Blessings of the day

Almost every day, I post a scripture verse or two which state a blessing that we can keep in mind when things are not going our way during the day.

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters (Luke 11: 23). The words of Christ. It is impossible to be neutral with Jesus!

Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided (Proverbs 16: 6). When we repent and we change our conduct towards God, He forgives and withdraws his judgment.

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit (Proverbs 15: 4). We can be a blessing to people just by the way we talk to them!

Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed (Proverbs 11: 11). Pay attention to what they say because the mouth of the wicked sows discord.

Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor (Proverbs 12: 24). Over and over the Bible speaks about the blessing of being diligent and working hard.

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble (Proverbs 4: 18-19). The godly have all the guidance and protection they need and are able to lead others to righteousness, says the NIV Study Bible.

If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer (Proverbs 9: 12). We are all responsible for what we do and the choices we make.

He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors (Luke 1: 54-55). The words of Mary after she found out she would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit. The Lord will be merciful to the Jews forever.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away (Mark 13: 31). The words of Christ. The Word of God will never go away. His laws and edicts, His warnings and His promises to us.

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). Simply put: wisdom is trusting in the Lord, and foolishness is trusting in oneself, says the NIV Grace and Truth Study Bible.

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16: 15-16). The Great Commission of Jesus Christ. The lost are condemned for their unbelief.

But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure (at ease), without fear of evil (Proverbs 1: 33). If we listen to God’s Word, we get immeasurable protection.

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life (John 5: 24). The words of Christ. He gives life to those who hear the Word and believe in the Father and the Son, and they will have eternal life.

Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; in You I take shelter. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness (Psalm 143: 9-10). A psalm of David, appealing for guidance and deliverance.

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture (John 10: 9). The words of Christ. Only through Him we have spiritual security.

The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works (Psalm 145: 9). Tender mercies: personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts.

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them (Psalm 145: 18-19). Call upon Him (in truth) and He will fulfill your desires.

I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness (John 12: 46). The words of Christ. If we believe in Him, we come out of darkness.

The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy (Psalms 147: 11). Those who fear God (not being afraid but with respect and reverence) and have hope in His ways are blessed.

Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them (Hosea 14: 9). In the closing argument of his book, Hosea appeals to us to choose the Lord’s way, the right way of living.

So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6). The author of this letter (thought to be Paul) tells us that if God is on our side we shall not fear the actions of men.

Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man (Proverbs 3: 3-4). Truth and mercy brings you blessings from God and also from your peers.

So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17: 20). Without faith, nothing works for us, but with just a little faith nothing is impossible!

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16: 26). At the judgment, there is nothing that could buy back our souls from perdition.

The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish, but He casts away the desire of the wicked (Proverbs 10: 3). The wicked get away with their deeds for a while, but not forever. Praise God!

When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom (Proverbs 11: 2). Pride is always bad news in the Bible, but being humble brings us wisdom.

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death (Proverbs 11: 4). Money will never help us in the Day of Judgment, the day of final accounting.

One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination (Proverbs 28: 9). If we do not pay attention to what God wants from us, He will not listen to our prayers.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good (Proverbs 15: 3). God sees everything, even when we think we are alone!

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will find good (Proverbs 19: 8). The Bible mentions over and over the blessing of obtaining wisdom.

Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger (Proverbs 19: 15). Laziness will not place you in the blessing of the Lord.

He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given (Proverbs 19: 17). If you help the poor, God will pay you back!

Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread (Proverbs 20: 13). Over and over the Bible speaks against being lazy, and the opposite.

Whoever rewards evil for good, evil will not depart from his house (Proverbs 17: 13). Ouch! Let us never do that.

The Lord will destroy the house of the proud, but He will establish the boundary of the widow (Proverbs 15: 25). Another reference to the sin of pride. Having pride is not good in the eyes of God.

He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, but trouble will come to him who seeks evil (Proverbs 11: 27). We must seek and find favor with God and stay away from evil!

He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction (Proverbs 13: 3). Good words out of our mouth brings us prosperity, but bad words brings us bad things.

Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot (Proverbs 10: 6-7). The righteous are blessed by the Lord, and that blessing goes on beyond death.

Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine (Proverbs 3: 9-10). Giving not only honors God, it blesses us with having everything we need!

But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death (Proverbs 8: 36). This is the personification of Wisdom speaking about herself. If you hate her, you love death!

My son, keep my words, and treasure my commands within you. Keep my commands and live, and my law as the apple of your eye (Proverbs 7: 1-2). Over and over the Bible tells us to obey God’s commands to bring the blessing on ourselves.

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold (Proverbs 3: 13-14). Finding divine wisdom brings all kinds of good things to you.

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; she will bring you honor, when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory she will deliver to you.” (Proverbs 4: 7-9). Get wisdom and understanding and she will promote you (further your progress).

The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes (Deuteronomy 1: 30). Part of the Abrahamic Covenant from God. If you connect with Him, He goes before you and fights for you.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us (1 John 1: 10). Since God has said that all people are sinners, to deny that fact is to blaspheme God with slander that defames His name, says the MacArthur Study Bible.

He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him (1 John 2: 4-5). When we obey Him, things go well for us.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2: 15). We must love the Father and put Him in first place in our lives.

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You (Psalms 9: 9-10). I you are in trouble, seek the Lord.

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4: 13). I think it is comforting to know that, although it may scare some, God is always watching us.

The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord (Joel 2: 31). Scary apocalyptic signs when the Lord returns, a dreadful day for some but a great day for others.

