No Vacancy

No vacancy 

My dad taught me something years ago and I quote it a lot.  I just had a mess of a week.  Not every night when someone crashes into your parked car in your driveway.  I find myself praying a lot about the car being worked on, the motorcyclist who hit it and other things stressing out my wife and I. Sunday night I needed some reminders.  So for those reading waiting for what my dad taught and “for the thousands in attendance and the millions watching at home.”  Here are three fundamental facts.  

1.  There is a God

2.  You are not him

3.  There is no vacancy 

See part of my world has been falling apart and I’m having to pray and trust God a lot.  But Sunday night I was at work reading Growing in the Seasons of Life by Chuck Swindoll when I was pointed to Psalm 115:3.  “Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes.”  Chicken Little said “The sky is falling.”  He was wrong.  Psalm 19:1-6 says an emphatic NO! 

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God.  The skies display his craftsmanship.  Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.  They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.  Yet the message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.  God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.  It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.  It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.  The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end.  Nothing can hide from its heat.”  

See as I drove to work much too early in the morning I was praying a lot.  I remembered that God went before Israel as a cloud and a pillar of fire.  God always surrounded his people.  And He is non linear he already knows what and when and how.  I needed to remember he was still on his throne and he was not leaving any vacancy.  He’s still in control.  Doesn’t always have to make sense to us and until we reach Heaven it probably won’t.  I just pray that I respond how he wants me to.  Because I may say the sky is falling and He says it’s still where I left it.  Sun comes up, moon tags in.  Nope the sky is still there.  

“Though the winds may blow 

And though the floods may grow 

I shall not be moved

Because I am on the Rock!”

Psalms 24:1-2

“ The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.  The world and all it’s people belong to him.  For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.”  

God of angel armies by Chris Tomlin 

How great is the love by Meredith Andrews 

My deliverer by Rich Mullins 

I am on the Rock by Petra 

You are God alone by Phillips Craig and Dean 

Glory to the King byHillsong Worship

So most all the songs here lyric wise have something to do with the blog posted.  But the last song here has been one I rediscovered after years and it is here because the song is so great I wanted to share it with others.  And one night Marion reminded me I just put links up for you the reader if I put a little or a lot it’s still your choice to read or listen.  It’s a blog designed for busy people and you get out what you invest into it.  I just have to be willing to post it.  

Only Jesus/ Calvary’s love by Steve Green

Minor note if I ever quote a song in the blog I will leave a link to it.  Unless it’s a secular song I won’t do that.  As Sean Connery said “Here endeth the lesson.”  

Living Water

Living water

In John 4:10 Jesus tells the Samaritan Woman he can give her living water.  And in verse 14 he says this “But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again.  It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them giving them eternal life.”  This portion of scripture came to mind as I read John chapter 2:1-12.  I want you to see something here that fits this all together.  

“The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee.  Jesus’ mother was there and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration.  The wine supply ran out during the festivities. Jesus’ mother told him.  ‘They have no more wine’.  

‘Dear woman, that’s not our problem.’  Jesus replied.  ‘My time has not yet come.’  

But his mother told the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’  

Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing.  Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons.  Jesus told the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water.’  When the jars had been filled, he said,  ‘Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.’  So the servants followed his instructions. 

When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over.  ‘A host always serves the best wine first,’. He said.  ‘Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine.  But you have kept the best until now.’  

This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory.  And his disciples believed in him.  

After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers and his disciples.”

I want you to think about something here.  We as Christians are called vessels and people at first don’t see changes in us and then when the Living Water, Jesus himself changes us that’s when we become vessels of honor.  What kind of liquid comes forth when people see you?  

Psalm 23:5 says “You prepare a feast before me in the presence of my enemies.  You honor me by anointing my head with oil.  My cup overflows with blessings.”  See the living water God puts into us should overflow and splash out of the vessels that we are. In Jeremiah 18:1-17 God shows the prophet a lesson in pottery and clay.  God is constantly at work on us and our lives much like the vessels for water at Cana shaping us to be the people he wants.  See if God is not changing you then you seriously need to step back stop and ask questions about your salvation because you may still be an empty water jug.  Jesus also said this about our salvation.  

