Work, Worry, Rest--Another Year

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Desiring God: All You Need For Another Year

 

This one was actually for New Year's, but I found it incredibly applicable to a new school year! But now it's good for a new year again. Time flies.

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The theme was based around the 2 Corinthians 9 passages about reaping and sowing. "Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously," then it asked, "How will you sow?" What will we do this new year to prepare us for future gains and glory? But whose glory? When we work for God's glory, surely we gain more than when we work for ourselves. The section reminded that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7), giving is better than receiving (Acts 20:35), and that earthy treasures are easily destroyed and lost (Matthew 6:19-20). 

 

Probably my favorite passage of the whole thing was an incredible reminder that no matter what situation we are in day to day, God will give us what we need to make it through and do His will. "God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things, at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Cor 9:8

There's always a way, always something there, we are often just too caught up in our own plight and pressure that we don't look for or recognize them. We don't have to do it all--we can't. But that is what points us to God where He fills in our gaps. He supplies all our needs according to His plan (Phil 4:19).

 

Faith ---> Provision ---> Opportunity.

When we have faith, He provides, and we have opportunities for all kinds of good works. Big or small, they all matter.

Words for the Weary in a Wrecked World

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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

On Eagles' Wings

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As for most over the past few months, church has not met in person. At least this has brought us together in new ways and with new appreciation. The saying about that the church is not a place but people has taken on new meaning.

After the messages leading up to and on Easter, Pastor Dean started a new series titled, "Encouraging Words for Difficult Days." While it is initially coming off of the current circumstances the world is in right now, I love to also look at the passages he has used so far in life as a whole! We are only two weeks in, but it has been great! They haven't been in passages that I haven't applied to my life probably hundreds of times, but that's one of the beauties of the Bible. The same thing can hit so differently at different times. 

I know that there are a lot of people struggling and in rough shape, and a lot of people probably have plenty of reasons to feel hopeless, but from someone who has a hope in the Lord that has gotten me through a long list of my own struggles and is facing each day with the same hope, I want to share some of what I am hearing from these messages and how it has encouraged me, so hopefully someone else in need can see how the scriptures can shine light on every day in our personal lives.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:28-31

(**these are pictures I took of a real bald eagle in my neighborhood on a walk last month!**)

While this passage was written soooo long ago, the attitude of the first two sentences are easily comparable to today's language. How often do we talk to people like, "Hello? How do you not know [fill-in-the blank with something we think is obvious?]"? 

As Christians also living in the world like every human, it can be easy to get caught up in our circumstances and wonder why things are the way they are. We are human, and we don't understand a lot of things. But as Christians, we know the obvious facts of faith, like that God is in control of this earth He created, but we need to be reminded. Not that we forget, but that we lose sight.

The simple answer to "why" undesirable things happen is because of sin. We deserve bad things, honestly, but in considering what we do get compared to what we deserve to get, we are doing good.

Sometimes we can see reasons why, but other times we are left wondering. In the times our earthly minds can't wrap around something happening, remember Isaiah 55:8-9 where God reminds us, "For your thoughts are not My thoughts, neither are your ways My ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts higher than your thoughts."

Peace comes with surrendering to that. It may not make sense on the surface, but when things are out of our control, BUT we know that they are in God's control, we don't have to worry. That's a big weight taken off of your shoulders from when you are trying to support and control your own entire life. So when you screw up, it's all your fault. But God never screws up. 

There are three characteristics of God from verses 28-30 that can give us peace:

1. God is all-powerful. -- the Creator of the ends of the earth who never grows tired or weary

2. He is all-knowing. -- His understanding that no one can fathom.

3. He is all-sufficient. -- He gives power to the weak and renews the strength of the weak.

Where we lack, He is more than enough.

Not only must we know the promises of God, we must believe them! 

There were some awesome things about the word "wait" that I learned in this message. Waiting isn't fun, and our world has made it totally undesirable from all of the technological advances and simply the negative connotation we have put on waiting. We hate waiting in line, to be seated at a restaurant, someone to respond to a text, the end of the school year, etc...

The Hebrew word for wait is "qahvah," and it has three meanings: patience, service, and confidence.

This is something that I have learned to appreciate through years of off and on struggles that have led to the greatest growth in my faith. Y'all may think I'm crazy for some of this, but that's fine. I want to share the joy that I have even in the hard times so that hopefully someone else will be able to see joy in their circumstances, too, or at least have the courage to try to change their perspective. 

1. Patience-I've never been good at it, but I know God like to work on our weaknesses. Time is going so fast! I don't want to rush anything away anymore. Even when there is something good coming up, or I am just in a seemingly dull week, rainy week, etc., I don't wish that time away. I love summer, but school is great, too. I love running big miles and workouts, but I've found joy in the easy days and giving myself a break. I want healing, but I've learned to use the pain to grow and improve in different areas. Some days feel slow, but I think of the days that I feel too overwhelmed with tasks yet to do. In patience is where I really see Him at work.

