 (ESV)

Lie Down and Sleep

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. ~ Psalm 4:8 (ESV)

Good Stewards

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: ~ 1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)

Keep His Commandments

“You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him.” ~ Deuteronomy 13:4 ESV

Only God

“I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and I am God.” ~ Isaiah 43:11-12 (ESV)

Thirst for the Savior

“[My Soul Thirsts for You] A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” ~ Psalm 63:1 (ESV)

You Are Surrounded

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ~ Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)

Give Your Thoughts to Jesus

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, ~ 2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV)

His Workmanship

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. ~ Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

Wisdom from Above

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. ~ James 3:13 (ESV)

His Steadfast Love

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; ~ Psalm 103:11 (ESV)

Hope in Your Savior

4 Show me your ways, O Lord,
teach me your paths;
5 guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

~ Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV 1984)

A S K

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ~ Matthew 7:7 (ESV)

Just a Sheep

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ~ Psalm 23:1 (ESV)

Make Good Use of Your Time

15 Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ~ Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV 1984)

Trust in the Lord

“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.” ~ Isaiah 26:4 ESV

In His Power

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)

Don't Boast

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” ~ Proverbs 27:1 (ESV)

Cry for Mercy

Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place. ~ Psalm 28:2 (NIV 1984)

Living Hope

“[Born Again to a Living Hope] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” ~ 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)

Safety in the Lord

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” ~ Proverbs 29:25 (NIV 1984)

Blessed When...

““Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” ~ Matthew 5:11-12 (NIV 1984)

God's Glory

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. ~ Hebrews 1:3 (NIV 1984)