God's Word on That

  • For Believers Facing a Crisis

    When my husband died, I was stuck in a bad place mentally and thus spiritually.  I had to read many things to pull myself out of that pit I had dug around me.  And Jesus was with me the entire time, though there were instances I didn’t think so then.  He has put it in my heart to publish the things I had found, making me hope that perhaps others will be helped by what He has shown to me.  So I have put this out there with prayers that these short messages and God’s snippets from His Word will encourage and enlighten someone in need.

    Many of these sayings I gathered from my many avenues of reading.  I only saved a few authors names.  None of these are my original thoughts, at least that I can remember, but I took them on when I needed them and may have added words to [or even reworded] some to help them become clearer in my mind.  They helped me get through my tough times.  I pray they help you through your tough times knowing that others experience so similar pains.

    The same is true of the Bible verses.  I cannot tell you what translation I used for certain passages.  Many times I would read a parallel Bible to see which translation expressed the thought the clearest to me.  Or I would simply write down the verse as I read it from whatever source presented it.  Many of the verses are from the New International Version, for it was the version I came upon first in my journey, and is usually the one I reference first.

    When it comes to the Promises that are listed in this collection, know that God’s Word is one huge assortment of promises.  There are many that can be used; I only include the ones given to me while in my crisis situation.  I have not placed them in any order; there are so many that repeat the essence of what is spoken.  God has said over 75 times in His Word alone that we should ‘not be afraid’, much less all the verses that tell us to fear nothing but Him.  Take what you need from this collection to get through your day.  But know that God is waiting to show you more.  God is ever present to guide you into believing and trusting Him,

    I am only praying God does for you what He did for me.  Pick a verse that helps you through that day.  Find some comfort in others having the same fears and tears as you.  Just ask God to give you understanding of His Word and to equip you by it.  And pray often to your loving Father, thanking Him for the trial that faces you and the solution that will come – for He has promised.

    The more severe the trial + the longer the wait = the more glorious the result.

  • Let Us Seek Wisdom

    “Christ” = literally “The Word” meaning the Messiah, the wisdom and power of God and the first cause of all things; God’s personal expression of Himself to man. (The Living Bible, note on John 1:1)

    Let us seek God’s Wisdom, since He created the universe around us.

    “God is with us”. When I walk with this knowledge, I find that even though all of life is the same, everything is different.

    Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise (Psalm 111:10).

    “I owe no one anything,” God declares. “Everything is mine.” God owes no explanations, no excuses, no help, no favors, nor debts. — But He still gives.

    Grace = God’s work; His idea; His expense; His discretion.

    For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly – as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith (Romans 12:3).

    For if anyone thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself (Galatians 6:3).

    By shear faith in Christ Jesus we gain access to all God’s treasures: joy, peace, wisdom, eternal life… (What is left?)

    If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:5).

    All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness – that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

    Scripture will make you wise; wiser than people around you. Notice I said wiser, not more knowledgeable. A wise man is one who can distinguish what is fundamental from what is trivial; who knows what life is about and who acts appropriately whatever the circumstances.

    Thus says the Lord: “let not the wise man glory in his wisdom; let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches. But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

    All that is physical is passing away. As long as I keep holding on to it, I continually set myself up for disappointment. If all I see is how you look and what you have, I will miss the point that you – like me – are a hurting spirit looking for home.

    Put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge – into the image of its creator (Colossians 3:10).

    The Bible reveals God has a plan for every life, and if we live in constant fellowship with Him, He will direct and lead us in the fulfillment of that plan.

    Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him (Luke 8:18).

    God transformed you into a new person — live like it!

  • The Perfection We Seek

    One Scripture says “God is love” (1 John 4:16), but another says “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). How do we reconcile these two? We must understand just as God is perfect in love, so He is also perfect in holiness.

    Our God is both Love and Holiness. We must try to understand this.

    God does not compromise His holiness to accommodate anyone. He placed Adam and Eve in a beautiful garden, but drove them out after they sinned. He appointed Aaron’s sons as priests but destroyed two of them when they offered “strange fire” (Leviticus 10). Ananias and Sapphira were among the earliest Christians but God punished them for lying (Acts 5:1-11). Even in the New Testament age, God does not tolerate sin in His presence.

    We need to understand something of God’s holiness before we can understand His love. If we grasp how holy God is, it helps us to see that He must have a tremendous love for us, since He gave His own Son to save us.

    God proves His own love for us in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

    God’s love does indeed give us a reason to smile, but it s not an indulgent love that is satisfied to let us do as we please. It is rather a redemptive love that yearns for us to be holy as God Himself is holy.

    You must be made perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48).

    Following Jesus is not a “do it yourself” endeavor. We cannot be perfect, no matter how hard we try. It is the Father who is engaged in the work of perfecting us. Our role is to fully cooperate with His work in us. If we try by our own efforts to be perfect, we sentence ourselves to a lifetime of repeated frustration. Rather than focusing on, “How am I doing?”, we instead should ask, “Father, what do You want me to do?”

    “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

    She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His words… Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her (Luke 10:39, 42).

    Devour God’s Word.

    Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became a delight to me and the joy of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of Hosts (Jeremiah 15:16).

    So that you may will know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the Living God, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

    Do good works because you love God not because people expect them.

  • What Is Truth?

    It is good to remember that conventional wisdom is usually concerned with justifying itself, not with finding truth. (Rev F. Everding)

    God’s Word is all we need.

    Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

    Send forth Your light and Your truth. Let them guide me; let the bring me to Your holy mountain, to the place where You dwell (Psalm 43:3).

    Your Word is truth (John 17:17).

    God’s economy is upside down from ours! God says: the more hopeless your circumstances, the more likely your salvation; the greater your cares, the more genuine your prayers; the darker the room, the more need for light.

    Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law (Psalm 119:18).

    Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).

    The unfolding of Your Word gives light, it gives understanding to the simple (Psalm 119:130).

    Turn or burn. Turn and learn.

    The entirety of Your Word is truth, and everyone of Your righteous judgments endures forever (Psalm 119:160).

    Give ear and come to Me; hear Me, that your soul may live (Isaiah 55:3).

    The Ten Commandments were given for us to enjoy life better, not to make it worse.

    Jesus did not come to abolish the old law and give a new one. He came to redefine the law — so we understand it was meant for our hearts, not our minds.

    That you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days (Deuteronomy 30:20).

    They are not just idle words for you — they are your life! By them you will live in the land (Deuteronomy 32:47).

    God deserves the best we can give: our finest possessions, our most valuable articles, our precious time.

    We live in an age which everything is working against the things we hold dear… In this evil day, we need constant reminders of the Truth. If we are not careful with our time, we will allow others to fill it up for us, and there will be none for God.

  • God – Our Father

    For us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things come and for whom we live. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things come and through whom we live (1 Corinthians 8:6).

    Our Father loves us so!

    Christian life begins with obedience, depends on obedience and results in obedience. To really love God means living out His commands no matter what the cost.

    But You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; You, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer (Isaiah 63:16).

    Blessed are you, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever (1 Chronicles 29:10).

    Is He not your Father, your Creator who made you and formed you? (Deuteronomy 32:6)

    Your life is entwined with the God who gave you birth. Frail dust, remember you are splendor!

    But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay and You our Potter. All we are the work of Your hands (Isaiah 64:8).

    Behold! What manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called “Children of God”! (1 John 3:1)

    Because You are sons, God sent the spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out “Abba, Father”. So you are no longer a slave but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir (Galatians 4:6-7).

    The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ Jesus, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may share in His glory (Romans 8:15-17).

    You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

    Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children. And live a life of love (Ephesians 5:1-2).

    Live as children of the Light (Ephesians 5:8).

    For God (who said “Let light shine out of darkness”) made His Light shine in our hearts to give us the light of His knowledge: of the glory of God in the face of Jesus the Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).

    Make us aware of how precious Your Word is. Bless those who transport it to far-off places. Thank You, Father, for giving us this source of light and strength and for the opportunities to uncover the jewels waiting to be discovered in Your pages.

  • A Study on Abiding in Jesus

    There are so many verses on the way to live as a Christian. I have compiled a few small collections of them, and will try to put them into some kind of cohesive service.

    Let us study to find God’s pathways.

    Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how His ways will really satisfy you (Romans 12:2 LB).

    Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:8).

    Many seek the God they want, but do not know the God who is.

    How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word (Psalm 119:9).

    If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:31-32).

    This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life! (Deuteronomy 30:19).

    The Secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law (Deuteronomy 29:29).

    Throughout the expanse of creation, God has hidden things for us to discover, to enjoy, and with which to perceive the nature of our Creator. No one can understand all the ways of God. However, by studying the Bible and His creation, we can serve Him and find fulfillment in our work.

    What is man that You care for him? The son of man that You think of him? Man is like a breath, his days are like a fleeting shadow (Psalm 144:3-4).

    What is man that You are mindful of him? The son of man that You care for Him? You made him a little lower than the angels and crowned him with glory and honor (Psalm 8:4-5).

    And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statues, to fear the Lord our God, for our own good always, that He might preserve us alive as it is this day (Deuteronomy 6:24).

    Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all things will be provided for you (Matthew 6:33).

