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!
Annette Webb, Cuyahoga Falls, OH:
“Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering.”
Isaiah 40:16 ESV
Barbi, Post Falls, Idaho. “You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.” Job 11:18 NIV
Heather Smith
Nashville, TN
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.
– Romans 12:14 (NLT)
Anne from Spokane, WA:
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Matthew 6:11-12 NKJV
Carrie Gill, Tyler, TX
“The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them.”
Psalm 25:14 (NIV)
Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness. Psalm 51:14 HCSB
Robin from Grants Pass, Oregon
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
Psalm 25:8 ESV
Cindy, Franklin, TN “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”
Romans 12:15 NKJV
Naomi, Colorado Springs, CO: “The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant” Psalms 25:14 ESV
Ellen Dimmitt from Hayden, Idaho: For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3 NIV
Jeanne Adams, Keller, TX
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.
Psalm 566-4:30pm NASB
Karen sill
Albuquerque NM
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV
Melody from Borden, Indiana: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life.” Matthew 6:27 NIV
Ginni Bartlett. Winter Park FL
Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins (it looks overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others). 1Peter 4:8
Anne, Bracknell, UK
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
Colossians 1:16 NIVUK
Sharon Lee, Riverside, Ca.
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become
slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the
result is eternal life. Romans 6:22 NIV
DeeDee Martin
Katy, Tx
Luke 7:48 NLT
Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven. “
Karen, Clarksville, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But it’s death will produce many new kernels– a plentiful harvest of new lives. ” John 12:24 NLT
Terri Fullerton, Abilene, TX
showing ourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8, NIV
Denise from Reliance, VA
Psalms 25:14 NKJV
“The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him,
And He will show them His covenant.”
Karen Warsaw,IN
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light–for the fruit of the light results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth– discerning what is pleasing to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:8-10 HCSB
Stephanie from Chico, CA
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.
I Corinthians 13:11 AMP
Carolyn, Terrace BC Canada
Colossians 1:11 NLT
We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy.
June Greenstreet from Bradford Ontario
“Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power.”
Psalms 106:8 ESV
Darcy Hendricks, Parker, CO
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 NIV
Judy of Marietta, GA: I pray that your partnership with us in faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Philemon 1:6. NIV
Ashley Schroeder
Georgetown, TX
But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.
1 Peter 1:15 NLT
Habakkuk 3:19,GNB, “The Sovereign LORD gives me strength. He makes me sure-footed like a deer, and keeps me safe on the mountain.” As I am following God’s direction for life, I can find myself questioning my ability once I get to where he is leading me. I must place myself with his strength, then I know I can be all God desires for me to be!
Deb Brown, Becker MN
This command that I give you today is certainly not too difficult or beyond or reach. Deut 30:11 CSB
Julie from Ridgeville, SC: “Work at living in peace with everyone.” Hebrews 12:14 (NLT)
Cara Gabrielse, Parker, CO: Finally, be strong in the Lord and the strength of his might. Ephesians 6:10 NASB
Grace, UK:
The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
Psalm 25:14
Rebecca Moore from Lake Mary, Fl; The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes his covenant known to them. Psalm 25:14 (NIV)
KIm from Fort Worth
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Psalms 139:14 NIV
Lisa Curtis
Jackson, MO
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14 NIV
Lorrie Moudy, El Dorado, Arkansas: “Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you…” Psalm 137:6
Margie Dudley, Moncks Corner, SC
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:14 NLT
Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time. Hebrews 4:16 HCSB
Carolyn, St. Catharines, ON
And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
Matthew 8:13 ESV
Heather from Sherwood, OR
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”
Hebrews 4:14 NKJV
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
Lam. 3:22 (ESV)
Amanda B., Valdosta, GA
“But I am not ashamed, because I know the One I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12 NIV
Lee from Gaithersburg, MD “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 ESV
Lynn from Greenwood, SC – Psalm 103:1 – “Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.” – NIV
Sammie Davenport of Sterling,Va James 3:17″But the wisdom that is from above is first pre, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” (NKJ)
Lori in San Jose, CA
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23: 5-6 NKJV
Pam in Fredericksburg, TX
Psalm 143:10English Standard Version (ESV)
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead me
on level ground
Lisa H fr Georgetown, TX
“filed with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:11 HCSB
(this is final verse of Paul’s prayer of intercession over church at Philippi fr Philippians 1:9-11 have been writing on my heart to be able to share with others in future)
Gloria, Irving “Praise the Lord, o my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.” Psalm 103:1 NIV
Janet from Richmond, Tx.
Romans 1:16 NIV “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”