Thursday, December 31, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Challenge Day 31, Ephesians 4:1-3

Ephesians 4:1-3New Life Version (NLV)

Full-Grown Christians

I am being held in prison because of working for the Lord. I ask you from my heart to live and work the way the Lord expected you to live and work. Live and work without pride. Be gentle and kind. Do not be hard on others. Let love keep you from doing that. Work hard to live together as one by the help of the Holy Spirit. Then there will be peace.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Challenge Day 30, Titus 3:3-7

Titus 3:3-7New Life Version (NLV)

God Saved Us from All These Things

There was a time when we were foolish and did not obey. We were fooled in many ways. Strong desires held us in their power. We wanted only to please ourselves. We wanted what others had and were angry when we could not have them. We hated others and they hated us.
But God, the One Who saves, showed how kind He was and how He loved us by saving us from the punishment of sin. It was not because we worked to be right with God. It was because of His loving-kindness that He washed our sins away. At the same time He gave us new life when the Holy Spirit came into our lives. God gave the Holy Spirit to fill our lives through Jesus Christ, the One Who saves. Because of this, we are made right with God by His loving-favor. Now we can have life that lasts forever as He has promised.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Challenge Day 29, James 1:16-18

James 1:16-18New Life Version (NLV)
16 My Christian brothers, do not be fooled about this. 17 Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God. He is the One Who made all light. He does not change. No shadow is made by His turning. 18 He gave us our new lives through the truth of His Word only because He wanted to. We are the first children in His family.

Monday, December 28, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Challenge Days 25-28 :)

Day 25, Luke 2:17-20

Luke 2:17-20New Life Version (NLV)
17 When they saw the Child, they told what the angel said about Him. 18 All who heard it were surprised at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary hid all these words in her heart. She thought about them much. 20 The shepherds went back full of joy. They thanked God for all they had heard and seen. It happened as the angel had told them.

Day 26, Galatians 4:4-7

Galatians 4:4-7New Life Version (NLV)
But at the right time, God sent His Son. A woman gave birth to Him under the Law. This all happened so He could buy with His blood and make free all those who were held by the Law. Then we might become the sons of God. Because you are the sons of God, He has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. The Spirit cries, “Father!” So now you are no longer a servant who is owned by someone. You are a son. If you are a son, then you will receive what God has promised through Christ.

Day 27, Philippians 2:5-8

Philippians 2:5-8New Life Version (NLV)

Christ Was Not Proud

Think as Christ Jesus thought. Jesus has always been as God is. But He did not hold to His rights as God. He put aside everything that belonged to Him and made Himself the same as a servant who is owned by someone. He became human by being born as a man. After He became a man, He gave up His important place and obeyed by dying on a cross.

Day 28, Philippians 2:9-11

Philippians 2:9-11New Life Version (NLV)
Because of this, God lifted Jesus high above everything else. He gave Him a name that is greater than any other name. 10 So when the name of Jesus is spoken, everyone in heaven and on earth and under the earth will bow down before Him. 11 And every tongue will say Jesus Christ is Lord. Everyone will give honor to God the Father.


I unplugged for a few wonderful days to be present with my family :) I highly recommend it!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you!

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Challenge Day 24, Luke 2: 13-16 Merry Christmas Eve!

Luke 2:13-16New Life Version (NLV)
13 At once many angels from heaven were seen, along with the angel, giving thanks to God. They were saying, 14 “Greatness and honor to our God in the highest heaven and peace on earth among men who please Him.”

The Shepherds Go to Bethlehem

15 The angels went from the shepherds back to heaven. The shepherds said to each other, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see what has happened. The Lord has told us about this.” 16 They went fast and found Mary and Joseph. They found the Baby lying in a place where cattle are fed.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Challenge Day 23, Luke 2:8-12

Luke 2:8-12New Life Version (NLV)

The Shepherds Learn of the Birth of Jesus

In the same country there were shepherds in the fields. They were watching their flocks of sheep at night. The angel of the Lord came to them. The shining-greatness of the Lord shone around them. They were very much afraid. 10 The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. See! I bring you good news of great joy which is for all people. 11 Today, One Who saves from the punishment of sin has been born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. 12 There will be something special for you to see. This is the way you will know Him. You will find the Baby with cloth around Him, lying in a place where cattle are fed.”