John 3:5 “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.”

Here is more about us being vessels.  

2 Corinthians 4:5-7

“You see, we don’t go preaching about ourselves.  We preach Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake.  For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.  We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.  This makes it clear that our power is from God, not from ourselves.”  

Romans 12:1-2 gives us our flight path and contrary to Peter Pan and Captain Kirk it is not “Second Star to the right and on till morning.”  

“And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you.  Let them be a living and holy sacrifice— the kind he will find acceptable.  This is truly the way to worship him.  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good pleasing and perfect.”

God wants us transformed into willing vessels to be used by Him.  

In the words of Optimus Prime “Autobots transform and roll out.”  

Where the Thunder roars by Whiteheart 

Acceptable by Charmaine 

Carry your love by Caedmon’s Call

Change me Lord by Shannon Wexelberg

Still useful

Still useful 

Sometimes my brain latches on to things.  We as humans are often stupid and make bad decisions.  Traffic in Corpus Christi can be a good example of that.  In the book of Judges you can find the story of Samson.  This guy messed up almost as many times as Peter did.  In Judges 13:6-7 we learn of what he was supposed to be.  “The woman ran and told her husband, ‘A man of God appeared to me!  He looked like one of God’s angels, terrifying to see.  I didn’t ask where he was from, and he didn’t tell me his name.  But he told me, ‘You will become pregnant and give birth to a son.  You must not drink wine or any alcoholic drink nor eat any forbidden food.  For your son will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from the moment of his birth until the day of his death.’”  

Samson was a guy that messed up a lot but I want to show you something that my brain missed so many times reading before because Samson as flawed as he is somehow ends up doing what he is supposed to and it defies all logic.  He’s like Captain Kirk on Star Trek the Wrath of Kahn.  Samson just looks like he’s on a collision course with stupidity.  

Judges 14:1-4 “One day when Samson was in Timnah, one of the Philistine women caught his eye.  When he returned home, he told his father and mother.  ‘A young Philistine woman in Timnah caught my eye.  I want to marry her.  Get her for me.’  His father and mother objected.  ‘Isn’t there even one woman in our tribe among all the Israelites you could marry?’  They asked.  ‘Why must you go to the pagan Philistines to find a wife?’  But Samson told his father.  ‘Get her for me!  She looks good to me.’  His father and mother didn’t realize the Lord was at work in this, creating an opportunity to work against the Philistines, who ruled over Israel at the time.”

Now my first thing I want to say here and I speak from personal pain and experience when your family and friends warn you about a man or woman you’re interested in and tell you to stay away.  Do it!  Stay away!  Samson was about to embark on a path of destruction.  

Now that being said I am also in no way shape or form condoning or encouraging Samson’s approach to getting a mate.  If women complain about men now they would have plenty more reasons to complain about his attitude.  

But here’s what caught my attention reading this.  In verse four it says his parents didn’t realize God was at work in this.  So here’s a guy being stupid and making bad decisions and somehow God uses it.  You yeah you the reader I’m talking to you directly.  God used David, Peter, Gideon, Sarah, Abraham, Jacob, Elijah, Jonah and more they made bad choices like you and me.  God in his mercy used them still.  The question is with all your mistakes and mine and so much we’ve been forgiven of are you still willing to repent turn to God and like Isaiah say “Here Am I Lord send me.”  

Samson is a redemption story.  The Philistines meant so much harm and did so much wrong to him and the nation of Israel but God used it for his glory.  It reminds me of the story of Joseph in Genesis 45 when he reveals his identity to his brothers because all the harm his brothers did to him God ended up using it for good.  

See with all our sins and mistakes God ends up using us as flawed as we are to show our need for salvation and redemption.  

Years ago David Meece said it correctly in revealing our need for a savior.

“And we were the reason that he gave his life.  We were the reason that he suffered and died.  To a world that was lost he gave all he could give to show us the reason to live.  

I finally found the reason for living it’s in giving every part of my heart to him.  In all that I do and every word that I say I’ll be giving my all just for him.  For him.”  

Who you are by Unspoken 

We are the reason by Dave Meece 

Here I am by Rebeca St James

Diamonds by Hawk Nelson 

Heat it up by Degarmo and Key

Blessings by Laura Story

For a dream by Phillips, Craig and Dean 

Out of control

Out of control 

This blog has been called a weekly dose of hope and I try to give you the reader hope and kind words to help you keep your eyes fixed on God.  I mention kind words and encouragement a lot.  Someone may ask what fuels me to talk on such a subject with passion.  There’s not enough kindness and encouragement in this world.  I’m going to share with you something that happened years ago when I was young.  This kid who shall remain nameless said something to me that hurt.  I forgave him but that was hard.  He was talking with a group of kids and saw me and said “Why don’t you go stand in a corner and talk to yourself.”  Then I also spent 13 years at a call center.  I got called pretty much every thing a person could be called.  Over time I started to work on the media team at Real Life.  Aside from my own wife, and family,  Real Life was the rare place where I would hear kind words spoken.  I am passionate about encouraging you the reader because I know what it’s like to need encouragement in my own life.  

Proverbs 16:24

“Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”  

This past Saturday I came across some verses I wanted to share because when things get out of control in our lives we need to remember to turn to God and why we do.  

Psalm 9:7-12

“But the Lord reigns forever, executing judgement from his throne.  He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness.  The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.  Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.  Sing praises to the Lord who reigns in Jerusalem.  Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds.  For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless.  He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer.”

Psalm 10:17-18

“Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless.  Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.  You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people cannot terrify them.”

See when you need kindness, hope and encouragement God has provided it in his word.  

I’m going to share with you one of the most important scriptures you need to memorize.  1 Peter 5:7

“Give all your worries and cares to God for he cares about you.”

When things start spinning out of control turn to God because he is on his throne and he cares about you.  

I want to thank my friend Lynda because when I posted a teaser (something I post on facebopok to stir up interest in the blog.) for the blog this was her response.

Isaiah 41:10

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

I would also add to that

 Isaiah 52:10

“The Lord has demonstrated his holy power before the eyes of all the nations.  All the ends of the earth will see the victory of our God.”  

God’s not done with you and me.  Sometimes the harsh and unkind words said to us he uses in our lives so we can encourage and build up others.  

Just be held by Casting Crowns 

King of the Jungle by Steven Curtis Chapman 

Faithful God by Shannon Wexelberg

Honesty by Margaret Becker

Strong God by Meredith Andrews

Your great name by Natalie Grant 

God and God alone by Steve Green 

5210 by Rich Mullins

Come and See

Come and see

What do Christians and English Pointers have in common?  They both point to something.  A Christian should point others to the Cross of Christ.  

There’s a song by Don Francisco called I’ve gotta tell Somebody.  I use my Facebook page often to invite people to church.  I promote this blog a lot online because if I don’t there is no one to read it.  You walk outside you see billboards, signs, businesses all promoting something.  Do you promote the change God makes in you?  This past Sunday Pastor Micah read a passage in John 1:40-46 and it’s a story we need to remember.  When God changes your life your response should be “I’ve gotta tell somebody I’ve gotta tell somebody I’ve gotta tell somebody what Jesus did for me.”  I try hard to encourage the reader of the blog and equip them with God’s Word so they can go forth and encourage someone else and hopefully help someone else draw closer to God.  I want you to look at this passage and see how the dots connect.  Two weeks ago Aaron Paris said something to me that floored me it was almost prophetic.  “One day someone is going to come up to you maybe two years down the line and tell you that something you wrote in your blog really impacted their life and you probably won’t remember saying it.”  Some have heard me mention this.  There is a G.I.Joe graphic novel I have and Scarlett and Snake Eyes are behind enemy lines.  Snake Eyes is wounded and he’s a man who has been mute since his head was burned years back.  She asked him what he wants her to do.  He signs the letters CM or Charlie Mike meaning “Continue the mission.”  See just when hope seems gone I have to remember to Continue the Mission. You may not think your life intersects with many people.  But I want you to see what Phillip, Andrew and Nathanael did.  

John 1:40-46

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus.  Andrew went to find his brother Simon, and told him, ‘We have found the Messiah’.  Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus.  Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, ‘Your name is Simon, son of John— but you will be called Cephas(which means Peter)’.  The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee.  He found Phillip and said to him.  ‘Come follow me.’  Phillip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown.  Phillip went to look for Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about!  His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.’  ‘Nazareth!’  Exclaimed Nathanael, ‘Can anything good come from Nazareth?’  

‘Come and see for yourself,’ Phillip replied.”

The message was simple.  The effect on people’s lives wasn’t.  We connect and interact with others.  Are you continuing the mission and pushing people closer or farther away from God?  If you have some sort of social media do you leverage that technology to push others to God?  Micah also said something that hit me hard.  “The closer you get to Jesus, the more you care about people who are not close to Jesus.”

  “The truth is in.  The proof is in when you hear your heart start asking what’s my motivation.”

Galatians 6:9-10

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.  Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone— especially to those in the family of faith.”

My dad has this saying he instills in the people at his church and I had to ask him what it was because I forgot but the church has a great commission found in Matthew 28:19-20.  When you go to church it’s not a social club.  

“When you walk through the door (of church to leave) you are entering your mission field. 

We are on mission with God to carry the gospel to the whole world.”  We have been told to go to the uttermost part of the earth and that is where you and I interact.  As a follower of Christ you are empowered.  

I normally don’t talk a lot about the music in the blog but I wanted to this time.  Back when I went to college I had this friend Sheryl Goza and we rode back and forth to school for a bit.  Now for years I had heard the band White Heart at Christian skate night in Annaville because someone always requested the song Desert Rose.  Well one day Sheryl and I went to the Family Christian store in Beeville and she bought the cd Highlands by White Heart.  Years later I get a copy of the same cd and for the first time I heard The Cry a song about God calling out trying to get people’s attention.  This blog has been about interacting with others and pointing them to God.  God is trying to reach people and we the church are sent forth in that effort. Get off the sidelines stop being a watcher and be a messenger.  

The Cry by White Heart 

Gotta tell somebody By Don Francisco 

Shine by Newsboys 

Live to Tell by Gmd 

Until the Whole World hears by Casting Crowns

Just reach out by Petra

More to this Life by Steven Curtis Chapman 

Simple heart by Gmd 

Burn Bright by Natalie Grant 

Dare to be Different by Degarmo and Key

Full Circle

Full circle 

Some of you know I make weird observations or illustrations in this blog.  In the fourth Rambo movie they show flashbacks of Colonel Trautman telling John Rambo “It all comes full circle John.”  There’s been times things in my own life have come back full circle.  See roughly seven years ago me being a life group leader started.  Also there is a graphic novel I read last year that brought things full circle for me.  Heroes for Hire : Control was a graphic novel that brought back some of the first heroes and the first villain that together subsequently made me become a comic book fan.  Well seven years ago when I lead my first life group I met this couple at Denny’s at midnight and I still to this day remember that first night and leading a small Bible study on part of Psalm 3.  I still feel like I can’t lead my way out of a paper bag much less lead anyone on a Bible study.  But meanwhile “The city of Townsville.”  Anyway David and Gideon have always been two guys I can really relate to.  I’m back to reading Psalm 3 and I think we still need it.  

“Why is everyone always under or overwhelmed.  Why is it no one is just whelmed anymore?”  Robin the Boy Wonder.  

See David was more than just whelmed he was overwhelmed.  

Psalm 3

“O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me.  So many are saying, ‘God will never rescue him!’

But you , O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.  I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain. 

I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.  

I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.  

Arise, O Lord!  Rescue, me my God!  Slap my enemies in the face!  Shatter the teeth of the wicked!  Victory comes from you, O Lord.  May you bless your people.”

