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!
Laura from Hudson, IL:
Psalm 25:14 (NIV)
The Lord confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them
Joyce from Rockford
“Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way of everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Lisa S. in Montgomery, TX
Romans 12:14 NLT
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.
Columbia, PA
Writing this verse from South Africa, where I am currently on mission with a team, teaching some brothers and sisters how to do holiday clubs for the community children. This passage feels so appropriate for this time!
Colossians 3:12-15 NASB
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you were indeed called in one body; and be thankful.
Allyson
League City TX
Psalm 86:14 ESV
“O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seek my life, and they do not set You before them.”
“..make you complete in every good work to do His will working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. ”
Hebrews 13:21. NKJV
Ellie Gosnell, Lady Lake, FL
The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine. Saul said to David “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
1 Samuel 17:37 NIV
Carolyn T, Meridian, Idaho
I want you to know brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout The Who,e imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. Philippians 1:12-13 ESV
Debbie from Acworth, Ga: “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.” Psalm 139:5 (NLT)
Steph Walters from Murrells Inlet, SC
“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,” 2 Timothy 2:8 niv
The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
Ephesians 1:14 NLT
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:25 ESV
Adrienne, Clarksville, TN “Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.”
Psalm 139:4 NIV
Brienne, Clarksville, TN “And he rose and went home.” Matthew 9:7 ESV
Peggyann Calderwood, Crestview, Florida
JESUS
Salvation is found in no one else,
for there is no other name under heaven
given to men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12 NIV
Always remember Jesus Loves You
Jessica, Richmond, Texas
“The name of the Lord is like a strong tower. Godly people run to it and are safe.”
Proverbs 18:10 NIRV
Debbie from Semmes, Al
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV
Melissa from Grovetown, GA. “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 NKJV
JulieB
Sharpsburg, Ga
Psalm 33:11 NIV
“But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”
Delaware, OK “Because he loves me” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
Psalm 91:14 NIV
Dianne Detrick, Magnolia, Texas
2 Timothy 2:8-9 NIV
8)Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9)for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.
Dawn, Orland Park, IL: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.” Hebrews 13:15. (NIV)
Janine Spring Hill, TN
“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
Jackie Noblesville, IN
Why am I so discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my savior and my God! Psalm 42:11 NLT
Anita Siecker, Chesterfield, VA
Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever
those who are being made holy.
Hebrews 10:14 NIV84
Williamsville, NY
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 5:5. NIV
Liz Richmond, Midland, Texas
Psalms 121:1,2 NIV
I lift up my eyes to the mountains-where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.
Ann Medford, Sunset,Tx, The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; (ESV) Lamentations 3:22
Cathy Pernsteiner
Clarkston, WA
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Romans 8:14 ESV
Chris
Waynesville, NC
They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land.
Psalm 25:13
ESV
Crystal Peaks from Durham, NC
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
-1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
Denise Ciofani from Lexington, NC. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 ESV
Kathy Rowland
Fort Wayne, IN
Who is the man who fears the Lord?
Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
Psalm 25:12
And he who searches our hearts,knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
Romans 8:27 NIV
Debra
Baraboo, Wisconsin
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
Alicia from Shoreview, MN:
“Thus speaks the Lord God of Israel, saying: ‘Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you.'” Jeremiah 30:2 NKJV.
Sallie Russ, Greenwood, SC But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people! 2 Timothy 3:1-5 HCSB
Gretchen,Gahanna, Ohio
So the, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
2 Corinthians 4:12 NIV
Kathleen, Georgetown TX
The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. Psalm 25:14
Vicki – Broken Arrow, OK
“I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”
Psalm 34:4-5
(ESV)
Lisa, West Des Moines, IA “When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,” Ephesians 3:14 (NLT)
“Because he will order his messengers to help you, to protect you wherever you go.”
Psalms 91:11 CEB
But He knows where I am going. And when He tests me,
I will come out as pure as gold.
Job 23:10 – NLT
Johannah, Alexandria
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
Phil. 1:27a NIV
Carol Lage. Jefferson City, Mo
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runnerh into it, and is safe.
Psalm 18:10. NKJ
Melissa, Sulphur, LA:
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place. Ephesians 6:14 (NIV)
Connie, Moss Bluff, LA:
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place. Ephesians 6:14 (NIV)
I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; and I will tell of all Thy wonders. Psalm 9:1 (ASV)
Janice W Barber, Virginia Beach, VA 23454
Psalm 51 NIV, Verse 14
14, Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
Jennifer Tricarico, Fairfax VA
Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name. Psalm 91:14 ESV
Kylee Lee, Las Vegas, NV. “One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.” Psalms 27:4 NKJV