I'm continuing to review my notes from the Weekend to Remember getaway and just read some good reminders about God's plan and purpose for marriage.
Every marriage paints a picture...either we reflect God's image or we don't. When it comes down to it, our marriage is not about us. It's about Him. God's plan in marriage is that we would complete one another so that we may experience companionship. I love the description used in Philippians 2:3-4, "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Another one of God's plans for marriage is so we will carry on a godly legacy. When we are gone from this earth, we will leave a legacy. The question is, what kind of a legacy will you leave?
God's plan in marriage is for us to leave, cleave and become one flesh. We need to receive our spouse as a gift from God. He is the one that gave our spouse to us. That means warts and all. They are a gift!
When we are being selfless in our relationships we are exhibiting what Christ has done for us. When we get our focus off of ourselves and what we think is deserved happiness, we discover what true sacrifice, commitment, and Christ-likeness is all about.
I got this in an email for Valentine's Day and I wanted to share the message. I hope you had a wonderful day full of love!
By: Rachel Olsen
"My lover is mine, and I am his." Song of Solomon 2:16 (NLT)
While I spent the last few months thinking about Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, another group of people likely spent it focused on Valentine's Day: greeting card writers. Valentine's Day is the second-biggest card-buying holiday besides Christmas. More than 200 million cards will be exchanged this weekend. That's a lot of love.
Have you ever watched somebody pick out a greeting card for someone special? Growing up, my family owned a chain of Hallmark stores where I worked as a sales clerk. The occasional customer would breeze in, look at two or three cards and then head to my cash register. However, most would spend 10, 20, even 30 minutes reading through cards, searching for the just right expression of love.
In Christ, God sent us the ultimate Valentine. "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life" (John 3:16, The Message). Whole and lasting, two things we desperately seek but rarely find in this world. Long after the greeting cards I might receive are forgotten, I know that God's love for me endures.
Jesus demonstrated His love for us and taught us how to live and love each other. He received criticism, testing and rejection -- and yet gathered strength from God to turn the other cheek. Jesus prayed for us, and His enemies. He even suffered crucifixion in order to save us from our sin. Jesus is God's perfect expression of love. His life and death are God saying to me and you, "Be Mine."
Yes, God loves us so much that He gave us His most valuable gift, Himself. And after Jesus rose fr om the grave and ascended back to heaven, God sent His Spirit to remain with us. As He shares Himself with us through His Son and His Sprit, God says, "You are my beloved." Hearing that is better than any sentiment the best card-writer could pen. God Himself, given for you and me -- as well as anyone willing to open their heart to Him -- demonstrates the ultimate expression of love. Like melt-in-your-mouth chocolates from a heart-shape satin box, He invites us to taste and see that He is good.
Close your eyes and hear Him whispering to you today, "Be Mine."
We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go. (CEV)
We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it. (The Message)
In your heart you plan your life. But the Lord decides where your steps will take you. (NIRV)
The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. (NASB)
This verse was on my calendar for today. I can't recall ever reading this verse and truly listening to the words. I know I've read it because I've often times read a chapter of Proverbs a day. But today that verse stood out to me.
I know there are a lot of things in my life that I have a plan for. When I was younger and getting ready to graduate high school, I initially had plans to go to a local medical school to study to be a radiology technician. I wasn't accepted into the school, so I went on to college. When I entered there I thought I wanted to be a teacher and I studied that path. That door later closed. I also had a plan to get married and have a family by a certain age. These were all plans that I had created and they became desires of my heart. But in reading this passage I am yet reminded, I can plan and dream all I want but it's God that is going to direct my every step and lead me. No matter what I do, what choices I make, God decides where my steps will take me.
That is encouraging to me...to know that He knows my life, He knows my dreams and plans and He will guide me every where I go. God is looking out for me and He's looking out for you. His plans are the best and He wants to pour down His blessings on us.
I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Jeremiah 29:11 The Message
Are we seeking His guidance in all that we do? Do we trust God with all our heart?
