Hey Siestas,
My name is Mary, and I do all things accounting at Living Proof Ministries. I haven’t had an opportunity to meet many of you, but I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you through Facebook and the blog.
But the verse in Colossians I keep camping on is a verse of encouragement. Encouragement in the tough times. Who can’t use some of that?
Colossians 1:11 in the Message says,
“We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.”
God promises to help us through the hard times. Too often I exhaust myself trying to push through in my own strength. In those times when I make it through the storm on my own – it’s without joy and often without thanksgiving! This verse reminds me to catch myself in the act of gritting my teeth – to stop and instead draw from the “glory-strength God gives.” It is here in this posture I can rest in His promises. It is here where He is truly glorified, and it here where I give Him all the thanks He deserves – right in the midst of the storm!
Billie, Yucca Valley, CA
“He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created.”
James 1:18 (NIV)
Leah, Kansas City, MO
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Kay from Deer Park, Texas
James 1:16-17 NIV
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows.
Susie from Northville, MI
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 5:12 NIV
“Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah” Psalm 62:8
“But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced” ~ Philemon 14 NIV
Kristen, Indianapolis, IN
Linda in Chester, VA
“You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion!”
Psalm 139:15 (TLB)
Chris Laughlin from San Antonio, Texas
Hosea 13:9 KJV O Israel, you have destroyed yourself, but in Me is your help.
Deuteronomy10:17
“For the Lord your God is God of Gods, Lord of Lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.” (ESV)
Wilmer AL
Proverbs 18:10. NIV
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The Righteouse run to it and are safe.
Sherri Medford from Abilene, Tx How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7 ESV
“He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” ~ Titus 3:5 NLT
Jennifer, Chattanooga, TN
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.
1 Peter 2:2 NIV
Audrey ~ Lebanon, IN
2 Timothy 1:13 NIV
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
Kelley from Houston Tx
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:21-24 (ESV)
Conna Sullivan
Decatur, TX
“We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.” -1 John 3:14(NIV)
Debbie McElroy, Zachary, LA: For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but JOY comes with the morning.
Psalm 30:5 NLT
Diana, North Attleboro, MA
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:20 NKJV
Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love; just as I have kept my Fathers commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. John 15:9-11
Holly J, Santa Monica, CA
” I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.”
– Psalm 139:14, NASB
Mimi Foster from Chickasaw, Al.
The Lord confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
Psalm 25:14 NIV 🙂
Susan from Slidell, LA
“For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God”. Hebrews 3″4 NKJV
Leigh, Shorter, Alabama: He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. Psalm 107:9 NKJV
Kelly Unger from Fowler, IN
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NLT
17: For the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
18: So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord-who is the Spirit-makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Julie Bentonville,AR
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His commandment, and to those who remember His commandments to do them. Psalm 103:17-18 NKJ
Carolyn Dypsky, Bishopville, MD
Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. Colossians 1:22 NLT
Hannah Hancock from Winter Haven, FL
“Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
Psalm 34:14 (NKJV)
Phyllis, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Colossians 1:11 ESV
May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,
Ruth Kitchener, ON
Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendour. Isaiah 55:5 (NIV)
Terri Plumlee, Stamford, Tx
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7 ESV
Carolyn, Dover, Ohio
Carolyn Dover, Ohio
“I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.” Psalm 119:14 NIV
Carolyn Medlin Oceanside Ca
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
II Thessalonians 3:3 NIV
Jennifer Bass from Fort Worth, TX:
“Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works.”
2 Timothy 4:14 HCSB
Carrie Hart, Byron, GA
James 3:14 ESV- But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
Regina, Floydada, Texas ~”Keep your tongue from evil and you lips from speaking deceit.”
Psalm 34:13 ESV
Connie – Fulton, KY
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”
Romans 12:16 NIV 1984
Lisa from Blue Ridge, VA
“Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.”
Romans 4:9 NIV
Deborah Johnson from Odessa, Texas. “being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3 NASB
Lena-Wilmore, KY
By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning burial of his bones. Hebrews 11:22 NIV
Gina from Naperville, IL , “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 HCSB
http://bible.com/72/pro.3.5-6.HCSB
Lori Causyn, Kenora, Ontario
He who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 2 Timothy 1:9 ESV
Debbie May from Fort Worth, TX
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
Psalm 139:14 ESV
Kim Beechem from Madill, OK: Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 (NIV)
Kathy Leamington Ontario Canada
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.
Ps. 37:7
Teresa, Walla Walla, “They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the Promised Land.” Psalm 25:13 NLT
Dana Nance
Blue Ridge, Tx
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14 NIV
Holly Cox. Greenwood, SC
“Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!”
Psalms 40:14 ESV
Vonnie Baker
Marble Hill MO
No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Matthew 6:24 KJV
Pam Hendersonville, NC
“His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.” Psalm 25:13-14 KJV