25 Encouraging Bible Verses for Graduates

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Lynn

Graduation-Blessing-Card16322lgMy Sweet daughter, my youngest child, will be graduating high school in a couple of weeks.  She has her dress, she’s got the hair appointment booked, she’s getting a mani-pedi, (a grad gift from her older sister), and she has a handsome date for the banquet.  She is tentatively filling out admission forms to post-secondary schools.  She doesn’t know exactly what she wants to do after high school, so she’s “testing the waters”, so to speak, to see what studies might interest her and what schools appeal to her.  She’s got plenty of time to think about her future, she doesn’t need to feel rushed.  In the midst of all the excitement of graduating it may be difficult to be focused on the One Who knows the plans He has for each of His children.  Here are some encouraging verses that parents, grandparents, and friends can write in cards or give to their favorite Graduate this year.

1 Timothy 4:12  “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

Joshua 1:7-9  “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 51:10-11  “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.”

Philippians 4:4-8  “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”

Psalm 105:4 “Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.”

John 14:27  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Psalm 91:1-2  “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

James 1:12  “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

Isaiah 40:31  “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.”

Micah 6:8  “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Lamentations 3:22-24  “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

Proverbs 16:3  “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

Proverbs 3:5-10  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

Colossians 3:23  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

Philippians 3:13-14  “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

1 Corinthians 15:57-58“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Philippians 1:9-11  “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God.”

Jeremiah 29:13  “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Psalm 20:4 “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”

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.”

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.”

Mark 12:30  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

James 4:13-16   “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.”

Jeremiah 29:11-13  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Numbers 6:24-26  “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

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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25 Encouraging Bible Verses for Writers

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Lynn

if-god-brings-you-to-itAs a writer, called by God to write, there are certainly times when I have allowed the world to discourage me.  It is a lonely venture being a writer.  As a Christian writer I feel a great obligation and responsibility to represent God and not bring discredit to Him or to His Word.  Christian writers face the same struggles and pressures as any other writer, but we also face a spiritual attack from the enemy who does not want us to write our message of Hope to a fallen world.  May these scripture verses encourage you today!

“The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.”  Deuteronomy 28:12

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

“My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.”  Psalm 45:1

“The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.”  Proverbs 18:4

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” Isaiah 40:8

“Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.”  Hebrews 12:12-13

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Ephesians 2:10

“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.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”  Psalm 37:4

“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.”  Romans 8:28

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”  Romans 12:11

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”  1 Corinthians 9:24-27

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.”  Ephesians 6:7

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”  Psalm 34:19

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”  Hebrews 10:24

“I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”  Psalm 16:3

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”  Philippians 4:8

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.  For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.  Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!  And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.  For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.  But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.  Luke 12:22-31

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”  Proverbs 16:9

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.  Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11

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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Why does God Allow Bad Things to Happen to Good People?

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Lynn

Boston - April 15, 2013After the tragic events at yesterday’s Boston Marathon, we are left asking questions that for all intents and purposes cannot be adequately answered.  Certainly, once the perpetrators are brought to justice, questions about why someone would intentionally maim and kill innocent people may be answered.  We may question a person’s sanity, a person’s reasoning abilities, a person’s ethics and morality, and even their political agenda and come away with some answers why monsters are allowed to run loose in the world, but as Christians, we point to God and ask, “Why does He allow bad things to happen to good people?”

I’m not a theologian.  I know many great men and women who may be able to explain why all the evil in this world can be attributed to the fall of man in the Garden of Eden.  How the enemy – Satan, has free reign until Christ returns.  I get it.  Do I understand it all?  No.

I am a wife, Mom, grandma who weeps in the comfort of her living room, crying out to God asking why an eight year old boy’s life is so horrifically cut short, and why his little sister must lose a leg and why his mother has a brain injury because someone thought it necessary to plant an explosive near them as they stood on the sidewalk cheering on his Dad running in the Boston Marathon.

As the brutality and carnage is captured in pictures, and image after disturbing image of the wounded is telecast worldwide, I pray for the fallen and weep for the families who will have their lives forever changed.  Again we cheer and admire those that came immediately to their aid without any regard for their own personal safety.  Heroes all.

I struggle with my prayers this morning.  I don’t understand why God allows this.  He could stop it, could He not?  He could even have prevented it, but He didn’t.  Why?

Rick Warren wrote an article in 2011, on the 10th anniversary of 9/11.  I invite you to read the full article here: http://purposedriven.com/blogs/dailyhope/why-does-god-allow-evil/

I quote from that article to try to bring some understanding and reason to the question that plagues us all today.

“In a world of free choices, God’s will is rarely done! Doing  our own will is much more common — much easier. Don’t blame God for the  tragedy of 9/11. Blame people who ignored what God says to do: “Love your  neighbor as yourself.”

In heaven, God’s will is done perfectly. That’s why there is  no sorrow, pain or evil there. But this is earth, a fallen, imperfect place. We  must choose to do God’s will every day. It isn’t automatic. That is why Jesus  told us to pray, “Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.”

The Bible explains the root of evil: “This is the  crisis we’re in: God’s light streamed into the world, but men and women  everywhere ran for the darkness … because they were not really interested in  pleasing God” (John 3:19, Message). We’re far more interested in pleasing  ourselves than we are in pleasing the one who made us.

Many other questions race through our minds during dark  days, but the answers will not come from pollsters, pundits or politicians. We  must look to God and his Word for comfort and direction, for answers to our  questions. We must humble ourselves and admit that each of us often chooses to  ignore what God wants us to do.

I suspect houses of worship across America have been packed this  weekend, as they were the weekend after 9/11. In times of crisis we cry out to  connect with our Creator. The urge is deep-seated and universal. The first  words uttered by millions on Sept. 11, 2001, were, “Oh, God!”

We were made for a relationship with God, but he waits for  us to choose him. He is ready to comfort, guide and direct us through our  grief. But the choice is ours.”

Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake  Forest, Calif., one of America’s largest and most influential churches. Rick is  author of the New York Times Best Seller The  Purpose Driven Life.  His book, The  Purpose Driven Church, was named one of the 100 Christian books that  changed the 20th century. He is also founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for  pastors. © Copyright 2011 Rick Warren.

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