Also God said to him (Jacob): “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land.” (Genesis 35: 11-12). For those that think Israel does not have the right to exists. God Himself gave this land to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Jews.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first (1 Thessalonians 4: 16). When Christ returns, the first thing that will happen is the resurrection of those that died trusting in Him for their salvation.

After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’ things known from long ago. (Acts 15: 16-18). Peter quotes the prophet Amos, who is quoting the Lord.

“I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,” says the Lord your God (Amos 9: 15). A warning from God through the prophet Amos, to those who seek to destroy Israel today: When Israel is finally and fully restored, they will never again be destroyed.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8: 38-39). Nothing in the path of life, from the beginning to the end, can separate us from the love of Christ.

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10: 12-13). No one—including Gentiles—was ever to be excluded.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3: 16-17). Happy Easter! The words of Jesus explaining the reason He came the first time. The next time will be different.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10: 3-4). We do not battle evil with our bodies or with any other physical means.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10: 17). We hear the message of the Gospel and that gives us faith.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15: 5). The words of Christ. The fruit or evidence of salvation is continuance in service to Him and in His teaching, says the MacArthur Study Bible.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12: 2). We must renew our mind as the Holy Spirit changes our thinking through our consistent study and meditation of the Scripture.

For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3: 22-24). God can bestow His righteousness on all who believe, Jew or Gentile, because all men—without distinction—fail miserably to live up to the divine standard, says the MacArthur Study Bible.

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened (Jonah 3: 10). God’s compassion is shown when He relents from sending destruction when we turn from our evil ways.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6: 13). We have a whole slew of things from God, that together form an armor, to protect ourselves against evil.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6: 12). A bold warning from Paul, that when it comes to evil we don’t fight against humans (flesh and blood) but against an entire realm of evil spiritual beings.

Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 100: 3). The Lord, He is God. What a comforting statement.

And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Acts 2: 21). Until the time the Lord returns, anybody that calls on His name will be saved. Praise God!

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6: 10-11). These verses and the following ones are my favorites of the New Testament. Paul describes the defensive and offensive weapons we have against the devil.

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it (John 14: 12-14). The words of Christ. We need to honestly pray in His name to have our prayers answered.

If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever (John 14: 15-16). The words of Christ, promising us a supernatural Helper, the Holy Spirit of God.

He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him (John 14: 21). The words of Christ. Again, Jesus tells us that habitual obedience to His word is what shows Him that we love Him.

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John 16: 33). The words of Christ. He came so that we may have peace in our spirit, but He warned us of persecution in the world because of our testimony for Him.

Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.” (John 14: 23-24). The words of Christ. Habitual obedience to His word is evidence of our love for Him.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2: 13). Paul speaking about the Gentiles (anybody who is not a Jew). We are brought into God’s kingdom through the blood of Christ.

And if anyone hears My words and does not believe (keep them), I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day (John 12: 47-48). We need to hear and keep His words, so we are not judged on His return (the last day).

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6: 23). Spiritual death is what we get for our slavery to sin, but we can get undeserved eternal life for believing Jesus Christ.

My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand (John 10: 27-28). The words of Christ. If we follow Christ, we shall never perish.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139: 23-24). David asks God to search his heart looking for any unrighteousness, and leading him to eternal life.

And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” (John 8: 23-24). The words of Christ. Jesus tells us directly that failure to believe in Him as savior, as Messiah, is the fatal, unforgivable sin.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You (Psalm 139: 17-18). David is amazed at the infinite mind of God, comparing it to the limited mind of man.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever (Psalm 136: 1). God forgives to the point of giving us another chance!

“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16: 17-18). The words of Christ after the resurrection. There is a lot of power available to us when we believe.

The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel (Psalm 103: 6-7). An attribute of God with which He blesses us.

For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: this is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it (Psalm 132: 13-14). These verses look forward prophetically to the day that Jesus Christ, the son of David and the son of Abraham, will be installed by God on the throne of David in the city of God to rule and bring peace on earth, says the MacArthur Study Bible.

He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities (Psalm 103: 10). The mercy of God.

Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you (Proverbs 4: 5-6). Never forsake wisdom, for she will bless you.

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him (Psalm 103: 11). The greatness of His mercy is beyond what we can measure.

Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways (Psalm 128: 1). Those who fear God (not being afraid but with respect and reverence) and live in His ways are blessed.

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes (Psalm 118: 8-9). We should always put our trust in the Lord above everybody else.

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever (Psalm 125: 1). If we trust in the Lord, we abide in Him forever.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever (Psalm 118: 1). God’s mercy never ends! Now that is a blessing!

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You (Psalm 51: 12-13). Written by David after his affair with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah. The generous Holy Spirit restores us and upholds us, and then we can help others do the same!

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces.” (Psalm 122: 6-7). I pray for the peace of Jerusalem, especially in these times.

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40: 31). The general principle here is those who are patient are blessed by God with strength in their trials, says the MacArthur Study Bible.

“Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” (Luke 12: 8-9). The words of Christ. We should always confess Him before others to be blessed.

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1: 30-33). The blessing words of the angel Gabriel to Mary (Mariam).

And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities (sicknesses)—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance (Luke 8: 2-3). This passage of Luke tells us without a doubt that women (especially women who had been in the dark) were heavily involved in His ministry.

And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” (Luke 8: 48). A woman who suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years, touched Jesus’ garment and immediately was healed. It demonstrates that you can be healed through your faith.

Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed (Psalm 112: 1-2). Those who fear God (with respect and reverence) and love His commandments are blessed.

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1: 35). After the angel Gabriel told Mary she would be pregnant with a Son, she ask him how could this happen since she did not know a man, and this is what he answered.

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel (Lit. God-with-us) (Isaiah 7: 14). This prophecy reached forward to the virgin birth of the Messiah (Matt. 1: 23). The Hebrew word refers to an unmarried woman and means “virgin” so the birth of Isaiah’s own son could not have fully satisfied the prophecy. Reference: MacArthur Study Bible.

Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies (Psalm 108: 12-13). Trust in God before you trust in people, is the message I read in this passage.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever (Psalm 107: 1). Everything good in this world is from God, and His mercy is permanent.

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them (Psalm 103: 17-18). Those who fear God (with respect and reverence) will receive His mercy.

And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many (Mark 14: 24). The blood of Christ needed to be shed for the remission of sins of all who believe, both Jew and Gentile.

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven (Mark 13: 26-27). A number of angels will come with Christ in the Second Coming, to gather the believers from everywhere on Earth. Nobody will be left behind!

Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name (Psalm 97: 12). If you are in a challenging situation, just pray for this kind of joy.

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11: 25-26). The words of Christ. Forgive others that have wronged you. It is part of the deal that will bring blessings your way.

Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit is dug for the wicked (Psalm 94: 12-13). To be blessed was to be wise and prosperous in life, as a result of the instruction of God, says the MacArthur Study Bible.

Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people. When He avenges blood, He remembers them; he does not forget the cry of the humble (Psalm 9: 11-12). Be humble with the Lord and He will not forget you.

There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear! (Mark 7: 15-16). The words of Christ. What comes out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. So we must always watch what we say.

Wherever He (Jesus) entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well (Mark 6: 56). Jesus only made people well. No sickness comes from God.

Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God (Psalm 90: 1-2). God is our sanctuary for protection, sustenance, and stability.

The wicked prowl on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men (Psalm 12: 8). A warning of what is around us.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake (Psalm 23: 1-3). Probably the best-known passage of the Old Testament, where David gives testimony to the LORD’s faithfulness throughout his life.

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15: 56-57). We die because of sin, but Jesus Christ gives us victory even from death!

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84: 11). God’s overall provision and protection is pictured here.

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21: 21-22). Your faith can move a mountain (hint: your biggest problem is your mountain).

And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31: 8). One of the many verses in the Bible which tells us to not be distressed or have fear.

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest; so shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like an armed man (Proverbs 24: 33-34). Work is a blessing; lazyness is not.

Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked; for there will be no prospect for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out (Proverbs 24: 19-20). The Bible tells us over and over not to worry, especially about evil people.

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”. (Matthew 22: 37-40). The commandment to love reigns over all the others.

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103: 1-5). In this Thanksgiving Day, bless the Lord for all He gives us!

Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things! And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen (Psalm 72: 18-19). The next verse tells us: The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous (Proverbs 15: 29). The Lord hears our prayers if we are in sync with Him!

“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18: 19-20). The words of Christ.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him (Psalm 28: 7). David rejoices in the Lord’s answered prayers.

I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin (Psalm 32: 5). God forgives our sins when we repent (turn around) and confess them.

God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah, that Your way may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations (Psalm 67: 1-2). We need God’s mercy, and His salvation will go to all the Gentiles also!

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11: 28-30). Come to Him and put your burdens on Him!

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” (Matthew 4: 4). The words of Jesus in response to the devil tempting Him. The word of God is a more important source of sustenance than food. It nurtures our spiritual needs.

Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven (Matthew 10: 32-33). We should always remember to confess Him to other people, and never deny Him. The words of Christ.

I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations. For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, and Your truth unto the clouds (Psalm 57: 9-10). God is absolute truth and mercy.

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? (Matthew 7: 15-16). Here we are warned that false prophets come to us, and the way to recognize them is by their fruits. They say one thing and they live by another.

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matthew 7: 13-14). The words of Christ. The way to the Lord and the way to life is narrow. Do not go where the masses go.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble (Matthew 6: 34). Excessive worry is shunned many times in the Scriptures.

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? (Psalm 56: 3-4). Again David tells us to trust in the Lord for protection.

As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me. Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice (Psalm 55: 16-17). David tells us in this psalm about his confidence in the Lord when calling upon Him.

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Matthew 1: 23). God came to Earth to dwell as a man. The best piece of news ever!

Calamity will surely destroy the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished. But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned (Psalm 34: 21-22). Take refuge in the Lord and everything will be alright.

The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken! (Psalm 34: 19-20). In the real world we face many afflictions, but God is always behind us if we abide in Him.

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalm 46: 10). Over and over the Scripture tells us to not panic and to recognize His sovereignty.

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed (Psalm 34: 17-18). Call to the Lord and He will hear you. Believe that.

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth (Psalm 34: 16-16). Another blessing for those who follow the Lord.

Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it (Psalm 34: 12-14). An instruction to live a life that is long and prosperous.

Surely every man walks about like a shadow; surely they busy themselves in vain; he heaps up riches, and does not know who will gather them. “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You (Psalm 39: 6-7). Here David, putting emphasis in the here-today-gone-tomorrow of life, tells us that his hope is always in the Lord.

But the Lord watches over those who fear Him [those who are in reverent awe of His holiness] , those who rely on His unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine (Psalm 33: 18-19). The benefits of being on His side.

Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him (Psalm 32: 10). Trusting in the Lord will go a long way!

O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me (Psalm 30: 2). The Lord was already healing in Old Testament times.

Wait [in faith] on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord! (Psalm 27: 14). Over and over the Bible tells us to wait on the Lord.

Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth (Psalm 25: 12-13). Blessings for those who fear the Lord (with respect for His might).

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him (Psalm 18: 30). Trust on the Lord and He will be your Shield.

For You will light my lamp; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness (Psalm 18: 28). The Lord always gets us out of darkness, if we let Him.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol (the abode of the dead), nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption (Psalm 16: 9-10). A reference to the Messiah in this psalm.

Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20: 29). Having faith is always better than having unbelief, the Lord told us after His Resurrection.

You have made him (man) to have dominion over the works of Your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen—Even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas (Psalm 8: 6-8). God gave us dominion over all creation.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them (John 10: 11-12). “…gives His life for the sheep.” This is a reference to Jesus’ substitutionary death for sinners on the cross, says the MacArthur Study Bible.

For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield (Psalm 5: 12). You get protection from the Lord when you stay righteous.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14: 6). Jesus clearly tells us that His way is the only way.

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (John 14: 9). The words of Christ once again telling us the He and God are one.

“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper (Comforter), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14: 25-26). The words of Christ. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter!

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions (dwellings); if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14: 1-2). The words of Christ. He went to prepare a place for us!

Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me (John 12: 44-45). The words of Christ. Him and God are the same. God walked with us!

I and My Father are one (John 10: 30). The words of Christ. There is only one God!

Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart (Psalm 119: 111). The Word of the Lord brings joy.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119: 105). The Word of God provides illumination to walk without stumbling.

Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation (John 5: 28-29). This is not justification by works. Those who have done “evil” are those who rejected the Son (the unsaved).

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! Selah (Psalm 68: 19). There is always a reason to praise God, but here is a good one!

And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22: 19-20). Such metaphorical language was a typical Hebraism, not implying a Eucharistic miracle of transubstantiation. Thus the Lord established the observance as an ordinance for worship, says the MacArthur Study Bible.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of Gohttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+22%3A+19-20&version=NKJVd, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4: 6-7). The Lord tells us not to worry about anything, and let us remember that He never asks us to do something that we cannot do!

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13: 20-21). One of the most beautiful benedictions in the Bible.

No temptation (testing) has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it (1 Corinthians 10: 13). There is always a way out with God.

How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way (Psalm 119: 103-104). God’s word is sweeter than honey and gives us understanding, wisdom.

Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom (Luke 12: 32). Over an over the Lord tells us not to be afraid or be anxious.

And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you (Luke 12: 29-31). The words of Christ. If we diligently seek His kingdom, He takes out the worries about the earthly things of our lives.

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened (Luke 11: 9-10). The words of Christ. Have something you need? Keep asking and seeking.

Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me (Psalm 119: 97-98). If we follow His commandments, God makes us wiser than our enemies, even when they are all around us.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand (Isaiah 41: 10). A blessing of God through the prophet Isaiah for those with fear or anxiety.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand (Psalm 40: 2). God lifts out of sin and the mess of our lives and takes us to firm ground.

Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you established the earth, and it abides (Psalm 119: 89-90). God’s Word will not change and is always spiritually relevant.

Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes. (Psalm 119: 11-12). The Lord’s word protects you against sin.

How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word (Psalm 119: 9). Another blessing for those that follow His word.

Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart! They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways (Psalm 119: 2-3). The message is always simple: if you walk in His ways, you are blessed.

How blessed and favored by God are those whose way is blameless [those with personal integrity, the upright, the guileless], who walk in the law [and who are guided by the precepts and revealed will] of the Lord (Psalm 119: 1). The blameless are people of integrity, who walk in the path set out in God’s revelation, “the law” (Torah).

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows (Matthew 10: 29-31). God is not distant from us even if it may seem like that at times. He cares enough to involve Himself in the issues of our daily lives.

But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green (Psalm 92: 12-14). Even in old age you can do fine if you remain on God’s side.

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You (Psalm 9: 9-10). The Lord never forsakes those who seek Him.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord (Jeremiah 17: 7). Trust in the Lord and you will be fine!

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life (Jude 1: 20-21). If we continue building our faith, good things happen.

Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name (Psalm 86: 11). David expresses his distress and overcomes that distress through praise and worship, says the MacArthur Study Bible.

Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you. Receive, please, instruction from His mouth, and lay up His words in your heart (Job 22: 21-22). If you acquaint yourself with God, good things will happen to you. God blesses those who seek Him.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11: 25-26). Jesus speaking to Martha. No resurrection or eternal life exists outside of the Son of God, states the MacArthur Study Bible.

For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy (Psalm 61: 3). One thing about King David: even when he was in deep trouble and distress he acknowledged God.

For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations (Psalm 100: 5). His truth, everything He has said, endures forever.

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels (Revelation 3: 5). The Book of Life: the Lord has a journal somewhere where He writes the names of all those whom He has chosen to save and who will possess eternal life.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye (Psalm 32: 8). A promise from God.

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death (Revelation 1: 17-18). Jesus Christ told John in the Revelation He is the First and the Last, a common claim to God in the Old Testament, clearly claiming to be God.

I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you (Isaiah 44: 22). God obliterated the sins of those He redeemed throughout history. The caveat is that we have to return to Him.

