God's Word is Good.

I really enjoy doing a post every now and then of things that have been meaningful to me lately. So here goes...

James 1 (Message)

Under pressure your life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well developed, not deficient in any way. Consider it joy when you are enveloped or encounter trials or fall into temptations. The trail brings endurance, steadfastness, and patience.

"Help me Lord not to be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, (definite requests), with thanksgiving, to present my requests to You. And Your peace (that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its early lot whatever sort that is) that peace which transcends all understanding, will guard (or garrison which means to protect, strengthen against attack; to surround with a body of troops) my heart and mind in Christ Jesus."

from Philippians 4:6-7
a combination of a Beth Moore prayer, the NIV, amplified, and Message bibles & the original language

But think on:
What is...
true authentic the best not the worst
worthy of reverence winsome the beautiful not the ugly
honorable gracious
seemingly virtuous things to praise, not to curse
just excellent
pure worthy of praise
lovely reputable
lovable
kind

Philippians 4:8 (NIV & Message)


GALATIONS 5:16

For there is a root of sinful self interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical (contradictory) so that you cannot lives at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day.

Live Freely, animated and motivated by God's spirit and then you won't feed compulsions of selfishness.

Why don't you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions?

But, I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. for the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

"You may be going through a confusing time. You may not know how God is going to use a situation in your life or why certain things have happened to you. BUT you can be encouraged and strengthened by recalling what you know about God in the midst of uncertainties. In confusing times, recounting what we do know refreshed us!" ~Beth Moore

"Sometimes we stand to learn the most about God from situations we understand the least." ~Beth Moore

Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5

LOVE-affections for others
JOY- gladness, exuberance about life
PEACE-serenity
PATIENCE-even temper, forbearance, willingness to stick with things
KINDNESS-compassion
GOODNESS- benevolence-desiring to do good to others, comviction that basic holiness permeates things and people
FAITHFULNESS- loyal commitments
GENTLENESS- meakness, humility, submissiveness, compliance, not needing to force your way
SELF CONTROL- self restraint, continence, abstinence, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely

"God is not harsh; He is holy. The words represent a big difference, although sometimes our limited understanding leads us to confuse them." ~Beth Moore

"How careful we mus be not to think that God is less holy because others seem to get away with irreverence....The godless are not our standard, God is....'praise Him according to His excellent greatness' (Ps 150:2), not public opinion." ~Beth Moore

The fear of God

equals...
reverence of God
deep respect
devotion
understanding how much God hates sin and fearing His judgment on sin

Fearing God means having such a reverence for Him that it changes how we live our lives.

Fear of God is respecting Him, obeying Him, submitting to His discipline and worshiping Him in awe. -unknown

"You turned my wailing into dancing; you remived my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. Oh Lord my God, I will give thanks forever!" Psalm 30:11-12

"If we're seeking Him through prayer and bible study we will not likely miss His appointments. We need to wait on Him even when we have a great plan." ~Beth Moore

"God can entrust a vision or an idea to us that may be ours to pray about and prepare for but never to participate in directly." ~Beth Moore

"We want to do so many things for God, then they suddenly pale in comparison to the realization of all He wants to do for us." ~Beth Moore

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for i am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
"I've picked you; I haven't dropped you. Don't panic. I'm with you. There is no need to fear for I am your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady. I'll keep a firm grip on you."
Isaiah 41:10 Message

"I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be moved." Psalm 16:8

"Casting the whole of your care, all of your anxieties, worries, concerns, once and for all on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares for you watchfully."
1 Peter 5:7

"The Lord is good, a strength and a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows, recognizes, has knowledge of and understands those who take refuge and trust in Him."
Nahum 1:7

"He is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and Fortress, I shall not be moved."
Psalm 62:6

I wrote this down from Colossians 1 to pray for Annabelle and Adelyn and then I realized it was a great prayer to pray for myself also:

"So that I may live and conduct myself and my life in a manner worthy of the Lord and desire to please Him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, steadily growing and increasing in the knowledge of God with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight acquaintance and recognition, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that I may have great endurance (not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory strength God gives), perserverance, forbearance, and longevity, giving thanks."

"Surely you will bless the uncompromisingly righteous (him who is upright in standing with you), you surround them with your favor (goodwill, pleasure) as a shield."
Psalm 5:12 NIV, Message