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!
Sarina Grasham. Richmond, Tx
Joshua 4:24 TNIV
He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.
Laura, Minneapolis, MN.
And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.
(Romans 5:16 NKJV)
Diane Ellison from Littleton, CO
Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
Ephesians 5:24 NIV
Colossians 3:15 NIV Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Joan (Coppell, TX): Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Psalm 34:11 NIV
Kathi Griffin, Macon, GA:
10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions,
sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch,
Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:10-13 (NIV)
Donna from Beavercreek, OH
I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Rev 5:4 (NIV)
Ruth from Atlanta:
Whom did he consult, and who made him understand?
Who taught him the path of justice,
and taught him knowledge
and showed him the way of understanding?
Isaiah 40:14 (ESV)
Thank you, Mary! Love how The Message words those truths.
Kimyetta H. Jonesboro, GA
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you.
1 Corinthians 3:16
Shelly Elston, Portland, OR
“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one’s youth.”
Psalm 127:4
NRSV
Brenda Hendersonville TN
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 ESV
Debbie Fitzpatrick, Bossier City, LA
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. Psalm 145:19 NIV
Michelle, West Des Moines, IA
The LORD lives! Praise to my Rock! May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted!
2 Samuel 22:47 NLT
Martha Basler
Houston, Tx.
Ps. 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Cindy from Richmond, Tx. Colossians 2:6 (NIV). So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him,
Beth B, Pella, Iowa –
Isaiah 55:9 (2011 NIV)
As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Paula Rutherford, Decatur, Tx–“Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an
everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised
to David.” (Isaiah 55:3–1985 NIV)
Amy Guth from Canton, MS
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
Hi amary! Nice to meet you. Thank you for this encouraging verse that i so needed to hear today. May God bless you more than you can ever imagine
Oopsy! I Meant Hi Mary!
Lake City FL “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Donna, Athens, GA
“In him was life, and the life was the light of men.”–John 1:4 (RSV-2CE)
Elizabeth Moreno from Austin Texas
For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the begining of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
Matthew 24:21-22
NKJV
Kristen, Liberty, MO
“made us alive with Christ even when we we’re dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:5. NIV
Norman, Oklahoma
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22 NIV
Cris , Virginia Beach VA
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom , and the one who obtains understanding
Proverbs 3:13 NET
Valerie Keyser from Fort Myers, FL: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6 ESV
Kathy, Houston, TX
James 1:7-8 (NIV)
7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
Sarah Gittemeier from Kansas City:
Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth-everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Isaiah 43:5-7, NIV
Andrea from Houston, TX “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 ESV
Steph M., Irvine, CA
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
(Proverbs 1:7, NIV)
Connie Windham
Picayune, MS
Whatever you have heard from me keep as the pattern of sound
Teaching with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:13
Dacia Edmonson, Bullard Texas
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Isaiah 52:7 NIV
San Bernardino Ca
The secret of the Lord is with those who fear him and he will show them his covenant. Psalms:25:14 nkjv
Cheryl from Phoenixville, PA John 15:1-3 NIV I am the true vine, my Father is the Gardener. He cuts off any branch in me that does not bear fruit. Any branch that does bear fruit, He prunes, to make even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the Word I have spoken to you.
Meredith in Johnstown, OH: There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. -1 John 4:18 (NIV)
Jacki from Grandville, MI
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”
Proverbs 27:6. NKJV
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14 NIV
emi, white house, tn: “…who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:14 ESV
Jacquie Terada Spokane WA
Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Isaiah 35:1 NLT
Soni from Gulfport: Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Psalm 105:4 ESV
Wendy, Erie CO: (Verse #13)”And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.” Ephesians 1:13a (NIV)
(Verse #14)”Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13b-14 (NIV)
Susie Johnson, Bloomington, IN
“The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.”
Psalm 25:14 NIV
Sherry L Smith from Marietta GA
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”
Proverbs 18:10 ESV
Memorizing Psalm 25
V. 14 – ESV
The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him and he makes known to them his covenant.
Michelle Moultrie, Jacksonville, FL “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2 ESV
Rosemary, Carmichael CA So you’ll recognize them by their fruit. Matthew 7:20 CSB
Lindsey Buchanan St. Augustine, FL
“The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.” Psalm 25:14 NIV
Rhonda, Houston TX
Psalm 25:16 NIV
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
Casey Hale, Grapevine, Texas
Psalm 25:14 – CEB
“The Lord counsels those who honor him; he makes his covenant known to them.”