Monday, September 30, 2013

It's my birthday, so as a gift to myself here's an extra verse today. It reminds me that suffering is not useless, it is God's way of restoring and strengthening me.

1 Peter 5:6-11
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Be sober-minded; be watchful.
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.


One of my neurotic tendencies is to think I don't really belong anywhere. How wrong I am, I am a member of the household of God! Wow.

Ephesians 2:17-20
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Don't be labored over in vain. Being a slave to all the goodies the world has to offer is nothing compared to freedom.

Galatians 4:8-11
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.
But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
You observe days and months and seasons and years!
I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.

A nice Psalm for a beautifully soothing day in Hume, Virginia

Psalm 111:7-10
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;
they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
Bible Gateway Link

Thursday, September 26, 2013

We are safe. "There is none who can deliver from my hand;" God brought us Christ so that we would understand. He was crucified proclaiming this: "I am he."

Isaiah 43:10-13
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
“and my servant whom I have chosen,
that you may know and believe me 
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor shall there be any after me.
I, I am the Lord,
and besides me there is no savior.
I declared and saved and proclaimed,
when there was no strange god among you;
and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God.
Also henceforth I am he;
there is none who can deliver from my hand;
I work, and who can turn it back?”


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

I have a few rough places I need leveled. I also have my share of darkness, but the closer I am to God the more I understand this promise.

Isaiah 42:16
And I will lead the blind
in a way that they do not know,
in paths that they have not known
I will guide them.
I will turn the darkness before them into light,
the rough places into level ground.
These are the things I do,
and I do not forsake them.

Bible Gateway link

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

My daily reading in the New Testament conveniently coincided with a piece by Michael Gerson in the Washington Post citing a magazine interview with Pope Francis. I've linked both below, both are worth the time. I think there's hope.

Galatians 2:19-21
For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.