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message
You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. (NIV)
The Lord your God has kept all of the good promises he gave you. Every one of them has come true. Not one has failed to come true. And you know that with all your heart and soul. (NIRV)
Know this with all your heart, with everything in you, that not one detail has failed of all the good things GOD, your God, promised you. It has all happened. Nothing's left undone—not so much as a word. (The Message)
My daily calendar had this verse on it today. The more I read it and mulled over it, the more it encouraged me. The fact that every one of God’s promises has been fulfilled and not one has failed is an amazing thought. That gives me encouragement today and in the days to come. No matter what happens in life God’s promises are true and we can stand firm on those promises. As I typed those last words I recalled a hymn we used to sing in church, “Standing on the Promises”. Below are the words and a video. Reacquaint yourself with that wonderful hymn that is full of truth. Through Christ, we can live victoriously regardless of the situations we face in life. Are you standing on God’s promises today?
Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Through eternal ages let His praises ring, Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail, When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I now can see Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me; Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free, Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord, Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword, Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall, Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call Resting in my Savior as my all in all, Standing on the promises of God.
Chorus: Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of God my Savior; Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.
•“‘If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."(NIV)
•“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” (NLT)
•Jesus replied, "Why do you say `if you can'? Anything is possible for someone who has faith!" (CEV)
•Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen." (The Message)
Jesus said those words after he went to go see a boy possessed by a spirit. The father wanted his son to be healed and freed. He came to Jesus and this is what the father said:
"… But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." (vs. 22)
It is after those words that Jesus replies:
“‘If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." (vs. 23)
Following Jesus’ words the father exclaims that he does believe and asks Jesus to help him with his unbelief. Jesus commanded the spirit to leave and the boy was healed!
Each of us struggle with our own “spirits”. Do we believe that Jesus has the power to do above what we could ever imagine in our own circumstance? Do we truly believe? Or do we just say we do to make ourselves somehow feel better? What is it to really believe?
There’s a saying that I have posted all over my house, car and work.
“Faith is not knowing God can, it’s knowing He will.”
I think that sums up a lot. Sure we can say, “God, I know you can work a miracle in my life, etc, etc, etc.” But to say, “God, you will work a miracle in my life”, that is going boldly to the throne of grace like we are told in scripture.
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
To me, that is showing ultimate belief not just saying yes you can but saying yes I know you will.
Here is a song that I can’t get out of my head once I hear it. It is one that I sing as loud as I can! It’s called, “All Things are Possible”. Here are the words:
Almighty God my Redeemer, my hiding place, my safe refuge No other name like Jesus, no power can stand against you My feet are planted on this rock and I will not be shaken My hope it comes from you alone, my Rock and my Salvation Your praise is always on my lips, your Word is living in my heart And I will praise you with a new song, my soul will bless you Lord
You fill my life with greater joy, as I delight myself in you And I will praise you with a new song, my soul will bless you Lord
My feet are planted on this rock and I will not be shaken My hope it comes from you alone, my Rock and my Salvation Your praise is always on my lips, your Word is living in my heart And I will praise you with a new song, my soul will be bless you Lord
You fill my life with greater joy, as I delight myself in you And I will praise you with a new song, my soul will bless you Lord
When I am weak you make me strong, When I'm poor, I know I'm rich for in the power of your name All things are possible, all things are possible
Your praise is always on my lips, your Word is living in my heart And I will praise you with a new song, my soul will be bless you Lord
You fill my life with greater joy, as I delight myself in you And I will praise you with a new song, my soul will bless you Lord
When I am weak you make me strong, When I'm poor, I know I'm rich for in the power of your name All things are possible, all things are possible
We all worry. We all allow our imaginations to run wild. This morning I woke up thinking of Matthew 6:34:
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:25-34 is all about worry. If you have time check out the whole passage.
Here is another version of the verse:
"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." (The Message)
What an excellent way of putting it! I hope that encourages you today to leave your worries behind you and don't allow them to fester in your mind. That is of no benefit. Focus on God and He will bring you through whatever today or tomorrow has is store. Reading that promise makes me feel at ease...at peace...
