God's Word on That

  • Prayer When Hurting

    Just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ (2 Corinthians 1:5).

    God’s grace abounds to us, especially when we suffer hurt.

    I desire to dwell in the shelter of the Most High. I will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord: “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” Surely God will save me from the fowler’s snare, and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover me with His feathers, and under His wings I will find refuge. His faithfulness is my shield and rampart, my buckler wherever I go. I will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys in sunlight. A thousand may fall at my side, ten thousand at my right hand, but it will not come near me. I will only observe with my eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. Because I make the Most High my dwelling place — even the Lord, who is my refuge — no [deadly] harm will befall me. No [life-threatening] disaster will come near my dwelling. For the Lord will command His angels concerning me, to guard me in all my ways. They will lift me up in their hands so I will not strike my foot against a stone. I will tread upon the lion and the cobra; I will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because [he/she] loves Me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue [him/her]. I will set [him/her] securely on high, for [he/she] acknowledges My name. [He/She] will call upon Me and I will answer [him/her]. I will be with [him/her] in trouble. I will deliver [him/her] and honor [him/her]. With long life I will satisfy [him/her] and show [him/her] My salvation.” (Psalm 91:1-16)

    Lord, You have said, “My grace is sufficient for you.” For Your strength is shown perfect in my weakness. So I will take pleasure gladly in my infirmities, pains, distresses — for Christ’s sake — so Christ’s power may rest on me (2 Corinthians 12:9). Therefore I count it all joy whenever I fall into various trials knowing that the testing of my faith produces patience. And I will let patience have its perfect work in me, so I may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing in my service to You, Lord (James 1:2-4). Dear God, help me to remain faithful in tests that have been granted for my gain, because I know that when my faith is tested, my endurance has a chance to grow.

    Jesus has promised: “I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you” (John 14:18). Jesus, Your banner over me is love — how fortunate I am! My Lover is mine and I am His (Song of Songs 2:4, 16).

    Since Christ suffered and underwent pain, we must have the same attitude He did (1 Peter 4:1). I must be ready to suffer too, for I remember that when my body suffers, sin loses it power (1 Peter 4:1 Phillips). I take my share of suffering as a good soldier in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:3). Father, You are able to make all grace abound to me so that in all things at all times, having all that I need, I will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8).

    You have allotted me grace (Ephesians 4:7). You have redeemed me with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment (Exodus 6:6).  You have taken me as Your own, and You are my God (Psalm 31:14).  You are a Father to me (Ephesians 1:5).  You have delivered me from the past that has held me in bondage, and translated me into the kingdom of love, peace, joy and righteousness (Colossians 1:13). 

    Father, You Yourself have told me: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I [the Almighty One] am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). So I will say of the Lord: “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”

  • The Work God Appoints

    I am not bound to make the world go right; but only to discover and do, with a cheerful heart, the work God appoints me.

    Dearest Father, direct me to work very hard at whatever You direct me to do (Colossians 1:29). I want always to give myself fully to the work of the Lord, because I know my labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

    If we will obey and do the task God has placed closest to us, we will see Him – at work through us and also at the last days. Be sure that if you do your very best in that which is laid upon you today, you will not be left without sufficient help when some weightier occasion arises.

    Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit, that I may go about Your work this day in Your love and power, for You have made me to be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17). I know that everyone born of God overcomes the world; this is the victory that overcomes: my faith (1 John 5:4). I give cheerfully [of all the talent and time I have], and my God makes all grace flow to me in abundance, so that in all things at all times, having all sufficiency in all that is needed, I abound to every good work (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).

    Exactness in little duties is a wonderful source of cheerfulness! Cheered by the presence of God, I will do at each moment, without anxiety and according to the strength He gives me, the work His providence assigns me.

    I earnestly pray that I walk worthy of You, my Lord God, fully pleasing You and desiring to please You in all things, and being fruitful in every good work. I aim at increasing in the knowledge of You, my God. And so I pray that I am being strengthened with all power according to Your glorious might (Colossians 1:10-11).

    I am not the Great “I AM”, but by the grace of God I am what I am. Here, O Lord, You have placed me and I will glorify You here.

    I must do the work God gives me to do, even when I don’t see the whole picture.

  • True Treasure

    It is only a turning loose of the things that most of us keep as treasure that we find what is truly treasure.

    Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:2) Turn from worthless things to the living God (Acts 14:15). Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made (John 1:3).

    Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come (Luke 17:1). The worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful (Mark 4:19).

