Just some Daily Devotional Bible Verses that I've been Squirreling Away...

He said to Him, “O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.”
Judges 6:15 (NASB)

Anyone else feel like Gideon? Because I do. Asked to do something by the Lord that I think is totally beyond me. But just like Gideon, I know that the Lord is with me so even if I feel inadequate, obviously He thinks otherwise.

"On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul." 
Psalm 138:3 (NASB)

  This one feels like it kinda goes with the Judges verse. Strength thru God.

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 (NASB)

I need to just take this verse and tuck it into my heart. Because I feel oh so very weary from my busy life right now. I definitely need to be given rest. 

Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
Romans 12:19 (NASB)

This may have just been proven true in my life. It is definitely not necessary to take revenge when someone does you wrong, because God has righteous anger on your behalf.

 But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.   
Ephesians 4:20-24 (NASB)

I'm attracted to verses that speak of laying aside your former life and your old self for the new life and your new self in Christ.

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.
Daniel 3:17-18 (NASB)

I love this message. If our God exists, then He will save us. If he does not, we still will not worship your gods. I love the absolute devotion that Daniel teaches.

 

Daily Devotional July 30 2013

I'm just gonna link this here. With no comments.

Psalm 51:7

Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

        Psalm 51:7

That's today devotional verse. And the devotion is about a friend that was abused and didn't know if she could come back to God after all that's happened.

As I know, you can always come back to God. He welcomed me home, and I'm sure he welcomed this friend home. You can always be purified and cleansed of your sins.

I really love Psalm 51, so go give it a read. If I remember correctly, it was our focus on Ash Wednesday. 

Depending on God

In my email this morning, was a message from my dear friend Anne (the leader of my Bible study group). She pointed me towards Proverbs 31 Ministries devotional from July 26th. I'm assuming because she knows that I was having a bad week last week (a fact which looks to be continuing this week so far). 

The verse that day was:

And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

                                Matthew 14:29-30 (NASB)

and the devotional was about not losing our focus on God and leaning on Jesus instead of worrying about everything. Something that I try to do, but looking back on last week and its troubles, I don't think I was doing that. So this morning, I'm taking a deep breath and putting all my troubles (work computer is still broken and our mail delivery is screwy) on God.

And here's the devotional post if you'd like to read it for yourself. It was also amusing to me that if you follow the link to the writer's personal blog, she has a post about how to take God on vacation with you, and I have vacation coming up next week. The Lord certainly knows how to get us to listen sometimes, doesn't He? 

Daily Devotional

I'm linking my daily devotional again, because it talks about the importance of touch and physical affection. I'm very affectionate with my nuclear family and with several of my extended family members, as well as a lot of my friends. I honestly think that people who don't like to be touched much are weird.

Today's Bible Verse

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

In other words, my recent mantra -- Worry less. Pray more.

5-22-2013 Daily Devotional

I'm just gonna post this here.

Good lesson this morning, don't you think?

I'm damaged. But God can still use me.

Phillippians 4:11

Philippians 4:11

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

Morning Bible Verse

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." Philippians 1:27a (NIV)

This just really spoke to me this morning. Cuz I have a habit of losing my cool over the dumbest things, justifiable or not. This is a good reminder NOT to do that.

Today's Devotional Verse

"'You don't have enough faith,' Jesus told them. 'I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.'" Matthew 17:20 (NLV)

Bible Verses

Time for another post full of random verses that I keep marking in my emails but not posting.

I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

John 10:9-10 (NASB) 

Because this is where I am in life, waiting for the Lord:

Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.

Isaiah 40:31 (NASB)

 
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1 (NASB)

This one probably falls into that whole God's plans / don't worry category:

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:11-13 (NASB) 

More God's plans!

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)

Although, I think I like the NLT version better: For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

The mind of man plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9 (NASB)

I usually post the NASB version because that's the bible I have and read, but this verse is definitely better in the NLT:

Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
    You guard all that is mine. 

The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
    What a wonderful inheritance!

Psalm 15:5-6 (NLT)

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NASB)

This one reminds me of the bumper sticker I have on my back window which says "He died for me, so I live for him" (or something to that effect):

 

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Galatians 2:20 (NASB) 

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NASB)

The greatest commandment is "Fear Not", it appears in the Bible more than anything else:

 

Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.

Matthew 8:26 (NLT) 

Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,
    and keep the vows you made to the Most High.

