Serving God -John 12:25-26

I haven't been as good posting lately, (I'm blaming that for a lot of school and being on vacation), but I thought I'd get something in tonight.

"He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor."

Fearing the LORD -Psalms 128:1-4

"Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants all around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD."

Holds Me Up -Psalms 94:17-19

"Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul would soon have settled in silence. If I say, "My foot slips," Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul."

In the Light of Your Countenance -Psalms 89:13-15

"You have a mighty arm; Strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face. Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance."

Created for Good Works -Ephesians 2:10

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

This promise is huge. When I'm sinning, all I see is my fallen nature. However, it's important to remember that God made us to do good!

This verse goes even beyond that and points out that God has planned our good works ahead of time!

Sons of Light -1 Thessalonians 5:3-5

I skipped over this middle section yesterday because I was trying to make the post not so long...but then I looked at these verses, and realized they were a promise in and of themselves!

"For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness."

Leads Us In Triumph -2 Corinthians 2:14

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place."

I really like how this verse points out that God's victory in our lives is a light to others. But for me, it's especially encouraging to know that God "...always leads us in triumph...", not a few times, or every once in a while, but always.

Stay Encouraged!

Those Who God Down to the Sea in Ships -Psalms 107:23-32

This is a long passage, but really good. This was the promise from Scripture that my Dad shared with me at my senior piano recital when I graduated from high school.

When we are going through life, we will hit rough times...we just need to remember to cry out to God!

"Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters, they see the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep. For He commands and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves of the sea. They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths; Their soul melts because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, so that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people, and praise Him in the company of the elders."

He Delivered Them -Psalms 107:4-7

"They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; They found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses. And He led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city for a dwelling place."

My Eye -Psalms 32:8

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye."

The Power of God's Word -Psalms 19:7-11

This passage is a great promise regarding God's Word, (The Bible), and the power it can have in our life.

"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The statues of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward."

Enlarging My Path -Psalms 18:36

"You enlarged my path under me, So my feet did not slip."

A sure footing is only found in Christ.

My Feet in a Wide Place -Psalms 31:7-8

"I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, For You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities, And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place."

Righteousness and Peace Have Kissed -Psalms 85:10-13

"Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yes, the LORD will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway."