eyes

May God give us eyes to see

the beauty of His Word.

"Open my eyes that I may see

wonderful things in Your law."

Psalm 119:18 NIV

charm & beauty

May our heart's desire and greatest longings

be for those things that matter most.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

Proverbs 31:30 NIV

by God

We could read a thousand books about God,

but only one written by God.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,

rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped

for every good work."

2 Timothy 3:16 NIV

need to know

Everything we need to know is in the Bible.

"My purpose is that they may be

encouraged in heart and united in love,

so that they may have the full riches

of complete understanding,

in order that they may know the mystery of God,

namely Christ,

in whom are hidden all the treasures

of wisdom and knowledge."

Colossians 2:2-3 NIV

Christ in me

If someone were to knock on your heart's door,

who would answer?

"I have been crucified with Christ

and I no longer live,

but Christ lives in me."

Galatians 2:20 NIV

don't worry about it

Worry can ruin a perfectly good day.

"Do not fret--

it leads only to evil."

Psalm 37:8 NIV

philosophy 101

When it comes to philosophical insights,

choose those that go beyond the basics.

"See to it that no one takes you captive

through hollow and deceptive philosophy,

which depends on human tradition

and the basic principles of this world

rather than on Christ."

Colossians 2:8 NIV

sin & diabetes

Sin, for the Christian, is like candy for the diabetic--

it tastes good at first, but then it makes him sick.

"Let us throw off everything that hinders

and the sin that so easily entangles,

and let us run with perseverance

the race marked out for us."

Hebrews 12:1b NIV

hold fast

Hold on.

"But you are to hold fast

to the Lord your God,

as you have until now."

Joshua 23:8 NIV

foolish wisdom

Seeking wisdom, other than God's,

is not wise.

"For the wisdom of this world

is foolishness in God's sight.

As it is written:

'He catches the wise in their craftiness';

and again, 'The Lord knows

that the thoughts of the wise are futile.'"

1 Corinthians 3:19-20 NIV

sin

If you haven't sinned yet today,

thank God.

"I do not understand what I do.

For what I want to do I do not do,

but what I hate I do.

What a wretched man I am!

Who will rescue me from this body of death?

Thanks be to God--

through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

Romans 7:15, 24-25 NIV

waiting?

What are you waiting for?

"For the Lord himself

will come down from heaven,

with a loud command,

with the voice of the archangel

and with the trumpet call of God,

and the dead in Christ will rise first.

After that, we who are still alive and are left

will be caught up together with them in the clouds

to meet the Lord in the air.

And so we will be with the Lord forever."

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NIV

Also: Titus 2:11-14

dead people

God is still raising dead people.

"As for you, you were dead

in your transgressions and sins.

But because of his great love for us, God,

who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ

even when we were dead in transgressions--

it is by grace you have been saved."

Ephesians 2:1, 4-5 NIV

pray or stray

Don't stray. Pray.

"Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives,

and his disciples followed him.

On reaching the place, he said to them,

'Pray that you will not fall into temptation.'"

Luke 22:39-40 NIV

villagers

It takes a village,

a Christ-centered village.

"See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful,

unbelieving heart that turns away

from the living God.

But encourage one another daily,

as long as it is called Today,

so that none of you may be hardened

by sin's deceitfulness."

Hebrews 3:12-13 NIV

on weakness

Calling all weaklings!

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you,

for my power is made perfect in weakness.'

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly

about my weaknesses,

so that Christ's power may rest on me."

2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

nice

Be nice.

"A gentle answer turns away wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger."

Proverbs 15:1 NIV

knowledge

Knowledge is necessary,

but it's not enough.

"You believe that there is one God. Good!

Even the demons believe that--and shudder."

James 2:19 NIV

swing it

God gives the faith.

We swing the hammer.

"By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen,

in holy fear built an ark to save his family."

"Noah did everything just as God commanded him."

Hebrews 11:7a, Genesis 6:22a NIV