Tag Archives: memory verses

April 29, 2016 · 5:43 AM

God Is Merciful


There was a time when David sinned that God let him choose his own punishment. God gave him three options: 1) Three years of famine 2) Three months of running from his enemies or 3) Three days of a severe plague. That’s a tough choice, but David thought about it and made a wise decision. He said, “They’re all terrible! But I’d rather be punished by GOD, whose mercy is great, than fall into human hands” (MSG)

David recognized that God is a lot more merciful than we are. He took his chances with a plague betting on God’s mercy and it paid off. Just as the angel bringing the plague was about to destroy Jerusalem, God stopped him because His mercy was greater than His desire to punish. God is a merciful God, yet someone how so many of us view Him as a punishing judge rather than a merciful father.

To help us see Him as merciful, here are some verses that talk about His mercy.

1. GOD is all mercy and grace— not quick to anger, is rich in love.

Psalm 145:8 MSG

2. Let us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.

Hebrews 4:16 GNT

3. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Ephesians 2:4-5 ESV

4. But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

Psalms 86:15 NLT

5. All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3 NLT

6. But GOD ’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you. He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you. GOD takes the time to do everything right—everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.

Isaiah 30:18 MSG

7. O GIVE thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.

Psalm 136:1 AMP

8. And he also wanted to reveal his abundant glory, which was poured out on us who are the objects of his mercy, those of us whom he has prepared to receive his glory.

Romans 9:23 GNT

9. How kind the LORD is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours!

Psalms 116:5 NLT

10. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

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April 15, 2016 · 5:56 AM

Grace For You

  
I’ve always heard that grace was defined as God’s Redemption At Christ’s Expense. We use grace mainly to talk about God’s ability to cover our sins. Grace is that and more. It’s God’s ability to show us mercy and favor as well. In the days of the New Testament, you will read where Paul used it like that as a greeting and as a way bless those as he ended his letters. Grace is a complex word and idea that we don’t fully understand.

What I do know is that God’s grace is deeper than any sin you’ve committed and stronger than any pain you feel. I like to tell people, “I’ve hit rock bottom in life before, but I’ve never hit the bottom of grace.” No matter how deep my sin or struggles have taken me, I’ve never found the bottom of God’s grace. It has been sufficient for everything I’ve been through and done. I can promise you, it’s enough for what you’ve done and are going through.

Today, I’ve compiled some of my favorite verses on grace to give us a deeper understanding of grace

1. We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.
Acts of the Apostles 15:11 NLT

2. But if it is by grace (His unmerited favor and graciousness), it is no longer conditioned on works or anything men have done. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace [it would be meaningless].
Romans 11:6 AMP

3. May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with everyone.
Revelation 22:21 GNT

4. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 6:14 ESV

5. GOD is good to one and all; everything he does is suffused with grace.
Psalm 145:9 MSG

6. Timothy (insert your name here), my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:1 NLT (parenthesis is mine)

7. He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:7 AMP

8. Let us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.
Hebrews 4:16 GNT

9. Generous in love—God, give grace! Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record. Scrub away my guilt, soak out my sins in your laundry. I know how bad I’ve been; my sins are staring me down.
Psalm 51:1-3 MSG

10. But He said to me, “My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP

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March 11, 2016 · 5:30 AM

Get Some Rest

  
With Spring Break coming up, the vacation season will begin. Vacations are meant to be a time of rest and recharging, but how many times do we come back from vacation tired? We typically say, “I need a vacation after my vacation.” It’s good to do things on vacation, but not at the expense of giving your body and mind the rest it needs to recharge. There has to be some balance. We weren’t made to go, go, go 24/7/365.

Even God took a day of rest after creating the universe and everything in it. He understands the importance of rest. In fact, He mandated that we take time to rest. It’s in the Ten Commandments after all. Throughout the Bible, we are encouraged to find rest. God knows we are unable to fulfill our calling and our responsibilities when we are burned out.

To help remind us to get some rest, here are some verses in the Bible concerning it.

1. God has told his people, “Here is a place of rest; let the weary rest here. This is a place of quiet rest.” But they would not listen.

Isaiah 28:12 NLT

2. Work six days and rest the seventh. Stop working even during plowing and harvesting.

Exodus 34:21 MSG

3. Now, God has offered us the promise that we may receive that rest he spoke about. Let us take care, then, that none of you will be found to have failed to receive that promised rest.