    Don’t worship and serve created things rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25). ‘Who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God (Luke 12:20-21).

    Things don’t change – you change the way you look at things. Remember: whatever you pay attention to grows! Live above distinctions so that plenty doesn’t entangle your spirit and poverty doesn’t break it.

    Treasure is the beauty that surrounds us, for we can take nothing with us when we leave this planet.

    There is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Christ Jesus, through whom all things came and through whom we live (1 Corinthians 8:6). For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth… all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17). You know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed (1 Peter 1:18).

    Material things make good servants, but bad masters. Everything we own owns us – why would we want more things? The person who is free is not the person who has nearly everything, but the person who needs almost nothing. We were placed on earth not to accumulate but to give away.

    To the pure, all things are pure (Titus 1:15). Use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them, for this world in its present form is passing away (1 Corinthians 7:30-31), things are destined to perish (Colossians 2:22). The end of all things is near (1 Peter 4:7).

    God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8).

    Blessings are like hugs from God to let you know how much He loves you. Counting your blessings is like hugging God back. The God from Whom all Blessings Flow – what a name!

  • Fill My Hungry Soul

    Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our minds growled like our stomachs do when they get hungry? Your mind acts on what you feed it. Your mind doesn’t know the difference between reality and fantasy, so be sure to feed it truth.

    You satisfy the hungry with good things (Psalm 107:9). He who comes to me will never go hungry (John 6:35).

    As the earth revolves around the sun so should we revolve around the Son. As most preachers have instructed us: Lean towards the Light. And yet, when you turn toward God you realize He has been facing you all the time.

    Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun (Ecclesiastes 11:7).

    We meditate so that we might learn to see through Christ’s eyes the divine mystery of all that surrounds us. Also, meditate much on heaven, for it will help you to press on and to forget the toil on the way.

    Let us lean towards the light.

  • Quiet Times are Important

    Scripture is a never-failing treasury filled with boundless stores of grace – it is the Bank of Heaven. It is from the Upper Room that we get the widest perspective.

    Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law (Psalm 119:18). Strengthen me according to Your Word (Psalm 119:28) for Your promises preserve my life (Psalm 119:50). Oh how I love Your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies (Psalm 11:97-98). The unfolding of Your Word gives light; it gives understanding to even the simple (Psalm 119:130). I have put my hope in Your Word (Psalm 119:147). All Your Words are true; all Your righteous laws are eternal (Psalm 119:160). Great peace have they who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble (Psalm 119:165).

    All blessings come down through the channel of obedience. It is never a question of whether God can; but if He wills. If He wills, then we can, if we believe. Life is not about intellectual lessons but about integrating truth into the fabric of our lives; for you don’t teach a child, you train a child. The more you read, the more you know. The more you know, the farther you go.

  • Prayer to Walk in Humility

    Father, thank You for Jesus’ example of humility.  I want to take His yoke upon me and learn from Him, for He is meek and lowly of heart and then I can find rest for my soul (Matthew 11:29).

    It is more rewarding to serve than to be served.

    It is humbling to me to realize You have adopted me as Your child (Ephesians 1:5); and like Jesus, I want always to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than myself (Philippians 2:3).  Grant me the humble heart of a servant, Lord God, so I may be more like Jesus. 

    I know from Your Word that You esteem the humble and contrite in spirit (Isaiah 66:2). With humility comes wisdom (Proverbs 11:2), and humility always precedes honor (Proverbs 15:33). The humble will rejoice in You, Lord; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 29:19). For You have shown us what is good, and this is what You require of us: to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with You (Micah 6:8). Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what He commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps we will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger (Zephaniah 2:3). I willing serve the Lord with great humility and with tears (Acts 20:19).

    For You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty (Psalm 18:27). You give grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34), crowning the humble with Your salvation (Psalm 149:4). Through Your grace I know I can handle every situation. You guide the humble in what is right and teach them Your ways (Psalm 25:9).

    So I want to be completely humble and gentle; to be patient, bearing with others in love (Ephesians 4:2) to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men (Titus 3:2). I want to get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent around me, and humbly accept the word planted in me, which can save me and others (James 1:21). Please grant that I may display a good life by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom (James 3:13).

    I humble myself before You, Lord, trusting You will lift me up (James 4:10). I will strive to live in harmony with others, to be sympathetic, to love everyone as brother and sister, to be compassionate and humble (1 Peter 3:8). Please teach me how to clothe myself with humility, to humbly submit myself under Your might hand, that You may lift me up in due time (1 Peter 5:5-6). I will never live a day that I am not in need of Your grace, so please help me maintain an attitude that welcomes it.

