Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Day 1 - Week 80 - I'm putting in one of my favorite verses!

For the most part, I follow right along with Robert J. Morgan's list of verses.  But this week, while we're still in the section of verses regarding faith, I'm substituting one of my very favorite verses in place of the one that Mr. Morgan would have us focus on this week.  Just to be fair, I'll give you your choice if you'd like!  The verse included in our referenced text, 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart, is Psalm 4:8, "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, LORD, make me live in safety."  That's a great verse to remember late at night, and I do appreciate it's assurance, but I just can't get through this section of faith verses without including 2 Chronicles 16:9:

"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." (NIV)

or as the Holman Christian Standard Version phrases it,

"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His."

or again as The Message paraphrases:

"God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to Him."

I love the word picture that this verse paints...I picture God's ever-seeing eyes, constantly scanning the whole globe...watching to see who is being faithful, who is standing for Him in the face of opposition, who is extending His love at the moment that it is most needed.  And when He sees those people, He is there ready to give them the extra strength that their faithfulness is requiring in order for them to continue on in even greater faithfulness. 

Fully committed...that's my goal.  To me, that's the definition of mature faith...full commitment.  No diversions.  Pushing forward toward the goal of being made complete in Jesus.

God's eyes ranging throughout the earth...hopefully finding my eyes focused completely on Jesus.

Don't think you're getting by without a weekly review....here's where we are:

The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
2 Timothy 1:14 "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you...guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."

Joy: God's Kind of Happiness (12)
Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Philippians 4:5 "Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near."
Philippians 4:6 "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."
James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds."
James 1:3-4 "Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you will be mature and complete, lacking nothing."
1 Thessalonians 5:16 "Rejoice always."
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray constantly."
1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."


Faith: Trusting God and Resting in His Word (12)
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift."
Ephesians 2:9 "Not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. 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."
Colossians 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believe, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."
Romans 1:17 "For in it God's righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith."
Psalm 56:3  "When I am afraid, I will trust in You."
2 Chronicles 16:9  "The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."

 

1 comment:

donna said...

Sooooooo many wonderful Bible verses. God has provided so much for so many. We Glorify God our Creator. God watches over us. Thanks again Janice for your commitment to our bible study group. You such a strong woman of Faith. Thanks for taking your time and spending it with our group. We miss you when you are gone. Love, Donna