Christ in us–
our confidence in all things,
our hope for that better day,
our peace in this troubled world,
our comfort in despair,
our standing with a Holy God,
our joy in weakness
because we know He is strong.
But if Christ is in you…
Romans 8:10
God cares–
more than we know,
or can imagine.
Cast all your cares upon Him,
for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
We work as though everything depends on God–
because it does!
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves
to think of anything as being from ourselves,
but our sufficiency is from God.
2 Corinthians 3:5 NKJV
Scripture focus: 2 Corinthians 3:4-6, Acts 17:24-25
I think of how hard the apostle Paul worked. And Peter said things like “be all the more diligent” and “make every effort”. We work, but our confidence is always in God alone, never in the gifts, talents or abilities He provides. And then He gets all the glory for the wondrous things He accomplishes through us.
The Christian life:
always learning,
always preparing,
always growing,
always going,
always giving,
always forgiving,
always loving,
always loved.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Our quiet times are best spent in the Word of God.
Our other times are best spent thinking about
what we read during our quiet times.
And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart;
For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.
Jeremiah 15:16 NKJV
Scripture focus: Psalm 1, Colossians 3:16, Joshua 1:8
The Bible–
read it,
believe it,
love it,
live it.
The law of his God is in his heart;
None of his steps shall slide.
Psalm 37:31 NKJV
Do you have a verse that best describes
your relationship with God?
Mine is Jeremiah 31:3, where God says:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”
Even when we are unfaithful,
God remains faithful to us.
That’s quite a comfort,
especially since we fail Him so often.
If thinking of God doesn’t make you happy–
think again.
Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!
Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Delight yourself also in the Lord.
Psalm 144:15, Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 37:4 NKJV
May our goals always line up
with God’s purpose in saving us:
that we would glorify His name,
and enjoy Him now and forever.
But you are a chosen generation,
a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
His own special people, that you may proclaim
the praises of Him who called you
out of darkness into His marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9 NKJV
I think God sometimes takes things away
(things we love, enjoy, look forward to, value)
to encourage us to set our hearts and minds
on the better things that can’t be taken away.
Set your mind on things above,
not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:2 NKJV
Scripture focus: Matthew 6:19-21, Colossians 3:1-4
Every thing we do
to encourage someone
in his walk with Christ
will be remembered,
rewarded,
and rejoiced over
in heaven.
For what is our hope, or joy,
or crown of rejoicing?
Is it not even you in the presence
of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
For you are our glory and joy.
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 NKJV
Bob and I watched a television program yesterday
about the millions of dollars being spent to mine gold–
particles so minuscule they can’t be seen by the naked eye.
The specks of gold are so valuable they pay for the entire operation,
and then some! And yet, God uses gold, of an even higher quality,
to construct heaven’s streets,
because nothing is too good for His children’s eternal home.
And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
Revelation 21:21 NKJV
Scripture focus: John 14:1-4
A little dose each week
of worldliness in the home
and error in the church
is enough poison
to make us spiritually sick–
even terminal.
The Bible is the only proven antidote.
For the word of God is living and powerful,
and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the division of soul and spirit,
and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner
of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 NKJV
Scripture focus: Psalm 19:7-14
God only leads us on right paths.
Any sin, small or great, sends us traipsing off
in the wrong direction, the exact opposite
of where God would have us go.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Psalm 23:3 NKJV
I don’t think I’ve ever sinned
and been happy about it.
The opposite is always the case.
This is a gift from God.
For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs 3:12 NKJV
Scripture focus: Hebrews 12:5-11
The love we have for our families,
our children and grandchildren,
is a small taste, an imperfect example,
of God’s love for His children.
That’s why we can pray:
“Our Father in heaven.”
Scripture focus:
Romans 8:12-17
Galatians 4:4-7
Meditating on just one Bible verse–
will leave us hungry for more.
How sweet are Your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalm 119:103 NIV
One Bible verse will never be enough–
but it’s a great place to start.
Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on Your statutes.
Psalm 119:98-99 NIV
If we loved God’s Word more, we would sin less.
Because I love Your commands
more than gold, more than pure gold,
and because I consider all Your precepts right,
I hate every wrong path.
Your statutes are wonderful;
therefore I obey them.
Psalm 119:127-129 NIV
Live as close to heaven as possible.
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.
Psalm 27:4 NKJV
Scripture focus: Colossians 3:1-17, Psalm 27
