This time I'm going with a verse that's been on my list for a while, but I keep avoiding it. Maybe because I don't want to be reminded of my sin? Eesh.
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Verse 19
I was looking back over my last few verses and realized that I don't have them committed to memory yet. So, as I remind myself, let me encourage you, too: don't neglect God's Word in this upcoming busy holiday season. You are on verse 19 out of 24! What an accomplishment! Don't give up! Press on, friends!
Today's sermon was on Ecclesiastes. [It was really interesting. You can watch it here if you're interested.] A lot of the book is about how everything here on earth is pointless (my loose translation). BUT we can rise about the seeming insignificance of all the day-to-day stuff. At the end of the book the author gives us the key for living our lives down here:
Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind."
Today's sermon was on Ecclesiastes. [It was really interesting. You can watch it here if you're interested.] A lot of the book is about how everything here on earth is pointless (my loose translation). BUT we can rise about the seeming insignificance of all the day-to-day stuff. At the end of the book the author gives us the key for living our lives down here:
Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind."
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Verse 18
Oh my! It's 7:30pm, but I made it!
My new verse is II Corinthians 4:17
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
My new verse is II Corinthians 4:17
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Verse 17
Ezekiel 36:26 NIV
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
Another translation says, "I will remove your stubborn hearts and give you obedient hearts".
This verse makes it sound like a one-time transaction, but I think it feels more like a daily battle. My heart keeps wanting to dry up, to become hard and impermeable. Only the work of the Holy Spirit can make this rock-heart turn to flesh, to soften up and love the people around me like Christ did.
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
Another translation says, "I will remove your stubborn hearts and give you obedient hearts".
This verse makes it sound like a one-time transaction, but I think it feels more like a daily battle. My heart keeps wanting to dry up, to become hard and impermeable. Only the work of the Holy Spirit can make this rock-heart turn to flesh, to soften up and love the people around me like Christ did.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Verse 16
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
A friend recently wrote a blog post containing this verse. She used a translation that used the word "masterpiece" instead of "workmanship". It really stuck out to me that God made me with intention and purpose. I'm not just another human on the assembly line of creation, but I'm one of His masterpieces, and he has good works ready and waiting for me (and you, too!).
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
A friend recently wrote a blog post containing this verse. She used a translation that used the word "masterpiece" instead of "workmanship". It really stuck out to me that God made me with intention and purpose. I'm not just another human on the assembly line of creation, but I'm one of His masterpieces, and he has good works ready and waiting for me (and you, too!).
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Verse 15
I Corinthians 8:1-3 (God's Word Translation)
Now, concerning food offered to false gods: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes people arrogant, but love builds them up. Those who think they know something still have a lot to learn. But if they love God, they are known by God.
There is a lot to learn from this chapter of the Bible. It is primarily about food that had been sacrificed to idols and about how Christians treated each other over the matter. I chose these particular verses and translation, though, as a reminder about pride. For those times when I think I have things figured out, I want to remember that I "still have a lot to learn" and that my priority should be loving God.
Now, concerning food offered to false gods: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes people arrogant, but love builds them up. Those who think they know something still have a lot to learn. But if they love God, they are known by God.
There is a lot to learn from this chapter of the Bible. It is primarily about food that had been sacrificed to idols and about how Christians treated each other over the matter. I chose these particular verses and translation, though, as a reminder about pride. For those times when I think I have things figured out, I want to remember that I "still have a lot to learn" and that my priority should be loving God.
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Verse 14
Do you always memorize your verse in the same translation? I usually memorize in NIV or ESV, but as I'm studying and meditating on my verse I love to read it in lots of different translations. It's amazing how many different nuances and meanings you can get from the same verse just by changing one word or one piece of punctuation.
My verse for this time is II Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
My verse for this time is II Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
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