 "I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry." Psalm 40:1

2. Service-Continues from patience! Not only do we tend to think of waiting negatively, we also do not consider it an active time. Waiting is when we just sit. We don't do anything while we wait because, well, we are waiting on something else. But in the time we wait, there is so much we can do! Keep faith in the waiting! Keep living and loving. Be useful rather than idle. Lately, while some may say they're waiting on things to go back to normal, I am, too, but I am also enjoying working and serving in many different ways that I wouldn't "normally" be--shopping with and for Mom, for my grandparents, volunteering with my church, making and sending mail, simply praying for and talking to people, and working for DoorDash and Instacart. Who knows what else I may get into?! I like to look at this time as one that is a unique opportunity and look for what I can do to make the most of it.

"Wait for the Lord, and keep His way. He will exalt you to inherit the land." Psalm 37:34

3. Confidence-Listed third, I think that's accurate to how we develop these three things. Yeah, I'm only 22, but after all I've been through and all I've learned, gained patience, persevered in the waiting, I have confidence that God will always come through. He already has everything worked out, and it will come to fruition in His timing. I can get through every challenge, sad day, tired body or soul because I am confident in His plan, provision, and goodness. He has never left me nor forsaken me (Hebrews 13:5). This is where my joy comes from. Not that I have joy because things are always good, but I have joy even when things are bad because I have the hope that things are working together for my good (Romans 8:28). I literally have Word Docs full of things to remind me of how He has shown up repeatedly in daily life, so we will have more examples in various posts.

"Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded." Hebrews 10:35

"For You have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth." Psalm 71:5

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him." Jeremiah 17:7

 "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." 1 John 5:14

Another Hebrew thing that really stood out to me about "wait" and "quahvah" is that the root word means "to twist or bind together like cords." Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, "A cord of three strands is not easily broken." So waiting, with its three parts listed above, and its root like a cord, is not easily broken!

The promise that follows in verse 31 is that we will renew our strength and mount up on wings like eagles. The word renew means to exchange--we will exchange our weaknesses for strength, our tiredness for energy, our despair for hope! This exchange is key in life with Christ. We can't just keep adding things or just take something out. For there to be a lasting effect, there has to be an exchange. Replace a bad habit with a new routine, a sin with a good action, etc. John 3:30 says, "He must become greater, I must become less." 

We can also learn a lot from the life of an eagle. Pastor Dean added to this from something he once heard in another message (see how we all learn from each other? Sometimes we just need someone else to be like verse 28 and say, "Do you not see this?").

1. The eagle learns to fly through great struggle. -- The momma makes him work to get his food and learn to fly. Moving around the nest strengthens his muscles. Struggling to stay in the air when he falls out of the nest works his flying muscles so much so that one day he can do it on his own. Though he may fall, the mother catches him when he is too weak to do it on his own, but she still lets him learn as he falls. -- The same goes with God. He gives us grace when we fall, but we still have to do our part in working. Sometimes we have to fall in order to go higher. I can assure you I never would have made the great changes in my life if I hadn't messed up first.

2. Eagles have powerful vision. -- They can focus in on one single thing, one goal to prey on, from very far away. A challenge for anyone, me included, is to find this focus on the goals God has set out for me and keep that focus until I reach the goal.

3. The eagle loves the storm. -- Riding the wind current helps the eagle fly higher. I saw a post on Instagram the day before with a quote that really stuck with me, "You can't stop a storm, but you can ride the waves." That reminds me also of the saying about how we can't control the cards we are dealt, but we can control how we play them. Perspective is heee-uge.

4. The eagle's chief enemy is the snake. -- Satan is a snake if ya didn't know...but eagles grab up the snakes with their talons and take them way high to drop them on the rocks where the impact kills them. Christ is our Rock, where we can take our sins and struggles for Him to defeat (1 Corinthians 10:4, Psalm 62).

5. Eagles lay their eggs in winter. -- Not a desirable time to lay eggs, but they do so in confidence that spring is coming. We, too, must lay eggs, plant seeds, do work in the colder, tougher times, having faith that better days are coming, Christ will come through! If we don't do anything now, there is no reason to think things will ever get better later. If you don't plant seeds before the weather gets warmer, you can't expect anything to grow to harvest. 

6. Eagles die facing the sun. -- When an eagles knows his time is coming, he flies up to a high place to face the sun and die in peace. When we have lived our lives having accepted Jesus, we can have peace knowing that when we leave this earth, we will face the sun...The Son.

Finally, I found it very encouraging to hear one more historical word meaning from this final verse. "Run" and "walk" are military terms, where "run" refers to the battle, a fight, the attack and the enemy, while "walk" refers to the routine, day-to-day march. This assures us that God cares about all aspects of our life, big or small, challenging or monotonous, with others or alone, something complex or simple, He is there and cares through it all.

Take this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson and let it simmer on your stove for a bit: "The wise man in the storm prays to God, not for safety from danger, but for deliverance from fear. It is the storm within that endangers him, not the storm without."

"Faith" --Songs and Scriptures

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It's been a busy year, and this semester, "busy" doesn't begin to cover it, but I have made it a point to do something to spend time with God every day. Going through a relatively minor but still very painful and limiting injury (now make that two) has added to the stress but also added to the strength of my faith. That's usually the plan. Over the past few days I have been looking at a relatively new song by Jordan Feliz called "Faith," and it came to me as encouragement to not lose hope, keep on going, take care of myself, prepare for good things ahead. I may be down, but I am not out. God has brought me through a lot of unlikely circumstances before, He can and will do it again. My job is to believe in Him and do the little things that can help. 

There is no ocean that can't be parted

There is no mountain that can't be moved

I know there's help for the heavy-hearted

The weak will find their strength renewed

You just gotta have faith

It's light for the shadows

For all your tomorrows

It's knowing He's there through the sun and the rain

It's when you believe it

Before you can see it

And you can walk on, ‘cause He's making a way

Just gotta have some faith, faith

Searching for purpose in all the waiting

Praying through so many silent hours

Finding a breath when you feel like fading

Learning to love where you are right now (where He's got you now)

You just gotta have faith

Remember your Rescue is standing beside you

I have to remember that there is nothing I can't get through; God will always make a way. When my heart is weighed down by all the negativity and problems of the world and anxieties of my life, He lifts me up. When I feel weak and have nothing left to give, He gives me strength and energy. He is the light that shines in the dark situations, the one who holds my future so I don't have to fear. He has given me good times as well as comfort in my bad times. I have to believe in His power and His plan before it comes. That's part of the journey. I can always find reasons to keep going. When I feel stuck, waiting for something better, I can pause in patience knowing there is a purpose. Prayers may seem unanswered, but it is just not time yet or not what I expected. Know He is hearing, and He is acting. Take time to breathe and take care of myself when I feel like things are crumbling. Find joy in the journey whether it is rough or smooth--it is all great in God's plan. Remember that God is right here with me through it all and is working everything out for my good. Walk by faith. 

Verses

FAITH & BELIEF

"The righteous shall live by faith." Romans 1:17

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

"But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt..." James 1:6

"Whoever believes in Him is not condemned..." John 3:18

"Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?'" John 11:40

"For it is with your heart that you believe and with your mouth that you confess your faith and are saved." Romans 10:10

"Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see...Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Hebrews 11:1, 6

"Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your faith and hope are in God." 1 Peter 1:20

"These trials have come so that the genuineness of your faith, of greater worth than gold, may result in praise, honor, and glory when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen Him you love Him and believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." 1 Peter 1:7-8
"For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4
"So that your faith might not rest on human wisdom but on God's power." 1 Corinthians 2:5
"Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Ephesians 6:16
"You know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:3
"Faith comes from hearing the message, through the word about Christ." Romans 10:17
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24
"Surely the righteous will never be shaken...they will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord." Psalm 112:6-7

NOTHING GOD CANNOT DO
"I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" Jeremiah 32:27
"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.'" Matthew 19:26

LIGHT
"The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned." Matthew 4:16
"The light shines in the darkness..." John 1:5
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" John 8:12
"You are a chosen people...belonging to God that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9
"This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all." 1 John 1:5

HE IS WITH US
"He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." Colossians 1:17
"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go...I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." Genesis 28:15
"Do not fear, 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
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing...He guides me along the right paths, for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and staff comfort me...Surely Your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life..." Psalm 23
"The Lord watches over you--the Lord is your shade at your right hand." Psalm 121:5
"The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" Psalm 118:6
"Do you not know that you are God's temple, and that God's Spirit lives in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16
"For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end." Psalm 48:14
"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
"He is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18 (and 147:3)

HE IS OUR RESCUE
"The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom." 2 Timothy 4:18
"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him." Nahum 1:7
"In You, Lord, I have taken refuge...In Your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me...Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go...You have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth." Psalm 71:1-5
"The righteous may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers Him from them all." Psalm 34:19
"He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me." Psalm 18:16-19

CARRY ON
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13
"Therefore, 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 let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3
"...Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14
"Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand." Psalm 37:24
"Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart." 2 Corinthians 4:1
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." 2 Chronicles 15:7
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12
"Consider it pure joy, brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

PRAYING
"The spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us...the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God." Romans 8:26-27
"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14
"Jesus told the disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." Luke 18:1
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24
"Rejoice always, pray continually." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
"Is anyone in trouble? Let them pray." James 5:13
"the is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength..." Isaiah 30:15
"Pray with the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." Ephesians 6:18
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the body is weak." Matthew 26:41
"Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy. In Your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief." Psalm 143:1
"Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to You, because You answer me." Psalm 86:6

HE WILL MAKE A WAY
"This is what the Lord says--He who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters...forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'" Isaiah 43:16-18
"You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." Psalm 16:11
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man. God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will provide a way out so that you can endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" John 14:6
"'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are My ways your ways,' declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.'" Isaiah 55:8-9

MORE FOR OUR HOPE
"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
"You wearied yourself by such going about, but you would not say, 'It is hopeless.' You found renewal of your strength, so you did not faint." Isaiah 57:10
"The Lord has made everything for its own purpose." Proverbs 16:4
"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
"Make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:16
"All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:16

Now you can go listen to the song and sing about how you have something to have faith in, then wait and see how God responds!