Maybe you don’t have physical enemies maybe you have had things said or done around you that stress you out and keep you from resting well.  Look at what David said in there about rest.  He trusted that God would be his shield and that he could sleep safely in that knowledge.  One thing I taught in that first Bible study was this in verse 3 he calls God his glory and in some translations “The Lifter of my head.”  When I taught that it was at a point I had been incredibly depressed and I can tell you it was as if God reached down and like David he made me look up and fix my eyes on God.  In this chapter David has his eyes and trust fixed on God and he knows God can handle all his problems.  I’ve used this as an illustration before but it bears repeating.  I took a motorcycle safety course and one thing our trainer emphasized was this.  “Where you look is where you go.”  With a motorcycle you have a broader field of vision than like a car windshield.  The bike responds to where you look and as you look you begin to lean and take the body and bike with you.  Fix your eyes on God.  

I don’t know exactly when this chapter was written during the life of David but I want you to think about it for a moment.  Here’s a guy a shepherd boy probably heard stories his whole life about the God of Israel who led the people with a cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.  He’s heard of the Red Sea parting, the walls of Jericho falling.  He even tells King Saul before facing Goliath that God has already protected him from wild animals before.  David has had his share of enemies.  This guy knows a thing or two about the odds being against him and he knows where to turn.  

Years ago I was taught a simple song at a church camp and if David was here I’m sure he would echo the idea found in it. 

“My God is so big so strong and so mighty there’s nothing that my God can’t do.”

Psalm 121

“I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there?  My help comes from the Lord,  who made heaven and earth!  He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.  The Lord himself watches over you!  The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.  The sun will not harm you by day nor the moon at night.  The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.”  

 Romans 8:31  "What shall we say about such wonderful things as these?  If God is for us, who can ever be against us?"  

Whole world in his hands by Christy Nockels

Constantly by Zoe Girl 

Shield about me by Eden Project

In you alone by Kim Hill

Mighty to save by Laura Story

My God by Point of Grace

I hear Jesus calling by Audio Adrenaline 

A mighty fortress is our God by Shelia Walsh

I need thee every hour/ Hurricane by Natalie Grant

If God is for us by DeGarmo and Key

In the Name of the Lord by Sandi Patty

To encourage others

I'm sending you the blog earlier than I normally would. Today is my only day off of work till I don't even know when.  So I'm taking advantage of the free time.  

To encourage others 

Lots of personal and behind the scenes stuff

This past Saturday we had a life group meeting for the leaders at church.  Only current and potential leaders were there.  I want to let you in on my personal side of this whole thing.  I have been very discouraged lately and stressed out.  So the week and a half before the meeting I was to the point of talking myself out of going.  Marion and I had gotten invited to go to a concert with friends but work got in my way.  Then Aaron sent out the info for the meeting and my first instinct when I saw the time we were supposed to be there was “I don’t even wake up that early for work.”  My next thoughts were about being nervous in regards to talking to the people there.  I don’t like talking to new people it is very hard for me.  I will admit the meet and greet during services and for life group launches are completely nerve wracking. Being a writer I have the problem of over thinking things and playing out scenarios in my head. If you’ve ever read a fictional story of mine that’s where the fight scenes start.  But anyway so I am by nature am as one person said “a profound social butterfly” meaning I don’t talk much but when I do the person implied it meant something.  I’m also an introvert.  I have a few close friends but I say hi but technically don’t talk a lot to people I’m not comfortable around.  I nearly talked myself out of the meeting.  I found myself thinking of what I would say to a discouraged life group leader because I’ve been there.  All the advice I came up with I found myself having to say to myself.  As a leader this is why I was discouraged doing an online group feedback is rare and I was having one of those weeks wondering why I even bothered.  So I walked away from the meeting with a gift for you and me.  Over the course of that Saturday and Sunday things happened.  I was encouraged by Kori and Aaron and just being around other leaders.  It was something we greatly needed.  Then on Sunday, Noe Ortiz, David Hill, Dustin Merriman and Cathy Barfield encouraged me.  Before the second service though something happened.  This guy with a beard walks up to me and said “Your name’s Zac right.  I’m Ruben Bautista.”  He tells me for months he’s been reading the blog and how much it’s meant to him.  He said he kept meaning to reply or say something but he figured he would walk up and talk to me in person.  Part of the reason the Bible study blog works for me is I express stuff with written word better than face to face.  Ruben however had my attention.  Now I say all this because like me you need encouragement.  In Acts 4:36 Barnabas is called Son of Encouragement.  It’s a title all believers should have we should encourage others.  See I told you I had a gift for you the reader that was given to me.  We worked through a life group leader package and I asked Aaron if I could share this with all of you.  It’s verses and situations to help you.  It was intended for us as leaders to encourage you when problems are brought to us but I believe in putting the cookies on the bottom shelf and letting you help yourself to them.  But first I need to tell you two other behind the scenes stories.  Norma Cruz came up to me and asked the question I get often.  She asked if I was going to start leading a life group or if I already had one.  I told her for six years I had been doing an online life group.  I learned that day she and one other friend thought that because it is called the Batcave blog online that all it was, was a blog about comics.  So as I mowed that afternoon I thought and thought and I ended up going on Facebook and advertising the whole blog from the beginning to now, what it is and isn’t.  And for the record any who decided not read it because it may have been about comics well you hurt yourself on that one because you didn’t take a chance and read it.  

