John 15:7

John 15:7 ~ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

I thought this verse was a good one to go along with Psalm 119:11. It was a reminder to me that no matter what, we must keep reading God's word and praying to Him. Even when our present circumstances aren't going the way we want, if we are abiding in God, they will work together for good.

If we abide in God, our desires will be concentric with His will, which is why God can promise that we can ask what we desire and it will be done. That's about all the thoughts I have for this verse, but I hope it encourages you today :)

Only You

“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side,
When men rose up against us,
Then they would have swallowed us alive,
When their wrath was kindled against us;
Then the waters would have overwhelmed us,
The stream would have gone over our soul;
Then the swollen waters
Would have gone over our soul.”
~Psalm 124:2-3

"Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep."
~Psalm 127:1-2

I have been reading through Psalms in my devotions, and these two passages caught my eye. I know that we hear all the time, "Only the Lord can truly satisfy." But these two passages really convicted me that not only is He the only One who satisfies, He is the only One who makes anything worthwhile. Unless our goal is to glorify God, and unless He is the one we look to for help, we will lose the battle we are fighting, even if it seems like we are winning for a little while.

That is the beautiful thing about being a Christian! We already know that we're on the winning team! God has already promised that He will have the final victory! So from now on, I am going to try to remember to only trust in God as my leader. No matter how many earthly leaders I have, I ultimately answer only to God!

Worry

I know Caroline has done a post on worry before couple of times but I don't think I have... (: Worry have been a problem for me over the past year. I worry about school, soccer, piano, church, etc. I know that God tells us not to worry or be anxious about anything but, in my flesh, I still do. There is no reason you can come up with that is a good enough reason to worry. God is always watching out for us and will never give us more than we can handle. I want to challenge you to not worry about anything but give thanks to God in everything. Have a great day!

Philippians 4:6 ~ " do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. "

2 Timothy 2:22

2 Timothy 2:22~ Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. I hadn't thought about this verse in awhile until a few days ago. I don't remember what I was struggling with, but the phrase "flee the evil desires of youth" came to mind. It reminded me that even though I am a technically a "youth," I don't have to surrender to youthful desires. Christ has given me the strength to overcome these. Instead, I am supposed to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. This reminded me of the book Do Hard Things. As teens, we can surpass society's expectations for us. We do not have to be a slave to youthful lusts. But, unless we trust Christ to help us overcome them, we cannot do it. I hope this encourages you to overcome youthful lusts and pursue things like righteousness, faith, love, and peace!

When Trials Come

Some people like talking about their trials. Some people like to keep it to themselves. Some people just like to go to their happy place and pretend that they don't have any trials. Now I'm not saying that if you aren't going through a trial right now that you are crazy. What I am saying is that if you are truly a Christian and you are trying to follow Christ, you will have trials and if you don't have one now be sure there will be more to come. So far all I've managed to do is basically put you all down in the dumps because you're either crazy or you have problems but if you keep reading it will get better. I promise! Since we are going to have trials, where do we get comfort? Where can we get strength? Where will we find help? The answer to all these questions is the Bible. Now that's a pretty broad answer so let's narrow it down a little bit.

We're gonna start out with Hebrews 13:5. It says, "Keep your like free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."" Now the first part of this verse is important but when you're reading it I want you right now to focus on the last part of it. Now let's move on to our second verse. It is in Deuteronomy chapter 31 verse 6. It says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." Again He states that He will never leave you. When you are in the middle of a trial I want you to remember these verses. They will hopefully help you get through your trial.

*I sort of combined this post with another I was going to do about God never leaving you but I think I covered that subject pretty well with this post. I hope this encourages you. I have other verses to go along with this lesson but I think it would be a good Bible study for you to do especially if you're going through a trial currently.

Scripture Memorization

This is kind of a repeat of what I have said before, but I think it is very important. In the last post, I talked about Psalm 119:11 (to see this post, go to our January 2011 archives). One part of Psalm 119:11 is hiding God's Word in our hearts. One way to do this is to memorize certain verses that talk about things you are struggling with. For example, some areas I struggle with are my tongue and worrying. So, I wrote down Ephesians 4:29 for the tongue and Philippians 4:6-7 for worrying. I memorized these verses so that they will (hopefully) come to mind at times when I struggle with these things.
One thing about memorizing verses, though, is that it can get legalistic. If you focus just on memorizing them but don't do it for the right reasons, it won't help. I will confess, I won an award in my 5th and 6th grade for memorizing all the verses I was supposed to (I don't remember how many it was, but it was a lot. I memorized enough verses/passages to do one every week for two years.). Unfortunately, I don't remember all of them. Actually, I probably forgot most of them. It's not enough to memorize them and forget them. We must meditate on them day and night (Psalm 119:97).
I am trying to get better at focusing on God's Word, because it really gives us everything we ever need. It tells us how to live, gives us God's message to us, etc. We never need anything else. When I think about, I think of how poorly I have done at meditating on it. We spend plenty of time studying our literature for English class, but not near enough reading God's Word. I hope this post encourages and helps you!