Psalm 50:14 (NLT)

Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.  

Psalm 55:22 (NASB)

“And the Lord will continually guide you,
And satisfy your desire in scorched places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. 

Isaiah 58:11 (NASB) 

 

Bible Verses

When I get one of my devotional emails, sometimes I just leave it in my inbox, planning to make a blog post that never materializes. So here's a bunch of verses that spoke to me that I found still waiting in my inbox:

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2 (NASB)

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:2 (NASB)

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 (NASB) - Sounds like another one of those "God's plans" verses

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB) - One of the things that got me through law school and that continues to get me through life is that God will never give you more than you can handle. This verse exemplifies that idea to me.

Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 18:12 (NASB)

I like the New Living Translation a little better (copied from my devotional email):

“Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.” Proverbs 18:12 (NLT) - Reminds you a little of my favorite verse doesn't it?

My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly.

Psalm 38:5 (NASB)

In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.

Psalm 18:6 (NASB)

Bible Verses 3

They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness
And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.

Psalm 145:7 (NASB)

Being faithful to your spouse or significant other:

Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Matthew 26:41 (NASB)

And a little Christmas:

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14 (NASB)

Daily Devotional Verse Update

Here's a few recent verses that spoke to me:

First up, God's plans (our running theme).

Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)

I personally do not like Paul, but this is just too good of a verse to pass up:

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10 (NASB)

And I think I just like this one:

I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the
gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.

Ezekiel 22:30 (NASB)

Habakkuk 3:17-18

Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NASB)

Psalms 34:4

"I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears."

Psalms 34:4 (NASB)

Proverbs 25.28 - Self Control

Like a city that is broken into and without walls
Is a man who has no control over his spirit.

Proverbs 25:28 (NASB)

The New International Version makes it a bit clearer:

Like a city whose walls are broken through
is a person who lacks self-control.

Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)

The theme of my daily devotionals today (I have two) was self control. One spoke of how we should respond to tense situations instead of reacting and causing more issues. This definitely spoke to me because I have a temper and can fly off the handle at a moment's notice. I definitely need to learn to respond instead of react.

Links:
http://lysaterkeurst.com/2011/07/reactor-or-responder/
http://devotions.proverbs31.org/2011/07/self-control.html

Weirdness

But its weirdness that proves God is listening.

Yesterday while talking to my mother about our family, I was mentally bemoaning my singleness, my childlessness.

You see, two of my cousins are married with children -- one wed ten years ago at the mere age of twenty and they've been blessed with two children in recent years; the other met, married and had a child with her husband within the last four years. Both of them are older than me, but my younger brother is also married although they haven't had children yet.

And here I am, approaching thirty, with a boyfriend that talks about marriage but who may not follow through and I'm still undecided whether I even want to have kids for a myriad of reasons. However if I don't have my own, I will adopt.

Thirty. Unmarried. No children.

This is not how I expected my life to turn out. At all.

And this morning, I open up my daily email devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries to find "Answer Envy" -- when God answers your prayers but for someone else. When God tells you no, but someone else yes. She specifically mentioned miscarriages and having to go to yet another baby shower at church.

And I went, "Okay God, I hear you. Once again, my prayers are answered on your terms, not mine."

But as we've discussed before its such a hard concept to grasp. And even harder to follow through on.

Honestly, I'm not very happy with my life. I have a lot of debt, from school and from credit cards, plus my car. I work two jobs and can barely keep my head above water, let alone pay off any of my debt. Plus I can't find a job in my field so not only do I work two jobs but both are way below my education level. I want to get married but can't afford it right now.

And I know that God will provide. I know that He never gives me more than I can handle, even though it may seem overwhelming its really not.

But...I do have a family that loves me and helps when they can, even if its just sending me a Wendys gift card so I can eat a few meals. My parents' finances are worse than mine, but when I visit I never leave empty handed. My mother even mailed me a devotional book that I forgot to bring with me when I left after my last visit! I have friends that make sure I don't go hungry -- my awesome roommate and one of my best friends from law school. I have a boyfriend drives me crazy but who does love me and who does his best to take care of me, even though I tend to resist.

I know my life isn't horrible, I just wish that I had the job I went to school for and that my finances were a little better. I know that God will answer my prayers one day. I just hope its soon.

Link to the daily devotional that inspired this post - http://devotions.proverbs31.org/