So my final story is about a lady named Caryn.  I posted a blog about two and a half weeks ago about humility.  It was one of those blogs that got so many responses it was crazy but this one lady’s email blew me away.  She told me she had read the blog and she wished she had read it before a conversation she had because she would have reacted differently.  Now I have said this multiple times and I had to tell her.  I pray for the readers of the blog before and after posting something and I ask God to draw people closer to himself.  The fact that she learned anything was all God at work.  I can’t and don’t want to claim any credit for that.  I showed up and said what God showed me to say.  

Hebrews 10:23-25 “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise .  Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”  

Words I would say by Sidewalk Prophets

Heart to God and a hand to man by Geoff Moore and the Distance

Unexpected Friends by Sandi Patty and Amy Grant 

God of all by Twila Paris 

God is faithful by Shelia Walsh

Scriptures to encourage people

 

Worry

Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Fear

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.  (Isaiah 41:10)

Stress

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.  He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams.  He renews my strength.  He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.  (Psalm 23:1-3)

Weighed down

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.  (1 Peter 5:7)

Loss of a job

My God will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:19)

Loss of a loved one

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.”  (John 11:25)

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and staff protect and comfort me.  (Psalm 23:3-4)

Trust

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you the path to take.  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Family

As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.  (Joshua 24:15)

God has a plan

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.  “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”  (Jeremiah 29:11)

God can do anything

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.  (Ephesians 3:20-21)

God loves us

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.  Neither death nor life nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow- not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  (Romans 8:38)

God is with us

For God has said, “I will never fail you.  I will never abandon you.”  (Hebrews 13:5)

Don’t understand why

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.  “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.  (Isaiah 55:8)

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.  (Romans 8:28)

Protection

The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.  The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.  (Psalm 127:7-8)

Hope

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him.  Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.    (Romans 15:13)

Joy

Be joyful.  Grow to maturity.  Encourage each other.  Live in harmony and peace.  Then the God of love and peace will be with you.  (2 Corinthians 13:11)

Forgiveness

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.  (Ephesians 4:32)

Conflict

What is causing the quarrels and fights among you?  Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?  You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it.  You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it so you fight and wage war to take it away from them.  Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.  (James 4:1-2)

Relationships

Always be humble and gentle.   Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.  (Ephesians 4:2)

Work

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  (Colossians 3:23

Choices

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good pleasing and perfect.  (Romans 12:2)

Opportunities

So be careful how you live.  Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.  (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Overwhelmed

Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for him to act.  (Psalm 37:7)

Success

Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you.  Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left.  Then you will be successful in everything you do.  Study this book of instruction continually.  Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.  Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.  (Joshua 1:7-8)

Words

Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit - you choose.  (Proverbs 18:21)

Uncertainty

Commit everything you do to the Lord.  Trust Him, and He will help you.  (Psalm 37:5)

See now you have tools to encourage others.  As teachers or life group leaders part of what we are to do is equip you.