I've decided to make a post where I can continuously add scriptures that I love as I run across them. I have so many favorites and ones that I need to remember, so having them collected in one place will be helpful!!! :) Different versions also help me to understand His Word better as well. In no particular order:
Philippians 4:13
Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. (MSG, v. 11-13)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV)
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure everything out on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. (MSG)
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before your know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (MSG)
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. (NIV)
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if working for the Lord, not for human masters. (NIV)
And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. (MSG)
Isaiah 26:3-4: You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. (NIV)
Isaiah 41:10
Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. (MSG)
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Isaiah 43:18-19
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. (NIV)
Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. (MSG)
John 15:1-8
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (NIV)
John 3:30
He must become greater; I must become less. (NIV)
That's why my cup is running over. This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines. (MSG)
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (NIV)
There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life - fear of death, fear of judgement - is one not yet fully formed in love. (MSG)
Romans 8:6 - The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. (NIV)
Romans 12:9-13
Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out, keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. (MSG)
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (NIV)
105:4 - Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. (NIV)
Proverbs
4:23
16:3
Nehemiah 8:10
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Ephesians 3:17
Ephesians 4:26-27
Ephesians 4:32
Galatians 5:22-23
Jeremiah 29:11
1 Peter 3:3-4
Joshua 1:9
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. (NIV)
Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take. (MSG)
I absolutely love it when something "clicks" when I am reading the Bible, a devotional, or praying. Like when a light-bulb literally explodes in your head because you have a revelation that is life-changing, in a positive way! I was reading Priscilla Shirer's "Gideon," and it was as if God Himself reached down, grabbed my shoulders, and said "LISTEN UP - THIS IS FOR YOU!" And I am so glad I listened! "Too Many Mouths to Feed" is the section where I was reading, pertaining to the story in Luke 9:12-17 where Jesus feeds the 5000. The problem was that the disciples did not have enough food to feed everyone there, so they proposed two solutions: send the people away to a neighboring town, or go and buy food. Jesus, of course, said give them something to eat - then with five loaves of bread and two fish was able to feed everyone - and have a multitude left over! How many times in our lives do we propose this same solution for our problems - send the problem away, or remove ourselves from the problem? I realized this morning as Priscilla asked those questions that I do both of these on a regular basis. In relationships, I tend to try to "send the problem away." With jobs, I try to get myself away from the problem. In both aspects, I try to run away from both, and find new relationships or a new job. When things get tough in relationships and at work, I tend to only focus on the negative and problematic parts, and I think I need to get rid of it. Priscilla writes, "The disciples decided that the best way to achieve success was to send them all away. Problem solved. But Jesus wouldn't allow that...They, like Gideon, felt outnumbered and beyond their abilities for the same reason: they were looking at the wrong thing. Their eyes lingered on their scarce resources and their looming problem - instead of concentrating on the fact that Jesus was with them...A change in focus changes everything." I learned today that, like the doubting disciples, I need to be reminded of God's available resources. As Priscilla says, "Don't concentrate on the disparity between the problem and your resources. Look to Me, and watch five loaves plus two fish equal more than enough." If we constantly run away from our problems, we will miss God's strength working in our weaknesses, and we will miss His miracles being performed! This is one of my favorite songs by Jeremy Camp - "Enough." I hope you listen to it and are blessed! :)
