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!
Molly from Cypress, TX
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 15:13 ESV
Kim Foley, Arnold,MD
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1 (NIV)
Betty from Mission Viejo
“Look to the Lord and his strength, seek his face always.”
1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV
Calgary, Alberta
from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint.
Psalm 61:2 ESV
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. John 3:3. kJV
Thara from Ft St. John, BC Canada
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
If someone says, “I love God”,and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.
I John 4:20 NASB
Sheila from Mount Airy, NC- “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10(NIV)
Debbie Weaver, Cumming, GA
“He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32 NIV
Angie Hill, Jasper, Al
“Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Colossians 4:1 NIV
Paula Faulkner from Fort Madison, Iowa says
“Rejoice in the Lord always,
I say it again rejoice.
Let your gentleness be
evident to all.
The LORD is near.
Do not be anxious about anything
but in everything by prayer
and petition
with Thanksgiving present your requests to
GOD.
And the peace of God,
which transcentds all udnerstanding
will guard your hearts
in Christ Jesus Our Lord.
Phil. 4:4-7 NIV
Elise, Houston TX
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord , the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
Psalms 33:12 ESV
Jeannie Williams, Rock Hill, SC
The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him,
And He will make them know His covenant.
Psalm 25:14 NASB
Judy Louisville,KY Psalm 107:20-22 (NIV)
He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.
“And they glorified God because of me.”
Galatians 1:24 ESV
Mindy Seekford Stonewall,LA
“You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.”
Romans 2:1 NLT
Rita Brake from los Alamos Nm ” put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:11 niv
Barbara from North Potomac, Maryland
“You are the source of all life, and because of your light
we see the light.”
Psalms 36:9 TEV
Mandisa Hundley from Nashville, TN “My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back,” James 5:19 NLT
Brenda Orlow – Jordan, MN
Psalm 127:2 (NIV) “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for He grants sleep to those He loves.”
Who are those who fear the LORD? He will show them the path they should choose. Psalm 25:12 NLT
Karen, Dallas, TX:
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
Lori Thompson
Parker, Tx
“They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land.”
Psalm 25:13 NIV
http://bible.com/111/psa.25.13.niv
Dana Pace, FL
But Jesus immediately said to them, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Matthew 14:27 NIV
Marilyn,Dearborn MO.
He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 ESV
Sheri
Georgetown, TX
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
Psalm 32:8 (NASB)
Anne B., Chesterfield,MI.. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 ESV
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34, NIV
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV)
Sharon Mills
Henderson, Nv.
Ps. 40:3 ESV “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.”
Cindy, North Potomac: “Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Holman Christian Standard
Glenda Willard from Farmington, NM
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 praise worthy – think about such things.
Philippians 4: 8 (NIV)
Kim, Richland, WA
Do everything in love.
1 Cor. 16:14 NIV
Ephesians 2:10(ESV)
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them
Then the king arose at dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions’ den. When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
Daniel 6: 19-20 NAS
From Wilton Ca
Rom12:2 NKJV
And do not be comforted to this work, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God
Rita, Splendora, Tx
The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him,
and He will show them His covenant.
Psalm 25:14
NJKV
Traci McNally from Evansdale, IA
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
Romans 8:22-23 NIV
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27 NIV
Sorry, I forgot to start with my name and city:
Edna Grace C. from Torrance, CA
Wendy Buttrey Acworth, Ga
They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. Psalms 91:12 NLT
Sherry
Indianapolis, IN
Psalm 34:15,16 (NIV)
“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to blot out their names from the earth.”
Betty Stephens, Austin, Texas “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
NIV
Melanie, Armuchee GA
On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.
Psalm 138:3 (ESV)
Jeanette dahm. Lake Oswego ,Oregon. psalm 111:8. NIV. They are steadfast forever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.
Sharon from the United States
I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. (Isaiah 45:4 – 6 NIV)
Kelly, Missouri City , TX ” So dont be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or me His prisoner. Instead share in the suffering for the gospel, relaying on the power of God. He saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. This is has now been made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 Tim 1:8-10 Holman
Lily, TN
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
Stacey DiGrazia, Elgin, Ill.
“The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.”
Psalm 25:14 NIV
Cheryl of Everett, PA
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” James 1:17 NASB
Pammela W. from Albuquerque, NM
” I tell you, her sins–and they are many–have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Luke 7:47 NLT