Psalm 119:11

This post is slightly (or very:)) delayed, because I should have done a post on Psalm 119:11 as an introduction post to our blog. I didn't think about that back then though, but, looking back, I am glad. I just heard a really good message preached on Psalm 119:11 and now, I can do a post on it in a whole new light. I wouldn't have been able to do this back then, so I guess it all worked out.
Psalm 119:11 is about knowing why we do what we do. We need to do the right things, but we cannot do that unless we have studied God's Word to know what those things are. We must know the right things that we should do, and the wrong things that we shouldn't do. You can't just do something because your pastor said to. You need to look in God's Word to find biblical truth that supports everything you do. We will have to answer to God for everything that we ever did.
Also, when we read the Bible and hide it in our hearts, it will constantly be in our thoughts. When we read it enough, we will think of what God says there, and put it into practice in our lives. Unfortunately, we will never be perfect this side of Heaven, but reading God's Word will help us to sin less and fulfill God's purpose for our lives.
How much we read God's Word shouldn't be determined by what someone else says. We should be reading it a lot, but when and how much you should read God's Word is between you and Him. There is no certain plan you have to follow, just do what God is leading you to do.
This post is kinda jumbled up, but I hope it gave you encouragement to read God's Word and learn from it!

Proverbs 25:11 ~ Apples of Gold

Proverbs 25:11~A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

I came across this verse as I was reading my Bible the other day. It really made me think. Do my words usually hurt others or build them up? Sadly, lots of times, the answer is the former. While I don't usually say unkind things about others to their face, I am very bad at gossiping. I found this quote in a devotional in one of my Bibles: "If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary's love." (Amy Carmichael) That quote really hit me. Not only should I not talk unkindly about others, I shouldn't think any unkind thoughts about them either!

I really liked this verse because it told me something helpful about kind words. They are like apples of gold. But, these words must be fitly spoken. They must help others and build them up. This really made me want to have the words that I say called "apples of gold." I will be praying that God will help me to speak "apples of gold." I hope that this post encourages you to do the same!

Psalm 119:9-11

Psalm 119:11~ How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against thee.

I really like these verses because they tell me how I can live a pure life. Verse 11 is the title of this blog for a reason. It tells us that we must hide God's Word in our heart. We need to memorize it and meditate on it. Let it govern every area of our lives. This is sometimes hard to do. Most of the time, when I need to make a decision, I don't think, "What does God's Word say about this?" I think, "What choice would most benefit me and my life?" These verses have really convicted me to make biblical decisions and live according to God's Word. I hope these verses help you too!!!

1 Timothy 4:12

1 Timothy 4:12~ Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
This verse has impacted my life a lot. It is sometimes really hard to recognize that I have a responsibility to be an example to others. This world's culture just tells us teenagers that we don't really have to do anything, that we are expected to be lazy and mess up. But God's Word tells us differently. We need to be an example to others. Just because we're young doesn't mean that we can't exercise good judgement and show others what being a Christian is all about. I really recommend reading Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris. It has really changed my life and the way I think about things. The Lord has showed me that I can and should be an example to others. I hope this encourages you as much as it does me!!!

James

James

• "We should be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
• Perfect=Mature
• We need to be mature. Act your age.
• Age and knowledge are not good indicators of who is mature and who is not.

