Refuge

My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul.
They are like jewels on a necklace.
They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble.
You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.
You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes
upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security.
He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Praise the Lord!
For he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

The Lord gives his people strength.


Proverbs 3:21-26 (New Living Translation)
Psalm 34:8 (New Living Translation)
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (New International Version, ©2011)
Colossians 3:15 (New Living Translation)
Psalm 28:6-8 (New Living Translation)

Healing

You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress.

He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.
Yet it was our sicknesses he carried;
it was our diseases that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!

When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”

Praise the Lord!
How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting!
He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.

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 which path to take.
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.

“Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”

Psalm 59:9 (NLT)
Isaiah 53:3-4 (NLT)
John 5:6,8 (NLT)
Psalm 147:1,3 (NLT)
Proverbs 3:5-8 (NLT)
John 5:8 (NLT)

Distressed

The angel of the Lord appeared … and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!”

“Sir,” …“if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?

Then the Lord …said, “Go with the strength you have…”

“But Lord,…how can I…?...I am the least in my entire family!”

The Lord said …, “I will be with you…”

Seek His will in all you do,
and He will show you which path to take.

Companions, as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don't squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us.

God reminds us,
I heard your call in the nick of time;
The day you needed me, I was there to help.

The smallness you feel comes from within you.
Your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way.
I'm speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection.
Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!

And now, isn't it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God?
You're more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible.

He stands up for those who are beaten down.
He gives food to hungry people.
The Lord sets prisoners free.
The Lord gives sight to those who are blind.
The Lord lifts up those who feel helpless.
The Lord loves those who do what is right.
The Lord watches over the outsiders who live in our land.
He takes good care of children whose fathers have died.
He also takes good care of widows.
But he causes evil people to fail
in everything they do.
The Lord rules forever.
The God of Zion will rule for all time to come.

Praise the Lord!



Judges 6:11-16 (NLT)
Proverbs 3:6 (NLT)
2 Corinthians 6:1, 13 (MSG)
2 Corinthians 7:11 (MSG)
Psalm 146:7-10 (NIRV)

Lord

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.


(Lord) Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.

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.

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.

So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”

Proverbs 3:5 (NLT)
Psalm 143:8 (NLT)
Psalm 23:1-3 (NLT)
Psalm 139:1-4 (NLT)
Hebrews 13:6 (NIV)

Trust

Don't overlook the obvious here, friends.

With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change.

He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

All your works praise you, LORD;
your faithful people extol you.
They tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,
so that all people may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises
and faithful in all he does.

You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Trust in the Lord always,
for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength!


2 Peter 3:9 (MSG)
John 15:2 (NLT)
Psalm 25:9 (NIV)
Psalm 145:10-13 (NIV)
Isaiah 26:3-4 (NLT)
Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

Peace

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.

You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy!

Romans 8:28 (NLT)
Philippians 4:19 (MSG)
John 16:33 (NLT)
John 16:22 (NIV)

Pathways

‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’
As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
(So) The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall,
for the Lord holds them by the hand.
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.”
What a God!
His road stretches straight and smooth.
Every God-direction is road-tested.
Everyone who runs toward him makes it.
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 which path to take.
Just think—you don't need a thing, you've got it all!
All God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale.
And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus.
God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus.
He will never give up on you.
Never forget that.


Acts 17:28 (NIV)
Psalm 37:23-24 (NLT)
Psalm 18:30 (MSG)
Psalm 32:8 (NLT)
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
1 Corinthians 1:9 (MSG)