Blogger: Rachel Kent
Location: Books & Such main office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Recently, these verses have been coming to mind a lot for me:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)
Many times I worry about one situation or another (or all of them at once), and I have to remind myself that the Lord is near and that I need to give the situation(s) over to Him. This verse convicts me of worry, but it also encourages me to know God is near and so is peace.
Do you have a verse that has encouraged you recently? Please share it here; it might encourage others, too. 🙂
Thanks so much for spending this week with me, exploring how we can help to make the CBA marketplace an even better place to work. Have a great weekend!
Rachel, I’ve very much enjoyed and appreciated these posts this week. I love the verse above. Another I often go to is in Hebrews.
“Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful man, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
Amen! 🙂
The Bible verse I’ve made my life motto always inspires me:
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
2 Cor 4:17 (NIV)
Thanks for so many wonderful posts and Bible verses this week, Rachel. I’ve definitely felt inspired.
The verse you mention today is the basis for a song through Integrity Music. It’s a CD with Bible-based songs all about coping with anxiety. Matthew 6:26 is also featured on it:
“‘Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?'”
This verse has always put life in perspective for me.
Thanks again for an inspiring week.
My favorite verse affirms that God answers our prayers. It is simply:
“And God granted his request.” 1 Chronicles 4:10
I was going through some difficult times last Spring. Filled with worries, I I took the dog out the front door for a walk as a neighbor I rarely see ‘just happened’ to be going by. She told me she’d felt led to come over and share something from the Bible with me. It was Phil 4: 6-7, which was exactly what I needed to hear at that time.
Thanks for your focus this week, Rachel, and for the reminder that we are Christians first and writers, second.
I’ve always loved Psalm 139. The world seems so uncertain and nervous-making right now. Every time I read this psalm, it calms my inner spirit all over again. These words tell me God is still in control and has a purpose for me.
I’m just catching up on blog posts and I love all these from this week. Thanks.
I love the verses you’ve used this week. A couple of them are favorites.
I’m giving a testimony this week at church though so I’ve been meditating on the verse I’m using there:
He who did not spare his own son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32
Philippians 4:6-7 are my life verses – they ALWAYS inspire me. The Bible is full of stuff like that. Thanks, Rachel!
A familiar verse in Philippians 1 took on new meaning yesterday when I focused on one word–granted. A grant is usually something good, something we ask for (e.g., “Grant me permission to . . .” and “I’d like to apply for a grant). Phil. 1:29 (Amplified) says “For you have been GRANTED (the privilege) . . . to suffer in His behalf.” How different life would be if I’d welcome my sufferings instead of viewing them as intruders.
Rachel, this has been a great series of posts. Thank you.
My verse, well, I’ll give two because I can’t decide:
Isaiah 43:2:
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire you will not be scorched,
nor with the flame burn you.”
And the other is Hab. 3:17-18:
“Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flocks should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the Lord,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.”
Becky