Mature

• Self-control (1:2)
• Positive (Joy)(1:14)
• Accepting others (2:8)
• Consistent (2:17)
• Watch what you say (3:2)
• Wise (3:17)
• Humility (4:10)
• Connected (5:16)
• Hear (1:19)
• Doer (1:22)
• Bridle you tongue (1:26)
• Caring for others (1:27)
• Stay clean (1:17)

Romans 5:1-9

A couple months ago I did a short little Bible study with one of my friends from church. We went thru Romans 5:1-9. Here are the things we came up with. I thought I would share them with ya'll! Have a great day!!:)

• vs. 1 - We've been saved thru faith and we are at peace with God. (not at war)
• vs. 2 - We gained access into Heaven thru His grace and faith, we rejoice in that hope and glory of God.
• vs. 3 - Connected to vs.4 and vs. 5 we should rejoice in our suffering, it produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope doesn't put us to shame. (The Holy Spirit gives us hope)
• vs. 6 - God cared enough about us to die on the cross for us even before we got saved. (We were weak sinners)
• vs. 7 - Being willing to die for people who are unsaved. (and saved)
• vs. 8 - (connected to vs. 6) God cared about us even when we were still sinners.
• vs. 9 - We are justified by His blood and saved from the wrath of God. (hell)

Philippians 4:6&7

Philippians 4:6& 7~ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

These verses are really hard for me to obey. I worry A LOT!!!! I always want everything to go perfect. I always worry that something will go wrong: I'll get a bad grade, have a problem with a friend, I worry about pretty much everything. But this verse says that I shouldn't! It says that I should tell God my requests and I will have His peace in my heart. Lately, I have tried not to worry, and it is really amazing what a difference it makes. I just trust that Christ will take care of me, and He does. I don't need to worry about what happens to me, because Christ is sovereign and whatever happens is His will. I hope these verses help you as much as they help me!!!!

Philippians 2:3-4

Philippians 2:3-4~Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
This is a verse that has really impacted my life and thinking. It shows that we need to follow Christ's example and respond to others in humility. Even though Christ is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, He was a very humble Person. He even washed His disciples' feet.
Pride is one of the biggest issues I struggle with. I don't like getting outside my comfort zone, or telling others something that will make them think less of me. That's why this blog has been such a great thing for me. I've been able to kind of open up about the things I struggle with and be honest with people. I've been able to recognize that everyone struggles with something. It will be better for me if I open up about my problems so that others can help me and pray for me, as I do likewise for them. It does no good to hold up things inside of you that will eventually come out. We need to tell others so that they will no who we really are and they can help us.
Jesus set a great example for us. He had a right to be proud. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and He died to save the entire human race. But, instead of being proud, He responded in humility. How much more humble should we be, being the sinners that we are? God has really helped me to have less pride, but I still have a longggggggg way to go! I have been praying that God will help me to be humble like Him and be a good testimony to others!!

1 John ~ Part 1

I have started going thru 1 John. I want to go thru every verse and break it down so we can fully understand it. I hope this helps you and makes sense!



The Incarnate Word (vs.1-4)

• We know that ever since the beginning the Bible was legitimate.


• We should proclaim The Words of Life so that others may rejoice in the fellowship of Jesus Christ.


• We should do all those things so our joy may be complete.

God Is Light (vs. 5-10)

• God is the light and in Him there is no darkness.
• We shouldn't act like we're perfect and still live in sin...we should really be living for Christ all the time.
• We should walk in the light and be cleansed with the blood of Jesus Christ.
• Don't say, " I have no sin". You are only deceiving yourselves and we have no truth.
• vs. 9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
• We should always have the Word of God with us.

Philippians 4:8

Philippians 4:8~ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.

This is one of my favorite verses(notice it's in the address for our blog. Breanna's favorite verse is Matthew 19:26). I think it tells a lot about what we as Christians should focus on. If something doesn't fall under one of these 8 categories, we shouldn't be thinking about it. That's a big challenge. But how do we focus on these things and keep the wrong things out of our minds? I think part of the answer is in Psalm 119:9-11:How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. In order to think about the right things, we must meditate on them. And since we know that God's word is true, noble, etc.(in fact, it's the ultimate Truth), it's a good thing to meditate on. We need to be in God's Word constantly. I think it's so important to read and meditate on God's Word daily. The more you read His Holy Word, the more you will find yourself thinking about it and living your life in light of it. Let's all try to spend more time in God's Word this summer rather than watching TV, playing video games, listening to iPods, etc. (I've really struggled with this over summer break!!).
Note: I'll be on vacation at the beach next week and I'm not sure whether I have Internet access, so if I don't post anything, that's why.

Psalm 73:25

Psalm 73:25- Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth I desire besides You.
I came across this verse today and it was just a reminder that even when we feel like we need earthly pleasures to be happy, our only true happiness comes from God. He can supply all our needs and give us the desires of our heart!!