Hebrews 4:1 GNT

4. Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

Psalm 116:7 AMP

5. The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Psalms 23:1-3 NLT

6. There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his disciples didn’t even have time to eat. So he said to them, “Let us go off by ourselves to some place where we will be alone and you can rest a while.”

Mark 6:31 GNT

7. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.

Psalms 127:2 NLT

8. Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.

Psalm 37:7 AMP

9. As it is, however, there still remains for God’s people a rest like God’s resting on the seventh day.

Hebrews 4:9 GNT

10. Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

Matthew 11:28-30 MSG

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October 16, 2015 · 5:30 AM

Harvest Festival

  
This time of year, it seems there are harvest festivals everywhere. Towns celebrate that they’ve brought in enough food to feed their families and to sell. Most of us don’t live in rural areas where the size of harvest is a make or break time for families. We celebrate this time just the same though. It’s the start of cooler weather and beautiful colors throughout nature.

The Bible often refers to harvests as winning souls. It commands us as Christians to plant seeds in other people’s lives, to water them, and to harvest them. God is concerned with the harvest to worker ratio. If you don’t have enough workers to reap, some of the harvest is lost. But when we do reap a harvest of souls, all of Heaven has a harvest festival and erupts in celebration. They understand the importance of harvesting. It’s time we did as well. 

To help us, I’ve compiled a list of scriptures talking about the harvest.

1. You know the saying, “Four months between planting and harvest.” But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.

John 4:35 NLT

2. For as long as Earth lasts, planting and harvest, cold and heat, Summer and winter, day and night will never stop.

Genesis 8:22 MSG

3. From the fruit of his words a man shall be satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hands shall come back to him [as a harvest].

Proverbs 12:14 AMP

4. A sensible person gathers the crops when they are ready; it is a disgrace to sleep through the time of harvest.

Proverbs 10:5 GNB

5. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.

Psalm 126:6 NLT

6. A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring has nothing to harvest in the fall.

Proverbs 20:4 MSG

7. They do not say from the heart, “Let us live in awe of the LORD our God, for he gives us rain each spring and fall, assuring us of a harvest when the time is right.”

Jeremiah 5:24 NLT

8. What a rich harvest your goodness provides! Wherever you go there is plenty.

Psalm 65:11 GNB

9. We are intimately linked in this harvest work. Anyone who accepts what you do, accepts me, the One who sent you. Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father, who sent me. Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God’s messenger. Accepting someone’s help is as good as giving someone help. This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won’t lose out on a thing.

Matthew 10:40-42 MSG

10. So pray to the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust laborers into His harvest.

Matthew 9:38 AMP

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October 9, 2015 · 5:30 AM

A Matter Of The Heart

Have you ever said these phrases? My heart is broken. My heart is full. That was done half-hearted. Put your heart into it. They have my heart. I heart you. They stole my heart. My heart wants to, but my head doesn’t. Home is where your heart is. I know that by heart. He did that to his heart’s content. She wears her heart on her sleeve. I love you with all my heart. My heart aches. My heart will go on. They have a heart of gold. I gave my heart to Jesus. Jesus lives in my heart.

We use the term “heart” for a lot of things. In those idioms, we aren’t really talking about our physical heart. We are talking about our seat of emotions. In Matthew 6:21 Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (AMP). He wasn’t talking about your physical heart being there. He was talking about your emotions that control your decisions. He knew we’d be guided by the emotions and values of our heart. Keep that in mind as you read these verses. Pray and ask that God would give you a heart like His.
  
1. And I will give them one heart [a new heart] and I will put a new spirit within them; and I will take the stony [unnaturally hardened] heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh [sensitive and responsive to the touch of their God].

Ezekiel 11:19 AMP

2. If your heart is broken, you’ll find GOD right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.

Psalm 34:18 MSG

3. My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “ LORD, I am coming.”

Psalm 27:8 NLT

4. Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God!

Matthew 5:8 GNB
5. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10 AMP

6. Here’s what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?

1 Kings 3:9 MSG

7. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Proverbs 4:23

8. “Teacher,” he asked, “which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

Matthew 22:36-37 GNB

9. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.

Psalm 37:4 AMP

10. I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

John 14:27 NLT

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September 30, 2015 · 5:26 AM

Let There Be Light (Video)

4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.

