25 Phrases that Make My Whole Day!

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Lynn

Encouragement from God

When I read Gary Chapman’s “Five Love Languages” book way back when, I found that I could respond well to each of the “languages” all dependant on the day I was having.  I don’t really have a primary love language as he describes in his book, but when I am feeling discouraged a word of affirmation makes my day.  When I have a busy day any act of service to take the load off of me…like my kids helping me with housework speaks volumes of love to me.  When my husband surprises me with flowers or any little gift, I can’t help being thrilled!  Camping and spending quality time with my husband and my children is always the best!  Lastly, a fierce hug from any of my grandbabies just melts my heart, and a tender embrace from my husband…well, you know…

I’ve compiled some phrases I love to hear.  Some of them are not necessarily spoken by my loved ones either…you’ll see what I mean 🙂   If they are not enough for you, just re-read the graphic at the top of the page.  Jesus’ words of encouragement will definitely make your whole day!

“I love you!”

“Honey, I’ve made reservations for dinner.”  or “Honey, I’m bringing home dinner!”  (Either is good.)

“Mom, how can I help?”

“Grandma, will you play with me?”

“Take another 40% off sales items already marked down!”

“You’re entitled to an upgrade!”

“You’ve won!”

“You’re the best!”

“You’ve got to hear what God’s been doing in my life!”

“You were right and I was wrong.”  or a heartfelt “Sorry!” is good.

“I’ve booked our flights!”

“Do you need a back rub?”  (Or shoulder rub, or foot rub, body massage…any or all is good!)

“I need you.”

“What can I get for you?”

“You look great!”  (or fantastic, beautiful, excellent, DY..NO…MITE…you get my drift).

“I was just thinking about you and thought I’d call.”

“I saw it in the window and had to get it for you!”

“I made this just for you!”

“I love spending time with you!”

“Thanks for supper, (or lunch or breakfast, or the snack) it tasted great!”

“Thanks, Mom!”

“I can take care of that for you.”

“Keep the change!”

“I love reading your (books, blogs, stories).”

“Thanks for…”  (It can be anything that I may have done and was appreciated by the recipient and if that’s followed up with a “Thank you card” you’re tops in my books!)

(I was just thinking that if these phrases make MY whole day, I’ll bet they would make someone else’s day as well…so pass them along and speak them often to those people who would be blessed by you saying them!)

Posted in 25 Encouraging Bible Verses - Topical, Family Life, Proverbs 16:9 - Journey Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

25 Encouraging Scripture Verses to Commit to Memory

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Lynn

In my last post, I wrote about a unique and fun way to memorize scripture.  If you missed it, just click on the link: https://lynndove.com/2014/01/17/how-to-eat-up-scripture-literally/

Now that you’ve read how to memorize scripture, here are some of my personal favourite verses to commit to memory!  Note: I use the NIV Bible translation primarily for study and for memorization, but choose a Bible translation that you are familiar with and one that appeals to you the most.

Isaiah 9:6  “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

2 Timothy 3:16  “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

John 3:16-17  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Romans 3:23  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Romans 6:23  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

John 14:6  “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Ephesians 2:8,9  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.”

2 Corinthians 5:17  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Romans 8:28  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Isaiah 40:30-31  “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. “

Romans 8:38-39  “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. “

Matthew 11:28-30  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Hebrews 13:8  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

2 Peter 3:9  “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Corinthians 12:9  “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

2 Corinthians 4:18  “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Psalm 37:4,5  “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.”

Proverbs 3:5,6  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

James 4:7  “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Galatians 5:22-23  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Hebrews 12:1-2  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Acts 1:8  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Romans 12:1-2  “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Philippians 4:6,7  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

 

 

 

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How to Eat Up Scripture – Literally!

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Lynn

458695591_640I will admit that I find it VERY difficult to memorize anything.  Numbers are the worst for me…I can’t remember phone numbers and even when I look them up in the phone book, I have to stop mid-dial to make sure I’ve read the right number.  I write everything down on my calendar to remember appointments and birthdays and I leave notes for myself everywhere.  One spiritual discipline that I struggle the most with is memorizing scripture but I continue to make an honest effort.

I think about memorizing scripture like savouring a sumptuous four course meal.  Using Jeremiah 15:16  as the example, think of the location of the passage as the appetizer, Jeremiah 15:16.  If you can’t remember the passage in its entirety, you can at least look it up in the Bible if you know the location of the passage.

The second “course” is likened to the soup or salad before the main entrée is served.  Break the verse up into little bite-sized pieces.  I like to write them down to help me:

“When your words came,

I ate them;

they were my joy and my heart’s delight,

for I bear your name,

Lord God Almighty.”

Memorize each “chunk” of the passage and move onto the next piece when you think you’ve memorized the one before it.

The third “course” is the main entrée.  Try to say/write down the entire passage.  “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.”

Now the dessert: add the location at the end of the passage.  (Some like to say the location passage at the beginning AND end.)  (Oh… and a grammar tip: if you have trouble figuring out if it’s “desert” or “dessert”, think about dessert as double the sugar in the middle of the word!)

“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.”  Jeremiah 15:16 

Now that you have digested the passage, it’s important that you continue to eat and savour the Word again and again.  Memorization is like exercise.  The more you do it, the easier it gets; the less you do the harder it gets.  I return to the main course whenever I’m hungry, and as is always the case, it requires a good workout afterwards to burn off some of those spiritual calories!

Bon Appetit!

Posted in Proverbs 16:9 - Journey Thoughts, Scripture Study | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments