I had the idea for this post a while ago, and I had wanted to add to it while things were fresh on my mind, but a lot of things in life happen, and I never did it, but here I am. I have actually really enjoyed taking a few days of my Bible study time to look back over things that stood out to me over the summer and beginning of school! It is so important to look back on what we learn. I also know that life is difficult, uncertain, and sometimes really discouraging, now maybe more than ever. That's why I want to take some of the things that have spoken to me and helped me through certain times and situations that I hope helps some of you, too.
Whatever your day may look like, take it one day at a time, doing what you can with where you are, but remember that as Christians, we can live with an eternal outlook. And what joy that eternal hope can bring to our daily lives!
"Be patient and stand firm, for the Lord's coming is near." James 5:8
"Continue to work out your salvation...for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure children of God in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing." Philippians 2:12-16
When days seem like more than you can take...
"We pray this that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully giving thanks to the Father." Colossians 1:10-12
"...do it with the strength God provides so that in all things, God may be praised." 1 Peter 4:11
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me...Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me." Psalm 51:10, 12
"The God of all grace who called you into eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10
"[God's wise words] are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body." Proverbs 4:22
"He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my my weaknesses so that's Christ's power may rest on me...when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down by the anxieties of life...be on the watch, pray, and stand." Luke 21:34, 36
"I call on the Lord in my distress, and He answers me." Psalm 120:1
When you need motivation to do the right thing...
God is watching and working, and others see you, too
"Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." John 3:21
"Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and run with perseverance the race marked out for us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith...consider Him who endured such opposition so that you do not lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3
"Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15
"Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1 Timothy 4:16
"Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
"Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29
"In your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that you have, but do this with gentleness and respect...so that those who speak maliciously about your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." 1 Peter 3:15-17
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." Philippians 1:27
When you just need a break...
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
"It is in vain that you rise up early and go to rest late, eating the bread of anxious toil, for He gives sleep to those He loves." Psalm 127:2
"Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4, and "Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry nor be thirsty." John 6:35
"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word." Psalm 119:28
"I lie down and sleep in peace, for you along, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8
"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." Jeremiah 31:25
"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will rise up on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
"You were wearied by all your ways, but you would not say, 'It is hopeless.' You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint." Isaiah 57:10
When you feel held captive...
"You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:7
"Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17
When things feel out of your control...
"Do not be afraid. Stand firm, and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you...the Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:13-14
"All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:16
"You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled." Joshua 23:14
"For the glory of Your name, O Lord, preserve my life. Because of Your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress." Psalm 143:11
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
When you feel like people are against you...
"Am I now trying to win the approval of men or of God? Am I trying to please mean? If I were trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10
"Men will hate you because of Me, but those who stand firm until the end will be saved." Matthew 10:22
"You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you." 2 Chronicles 20:17
"Fight the good fight of the faith." 1 Timothy 6:12
"Be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand your ground against the devil's schemes." {truth, righteousness, readiness from the gospel of peace, shield of faith, salvation, word of God, prayer} Ephesians 6:10-20
When you fear for your future...
"My God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
"Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned." Isaiah 43:2
"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for the Lord has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" Hebrews 13:5
"[Do not] be arrogant, nor put hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but put their hope in God, who richly provides everything for our enjoyment...do good, be rich in good deeds, be generous and willing to share...take hold of the life that is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:17-19
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.'" Jeremiah 29:11
"Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food...Who of you by worrying can add a single minute to his life?...your heavenly Father knows you need them...Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:25, 27, 33
"The Lord will keep you from all harm--He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 127:7-8
"He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord." Psalm 112:7
When you need peace...
"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3
"When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' Your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy." Psalm 94:18-19
"I have told you these things that in Me, you should have peace. In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
"The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses them with peace." Psalm 29:11
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, and with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. The peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." {think on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, praiseworthy, excellent} Philippians 4:6-8
When you need wisdom and guidance...
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously without finding fault, adn it will be given to him. When he asks, he should believe and not doubt..." James 1:5-6
"The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere." James 3:17
"Your word is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9
"If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand." Psalm 37:23
