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!
Johnine from Anna, Texas
Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Romans 8:14
NIV
No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. Psalm 16:9 (NLT)
Marie from Frederick, MD
Proverbs 3:5 MSG
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Lynn Greene, Shelby, NC Jude 1:2 NIV
“Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.”
Denise Oglesby Katy, TX: Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another”. NIV
Jami Johnson. Tomball, TX. Age 32
– I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14 ESV
Rachel, Vancouver, WA.
“To which of the angels did God ever say, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’” Hebrews 1:13 (NIV)
Stacey Tomball Ephesians 2:1 NIV
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
Michelle, Waterloo, ON, Canada
He will spend his days in prosperity and his descendants will inherit the land. Psalm 25:13 NIV
Stacie M. Gerathy from Livonia, MI 48150
Philemon 1:14
14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.
Christina from Winter Haven, FL
Psalms 62:7 ESV
“On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.”