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!
Carrie Moehrke, Cary, NC
Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
Ephesians 1:11NLT
Barbara Q, West Point, GA
Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
Patience Nason
Citrus Heights, CA
“We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”
2 Corinthians 4:10 HCSB
Stacey – Kerrville, TX – Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken – Psalm 55:22 NIV
II Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
Jan Morton
Hawkinsville, GA
Romans 11:36 (ESV)
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Elsie, Castle Rock CO
For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord and to do it and to teach His statutes and rules in Israel
Ezra 7:10 ESV
Tensie Palmer – Los Angeles, CA
1st Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV
“Pray without ceasing,”
rhonda
gilmer
Jude 14 (NKJV)
14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,
Nell brinkley. Chattanooga tn. For there shall be a day when watchmen will call in the hill country of Ephraim : arise, and let us go up to Zion, to the lift our god. Jeremiah 31;6. Esv
Connor from Greenwood, SC
“From the end of the earth, I will call to you, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2 (New Heart English Bible)
Cheryl from Charlottesville, VA
“She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. Proverbs 31:21 (King James version)
Kathy
St. Louis, MO
“My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”
Psalm 84:2(NIV’84)
Teach me Your way, O Lord;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name. Ps 86:11 nasb
Amy, Hood River OR, “In embroidered garments she is lead to the king ; her virgin companions follow her – those brought to be with her.” Psalm 45:14, NIV
Wendy from Vero Beach:
“…and live a life of love,
just as Christ loved us
and gave himself up for us
as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Ephesians 5:2
NIV
Cheryl from Omaha, NE
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
James 4:17 (NIV)
Lori Jensen- Mountain View, WY
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified…, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 ( NIV)
Sonna, Modesto CA
Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37 NASB
Amy from Baltimore, MD For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them. Ephesians 2:10 NAB
Sabrina Smith, Kingsland, TX
“Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 HCSB
Johnson City, TN
He restores my soul
Psalms 23:3a NIV
Mary C
Hazel Green, AL
Psalm 25:15 (NIV)
“The LORD confides in those Who fear Him;
He makes His covenant known to them. “
Barbara Ordner, Tomball, TX
For life is more than food…
Luke 13:23 NLT
Laura from Sebree, KY
“Do not conform 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)
Becky, from Scottsdale, AZ,
““Look, I am coming soon!
My reward is with me,
and I will give to each person
according to what they have done.
I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the First and the Last,
the Beginning and the End.”
Revelation 22:12-13 NIV
“I lift my eyes toward the mountains.
Where will my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
The Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not allow my foot to slip;
Your Protector will not slumber.”
Psalm 121:1-3
HCSB
Judy from Clay Center, Kansas, “I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm 40:10 NLT
Isaiah 43:19New International Version (NIV)
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
Blessings to You, Mary!!
Thank you for keeping BALANCE in NUMBERS at LPM!!
The Lord bless you and keep you.
NUMBERS 6:24 NIV
Kim Safina
Central Coast of California
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Lizzie Roeser from El Dorado Hills, CA
13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
Jeremiah 29:13-14 (NIV)
Annette, Houston TX
Whenever I am afraid,
I will trust in You.
In God (I will praise His word),
In God I have put my trust;
I will not fear.
What can flesh do to me?
Psalm 56:3-4 NKJV
Marie from Frederick, MD
2 Corinthians 12:9 MSG
then he said “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness.
Karessa, Peoria, IL:
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
Stephanie Morris-Clark Norman, Ok
“Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” Jude 14 NKJ
April from Vermilion, OH
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:2 ESV
Colossians 3:5 (NKJV)
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Colossians 3:5 (LBLA)
5 Por tanto, considerad los miembros de vuestro cuerpo terrenal como muertos a la fornicación, la impureza, las pasiones, los malos deseos y la avaricia, que es idolatría.
Mary Annis
Jacksonville, TX
Pray without ceasing.
I Thessalonians 5:17 KJV
Susan Young, Fairhope, AL
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
Debbie Hernandez, Atascocita, Texas
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” Exodus 20:8 NIV
Susan from Overland Park, KS
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”
John 15:7 NIV
He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth. Psalm 25:13 NKJV
Fran Scott, Stafford TX: “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Proverbs 14:30 NIV
Gayle, Salinas, CA
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
Jennie Marie Knoll – DeWitt, AR
Romans 12:10 (NIV) Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Kim from Arvada CO
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”
Daniel 4:37 NIV
Debbie Peters – Bassett, VA
He and all his family were devout and God fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. Acts 10:2 NIV
Nikki, Franklin, TN,
As they were going down to the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us” – and the servant did so – “but you stay here for a while, so that I may give you a message from God.”
1 Samuel 9:27 (NIV)
Gay
Round Rock, Tx
For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.
Psalm 18:31-32 NIV
Kerry from Houston, TX
There is no one like the God of Israel.
He rides across the heavens to help you,
across the skies in majestic splendor.
The eternal God is your refuge,
and His everlasting arms are under you.
Deut. 33:26,27 NLT