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.

 

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 Bible Verses

From my daily devotional emails (through Proverbs 31 Ministries) -

First of all, I just really love this verse:

 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)

And this one, because last weekend at Global Gathering, there was a lot of talk about the Holy Spirit

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

          John 14:26 (NASB)

Titus 3:1-11

So in my reading of the New Testament (currently in Hebrews!), I came across a passage in Titus that I have found myself reading and re-reading. So I figured it deserved a post :)

Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.

                  Titus 3:1-11 (NASB, bold added)

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.

Matthew 8:26

 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.

I just had this one tattooed on the inside of my right wrist, do go with the Proverbs 31:30 on my left (which is going to be redone at some point, ink faded really bad). 

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) 

 

Lent Day One - Ash Wednesday

Last year on Easter, I came back to God in tears and on my knees after the end of an abusive relationship. That's why this year is so important to me, why I'm making such a big deal about Lent, because I want to truly celebrate Easter in remembrance of what last year meant to me, and to do that I feel the need to practice Lent and focus on God for the next 40 days.

Yesterday, I attended my very first Ash Wednesday service. These services are not the norm in my church, so even though I grew up in the First Church of God (Anderson), I've never attended one.

It was amazing. A time for reflection and prayer, mainly. I found it meaningful. We took our ashes, got our communion and went to the altar to pray and take the communion as we felt moved to. Perfect.

Ash Wednesday.

And seeing my church friends in the middle of the week was also nice. :)

As for giving up soda and working on that sin, so far so good. I honestly don't really miss soda that much yet, but I did have a coworker lock up my last Dr Pepper in her filing cabinet. And I'm not missing that sin either. Both do cross my mind, but I just take a deep breath and say no and move on.

“I know that You can do all things,
And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”
‘Hear, now, and I will speak;
I will ask You, and You instruct me.’
“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;
But now my eye sees You;
Therefore I retract,
And I repent in dust and ashes.”

Job 42:2-6 (NASB)

Fasting

And they said to Him, “The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink.” And Jesus said to them, “You cannot make the attendants of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.”

                Luke 5:33-35 (NASB)

“Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.  But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

               Matthew 6:16-18 (NASB) 

I added the bolded letters. This sounds like a pretty definite when statement to me. When you fast, not if.

On the Eve of Lent

Happy Mardi Gras!

Of course, that only means that tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.

My church encourages 'giving something up' for Lent, but we're not strict about it and we don't fast or anything like that.

However...I personally am FASCINATED by the idea of penance, fasting and abstinence. So I'm going to (planning to, hoping to):

• Give up soda. It's minor, but trust me, I really love Dr Pepper. Giving up my beloved soda is definitely a sacrifice.
• Work on a sin that's been bothering me. 
• I've been meaning to start working out, now seems like a perfect time to focus on it. And I just got a couple of friends together who are also working out so now I have a support group!
• And get closer to God. Work on our relationship. Because that is really want Lent is about, focusing on God.
• I have the Lenten booklet my church put out
• As well as a Focus 40 prayer schedule that I'm going to follow, also from my church
• And a Sunday bible study that I found through another denomination online
• I'm going to pray, daily, which I already try to do but it's going to be a definite focus for me. One thing I liked was the idea of giving up your lunch (fasting) to take a walk and pray.
• I'd like to go to church more, but since my church only has weekend services I don't know how that'll work. 

Since I'm focusing on my relationship with God, my daily Bible verse amused me today:  
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8 (NASB) 

PS I just volunteered for a Christian music festival this summer. I really feel that God needs me there, so I just bit the bullet and filled out the form. I've been agonizing over volunteering for a few days so it was a big step! and partially inspired by my Bible study group last night, we talked about doing what God calls you to do even if it's a step out of your comfort zone. 

Isaiah 9:6

"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6 (NASB)

This is getting me in the mood for Christmas... :)

God's Plans...Again :)

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:9

Some Verses for Thought

Since it's been a long time, time to post all the verses I bookmarked for posting! lol

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB)

From my daily devotional, the New Living Translation is a little easier to understand:
 "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

                              My thoughts: Don't worry. Pray.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2 (NASB)

                I'm gonna make a whole post about this one cuz its really speaking to me right now.

Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.
1 Peter 2:16 (NASB)

               This daily devotional was about wearing a piece of jewelry (the author wears a toe ring) or a           piercing to symbolize every day to yourself that you a slave of God. I kinda liked the sentiment.

 
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 (NASB)

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—
Ecclesiastes 3:1

                  I think this falls into that re-occuring theme of "God's Plans"


But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
1 Peter 2:9 (NASB)

But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.
Deuteronomy 4:2 (NASB)

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 
James 1:12 (NASB)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.  
Matthew 5:38-39

My devotional had this verse from the Message and I kinda of liked that version: "Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.'" Matthew 5:38 (MSG)

and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.  
2 Chronicles 20:15 (NASB) -- bold text added by me :)

Okay, there's that! Tomorrow I'll try to post an update on my Bible reading along w my growth in my walk with Christ, cuz let me tell ya, there's been some changes! And I'm excited to share them!

 

Leviticus 19:28 - My thoughts

Time for a little thought provoking passage.

You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:28 (NASB)

King James (which may be a more accurate translation): Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.

I was reading about this today, and there is some research to support that what was being forbidden was the practice of cutting yourself and rubbing ash into the cuts as an act of mourning.  Also, Egyptians tattooed themselves so to forbid it set the Israelites apart, which seems to be a recurrent theme in Leviticus.

 I am a Christian and I have tattoos. I love my tattoos. I think they're beautiful and they make ME feel beautiful after years of suffering with eczema and feeling ugly most of the time. (side note - the eczema probably would've branded me a leper according to Leviticus) To me, God doesn't care if I have tattoos. He loves me anyways. I think that the main purpose of Leviticus 19:28 was to set the Israelites apart from the others that they were surrounded by and I don't think the prohibition applies today. Of course then you could argue that no prohibitions in the Old Testament should matter, but honestly the only other one I have an issue with so far is not eating pork. Every thing else kinda makes sense.

So what if I have tattoos? No one but God can judge me anyways.

And to paraphrase my tattoo artist and dear friend, my body is a temple, I'm just choosing to have some stained glass windows installed for decoration.

Hebrews 11:1

Today's devotional definitely spoke to me, with all that I've been going through lately. When everything goes up in flames, give God the ashes of your life and He'll make something beautiful from them.

Romans 5:1-5

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans: 5:1-5 (NASB) - italics added

This is definitely a good verse for me today. Celebrate your troubles, because they bring you closer to God.

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)