Yes, I'm ridiculously behind on these. I told ya I didn't feel like blogging and you guys kept right on posting the blog challenges!!! Didn't they tell you it's ALL ABOUT MICHELLE!!!
Okay, I'm just kidding. Of course I know it's not all about me. It's all about Him.
This blog challenge (that I'm so late doing) is about our favorite Bible verse and why.
I hate this kind of challenge. Finding my "favorite" of anything is not easy. I have always had WAY too many interest, liked WAY too many things and thus, that is why my life is generally utter chaos, even though I like to think of myself as organized!
There are SO MANY verses that are near and dear to my heart.
I LOVE the Psalms when I need comforting and I LOVE the Proverbs when I need a good kick in the butt about something!
There are so many scriptures useful for so many different things--parenting, friendship, grief, encouragement, marriage and I think that's what is most fascinating to me about God's Word. I can read a verse once and it will speak to me in a certain way. Then a year later I can read it again and it takes on a totally different meaning. And then it speaks differently to each of His children, too. Not that His word is inconsistent. But that's what it means to be a LIVING Word, I think.
Romans 8:28 "All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord" is always near and dear. As is His promise in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you..plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
And since one of my favorite words is "whatever" I love that God includes that one in His Word, too! "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Philippians 4:8 Whatever whatever whatever! LOL
I am a worrier by nature. I guess all mothers are to some extent. And I have gotten better about it as I have 1) gotten older 2) discovered prozac 3) become stronger in my relationship with Jesus. But whenever I find myself start to slip and worry how this bill is getting paid this month or what's gonna happen with this situation or why can't I do something about....(fill in the blank--take your pick!) I remember "Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6 or "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (and for some reason, that verse also reminds me of Pastor Kirk and Kidmo! LOL
Last year, when I was going through one of the biggest trials of my life, I found comfort in Psalm 38:17-18; 21-22 (the Psalms, of course!) "For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me. I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. O Lord do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior" and "Let not those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause." Psalm 35:19 and "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11 I also remind my children of that last one--No one LIKES to be in trouble!!!
When I come across those brothers and sisters whose hearts are so pure, so full of love for others, so strikingly similar to the heart of Jesus, I'm reminded of Philemon 7 "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of saints."
I have always been very mission minded. I wish I had the income and the ability to really reach out like I would love to do to all those in need. And Philippians 2:4 always reminds me that no matter how small our gifts may seem that "each of us should look not only to our own interests but also to the interests of others". There is no greater blessing than to bless others. If you think you've got problems, go serve somewhere. There is always someone worse off than you!
But NONE of these are my favorites! Want to know what my favorite verse is (that is IF I have to choose!)?
I Peter 5:6
"Humble yourselves therefore unto His mighty hand that He may lift you up in due time"
I first fell in love with that Scripture when I heard Alabama QB Jay Barker say it on ESPN after his big win 29-28 over Georgia in 1993. I expected when he was interviewed that he'd say something about Jesus. Jay was always talking about Jesus. But for some reason, I was blown away. What boldness. What confidence. What peace. I envied that kid and his ability to be so outspoken about his faith. I wanted what He had. I'd been saved but I think it was just one of those pivotal times in everyone's life when you realize you want MORE of God. I actually still have those times!
But since then, whenever I feel discouraged because I don't have something I want, things aren't going my way or I feel like God isn't using me, I will remind myself, "humble, humble, in due time, in due time."
And I lay claim to that promise, one day, my "due time" will come. And so will yours, friend!
Blessings!
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