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!
Phillis White from Shelby, NC:
People can plan what they want to do, but it is the Lord who guides their steps.
Proverbs 16:9 ERV
Renea Bentley from Hendersonville, TN — Psalm 30:11 (GNT) You have changed my sadness into a joyful dance; you have taken away my sorrow and surrounded me with joy.
Anna from Ontario Canada
1 John 3:16 NIV
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
Wendy Buttrey, Acworth, Vs
You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
Psalm 91:13 NLT
Kelley, Bad Axe, MI
“For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather of power and love and self-control.” 2 Tim 1:7 NAB
Lydia
Alabama
Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen
2 Timothy4:18(NLT)
Nancy Redkey, IN
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James. 1:2-3 NIV
Stacey, Tomball Eph. 3:4
In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
Becky, Roswell, GA
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.”
Romans 12:14, ESV
Kathryn Luedtke, Sherwood Park, Alberta
Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interest of others, your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
Phil 2: 4,5 NIV
Mary Elliff in Seattle: John 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
Michelle in Queen City TX.
Proverbs 16:7 NLT
When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them.
Kelly Paradiso-Ocala,FL- “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” 2 Samuel 7:16 NIV
Colossians 1:15,16 ESV He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
Cary, North Carolina
Sue. Kingsport, Tennessee.
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
This is very late.
Jill from Atlanta, GA
“Let us know become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9 NIV
“This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:2 NIV
Pat
Crawfordsville, IN
Sara, Indiana
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. -Romans 12:13
Vicki from Arkansas. I commit”! Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction; nothing makes them stumble.”
Psalms 119:165 HCSB
Andrea
Berkeley Springs, WV
“In Him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins”
Colossians 1:14
NIV
Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere,
Ephesians 1:15 NLT
Linda Gammon Blue Springs, MO
Psalm 19:4 NKJV
4. Their line (sound) has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
Kim, Richmond, Tx, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Phil 4:9, NIV
Amanda says “You show me the way of life” Psalm 16:11 NLT
Jana Reser
Wilmington, Ohio
Psalm 25:18 NIV
Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.
Jana Reser
Wilmington, Ohio
Psalm 25:17
The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish.
Midge Miller
West Jefferson, North Carolina
Psalm 66:20 AMP
Blessed be God, Who has not rejected my prayer nor removed His mercy and lovingkindness from being(as it always is) with me.
Carol Hartley Montgomery Al
I Corinthians 13:10 (NIV)
but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
Lisa in Winnsboro Tx
Ephesians 6:22 NIV
I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.
Lisa in Winnsboro Tx
Psalm 63:1 NKJV
O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
oops Psalm 63:1 was meant for Aug 1.
Hebrews 11:14 – “For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.” (KJ)
Kristen Jeuick, Rockville, VA: Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Eph. 3:20-21 NIV
Anna, Little Elm, TX
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;
2 Corinthians 4:8 (ESV)
Kathryn, Oceanside CA, “The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.” Psalm 121:7 ESV
Jody Bowhay in Huntsville, AL ESV
2 Corinthians 1:12
“For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God and supremely so toward you.”
AnnaMarie, Pittsburgh, PA: “The tongue has The power of life and death, and those who live it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 NIV
Emily, Greensburg, Louisiana
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10 NIV
For the Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon
the godly.
He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the
wicked will die.
Psalm 37:28
NLT
Sarah from Columbia, MO:
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her, “Many women have done excellently but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31: 28-29 ESV
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
Psalm 107:29-31 NIV
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
Psalm 139:15 NLT
Shirley, San Diego, CA:
“Whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way”
Proverbs 19:12 NIV
Shirley, San Diego, CA:
“Nothing is perfect except your words”
Psalm 119:96 TLB
in Corpus Christi, TX
Isaiah 30:25
JPS Tanakh Translation
And on every high mountain and on every lofty hill, there shall appear brooks and watercourses – on a day of heavy slaughter; when towers topple.
Emily
Virginia Beach, Va
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth, sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day
Psalm 96:12 NIV
Katera McMillan, Kentwood, LA
For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,
James 2:2 NKJV
Mandy & Kinsey Helm
College Station, TX
And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:27 ESV
Erika Archie, Gatesville, TX
and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel
Ephesians 6:19 NKJV