We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps (guards) himself, and the wicked one does not touch him (1 John 5: 18). Victory over sin and Satan is the third Christian certainty says the MacArthur Study Bible.

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him (1 John 5: 14-15). When we pray according to God’s will, we pray in accord with what He would want, not what we would desire.

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God (1 John 4: 15). If we believe and confess who He is, God abides in us!

Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us (1 John 3: 24). As it says so many times in the Bible: if we obey Him, He abides in us.

My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world (1 John 2: 1-2). Here it is my friends, the gospel of Jesus Christ is for the whole world, not only Israel.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1: 8-9). Thank be to God!

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16: 18). Pride month, pride this, pride that. Pride alone is a sin and bad news in the Bible.

Every word of God is pure (tested, refined, found pure); He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him (Proverbs 30: 5). Our trust in God is a shield of protection.

The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe (Proverbs 29: 25). We must fear and trust only the Lord.

Be sober (self-controlled), be vigilant (watchful); because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5: 8). Even though we have absolute confidence in God’s sovereign care, it does not mean that we may live carelessly. We have to be watchful of the enemy.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil (1 Peter 3: 12). Get the Lord’s eyes on you!

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand (Isaiah 41: 10). Here is God telling us through the prophet that we have nothing to fear because He is with us.

You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked (Psalm 97: 10). Another psalm of protection for us.

Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off (Proverbs 23: 17-18). This proverb tells us plainly that there is a hereafter to look forward to.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts (Proverbs 21: 2). To remember: the Lord always looks at the heart.

My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights (Proverbs 3: 11-12). Since everybody sins, God will correct any of His children.

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies shall perish (Proverbs 19: 9). It is a blessing to know that the people in government, who lie to us every day of the week, will not go unpunished.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13: 8). We have this assurance, that He never changes!

Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; though they join forces, none will go unpunished (Proverbs 16: 5). Pride in not of God!

But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul (Hebrews 10: 39). The MacArthur Study Bible says that the writer expresses confidence that believing readers (“we”) will not be counted among “those” who fall away to destruction.

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord (Proverbs 8: 34-35). Wisdom continues speaking about her blessings.

“Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not disdain it” (Proverbs 8: 32-33). Wisdom keeps on talking in this chapter.

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death (Proverbs 10: 2). Why is this not taught in schools?

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9: 10). The fear of the Lord (respect and reverence for God) is knowing God. That is where true wisdom lies. We submit to God’s will, we acquire wisdom.

“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate (Proverbs 8: 12-13). This is Wisdom speaking, and defining what the fear of the Lord is.

For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one (1 John 5: 7). In his first letter, John tells us plainly about the Trinity.

Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1: 14). Paul tells us in this letter that the angels of God are here to help us, the believers.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy (Psalm 103: 8). Even when we don’t obey Him, He is slow to anger.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Romans 1: 16). We have to believe to receive.

If you seek her (wisdom) as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God (Proverbs 2: 4-5). The Bible underlines the blessings of wisdom over and over.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work (2 Timothy 3: 16-17). The Bible is our road map!

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1: 6-7). The early church practiced the laying on of hands for a number of reasons, including healing. Why is this not a practice of most Christians today?

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4: 12). Salvation is only through Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!

For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone (Lamentations 3: 31-33). The Lord never abandons us; His compassion is unfailing.

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come (1 Timothy 4: 7-8). It is good to exercise physically, but we should train our minds for things more permanently.You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows (Psalm 23: 5). Living on God’s side means constant access to God’s benefits and blessings.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea (Psalm 46: 1-2). No matter what happens, the Lord is always our refuge and strength!

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil (1 Thessalonians 5: 19-22). Notice that Scripture tells us here that we can abstain from every form of evil. We have the power.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13: 5). Don’t wish to have other people’s things, because you have Christ on your side.

In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death (Proverbs 12: 28). Choose life!

Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad (Proverbs 12: 25). Anxiety and depression, two ailments of our day, are actually spelled out in this book, but this Proverb tells us that we can counter them with good words!

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight (Proverbs 12: 22). The truth will keep you on God’s side.

No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil (Proverbs 12: 21). We are protected from trouble by staying away from evil.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death (Proverbs 16: 25). This warning is similar to the “for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction” of Matthew 7.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life (Galatians 6: 7-8). A principle on sowing the land applied to our moral and spiritual life.

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Galatians 3: 13-14). Another plain definition of Christianity in the New Testament.

Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him (Proverbs 29: 20). We should always measure our words!

The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment (Proverbs 12: 19). Truth prevails; lies do not.

A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him (Proverbs 12: 14). The MacArthur Study Bible says this is about the power of words; the reward of wise words is like the reward for physical labor.

The way of the Lord is strength for the upright, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity (Proverbs 10: 29). The way of the Lord is our spiritual path.

For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity (Proverbs 24: 16). While the wicked may be temporarily successful against the righteous (we see that every day), they shall not be ultimately successful.

Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off (Proverbs 23: 17-18). It is not good to envy sinners.

Behold [attention!], I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you (Luke 10: 19). Here, serpents and scorpions have been interpreted to be figurative terms for demons and evil powers.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success (Joshua 1: 8). This is what happens when you stick to the Word of God, the Bible.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened (Matthew 7: 7-8). The words of Christ.

Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37: 3-4). Obey the Lord and He will be on your side.

The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10: 22). The MacArthur Study Bible says that while having more than what one needs is not the object of wisdom, it is generally the result.

Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established (Proverbs 16: 3). Be on His side and He will fulfill your righteous plans.

Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him (Isaiah 30: 18). No matter what happens, we need to wait for Him.

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death (Proverbs 14: 27). The fear of the Lord is mentioned many times in the Scriptures, not being afraid but with respect for His might.

The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich (Proverbs 13: 4). Again, the Bible warning us to always be diligent.

For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live (Romans 8: 13). The MacArthur Study Bible says, “the (Holy) Spirit provides us with the energy and power to continually and gradually be killing our sins. The means the Spirit uses to accomplish this process is our faithful obedience to the simple commands of Scripture.”

He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich (Proverbs 10: 4). We have to be diligent!

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death (Proverbs 10: 2). Another good reason to leave any wickedness behind us.

As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him (Psalm 103: 13). We should always fear Him, not being afraid but with respect for His might.

The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing (Psalm 34: 10). The Lord is your universal provider, if you are with Him.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1: 9). There is no fear for those who are on His side!

My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you (Proverbs 3: 1-2). Obey the Lord; the rest follows. As simple as that.

When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you (Proverbs 2: 10-11). Wisdom should be prominent in our lives. It is mentioned everywhere in the Bible.

Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want (lack) to those who fear Him (Psalm 34: 9). Another way to satisfy your necessities.

I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 34: 4). David went in search of the Lord, an action on his part which brought a result.

You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light (Psalm 18: 28). Are you in the dumps? Turn to God.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away (Matthew 24: 35). Take that to the bank!

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119: 105). God’s Word provides illumination to walk without stumbling.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2: 8-9). Salvation is a free gift from God. All we need to do is have faith.

For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry (Psalm 73: 27). Those who abandon God and attempt to live an autonomous life will eventually endure eternal death. The opposite is true!

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy (Psalm 145: 8). If we repent quickly at my sins, I get ahead of His anger against me. This is the way I see it.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you (Matthew 6: 33). Jesus tells us to seek His kingdom, His realm. All the other things follow.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1: 9). Go to God in humility and prayer and confess your sin. He already knows, so you might as well go ahead and face Him with it first.

“For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, that person is My brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12: 50). The words of Christ. Think about that. If you do the will of God, Christ considers you His brother or sister!

“…for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face from you if you return to Him” (2 Chronicles 30: 9). Strayed away? Return to Him!

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord (Isaiah 54: 17). I declare this every day, as a weapon against evil.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1: 8). Happy Easter! Christ is the supreme, sovereign alphabet; there is nothing outside His knowledge. The Almighty. He exercises sovereign control over every person, object, and event, and not one molecule in the universe is outside that dominion!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23: 4). Another gem from this Psalm. God is with us always!

The one who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe (Psalm 18: 2). It is always about wisdom! It took me a long time to recognize this.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold (Psalm 18: 2). Your Creator has never abandoned you!

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11: 28). Feeling burdened? Come to Him!

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (John 10: 10). You have an enemy and you have a friend. Choose the Friend.

Love the Lord, all His faithful ones. The Lord protects the loyal, but fully repays the arrogant. Be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord (Psalm 31: 23-24). Protection from evil.

Deliver me, my God, from the power of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and oppressive. For You are my hope, Lord God, my confidence from my youth (Psalm 71: 4-5). God is our hope. Never forget that.

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful (John 14: 27). The gift of peace from Jesus.

You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1: 5). God’s power + our faith = salvation.

I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, Lord, make me live in safety (Psalm 4: 8). Psalm 4 is traditionally attributed to David. He is not worried about his enemies. He commits his way to the Lord as he goes to sleep.

He will not fear bad news; his heart is confident, trusting in the Lord (Psalm 112: 7). No matter what we hear in the news, we shall not be afraid.

The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected (Proverbs 18: 10). We must never forget the power we have in the name of God.

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant (Proverbs 3: 24). One of the consequences of wisdom.

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom should I be afraid? (Psalm 27: 1). Are you suffering from fear? Are you afraid of something? Hang on to this verse!

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father (Galatians 1: 3-4). One of the several messages of out salvation through Jesus Christ.

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful (John 14: 27). The words of Christ, to comfort you this morning.

Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, and some to shame and eternal contempt (Daniel 12: 2). The first clear reference to a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. Let us be on the right side and be blessed.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved (1 Corinthians 1: 18). The message of the cross has the power to transform lives.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15: 13). All and any hope the Christian has comes from God. Biblical hope is not wishful thinking but confident expectation, by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is God’s gift.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write (2 Thessalonians 3: 16-17). Need some peace? Now you know where to find it. Immediately after, Paul signs this letter telling us he wrote it himself. He did not use a scribe.

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10: 9). The salvation message from Romans!

But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds (Isaiah 53: 5). Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all of the prophecies about the Messiah, like this one that was written by the prophet Isaiah hundreds of years before He was crucified. Thanks be to God.

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? (Romans 8: 31). A great thing to remember, when something in life comes against us!

I will satisfy him with a long life and show him My salvation (Psalm 91: 16). The last blessing of Psalm 91!

When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and give him honor (Psalm 91: 15). We need to call on the Lord for things to happen.

Because he is lovingly devoted to Me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows My name (Psalm 91: 14). More protection from Psalm 91, if we abide in Him.

For He will give His angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways. They will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone (Psalm 91: 11-12). More protections from this famous Psalm.

Because you have made the Lord—my refuge, the Most High—your dwelling place, no harm will come to you; no plague will come near your tent (Psalm 91: 9-10). More protection for those who make the Most High their dwelling place.

