anger vs. love

Anger is easy.

Love is always worth the effort.

"Love is...

not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs."

1 Corinthians 13:4a,5b

possibilities

Is anything too difficult for God?

No. Not one thing.

Jesus looked at them and said,

"With man this is impossible,

but with God all things are possible."

Jesus looked at them and said,

"With man this is impossible, but not with God;

all things are possible with God."

"For nothing is impossible with God."

Matthew 19:26, Mark 10:27, Luke 1:37 NIV

steps

We are most content,

when we keep in step with God,

rather than trying to keep up

with someone else.

"The steps of a man

are established by the Lord,

when he delights in his way."

Psalm 37:23 ESV

voices

Out of all the people in the world,

God recognizes your voice.

"In my distress I called to the Lord;

I cried to my God for help.

From His temple He heard my voice;

my cry came before Him, into His ears."

Psalm 18:6 NIV

Merry Christmas

May our celebrations begin, middle, and end

with Jesus our Savior.

"And the angel said to them,

'Fear not, for behold,

I bring you good news of great joy

that will be for all people.

For unto you is born this day

in the city of David a Savior,

who is Christ the Lord.'"

Luke 2:10-11 ESV

searching for happiness

After all our searching elsewhere, we will find,

no happiness compares with the joy

that is ours in Christ.

"Rejoice in the Lord always.

I will say it again: Rejoice!"

Philippians 4:4 NIV

can't sleep?

Sleepless nights can be very beneficial.

"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;

even at night my heart instructs me."

Psalm 16:7 NIV

on value

The value of an item is determined

by the price a person will pay for it.

Imagine how much God values you.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave

His only Son, that whoever believes in Him

should not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16 ESV

Christmas joy

Jesus...

the joy of Christmas.

"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him;

and even though you do not see Him now,

you believe in Him and are filled with

an inexpressible and glorious joy,

for you are receiving the goal of your faith,

the salvation of your souls."

1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV

don't give up

There are times when we don't know

if the thing we desire and are praying for

is part of God's plan--

so we keep on praying until we do.

"Then Jesus told His disciples a parable

to show them that they should always pray

and not give up."

Luke 18:1 NIV

God with us

Courage happens when we realize,

not only are we with God,

but God is with us!

"When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

when you walk through fire

you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...

Fear not, for I am with you."

Isaiah 43:2-3a, 5a ESV

no fear

Fearlessness has always been a requirement

for the followers of Christ.

"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.

It is the Lord who goes before you.

He will be with you,

He will not leave you or forsake you.

Do not fear or be dismayed."

Deuteronomy 31:6, 8 ESV

prayer work

When someone asks us to pray,

God is already at work,

and for some wonderful mysterious reason

He is letting us in on His labors.

"Continue steadfastly in prayer,

being watchful in it with thanksgiving."

Colossians 4:2 ESV

darkness & dawn

No matter how dark the day,

God promises a brighter tomorrow.

"The path of the righteous

is like the first gleam of dawn,

shining ever brighter

till the full light of day."

Proverbs 4:18 NIV

still watching

God still watches over His children--

every moment of every day.

"The Lord your God has blessed you

in all the work of your hands.

He has watched over your journey

through this vast desert.

These forty years the Lord your God

has been with you,

and you have not lacked anything."

Deuteronomy 2:7 NIV

the path

God has a unique path marked out

for each one of us;

comparisons are not beneficial.

When Peter saw (John), he asked,

"Lord, what about him?"

Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive

until I return, what is that to you? You follow me."

John 21:21-22 NIV

see?

Faith sees God.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

and certain of what we do not see.

And without faith it is impossible to please God,

because anyone who comes to Him

must believe that He exists and that He

rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

Hebrews 11:1, 6 NIV

pavement

Thankfulness paves the way

to everything that matters.

"He who sacrifices thank offerings honors Me,

and he prepares the way

so that I may show him

the salvation of God."

Psalm 50:23 NIV

longings & Jesus

Every Christmas longing

is met in the One whose birth we celebrate--

Jesus our Savior!

"And the angel said to them,

'Fear not, for behold,

I bring you good news of great joy

that will be for all people.

For unto you is born this day

in the city of David a Savior,

who is Christ the Lord.'"

Luke 2:10-11 ESV

wisdom of thankfulness

Wise people are thankful people.

"Be careful, then, how you live--

not as unwise but as wise,

making the most of every opportunity...

always giving thanks

to God the Father for everything,

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Ephesians 5:15-16, 20 NIV

on our value

We can trust the One

who ordains every detail,

and determines every step.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?

And not one of them will fall to the ground

apart from your Father.

But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.

Fear not, therefore; you are of more value

than many sparrows."

Matthew 10:29-31 ESV

new mercy

God doesn't expect us to survive

on yesterday's blessings;

He showers us with new mercies

every single day.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

His mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is Your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

satisfaction guaranteed

It's not our responsibility

to help people find fulfillment apart from God;

the best we can do

is point them to the source of ours.

"Because Your love is better than life,

my lips will glorify You.

My soul will be satisfied

as with the richest of foods."

Psalm 63:3, 5a NIV

bye-bye blues

One day depression will vanish;

sadness will be unheard of

in the hearts of the children of God.

"But only the redeemed will walk there,

and the ransomed of the Lord will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;

everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee away."

Isaiah 35:9b-10 NIV