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!
Amy7634 from the Midwest:
“Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.”
2 Timothy 2:10 (NIV)
Stephanie Tausch – Helotes, Tx
“I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.”
Ecclesiastes 3:14 NIV
Nikola, Langley, Canada
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2 NIV
Charlotte Heisel Modesto, CA
Psalms 30:2 (NLT)
O LORD my God, I cried to you for help
And you restored my health.
Sarah, Christina, EstherMay and Janie Marion Wenatchee, WA
“Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.”
2 Timothy 1:14 NIV
Laura Grassi, Denver, CO
Talk no more so very proudly; let no arrogance come from your mouth, for the Lord is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed. 1 Samuel 2:3 NKJV
Joni, Port Neches, Tx. “And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.” Colossians 1:18-19, ESV
Jacqui, Chester, UK
1 Thessalonians 5:11
‘Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing”.
(NIV)
Lori, Toledo
2 Tim 2:7 HCSB “Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”
Missi Woods – Walker, LA
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
John 15:11 NIV
Janet, Midlothian Texas
Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver and gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
1 Peter 1:18-19 NASB
Charlie Carraway, Sopchoppy, FL
“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;”
Philippians 2:12
Kathleen, Starks FL
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 (ESV)
Colossians 1:11-12 MSG
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.
(Not the verse I planned but this spoke so loud to me where I am in life and I need some glory-strength spilling over into joy! Thank you for the encouragement.)
Psalm 139:14 NASB
I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Thy works,
And my soul knows it very well.
LoriCausyn, Kenora
God saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
2 Timothy1:9 ESV
Olda from Huntsville
Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:10 ESV
For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers and authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16 HCSB
Amy, Miamisburg, OH
“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.”
Hebrews 12:12-13 ESV
Allison from Albany, GA: “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Reeder
Auburn, AL
James 4:7. Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Abbey Towles 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
Jessica from Omaha, Ne
Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O King, and if it please the king, let my life be granted me for my wish, and my people for my request.
Esther 7:3 ESV
Judy, Satellite Beach,FL
Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.
Psalm 25:5(ESV)
Dallas, GA
“And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the God the Father through him. Col. 3:17 NIV
Jana Wright From Bennington Vermont
Psalm 121:5 – The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
Katrina from Wichita Falls, TX
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:10 (new living translation)
Connie Colston from Waxahachie,Texas
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
1 John 1:9 NLT
Kristen Fowler, Marble, NC
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8 ESV
Cora Suggs, Huntsville, AL Luke 9:23 He said to them all, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Lois from New York
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful.
Cool. 3:15+
Tane McGehee Uvalde, Texas July 16, 2017
Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you
With all joy and peace as you believe so thayou may overflo
With hope by the Holy Spirit.
Lynn from Brandon, MS
Psalm 34:1 “I will bless you the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (ESV)
Joshua 1:9 Haven’t I commanded you be strong and couragous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God is with you whereever you go. (Holman Christian Standard)
Dawn Byers , Alvord, Texas, “suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying ” Luke 2:13
Jodie Bowling Lewisburg, Ohio
So if anyone purified himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
II Timothy 2:21
And so train the young women to love their husbands and children.
Titus 2:4
NIV
Psalm 34:4
I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. NAS
Mary Owen, Ruston, LA, So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God. 2 Timothy 1:8, Holman.
Margaret Neil, Jackson, TN
The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken-that is, created things-so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Hebrews 12:27 NIV
Susan Tilley from North Charleston “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””
Matthew 19:26 ESV
Susan Tilley from North Charleston “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””
Matthew 19:26 ESV
Valerie from West Bloomfield says:
“He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and whatever he does, he prospers.”
Psalm 1:3 NASB
Stacy from Houston, TX
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Ephesians 6:11 NIV
Ann Smith, Mapleton, ME
The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant.
Psalm 25:14 NASB
Carrie Lagas, North Potomac, MD
“Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.” 2 Timothy 2:14
Louise – Montgomery Village,MD 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets it self up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ .
Mindy, Granger, IN
“The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.”
Isaiah 50:4 NIV
Nanette Tisdale, Fredericksburg, Tx; “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103: 13-14 NIV
Rhonda Edmunds from Milton, WV
“Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 1 John 4:15-16 ESV