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!
Mary, Atlanta – “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9 NIV
Psalm 103:3-4. NIV
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
Amanda Porter. Kansas City, Missouri. “Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.” -Philippians 3:13-14 (MSG)
Hi from Kansas City – Proverbs 31:21 “when it snows, she has no fear for her household. For all of them are clothed in scarlet.” NIV
Amy Andrews, Bellaire, Texas
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 1:8 NKJV
Kristin Kellett, Tulsa, OK. Then he said to all, “Anyone who wants to follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his cross with him every day and keep close to me!” Luke 9:23 (TLB)
Lori Senter from San Antonio: “I am the vibe, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Kristen Johnstone, Boulder, CO
“I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT
Candice Simpson in Nashville, TN
James 3: 9-12 HCSB
We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God’s likeness with it. Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way. Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.
Jennifer, Orlando FL
2 Timothy 2:19
However, God’s solid foundation remains standing, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.”
Brandy Trahan
Port Neches, Tx
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”
Isaiah 43:2 NLT
Charlotte Skadal, Houston, Texas
“Bless the LORD, you His angels,
Mighty in strength, who perform His word,
Obeying the voice of His word!”
Psalm 103:20 NASB
Cindy from Summerville
“Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.”
Psalms 63:7 NLT
Robin Byrd, Columbia, S.C.
” A Song of Ascents. I will lift up mine eyes
to the hills__From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the LORD, Who made
heaven and earth”
Psalm 121:1-2. NKJV
Nancy Lori, Charlotte, NC
Psalm 18:6 ESV
In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.
Shelly and Sienna
Colorado Springs, CO
“For the name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous man runs into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10 ESV
Psalm 27:13-14 NRSV
I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Elizabeth Hughes, Berrien Springs,MI, “Let love be genuine, abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”(Romans12:9-12ESV).
Cara Railey, Springfield, Missouri: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Tamara from McLean, VA
And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace
Ephesians 6:15
NASB
New Braunfels, TX
Heb. 6:10 NASB
For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and your love which you have shown towards His name in having ministered and jn still ministering to the saints.
Tracy Chapman – Andice, TX
Psalm 126:3 NIV
“The Lord had done great things for us,
we are filled with joy.”
Susan Canham, Bismarck ND
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
-Psalm 139:5-6 NIV
barbara from perkasie, pa
“I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27 NLT
Brooke Gage, Highlands Ranch CO
“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
Kim Auvenshine, Fort Worth, TX
“I will keep my promises to the Lord in the presence of all his people.”
Psalms 116:14 NLT
Diane from Cypress, TX
“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”
Isaiah 30:21 ESV
Julie from Lynchburg, VA
1 Peter 3:16 NIV
“…keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
Susannah from Cypress, tx
“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
Psalm 55:22 NIV
Sarah Whitt, Fort Worth, TX
“‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’”
Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Holly Williams from Scammon Bay, AK
“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth.”
1 John 2:20-21NIV
Marie Franse, Albuquerque, NM: Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27 (NIV)
John 14:27 (NIV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Sherry McCurrie; Russellville, AR
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10 NASB
Proverbs 17:27 NKJV
He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.
Paulette
Elmer, La
Shiffra, Kalamazoo, May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus. 2 Timothy 1:18 NIV84
Jennifer- DFW, TX
“Even those I will bring to My holy mountain And make them joyful in My house of prayer Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.” Isaiah 56:7 NASB
Carol, Hewitt, TX. “Seek the LORD and His strength’ Seek His face continually. Psalms 105:4
Paula Hale, Brownwood, Tx
“The wicked will be captured by his own iniquities, and he will be held by the cords of his own sin.”
Proverbs 5:22 NET
chas from Saratoga, California, “I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with Him in HIs house my whole life long. I’ll contemplate his beauty; I’ll study at his feet.” Psalm 27:4 MSG
Sharon, Little Rock. Psalm 112: 1, 7-8 Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord. They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord. Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid.
Nancy English from Laramie Wyoming
He will spend his days in prosperity and his descendants will inherit the land. Psalms 25:13 NIV
Christina Fort Worth
Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.” Deuteronomy 3:22 NIV
From Ravendale, Calif.:
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves
a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7. NKJV
Deanne Johnson – Laguna Hills, CA
Then you will call and the Lord will answer;
You will cry for help and he will say:
Here I am.
Isaiah 58:9 NIV
Pam of Apple Valley, MN: 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. Colossians 1:11 MSG
p.s. because this resonates in the midnight hour!
Shannon S., Jackson, AT
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
Psalm o1:5-6 NIV
Becca, TN
No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
Romans 4:20-21 esv
Joy from San Diego. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:16 ESV
Renae from Albuquerque, NM
” I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God in Him I will trust.”
Psalm 91:2. NKJV