The problem is that some of it is pretty close to my heart, and as much as I'd like to post it, I also don't want my blog to be my heart. I express myself better with pen and paper (or Microsoft Word and computer keys), and I like to record things so I'll remember them, but I don't want all of those things out on cyberspace.
So, for the New Year of 2011, I've decided to post a few verses that I've held very close throughout 2010. Read them carefully - I wish I could portray the same joy they give me to you in this post, but different words touch different people.
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Deuteronomy 4:7 ~ What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?"
I love the casual yet sincere feeling in this verse. And there may even be a hint of humor - after all, none of the other gods are real... :) But the best part is knowing that these words are true.
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1 Corinthians 10:13 ~ No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it.
I struggled with some very new temptations this year and this verse was a great comfort.
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Colossians 3:23-24 ~ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
We're working for the Lord! How exciting is that - our employer is the kindest, fairest, best, and probably most-well known in the entire world. So why wouldn't we want to work with all our hearts for Him?
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1 Peter 5:7 ~ Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Something I murmur to myself when I need to stop, take a deep breath, and...give God control.
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Isaiah 40:31 ~ [...] Those who hope in 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 be faint.
Oh. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful - almost makes me cry. Before this summer, this verse was just kind of there. It's something lots of people use to inspire others and its very well known among Christians. But what gave it new meaning for me was a scene in - very odd - Avatar! I'm not an Avatar fan, but this scene and this verse just go together so beautifully. Can you guess which one it is?
The world does not Hope in God. They are chained to the clifftop - which for the moment is safe. But we - we who do Hope in God - we're free to fly! We soar, we run, we walk - we have wings. When Neytiri is flying her dragon, and later when Jake is flying his, both of their joy at being airborne is just so overwhelming. That's how we should be when hoping in God. Have joy, friends! The clifftop won't always be safe.
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Romans 8:26 ~ We do not know how to pray worthily as sons of God, but his Spirit within us is actually praying for us in those agonizing longings which never find words.
To some, having an omniscient God may be a little frightening - but to me, it's encouraging. It's good to know I can't have anything to hide from him, and even better, to know that he understands my feelings. I don't always have to articulate what I'm trying to say in clumsy sentences. He knows.
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Ephesians 3:20-21 ~ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ever wonder why God doesn't do everything we want? It's 'cause He knows way more than we do! :) He sees the big picture and He's always working in us, even if we don't feel anything. He finds ways to accomplish His will that we could never have dreamed of. He can do the unthinkable. Isn't it comforting that the world doesn't go round on our own ideas? We would have crashed long ago.
To You be glory, Lord!
Amen.
Yours,
Ellyn
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1 Corinthians 10:13 ~ No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it.
I struggled with some very new temptations this year and this verse was a great comfort.
 |
---
Colossians 3:23-24 ~ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
We're working for the Lord! How exciting is that - our employer is the kindest, fairest, best, and probably most-well known in the entire world. So why wouldn't we want to work with all our hearts for Him?
---
1 Peter 5:7 ~ Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Something I murmur to myself when I need to stop, take a deep breath, and...give God control.
 |
---
Isaiah 40:31 ~ [...] Those who hope in 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 be faint.
Oh. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful - almost makes me cry. Before this summer, this verse was just kind of there. It's something lots of people use to inspire others and its very well known among Christians. But what gave it new meaning for me was a scene in - very odd - Avatar! I'm not an Avatar fan, but this scene and this verse just go together so beautifully. Can you guess which one it is?
 |
| not my image |
The world does not Hope in God. They are chained to the clifftop - which for the moment is safe. But we - we who do Hope in God - we're free to fly! We soar, we run, we walk - we have wings. When Neytiri is flying her dragon, and later when Jake is flying his, both of their joy at being airborne is just so overwhelming. That's how we should be when hoping in God. Have joy, friends! The clifftop won't always be safe.
 |
| not my image |
---
Romans 8:26 ~ We do not know how to pray worthily as sons of God, but his Spirit within us is actually praying for us in those agonizing longings which never find words.
To some, having an omniscient God may be a little frightening - but to me, it's encouraging. It's good to know I can't have anything to hide from him, and even better, to know that he understands my feelings. I don't always have to articulate what I'm trying to say in clumsy sentences. He knows.
---
Ephesians 3:20-21 ~ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ever wonder why God doesn't do everything we want? It's 'cause He knows way more than we do! :) He sees the big picture and He's always working in us, even if we don't feel anything. He finds ways to accomplish His will that we could never have dreamed of. He can do the unthinkable. Isn't it comforting that the world doesn't go round on our own ideas? We would have crashed long ago.
To You be glory, Lord!
Amen.
Yours,
Ellyn
6 comments:
1 Peters 5:7 is wonderful, A verse I also like and feel strengthened by is Job 42:2.
Those are very pretty pictures, Ellyn. :)
But I noticed a slight error in one of your bible verses. Romans 8:26 should be 1 Corinthians 10:13
Hope that helps. :)
I'm talking about the Romans 8:26 that says " No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it."
Not the second to last verse that says, "We do not know how to pray worthily as sons of God, but his Spirit within us is actually praying for us in those agonizing longings which never find words."
Again, I hope this helps. :)
Amen, Ellyn!!!!
Beautiful pictures, by the way. :)
~lily
Oops! Thanks Nela!
This truly made me cry. Our God is so awesome. SO awesome.
I love you, miss you, my friend!
~M
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