My song today is a magnificent classical piece. I actually had this song played in my wedding. I just love it. It's such a serene and calming song. It's Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy. Many of you might be familiar with Fantasia by Walt Disney. This video clip is a deleted scene from Fantasia. Please take the time to listen to this peaceful song. I hope it will touch your heart & spirit and give you calmness in the midst of anything you might be facing today.
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
God promises that my needs will be provided. That doesn't say my wants or wishes or dreams. It says my needs and that gives me great hope in knowing that no matter what I may want, God's provision is the best and that is all I need.
Check out some other versions of this great promise:
And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Amplified)
My God will use his wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need.(New Century Version)
And my God will give you everything you need because of His great riches in Christ Jesus. (New Life Version)
My God will meet all your needs. He will meet them in keeping with his wonderful riches that come to you because you belong to Christ Jesus. (New International Reader's Version)
I have a calendar on my desk that has a scripture or thought for each day. Back on September 7th there was a saying that I couldn’t get out of my head. This is what it said:
“Listen to me…you whom I have upheld since you were conceived and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs. I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you.”
It’s so amazing to me that God knew me before I even was a thought in my parents mind. When I was little I thought that I could actually remember being in heaven as a baby and actually sensing God sending me down to my parents! Isn’t that a hoot? But it’s a fantastic visual that even as a child I somehow comprehended that part of that was true. Not to say that God has all the unborn babies sitting next to him and at the appropriate time He sends them down to earth but the fact that I was known by God before I was born. Wow. How cool and amazing is that? He knew my idiosyncrasies and complex nature before I did; not only that but He still walks with me until the day He calls me home. He carries me when I can’t walk…He sustains me. Thank you, Lord!
Psalm 139 (The Message)
GOD, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I'm an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I'm never out of your sight. You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too— your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful— I can't take it all in!
Is there any place I can go to avoid your Spirit? to be out of your sight? If I climb to the sky, you're there! If I go underground, you're there! If I flew on morning's wings to the far western horizon, You'd find me in a minute— you're already there waiting! Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark! At night I'm immersed in the light!" It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to you; night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to you.
Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day.
Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful! God, I'll never comprehend them! I couldn't even begin to count them— any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you! And please, God, do away with wickedness for good! And you murderers—out of here!— all the men and women who belittle you, God, infatuated with cheap god-imitations. See how I hate those who hate you, God, see how I loathe all this godless arrogance; I hate it with pure, unadulterated hatred. Your enemies are my enemies!
Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life.
My Pastor challenged us last week in staff meeting with John 16:24- Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
When I talk to God, what am I asking Him for? What are my requests made up of? Am I seeking His will or just giving Him my wish list? Am I asking Him for my joy to be complete? It's challenging. Here are some other versions of this verse.
"This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I've revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he'll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!"~MSG
"You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy."~NLT
"You have not asked for anything in this way before, but now you must ask in my name. Then it will be given to you, so that you will be completely happy."~CEV
God wants us to be happy and to be filled with the joy only He can give. My focus needs to change from what I want to what He wants. Then my joy will be complete.
yesterday in staff meeting i learned something that i didn't know before. the pastor was sharing how baby eagles learn to fly. he said that when it's time the parent will stir the nest and cause them to fall out. as they are falling and trying to figure out how their wings work, the parent will fly down and catch the baby on its wings...not catching it with its feet because the talons would shred the baby to pieces. it was an interesting visual to me of how God carries us...how we soar on eagles wings. i found this article about the eagle online and i loved the explanation as well as the Biblical comparison.
Isaiah 40:28-31
The eagle is a symbol used many times in Scripture, in fact, it is mentioned 38 times throughout the Bible. We can learn some important lessons from this majestic creation of God. Eagles have a wing span of 2 meters and are around 90 cm. tall. The eagle mates for life and use the same nest for life. This nest is built in a safe place, often on the ledge of a sharp cliff. It is built to last and the largest nest reported is 9 ½ feet wide and 20 feet deep.
