FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN

THE LORD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME

Posted on Sep 28, 2016 in Devotions, General |

BE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Light is used to symbolize God, faith, and holiness throughout Scripture. As Christians, we are called to not only walk in the light but to be the light for others. Use these Bible verses to gain a better understanding and interpretation of the positive notion light has in the Bible.

Browse the Bible verses about light in this collection of scripture quotes below keep them with you throughout the day to remind yourself of God’s love and calling on your life!

Matthew 4:16

16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

John 9:5

5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Micah 7:8

8 Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my Light.

Psalms 18:28

28 You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

Psalms 119:105

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Matthew 5:16

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

John 1:5

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 8:12

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

1 John 1:5-9

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Psalms 139:7-12

7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

I AM THE WAY AND THE LIFE

Posted on Jul 13, 2016 in General |

Jul '16

The Power Of Our Words

The saying “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is dead wrong. Words do hurt.

As a child I was a victim of verbal abuse. Every ill word said to me by a loved one was like a stone thrown at my heart. It took me years and years as an adult to heal the wounds ill-spoken words caused.

Yet even though I personally know the damage words can do, I am far from perfect in my speech to others. I too have slung words that I could retrieve.

I reread the book of Proverbs recently and verse upon verse about the power of our words kept jumping off the page.

Our words are stones. We are nothing but stone-throwers with each word we speak.

If our words contain beauty, people treasure them.

If our words contain pain, people toss them aside–but not until after they have had to deal with the wound the words caused.

Like stones, we get to choose our words. Which ones will you choose?

10 Bible Verses On The Power Of Our Words

Proverbs 11:9 “Evil words destroy; Godly skill rebuilds.” (TLB)

Proverbs 11:12 “It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet.” (NLT)

Proverbs 11:17 “Your own soul is nourished when you are kind; it is destroyed when you are cruel.” (TLB)

Proverbs 15: 1 “A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.” (GNT)

Proverbs 15:4 “Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.” (MSG)

Proverbs 16:24 “Kind words are like honey. They are sweet to the spirit and bring healing to the body.” (NIRV)

Proverbs 18:4 “A person’s words can be a source of wisdom, deep as the ocean, fresh as a flowing stream.” (GNT)

Proverbs 18:20 “Good words satisfy like a fine meal; yes, good conversations are sure to satisfy.” (VOICE)

Proverbs 20:15 “Wise words are more valuable than gold and many rubies.” (NLT)

Proverbs 25:18 “Telling lies about friends is like attacking them with clubs and swords and sharp arrows.” (CEV)

WHEN FEAR STRIKES AGAIN

Posted on May 24, 2016 in General |

May '16

BREAKING ADDICTIONS AND SLAVERY TO VICE

Live is filled with various forms of temptations. God’s word is where we can find the encouragement and strength to overcome these cravings. These Bible verses provide inspiration to overcoming the power of addiction with the faith and spirit of the Lord.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30

1 Corinthians 10:13-14

13 No temptation 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.

14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.

1 John 2:16

16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

1 Corinthians 15:33

33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

James 4:7

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 Corinthians 6:12

12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.

1 Peter 5:10

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Psalms 50:15

15 and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Romans 5:3-5

3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.

5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men

10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Titus 2:12

12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

James 1:2-3

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.