I pray that God will bless me in all these ways; and I also pray that the good Lord will bless all of you in theses ways as well!
What a beautiful verse that sums up God's Word to us. He has shown us the path of life through His word, meditating upon it and listening to Him. I love the last part...in Your presence is fullness of Joy!
This verse quickly became one of my favorites when we were living in Petoskey. My pastor's wife was having a birthday and I wanted to make her something. I worked at a paint your own pottery place at the time and I was going to paint her a plate. I had asked her what her favorite verse was and this was it. 
I love this verse, here it is...redemption for me...for you! Even when we did not deserve His great love, in our ugliness, in the muck, in the mire...Christ died for us. What an amazing gift that my mind can not even fully understand.
One of my favorite hymns has my all time favorite verses...
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well, with my soul.
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Thank you Lord, for the price you paid for the debt I could never repay. It is His sacrifice that allows us to be freed from the burden of sin.
I love my sister so much. She is dear to my heart in so many ways. Next to John, there is no one I can be more real with than her. I can be honest and open always with her. Daily, I am so thankful that she is in my life. It is funny because if you would have asked what I thought of her when we were growing up, I probably would have told you I couldn't stand her. There are many regrets from those days. I didn't know what I had when I lived with her, such time wasted. She has truly become more than even the best of friends...she is my dearest sister.
I am so thankful that we both have come to understand what this verse truly means. Our relationship with Christ has brought us even closer together than even I could have imagined 20 years ago. Life and growth in Christ has changed us so much. There are not enough times that I can express my gratitude for what Jesus has done for our family. He is truly a good and faithful God!
Proverbs 31:10-31 is a great passage for any woman to study. I specifically like this one because I think it sums up the passage very nicely. I like this verse because once again God cuts to the heart of the matter. He knows how women can be and what can become important if we do not keep our eyes fixed on Him.
Charm and beauty all too often can quickly become an important thing in a women's life for various reasons. I think our society clearly shows how beauty is so important in a warped way. God says that these things are deceitful and vain. Ouch! God doesn't hold back here. *
The most important thing to Him is that we fear Him. Not an "Ooooo Scary...I am afraid of God" fear but a fear that understands the glory, righteousness, and awesomeness of our great and mighty God. It is a reverent fear. When God is more important than our outward appearance and we let Him transform our inward beings; then He can do something amazing in us and through us.
The picture is of my grandma. She lives out Proverbs 31 for me. She is one of those people that are my rocks. I know she is always praying for me. She gives me a call probably once a month to see how I am doing. She is truly a beauty in my eyes as in the eyes of Christ. She is my example of a Proverbs 31 woman. ~ Thanks Grandma!
I hate running. I always have. In school, they made us run around the field several times...I hated those days. I think I actually tried to make it look like I was running really hard but when the teacher wasn't looking I would walk, pathetic I know. I am sure there are some of you who did the same thing. I never had any desire to run in a physical race. I was content to come in last.
However, if you put me in a competition that I enjoyed like art contest, singing, pine wood derbies ...I get the idea of trying to get the first prize! I work so hard to win. I pull out all the stops. I stay up all night the night before getting it just right! All of my efforts go into winning all to receive a blue ribbon that will sit in the bottom of a box in my closet.
How much more should we put into the race to heaven? Now the neat thing about this race is that you are not trying to beat anyone. Actually, it is quite the opposite we are trying to get as many as we can to cross the finish line with us. It's not about winning this race it about finishing it. When we finish, we all receive the crown of eternal life. How cool is that? We will be given a crown that will last forever, not sit in the bottom of a shoe box in the corner of your closet and waste away. We will wear our crowns proudly and humbly lay them at the feet of Jesus. Ooooo it just gives me goose bumps thinking about it!
Run the race today and get as many as you can to run along side you
...Run hard, Run well, Run to Finish!
My prayer for my children is that they will get this verse in their hearts. That instead of focusing on what the world thinks about them that they will fill their minds about all the wonderful things God has for them.
This verse is great for us adults too. We need to be cautious with what we focus on. Lately, when something pop's in my head that is not glorifying to God I start worshiping....
Blessed are those who dwell in Your house
They are ever praising You
Blessed are those whose strength is in You
Whose hearts are set on our God
We will go from strength to strength
Until we see You face to face
Hear our prayer
Oh Lord, God almighty
Come bless our land
As we seek You
Worship You
For You are holy
For You are holy
For You are holy, Lord
"Blessed" Hillsong
From Psalm 84!
Let's try to keep our minds in the direction of Christ and not on ourselves.
When I was a kid this verse was my favorite. I think it is a great verse for everyone but there is just something about it that makes it really great for kids. I think I liked it so much because when I was younger EVERYTHING seemed new, strange or unsure. Kids have test, sports, figuring out abilities, just a lot of stuff coming at them very quickly. I remember that when I was faced with something new and scary I would remember this verse...
Now, I picked this picture of my oldest daughter because of what she did that was so amazing to me last year. She decided to try out for the High School Musical here in Gladwin. I remember going to the tryouts terrified for her. To my amazement she went up there with no fear, read her lines and sang out "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". Never in my life have I been so proud of her (don't worry I know there are going to be many more to come...I am so excited). This picture reminds me of this verse.
We can not let fear grip us. We can not let the fear of something new stump us from doing it. I hate flying and in a month I am going to Jamaica on a mission's trip. I can not let that fear keep me from going. If I let fear control me than I will never do anything. That is not what Christ commanded us. He told us to go into all the world preaching the gospel. It is through Christ that gives us strength to do amazing things for His glory.
So, tonight teach your kids this verse. Have them memorize it so when they feel scared, nervous or afraid they can repeat it and know that they can do it!
Christ gives us strength...how cool is that?!!!!
Don't worry I see that I forgot the "s" in Philippians...I'll go fix it now!
What does God require of us? Here it is very simply stated.
"Get Joy" Book Verses
"Get Joy" Book Verses
"Get Joy" Book Verses