When the babies are born, both parents assume responsibility for their care. They are gentle parents, sitting on the eggs for one month. The parents bring food up to the nest and feed them small pieces of meat. Within 45 days they can weigh nearly 40 times their birth weight. At three months they get special feathers for flying and a new learning experience begins. ***The mother eagle flies into the nest and begins to thrash around causing a great commotion. Eventually one of the babies will fall out of the nest and begin heading for the earth below. Never having used his wings before, he's not really sure what to do, but does do lots of flapping while heading straight down! Just before the baby hits the ground, the mother eagle flies underneath in order to 'catch' the baby on her powerful wings and she flies him safely back to the nest. This continues on day after day until all the babies learn to fly.
There are two verses in scripture that actually mention this routine of the eagle. In Deuteronomy 32:10, 11 Moses reminds the children of Israel how God cared for them and guarded them just "like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions." Again in Exodus 19:4 God says that "He will carry the children of Israel on eagles' wings".
We can get very comfortable in our 'nest'. Perhaps that could be our way of doing things, our way of thinking, our opinions, our way of living life. Then when God comes and 'stirs up our nest' we get upset. We don't always identify this as a growing experience. Sometimes if we were really honest, we really don't want to grow. We get very complacent and satisfied with where we are and any interruptions are viewed as negative. But God wants us to fly - to become all that He intends us to become. He never stirs up our nest without good reason!
The eagle can see a rabbit two miles away. It can soar up to two miles above the ground and can fly at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. They have a separate eyelid which slides across the eye sideways in order to keep the eye clean and free from dust as they fly. Their bones are hollow and therefore light of frame. Their frame has cross ribs like steel bars in sky scrapers. The eagle has 7000 feathers. The back feathers are as long as the head feathers. Their beak is black until age of 3 years and then turns golden.
When eagles are about 30 years old they go through a renewal process.*** They find a secret place high in the mountains and begin to claw at their face and tear out the feathers that have been damaged over the years. As a result, it bleeds badly. But this is necessary for the eagle in order to renew its strength. If it did not do this it would not be able to live to its normal 40 years of age.
Psalms 103:5 says "who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles." A time of renewal is necessary for every child of God. A time when we get rid of what is weighing us down, holding us back, aging us spiritually. A time to give up the sinful habits, to give in to the Holy Spirit in whatever way He is convicting us. We need to do this even to the point of renewal with pain! Some things we hold on to so tightly that to let go, actually causes us pain. But in order to have the long, powerful, useful spiritual life that God plans for us, we need to do that. It will renew our spiritual youthfulness.
When the eagle is free to soar in God's creation, they are the cleanest of birds. They were created to be free and to soar to great heights. They were not meant to remain close to the earth in the lowlands. They were created to soar. When eagles are held in captivity, they become one of the dirtiest birds.
God has created us to remain pure and holy and conformed to his image. Don't allow the freedom we are to experience in Him, to be compromised by spending too much time in worldly thinking, activities, and mindsets. Remain clean!
Eagles do not fly like other birds; they don't flap their wings but rather soar. Flapping their wings would use incredible amounts of their own strength and endurance and they would require so much more food as fuel if they didn't soar. Instead they sit on a high ledge and wait for the right wind currents to come. When the time is right, they take off and soar upward. Effortlessly, because they have waited for the right time. There is a special 'up going' wind, that they ride as it circles higher and higher toward the sky.
What a lesson for God's children to learn. How often do we waste strength by jumping out too soon and 'flapping our wings', instead of waiting for God's timing? Waiting is not a popular concept in these days of instant everything! But when we wait on the Lord - wait for His timing - wait for His answers - wait for His direction, and then we can soar to new heights and fly to new places.
"Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles: they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint." Linda Ozirney http://www.bgc.ca
This past week at our church we had Vacation Bible School. It was a busy week and at times it was hard to focus on work. During the week, the kids learned different verses and Biblical truths that went along with the theme. VBS this year was Outrigger Island. They decorated the church like a Hawaiian island…it was fun to walk around and experience.