Though a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, the pestilence will not reach you (Psalm 91: 7). More protection from Psalm 91: Our enemies will fall to our side and we will be protected from disease (if we abide in Him).

You will not fear the terror of the night, the arrow that flies by day, the plague that stalks in darkness, or the pestilence that ravages at noon (Psalm 91: 5-6). I continue today with the protections of Psalm 91.

He Himself will deliver you from the hunter’s net, from the destructive plague (Psalm 91: 3). Continuing with Psalm 91: Living under the protection of the Most High includes healing, or better yet avoiding disease altogether.

The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91: 1). The Protection of the Most High.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts, and strengthen you in every good deed and word (2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17).
A prayer for God’s provision of strength and encouragement to produce results in both action and speech.

For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. (Psalm 139: 13). A baby in the womb is not a bunch of cells or a piece of tissue. Our God is knitting the baby in the womb!

Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. (Proverbs 30: 5). The Lord is your shield if you seek Him in times of trouble.

The one who gives to the poor will not be in need, but one who turns his eyes away will receive many curses. (Proverbs 28: 27). Giving to the poor is a blessing. It protects us from curses!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4: 13). The Greek word for strengthen means “to put power in.” Christ brings power to us.

By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life. (Proverbs 22: 4). By being humble and fearing the Lord we bring blessings on ourselves.

Worship the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. I will remove illnesses from you. (Exodus 23: 25). A promise that stands to this day!

Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18: 21). There is great danger if we don’t watch our words carefully, but the blessing is that there is great power in it if we speak good things.

Get wisdom—how much better it is than gold! And get understanding—it is preferable to silver. (Proverbs 16: 16). How do we get wisdom? James tells us to ask from God (James 1:5).

The Lord shall preserve (keep) you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore. (Psalm 121: 7-8). Think about this when you are in trouble!

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. (Psalm 119: 105).
The Word of God, the Bible, shows us the way.

There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword; but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12: 18).
We have to guard our words to be blessed.

Praise the Lord, all nations! Glorify Him, all peoples! For His faithful love to us is great; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Hallelujah! (Psalm 117).
This is the shortest chapter in the Bible, and it tells us in simple words about the faithfulness of God.

When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is wise. (Proverbs 10: 19).
We talk too much idle talk. The less we talk, the more wise we are!

For by Wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. (Proverbs 9: 11).
Acquire wisdom to have a long life!

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever. (Psalm 111: 10).
According to the Bible, wisdom is one of the most important things you can get. This verse tells you where to start.

Agree with Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and turn away from what is sinful. It will be healing to your body and medicine to your bones. (Proverbs 3: 6-8).
One way to stay healthy!

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of much learning. Fools hate wisdom and teaching. (Proverbs 1: 7).
The fear of the Lord (not being afraid but with respect for His might) teaches you more than books.

The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the just. (Proverbs 3: 33).
Here is the curse and the blessing of the Lord defined in one verse!

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18: 2).
We are safe with Him!

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90: 12).
Dear Lord, thank you, and help me make each day count!

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91: 1-2).
Do you dwell in the shelter of the Most High?

…even as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20: 28).
CHRISTMAS IS HERE!

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15: 13).
The hope-filled, joy-giving spiritual reality of Christ’s work by his Spirit in our lives.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29: 11).
God told Jeremiah about the His thoughts about him. Imagine that, He thinks good things about us!

For the mountains may be removed, and the hills may shake, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord who has mercy on you. (Isaiah 54: 10).
God has a covenenat of peace with us!

I will exalt You, Lord, because You have lifted me up and have not allowed my enemies to triumph over me. Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me. Lord, You brought me up from Sheol; You spared me from among those going down to the Pit. (Psalm 30: 1-3).
The words of King David, enumerating the utmost blessings of the Lord. The Pit is usually a metaphor for Sheol (the grave or death) in the Old Testament.

Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them (Acts 19: 11-12).
The prayer cloths which are used to this day, come from this passage of the book of Acts.

Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God.
Even in the pit of despair the psalmist put his hope in God! That is where we need to concentrate our thoughts. (Psalm 43: 5).

Happy is one who cares for the poor; the Lord will save him in a day of adversity…The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed; You will heal him on the bed where he lies.
Self explanatory of what happens when you take care of the poor. (Psalm 41: 1-3).

The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.
Angels, spiritual envoys from God, can come to you for help when you fear the Lord (to have reverence and respect). (Psalm 34: 7).

For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”
This was mentioned by Paul in the book of Acts, and is a quote from Isaiah 49:6. Salvation comes from the Jews to the rest of us (Gentiles) through Jesus Christ. The biggest blessing of the whole Bible! (Acts 13: 47).

Love the Lord, all His faithful ones. The Lord protects the loyal, but fully repays the arrogant. Be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord.
Stick to the Lord and He will protect you. As simple as that. (Psalm 31: 23-24).

Then Peter began to speak: “Now I really understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears Him and does righteousness is acceptable to Him. This is the declaration of Peter, that Jesus came not only for the Jews but for everyone that want to follow Him. (Acts 10: 34-35).

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Here is one way to stay on the side of the blessing of God. (Psalm 23: 4-5).

The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times. His words are truth. You can bank on it. (Psalm 12: 6).

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name. John tells us near the end of his Gospel that many things that Jesus did were not recorded but what is written was written so that we believe in Him! (John 20: 30-31).

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. There it is people, Christ died once for all our sins of all the ages! What a blessing! (Hebrews 9: 27-28).

“Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” This does not sound like a blessing but a dire warning about the return of Jesus Christ to those that do not abide in Him. If you keep on reading the following verses you will see the we are going to be alright, and there is the blessing! (John 14: 5-6).

“Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where You’re going. How can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. There is only one way folks, clearly stated. (John 14: 5-6).

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever. Do you believe this?” The words of Jesus to Martha, Lazarus’ sister, giving her (and us) the assurance of eternal life for those who believe in Him. (John 11: 25-26).

Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” Jesus is the light of the world. Without Him, we live in darkness. (John 8: 12).

The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life. The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever. This is what we can expect when we abide in Him. (Psalm 121: 7-8).

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Rejoicing in what the Lord has made is another way of giving thanks. (Psalm 118: 24).

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” The words of Jesus explaining the reason He came the first time. The next time will be different. (John 3: 16-17).

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” The words of the Lord Himself while He was with us. (Luke 21: 33).

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. The way I understand this is that God chooses the people who follow Him. (Psalm 33: 12).

“The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then, the good news of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is strongly urged to enter it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter in the law to drop out.” The words of the Lord. The Law was in effect in times of the Old Testament, but now we have the good news (the gospel)! However, his Words never pass away. (Luke 16: 16-17).

“So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” With Jesus, you never give up! (Luke 11: 9-10).

Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. The words of the Lord concerning His return, so we must be ready! (Matthew 24: 42).

I will bless those who bless you, I will curse those who treat you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you. This is what God said to Abraham about the nascent nation of Israel (and its people the Jews). Do you bless Israel? (Genesis 12: 3).

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds us in Romans that joy and peace comes from God. How good is that! (Romans 15: 13).

If He put His mind to it and withdrew the spirit and breath He gave, every living thing would perish together and mankind would return to the dust. God sustains life, not at the moment of creation but every minute of the day! Without Him, everything would instantly perish. (Job 34: 14-15).

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. You can cast your burden on the Lord, and he will help yo with it, but you need to be aligned with Him, is my take. (Psalm 55: 22).

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. God has plans for you, and they are good! (Jeremiah 29: 11).

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Notice scripture does not say we will not have evil desires, but that we should flee from them. (2 Timothy 2: 22).

So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. Thank God for this blessing! Have you noticed that many, many times in the Bible God says ‘if you do this, I will do that’? He is always waiting for us, for our move. (Exodus 23: 25).

The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. The fear of the Lord, which does not mean to be afraid of God but does means to be in reverent awe of His holiness, protects us. (Psalm 34: 7).

Let the whole earth tremble before the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it came into being; He commanded, and it came into existence. Do you think He has the power to solve your problems? (Psalm 33: 8-9).

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. How far is the east from the west? That is how far God puts your transgressions when you are forgiven and redeemed. (Psalm 103: 12).

Listen carefully: I have given you authority [that you now possess] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and [the ability to exercise authority] over all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will [in any way] harm you. The words of the Lord. Are you using that power? (Luke 10: 19).

Jesus replied to them, “Have faith in God. I assure you: If anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for—believe that you have received them, and you will have them. Do you have a mountain in your life? Speak to it! (Mark 11:22-24).

“I called to the Lord in my distress, and I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears.” Just as David describes in the Psalms, we can cry to God for help and He listens. (Psalm 18: 6).

“Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.” There are angels available to us and we don’t even know it! (Hebrews 13: 2).

“Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.” If without faith it is impossible to please God, then without faith nothing is possible. (Hebrews 11: 6).

“How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Here is some advice for your prosperity! (Psalm 1: 1-3).

“Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out.” Jesus issues an amazing invitation. Anyone who believes in Him and cries out for salvation will be received. (John 6: 37).

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’.” This passage which comes right out of the lips of the Lord himself, tells us that if we abide (accept or act in accordance with) His Word (the Bible) we will know the truth of this world and the one to come, and that by doing so we will become free. (John 8: 31-32).

“The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.” (Proverbs 28: 13).

“The fear of the Lord [to be in reverent awe of His holiness] leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil.” (Proverbs 19: 23).

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18: 21). Our words have power, whether for good or for evil. We should remind ourselves all the time.

“Get wisdom — how much better it is than gold! And get understanding — it is preferable to silver.” (Proverbs 16: 16). We usually think the opposite: if we get enough gold, all our other problems will go away!

“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.” (Proverbs 11: 24). The Bible says that the more we give, the more we gain. We usually think the opposite!

“The fear of the Lord prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened.” (Proverbs 10: 27). Again, you can have a longer life by keeping God’s commands.

“My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands; for they will bring you many days, a full life, and well-being” (Proverbs 3: 1-2). Your health and well-being, as well as the length of your life can be increased by keeping God’s commands.

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15: 7). To abide in Jesus means to be connected to Him as a branch is connected to the vine. We do this by using His word (the Bible) to guide our thoughts and actions.

“For this people’s heart has grown callous; their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn back — and I would cure them” (Matthew 13: 15). Here in this passage Jesus links hearing the Word with healing, quoting the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 6: 9-10). We must first hear the Word about healing before we can act on it and get healed.

“The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves him who follows righteousness” (Proverbs 15: 9). Notice that it does not say “the righteous” but those who seek righteousness.

“The one who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe” (Proverbs 28: 26). Wisdom and knowledge, both recurring themes in the Bible, are related but not synonymous. Wisdom is a capacity of the mind that allows us to understand life from God’s perspective.