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!
Col. 1:11 “God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient.
Cherie – Joseph, Oregon
“Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.” (2 Corinthians 8:11 NIV)
Charlotte Sloan. Myrtle Beach, SC
Psalm 32:1-2. NLT
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sins are put out of sight.
Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin,
whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
Judy Madison, Beaumont, California
Depart from evil and dogood; seek peace and pursue it.
A gentle response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. PRoverbs 15:1 (NET)
Emily from Fort Worth, TX: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
– Romans 15:13
Terra Brown, Kitchener Ontario, Canada
“Guard your heart above all else for it determines the course of your life”
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
“Jesus answered, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ” John 14:6. NIV
Becky from Cincinnati.
‘Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.’
Psalm 34:14 KJV
Mary Cavalier Old River-Winfree, TX
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalms 23:6 NASB
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Cindy Webb, Cisco, Texas
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
Misty Sanders, North Charleston, SC
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Ephesians 6:10 NIV
Kathy, Andover,KS,
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14 NIV
For we have not received the spirit of bondage leading again to fear but ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba, Father.
Romans 8:15
Michelle Johnson, Hart, MI
For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but my lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and my covenant of peace will not be shaken, says the Lord who had compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10 NASB
I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you;
I will praise your name, O Lord,
for it is good. Psalm 54:6 NLT
Marcy from Vincennes, IN
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:8 NIV
“Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart.”
Psalms 119:2 ESV
Heather Louisville, KY
“Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.” 2 Timothy 1:14 (NLT)
Antoinette, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
Heer, laat het licht van Uw gelaat over ons schijnen.
Psalm 4:7b (NBV)
Erika from Prospect, KY -“to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” – Ephesians 3:21 (NIV)
From Marysville, Michigan – Psalm 94:19: Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer. The Living Bible (NLT)
Amy, Gettysburg, PA.
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. Psalms 125:1
“but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
Psalms 1:2 ESV
I would’ve liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel Philemon 13 NIV
Psalm 121:1-4 NASB
“I lift my eyes to the hills;where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord,Maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip;He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold,He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”
Norman, OK
Now, therefore what have I here, declares the Lord, “seeing that my people are taken away for nothing? Their rulers wail,” declares the Lord, “and continually all the day my name is despised. Therefore my people shall know my name. Therefore in that day, they shall know that it is I who speak; here I am.” Isaiah 52:5,6
Muncie, IN: “If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:7
For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement:Love your neighbor as yourself. Galatians 5:13 HSCB
Lynn, Divide, CO
Romans 8:12-13 ESV
So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Denise Wilkin
El Paso, Texas
Revelation 12:11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. NIV
Barb Wisconsin. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. Ps. 139:14 ESV
Turn my eyes away from worthless things, preserve my life according to your word. Psalm 119:37 NIV
Leisha – Luverne, AL
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jerimiah 29:13 ESV
Marilyn Brown in The Plains, OH says:
“Nothing you do for the Lord is useless.”
1Cor.15:58 NLT
Cindy, Beaumont, TX. no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. Psalm 91:10 ESV
Hallsville, TX
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
Hallsville, TX
Posted the wrong verse!
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I John 1:9
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus
Philippians 4:19 Esv
Chante Clarkson-Columbia, SC
Ephesians 2:10 King James Version (KJV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
“For the mind set on th3e flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 NASB
Tammy Smith Grayson La.
Romans 4:7
Blesssed are those whose transgressions are forgiven , whose sins are covered .
Georgina A. Hyattsville, MD.
“For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall.” Psalm 18:29 NKJV
Lucille Goins Fulton Mo.
Psalm 111:5 NKJV
He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant.
Mandy Parker
Powder Springs, GA
Rom 12:12 (NIV)
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Ursula Hawkins, St. Leonard MD:
“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, not sit in the seat of scoffers! Psalm 1:1
Sarah LeJeune, Cypress, CA
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:11 NIV
Diane LeJeune, Fairview, TN
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:11 NIV
Psalm 1:1 NASB