John 1:4-5 (NLT)

If you are having trouble viewing this video, click here.

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September 11, 2015 · 5:30 AM

Words Of Comfort

Life can be very unpredictable. Things can be going well and then the rug gets pulled out from under us. I heard someone say, “All people are in one of three places: in a trial, coming out of a trial or heading for one.” Life is a series of ups and downs. No one gets to stay on top of the mountain forever, no matter what they say on social media.

In my own trials and tests, these scriptures have brought me comfort; I hope they do the same for you.
  
1. From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. 

Psalm 61:2-3 NLT

2. May the Lord himself, who is our source of peace, give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.

II Thessalonians 3:16

3. When I walk into the thick of trouble, keep me alive in the angry turmoil. With one hand strike my foes, With your other hand save me. Finish what you started in me, GOD. Your love is eternal—don’t quit on me now. 

Psalm 138:7-8 MSG

4. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their distress and troubles. 

Psalm 34:17 AMP

5. Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up. Expect GOD to get here soon. 

Psalm 31:24 MSG

6. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 

Psalm 46:1 NASB

7. I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him [of necessity and on the authority of His Word], and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 

Psalm 34:4 AMP

8. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time. 

Psalm 34:19 NLT

9. Call to me when trouble comes; I will save you, and you will praise me. 

Psalm 50:15 GNB

10. My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; he is all I ever need. 

Psalm 73:26 GNB

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August 14, 2015 · 6:49 AM

10 Life Verses

I recently asked my friends on Facebook if they had a single verse in the Bible they consider their “Life Verse”. I got a lot of responses. Here are a 10 of them.

  
1. Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you 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.

Philippians 4:6-7 MSG

2.   But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy and acknowledge Him as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.

1 Peter 3:15 AMP

3.   Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:10-12 NLT

4.   But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33 ESV

5.   Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for I, the Lord your God, am with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 GNB

6.   At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.

Hebrews 12:11 MSG

7.   “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

8.   Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong.

Proverbs 3:5-7 GNB

9.   For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Romans 8:18 ESV

10.   Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully!

Matthew 5:6 GNB

I hope you enjoyed these and possibly found a life verse for yourself if you didn’t have one. If you do have one and it’s not on this list, please share it in the comments.

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August 7, 2015 · 6:33 AM

God My Defender

  

1. You must defend my innocence, O God, since no one else will stand up for me.

Job 17:3 NLT

2.   The Lord is my strong defender; he is the one who has saved me. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will sing about his greatness.

Exodus 15:2 GNB

3.   DELIVER ME from my enemies, O my God; defend and protect me from those who rise up against me.

Psalm 59:1 AMP

4.   Declare me innocent, O God! Defend me against these ungodly people. Rescue me from these unjust liars.

Psalms 43:1 NLT

5.   My God is my protection, and with him I am safe. He protects me like a shield; he defends me and keeps me safe. He is my savior; he protects me and saves me from violence.

2 Samuel 22:3 GNB

6.   MAY THE Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high and defend you.

Psalm 20:1 AMP

7.   Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court. For the LORD is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them.

Proverbs 22:22-23 NLT

8.   The Lord is your mighty defender, perfect and just in all his ways; Your God is faithful and true; he does what is right and fair.

Deuteronomy 32:4 GNB

9.   For He will give His angels especial charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways of obedience and service.

Psalm 91:11 AMP

10.   Come with great power, O God, and rescue me! Defend me with your might. Listen to my prayer, O God. Pay attention to my plea.

Psalms 54:1-2 NLT

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July 17, 2015 · 6:40 AM

10 Promises From God To You

  

1. “Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because GOD, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 MSG

2.   “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”

John 14:13-14 NLT

3.   “But those who wait for the Lord who expect, look for, and hope in Him shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up close to God as eagles mount up to the sun; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.”

Isaiah 40:31 AMP

4.   “But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”

Isaiah 43:1-2 NLT

5.   “Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 GNT

6.   “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 NLT

7.   “But He said to me, ‘My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in your weakness.’”

2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP

8.   “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19 NLT

9.   ““When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” GOD ’s Decree. “I’ll turn things around for you… You can count on it.”

Jeremiah 29:12-14 MSG

10.   “He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”

Revelation 22:20 NLT

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