    God is never irritated by the candle of an honest seeker. God reveals Himself to those who search for Him. God often communicates His desire for us by counsel of parents and mentors. Seek God’s wisdom so you are slow to condemn but quick to show compassion.

    Aun Aprendo

  • Some Parting Thoughts on Fruit

    In my studies, I have bumped into many quips that I had written down (mostly without noting how or when or from whom I attained them) to help me focus on my many different paths. I list a few here that may help us remember how important the Fruit of the Spirit must remain in our lives.

    Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb… that’s where the fruit is.

    Everything God created was created to give forth fruit.

    We were placed on this earth not to accumulate but to give away. Everything we own owns us, Why would we want more things?

    Blessings are like hugs from God to let you know how much He loves you. Counting blessings is like hugging God back.

    The God from whom all blessings flow — what a name!

    The blessings of Israel is to draw attention to the God of Israel.

    As the parable of the sower demonstrates, all biblical truth comes in seed form.

    It may take awhile but no prayer goes unanswered and no good deed fails to produce good fruit.

    Love

    Love is the most powerful force in the world.

    God loves us not because of something in ourselves, but because of something in Himself.

    God is a God of relationships. He prioritizes love over labor.

    Joy

    Joy is essential to the spirit life. Whatever we may think or say about God, when we are not joyful, our thoughts and words cannot bear fruit.

    If we refuse to give up hope, we will keep our joy. If we keep our joy, we will keep our strength. Hope takes us into the spiritual realm where God is.

    Like the special smell that comes with a drought-breaking rain, God loves the aroma of His children’s joy — especially when He is the source of its delight.

    Peace

    Nothing can rob you of your hold on grace, or your claim to peace, or your confidence in God without your permission.

    Patience

    Learn to marvel at God’s patience! And try not to try His patience any more!!

    It will go hard with murmurers! God always chastises His children twice if they do not bear the first stroke patiently. [Personal lesson!]

    Let nothing trouble you. Let nothing frighten you. All is fleeting. God alone is unchanging. Patience obtains everything. — The one who possesses God lacks nothing, for God alone suffices for all.

    Kindness and Goodness

    Be kinder than necessary – because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

    Never underestimate the value of any act of kindness.

    What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?

    Kindness always pays, but it pays best when not done for pay.

    Kindness is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.

    Faithfulness

    Faith breaks the peace between what is and what ought to be.

    Faith is a heart full of action, not a head full of facts.

    Greatness in God’s eyes is being faithful to God in the best way we know how for the situation we are in at the moment.

    Gentleness

    God gives preference to children, and the child-like mind.

    Give a quiet, calm attention to all those things assigned to your care by Providence.

    Self-Control

    The person who maintains the reins of his heart and controls the patterns of his mind impresses God.

    No matter how discouraging or hopeless or pressing the situation may seem, there is some truth about God that can encourage me, give me hope and bring me back triumphant!

    Circumstances do not change us; they expose us.

    We live like the person we see ourselves to be.

    If God is goodness and beauty and truth and love, I’d do better by reminding myself of this each and every day — so I’ll look for these things in my daily life.

    Always remember: Forbidden fruits create many jams.

  • Let Us Abide in Love

    Dear friends, let us love one another; for love is of God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love…  This is love!  Not that we loved God, but He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:7-10).

    And so we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us.  God is love.  And the one who abides in love abides in God and God in him.  By this, love is perfected within us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.  There is no fear in love.  Perfect love casts out fear because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.  We love because He first loved us.  If someone says “I love God” and hates his brother, he is a liar.  For the one who does not love his brother (whom he has seen) cannot love God (whom he has not seen).  And this commandment we have from Him: the one who loves God should love his brother (1 John 4:16-21).

    Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).

    Her many sins have been forgiven, for she loved much.  But he who has been forgiven little, loves little (Luke 7:47).

    I remember the devotion of your youth; how as a bride you loved Me and followed Me through the desert… (Jeremiah 2:2)

    You have left your first love! (Revelation 2:4)

    Do you truly love Me more than these?  …  You know all things; You know that I love You. (John 21:15-17)

    Jesus looked at him and loved him… (Mark 10:21)

    If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teachings.  My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him (John 14:23).

    Whoever keeps [God’s] Word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected! (1 John 2:5)

    And though you have not seen Him, you love Him… (1 Peter 1:8)

    If anyone loves God, he is known by Him… (1 Corinthians 8:3)

    I love You, O Lord my strength (Psalm 18:1).

    For God is not unjust so as to forget your … love which you have shown toward His name (Hebrews 6:10).

    The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (John 12:25).

    Set an example for the believers in… love (1 Timothy 4:2).

    Follow the way of love… (1 Corinthians 14:1)

    That their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love… (Colossians 2:2)

    Add to your faith… and to brotherly kindness, love (2 Peter 1:5, 7).

    Love the Lord, all you His saints! (Psalm 31:23)

    Let love of the brotherhood continue (Hebrews 13:1).

    Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us (1 John 4:11-12).

    The one who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him (1 John 2:10).

    We continually remember before our God and Father… your labor prompted by love…  For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you (1 Thessalonians 1:3-4).

    For the love of Christ controls us… (2 Corinthians 5:14)

    Do everything in love (1 Corinthians 16:14).

    Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance (Jude 1:2).

    May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Corinthians 13:14).

  • We Are To Abound In Love

    Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion…  Put on love, which binds [all virtues] all together in perfect unity (Colossians 3:12-14).

    You have heard it was said: Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.  But I tell you to love your enemies.  Bless those who curse you.  Do good to those who hate you.  Pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven…  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?  Are not the tax collectors doing that? (Matthew 5:43-46)

    But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies…  Even sinners love only those who love them (Luke 6:32, 37).

    But love your enemies.  Do good to them and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.  Then your reward will be great and you will be sons of the Most High God (Luke 6:35).

    Be devoted to one another in love… (Romans 12:10)

    Show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in Egypt (Deuteronomy 10:19).

    Do not love the world, nor the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15).

    If there is any consolation of love… make my joy complete by being of the same mind; maintaining the same love… (Philippians 2:1-2)

    But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects… for the whole body … promotes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love (Ephesians 4:15-16).

    [Be] hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled (Titus 1:8).

    Teach the older men [who come to you] to be temperate… and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance (Titus 2:2).

    Encourage the young women [you care for] to love their husbands and to love their children (Titus 2:4).

    That you esteem them very highly in love because of their work (1 Thessalonians 5:13).

    Greet one another with a kiss of love… (1 Peter 5:14)

    We know that we have passed out of death into life because we love the brethren.  He who does not love abides in death (1 John 3:14).

    But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love… (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

    Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another…  Love as brothers… for “whoever would love life and see many good days must keep his tongue from evil…” (1 Peter 3:8, 10)

    Since you have, in obedience to the truth, purified your souls for a sincere love for your brothers, fervently love one another from the heart (1 Peter 1:22).

    Showing forbearance to one another in love (Ephesians 4:2).

    Love the brotherhood (1 Peter 2:17).

    And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another… (1 Thessalonians 3:12)

    And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).

  • Rewards For Loving

    God of Heaven, the great and awesome God … keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and obey His commands (Nehemiah 1:5).

    We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God… (Romans 8:28)

    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)

    Those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness (Proverbs 14:22).

    Let love and faithfulness never leave you… (Proverbs 3:3)

    He who loves pleasure will become poor; he who loves wine and oil will never be rich (Proverbs 21:17).

    [Yet] He who pursues righteousness and love finds live, prosperity, and honor (Proverbs 21:21).

    You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness.  Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness… (Hebrews 1:9)

    Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for… (Proverbs 16:16)

    He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious will have the King for his Friend (Proverbs 22:11).

    A Friend loves at all times… (Proverbs 17:17)

    He who covers over an offense promotes love… (Proverbs 17:9)

    Love covers all transgressions (Proverbs 10:12).

    Let those who love the Lord hate evil… (Psalm 97:10)

    A time of love and a time of hate… (Ecclesiastes 3:8)

    Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil.  Cling to what is good (Romans 12:9). 

    Hate evil.  Love good.  Maintain justice in the courts (Amos 5:15).

    Maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always (Hosea 12:6).

    For I, the Lord, love justice… (Isaiah 61:8)

    Aim for perfection.  Listen to my appeal: Be of one mind; live in peace.  And the God of love and peace will be with you (2 Corinthians 13:11).

    What you heard from me keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love… (2 Timothy 1:13)

    Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace… (2 Timothy 2:22)

    The love of money is a root of all sorts of evil…  [Instead] pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness (1 Timothy 6:10-11).

    Therefore love truth and peace (Zechariah 8:19).

    A man who loves wisdom makes his Father glad… (Proverbs 29:3)

    He who gets wisdom loves his own soul… (Proverbs 19:8)

    I love those who love me [wisdom]; and those who seek me, find me (Proverbs 8:17).

    To endow those who love me with wealth, that I may fill their treasuries (Proverbs 8:21).

    Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up (1 Corinthians 8:1).

    Better a day of vegetables where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it (Proverbs 15:17).

    Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days – keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies (Psalm 34:12-13).

    For in Christ Jesus neither [good nor bad, black nor white] means anything; what matters is faith working through love (Galatians 5:6).