I remember the days of VBS when I was a child. Really the only thing I can remember is Kool Aid and cookies! But I know there were a lot of truths that I learned as a child that I cling to now as an adult. As I tried to focus on work this past week, I managed to hear the verses that were being shouted out by the eager children. Here is what they were taught:
Motto: Know the Truth Speak the Truth Live the Truth
Psalm 86:11 Teach me Your way, LORD,and I will live by Your truth.Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name.
Truth: God is real I know God is real. I can believe there is no other God. Isaiah 44:6b I am the first and I am the last. There is no God but Me.
Truth: Jesus is God’s Son I know Jesus is God’s Son. I can celebrate who He is. Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!"
Truth: Jesus is the only way I know that Jesus is the only way. I can confess Him as my Savior. John 14:6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Truth: The Bible is God’s word I know the Bible is God’s word. I can explore its truth. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness.
Truth: My actions show what I believe I know my actions show what I believe. I can stand for truth. Luke 10:27 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.
These principles may seem simple and basic to a lot of us who have known the Lord for a while but our faith is built on these principles that hold such power and truth! Let us not forget the foundation of our faith.
after yesterday, i went back and re-read some devotionals i had in my inbox. i found this one and it was just what i needed to hear. i hope it encourages you as well.
Sometimes struggle makes us aware of just how much we depend on God: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).
Whatever trouble we're going through, God is always with us. Paul himself was "perplexed" as to why he was suffering, but he knew that he could have faith (trust) in God. Since Jesus suffered, as followers of Jesus sometimes we too will sometimes suffer, for "no servant is greater than his master" (John 13:16). How great a promise God gives us that he will never abandon us!
What is troubling you today? Our natural instinct is to obsess over the "Why?" question. Instead, why not try to focus on the "What?" question: "What shall I do next?" And leave the rest to God, who is our refuge, gives us strength in times of trouble, and gave His life so we will live.
"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength"(Philippians 4:13).
i have a calendar at home that shows a scripture for each day of the year. this morning when i woke up i flipped the page and the passage was Psalm 8.
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:
all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
there are several songs that we sing today that refer to this passage. however, my favorite is "The Majesty and Glory of Your Name". i remember singing that when i was in choir at church many years ago and always getting teary when i sang it. it's such a beautiful song and the part when it goes into the hallelujahs, i just can't help but get emotional thinking about how we will be singing our hallelujahs to God when we see Him! please watch this incredible version of this song by Sandi Patty.
i love it when i wake up in the morning and a scripture or song lyric is on my mind. it really starts my day off in the right mindset and i thank the Lord for putting those things in my mind to dwell on.
this morning i woke up with a song. it is one i used to sing. the lyrics are simple but the message is profound.
it comes from Matthew 11:28-30 (Amplified Bible):
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]
Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.
For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.
think on that. Christ invites us to come to Him. He is the only one who can give real rest to our soul. why is it that when we are burdened with something we often leave Christ out of it. we try to do it or fix it on our own. we try to find the strength within ourselves first before we run to Him. i have such a great visual of Christ just waiting for us. i know when i was a little girl it was comforting for me to run to my mom or dad and crawl up in their lap to get a hug, a kiss and to hear that everything would be ok. i still run to my mom and dad; however, i can't sit on their lap anymore. : ) there is comfort in being loved and having the compassion of a parent. that is the same thing Christ wants to do for us. He is our Abba, our daddy.
let's run to our Abba Father and climb up in His lap for only the comfort He can give.
Come to me You who are weary I’ll give you rest I’ll give you rest
Come to me I’ll take your burden Come to me I will give you rest
For I am gentle And humble of heart Learn of me And you shall find peace Unto your soul
Come to me You who are weary I’ll give you rest I’ll give you rest
Come to me I’ll take your burden Come to me I will give you rest
Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. ~ Psalm 5:3 NLT
…those who hope in me will not be disappointed. ~ Isaiah 49:23 b TNIV
Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. The Scriptures give us strength to go on. They cheer us up and give us hope. ~ Romans 15:4 NIRV
