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!
Peggy Welch, Bloomington, IN Isaiah 26:3-4 Amplified You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast, committed, and focused on You, because he trusts and takes refuge in You. Trust confidently in the LORD forever for the LORD GOD is an everlasting Rock.
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ 1 Peter 1:13 KJV
Nashville, TN. “I pray that God, the source of hope will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13, NLT
Traci Williams, Santa Clarita, CA: “The Lord confides in those who fear him. He makes his covenant known to them”. Psalm 25:14, NIV.
Jennifer Mosher in Canfield, Ohio from the NIV
Psalm 77:14 You are the God Who performs miracles;
You display Your power among the peoples. Psalm 77:14
AMEN!!!
Suzette Stone, Fredericksburg, TX; “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” Psalm 145:13-14 NIV
Candy from St Louis MO
Continuation in 2 Timothy..“but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me—”
2 Timothy 1:17 ESV
Amanda Gozur, Rio Rancho, NM
“Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.” Proverbs 4:25 NLT
Amy- Tampa, FL
Mark 4:24 NRSV
“And He said to them, ‘Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you'”.
Christy – Knoxville, TN
“Let us not grow tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper timeif we don’t give up.”
Galatians 6:9
CSB
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it well.” Psalm 139: 13-14
Julie/DeerPark,Tx Psalm 63:6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. NIV
Chelsea from Bossier City, LA
Psalm 115:1 NKJV “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But to Your name give glory. Because of Your mercy, because of Your truth.”
Tammy from Franklin Tennessee says
” Humble yourselves therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he might lift you up in due time.
Cast the whole of your cares on him, for he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 -8
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (ESV)
2 Timothy 2:16 “But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness”
Kristin, San Marcos, Ca , The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. Psalm 23:1 NIV
Ginny Caroleo
Hamden, CT
Proverbs 31:22
She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Susan Teets, Dewittville, NY. “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” Philippians 2:14. NIV
Becky Konshak
Louisville, CO
It wasn’t long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better.
Colossians 3:7 The Message
Bridget in Phoenix
Michelle O’Banion from Grandview, Texas
“For me to live is Christ [His life in me], and to die is gain [the gain of the glory of eternity].” Philippians 1:21 AMPC
Alice Hinckley, Dallas, TX: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” James 3:13 NKJV
Susan, Houston, “But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.” NASB
Laurie B, Mariposa-Yosemite, CA.
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 ESV
Bridget in Phoenix
2 Corinthians 8:11 -12 NIV
Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has not according to what he (she) does not have.
Sherry Lee, Owensboro, KY
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 ESV
Rachael Ornelas San Marcos,TX
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that in due time He may exalt you.
Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you.
1Peter5:6&7
AMPC
NIV Psalm 68:11
The Lord announces the word, and the woman who proclaim it are a mighty throng
Jill Greer, Medina, TN
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalms 34:18 NIV
Raleigh, NC
“Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!”
Psalms 96:2-3
Danyelle
Kingwood, TX
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
James 3:17 (ESV)
Lori from Iowa
Ezekiel 36:26 “I will give you a new heart and a new mind. I will take away your stubborn heart of stone and give you an obedient heart.”
Elizabeth Peck, Oak Ridge, TN: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Phil 4:8 NIV 1984
Judy Grieve, Clarks Hill SC
Judy Grieve, Clarks Hill SC
Who are they that fear the Lord?
He will teach them the way that they should choose.
Psalm 25:12 NRSV
Heather Morgan from Waxahachie, TX
Hebrews 13:20-21 NLT
Now may the God of peace–Who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with His blood–may He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever & ever! Amen!
Yael hernandez, New York, NY
Psalm 91: 9-10 NASB
For you have made the Lord, my refuge,
Even the Most HIgh, your dwelling place.
No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent
Lesley from California: “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14 CSB
Kimberly Keech, Fayetteville, NC
Ephesians 6:13-14, NIV
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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.
Erin Alley from Greenwood, SC: “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 I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
Sarah from Sonora, CA
Colossians 1:11
“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.”
G sue Caldwell, Houston. NIV
O taste and see that the Lord is good!
How blessed is the man/ woman who takes refuge in Him
psalms 34:8
Phyllis, Irvine, CA: “Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.” Deuteronomy 32:2 (ESV)
Kathy, Austin ps 118:8 it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
Julie from Niceville, Florida
For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons, neither the present
nor the future, nor any powers, 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
Mary Merrell Albuquerque NM
Ephesians 6:16
” In addition to all of this, take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. ”
(NIV)
Emily Davis, Loveland, CO. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 (NASB)
Deb Davis, Loveland, CO. “Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God.” Psalm 146:5 (NKJV)
Allie McDonald from Wheaton, IL. “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29