    I cast the whole of my care – all my anxieties, all my worries, all my concerns for my future, once and for all – on You.  For You care for me affectionately and care about me watchfully (1 Peter 5:7).  Father, I humble myself and submit to Your Word that speaks – exposes, sifts, analyzes, and judges the very thoughts and purposes of my heart (Hebrews 4:12).  Fill me with Your Spirit so I can test my own actions, so I might have appropriate self-esteem, without comparing myself to anyone else (Galatians 6:4).  The security of Your guidance will allow me to carry my own load with energy and confidence (Galatians 6:5) that I may do Your will as You desire.

    Humility and fear of You bring wealth and honor and life (Proverbs 22:4).  As one of Your chosen people, holy and dearly loved, I long to clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  I truly want to bear with others and forgive whatever grievances I may have against anyone; to forgive as You forgave me.  And over all virtues, I pray to put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity (Colossians 3:12-14).  I ask You please, to let the peace of Christ rule in my heart, and I am thankful for Your grace and the power of Your Holy Spirit (Colossians 3:15).  Whatever I do, in word or in deed, I will do it all in the name of my Lord Jesus, giving thanks to You through Him (Colossians 3:17). Father, may Your Will be done on earth in my life as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).

  • A Good Harvest

    At the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).

    It may take a while but no prayer goes unanswered, and no good deed fails to produce good fruit. God awaits His own good time – omnipotence can afford to wait for it is always sure of success.

    “The Father sets those dates,” Jesus replied, “and they are not for you to know (Acts 1:7 TLB).

    Spiritual maturity isn’t a matter of what we know, but Who we know. It is not what you look at that matters; it is what you see. When we look at the things around us we must learn to look for the unseen things that are behind the visible things.

    We walk by faith, not by sight (1 Corinthians 5:7). For the righteous will live by their faith (Galatians 3:11).

    If you ever take God seriously, you are going to live life as it was meant to be lived! Whatever God orders, He pays for. Like the rays of the sun, a blessing always has an effect. His presence makes all things smile! In His world all things prosper – this satisfies me!

    God is always working. His grace is always flowing. Trust He knows the proper timing.

  • Failure Is Not Really Failure

    Failures are only temporary tests to prepare us for more permanent triumphs. Failure cannot happen in your life without your permission. “Success” and “failure” are both impostors and should be treated alike. Winston Churchill said: Success is never final; failure is never fatal… it’s courage that counts. If you learn from a defeat, you haven’t really lost.

    My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my spirit and my portion forever (Psalm 73:26). Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail (Lamentations 3:22).

    Ancient Proverb: He who is born in the fire will not fade in the sun. If you are beginning to encounter some hard bumps, be glad for at least you are out of the pit. There is little you can learn from doing nothing. Take what you have and use it and your talent will increase.

    Do you have eyes that fail to see and ears that fail to hear? (Mark 8:18). [For we should say] far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you, and I will teach the way that is good and right (1 Samuel 12:23).

    Failures are not detrimental, for they make us see things differently.

  • The Power of Virtue

    You will find it more difficult to uproot faults than to choke them out by gaining virtues.

    For this very reason, adding your diligent [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence), and in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety), and in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love. For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the [full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) (2 Peter 1:5-8 Amplified).

    And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity [ideal harmony] (Colossians 3:14).

    The abundance of God’s love will do more to correct you than all anxious self-contemplation.

    Let us quiet ourselves and come to Him to learn virtue. For virtue makes us beautiful.

  • Abundant Grace

    If God could grow weary of me, He would have been tired of putting up with me long before now! All Scripture testifies to the importance of each individual to God.

    God will give to each person according to what he has done (Romans 2:6). The Lord has assigned to each his task (1 Corinthians 3:5) and each will be rewarded according to his own labor (1 Corinthians 3:8). For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what he has done (Matthew 16:27). At that time each will receive his praise from God Himself (1 Corinthians 4:5)!

    The unique, one-of-a-kind canvas of our existence is meant to be an inspiration to others, a true joy to behold and a heaven-sent blessing to those we meet in a day. Each of us has abilities which God wants us to pursue to give Him glory and to give us enjoyment of life.

    To each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it (Ephesians 4:7). Each should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:10).

    Jesus has heaped up gifts and supplied you with favor, spiritual blessings, and grace out of His abundance… Take it!

    Each of us is important in making up the whole.