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Challenge Day 22, Luke 2:4-7

Luke 2:4-7New Life Version (NLV)
Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in the country of Galilee to the town of Bethlehem. It was known as the city of David. He went there because he was from the family of David. Joseph went to have his and Mary’s names written in the books of the nation. Mary was his promised wife and soon to become a mother.
While they were there in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to give birth to her baby. Her first son was born. She put cloth around Him and laid Him in a place where cattle are fed. There was no room for them in the place where people stay for the night.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Challenge Day 21, Luke 1:50-56

Luke 1:50-56New Life Version (NLV)
50 The loving-kindness of the Lord is given to the people of all times who honor Him. 51 He has done powerful works with His arm. He has divided from each other those who have pride in their hearts. 52 He has taken rulers down from their thrones. He has put those who are in a place that is not important to a place that is important. 53 He has filled those who are hungry with good things. He has sent the rich people away with nothing. 54 He has helped Israel His servant. This was done to remember His loving-kindness. 55 He promised He would do this to our early fathers and to Abraham and to his family forever.” 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months. Then she went to her own home.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Challenge Day 20, Luke 1:46-50

Luke 1:46-50New Life Version (NLV)

Mary’s Song of Thanks

46 Then Mary said, “My heart sings with thanks for my Lord. 47 And my spirit is happy in God, the One Who saves from the punishment of sin. 48 The Lord has looked on me, His servant-girl and one who is not important. But from now on all people will honor me. 49 He Who is powerful has done great things for me. His name is holy. 50 The loving-kindness of the Lord is given to the people of all times who honor Him.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Challenge Day 19, Luke 1:35-38

Luke 1:35-38New Life Version (NLV)
35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you. The power of the Most High will cover you. The holy Child you give birth to will be called the Son of God.
36 “See, your cousin Elizabeth, as old as she is, is going to give birth to a child. She was not able to have children before, but now she is in her sixth month. 37 For God can do all things.” 38 Then Mary said, “I am willing to be used of the Lord. Let it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel went away from her.

Friday, December 18, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Challenge Day 18, Luke 1:30-34

Luke 1:30-34New Life Version (NLV)
30 The angel said to her, “Mary, do not be afraid. You have found favor with God. 31 See! You are to become a mother and have a Son. You are to give Him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the place where His early father David sat. 33 He will be King over the family of Jacob forever and His nation will have no end.”
34 Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen? I have never had a man.”

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Challenge Day 17, Luke 1:26-29

Luke 1:26-29New Life Version (NLV)

Gabriel Speaks to Mary

26 Six months after Elizabeth knew she was to become a mother, Gabriel was sent from God to Nazareth. Nazareth was a town in the country of Galilee. 27 He went to a woman who had never had a man. Her name was Mary. She was promised in marriage to a man named Joseph. Joseph was of the family of David. 28 The angel came to her and said, “You are honored very much. You are a favored woman. The Lord is with you. *You are chosen from among many women.”
29 When she saw the angel, she was troubled at his words. She thought about what had been said.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Challenge Day 16; Matthew 2:7-12

Matthew 2:7-12New Life Version (NLV)
Then Herod had a secret meeting with the men who learned things from stars. He asked them about what time the star had been seen. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and find the young Child. When you find Him, let me know. Then I can go and worship Him also.”
After the king had spoken, they went on their way. The star they had seen in the East went before them. It came and stopped over the place where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with much joy.
11 They went into the house and found the young Child with Mary, His mother. Then they got down before Him and worshiped Him. They opened their bags of riches and gave Him gifts of gold and perfume and spices. 12 Then God spoke to them in a dream. He told them not to go back to Herod. So they went to their own country by another road.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Challenge Day 15, Matthew 2:1-6

Matthew 2:1-6New Life Version (NLV)

Wise Men Visit the Young Child Jesus

Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in the country of Judea. It was the time when Herod was king of that part of the country. Soon after Jesus was born, some wise men who learned things from stars came to Jerusalem from the East. They asked, “Where is the King of the Jews Who has been born? We have seen His star in the East. We have come to worship Him.”
King Herod heard this. He and all the people of Jerusalem were worried. He called together all the religious leaders of the Jews and the teachers of the Law. Herod asked them where Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea. The early preacher wrote, ‘You, Bethlehem of Judah, are not the least of the leaders of Judah. Out of you will come a King Who will lead My people the Jews.’”

Monday, December 14, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Days 13 & 14 :)




Day 13 (Sunday)

Matthew 1:18-20New Life Version (NLV)

The Birth of Jesus

18 The birth of Jesus Christ was like this: Mary His mother had been promised in marriage to Joseph. Before they were married, it was learned that she was to have a baby by the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph was her promised husband. He was a good man and did not want to make it hard for Mary in front of people. He thought it would be good to break the promised marriage without people knowing it. 20 While he was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She is to become a mother by the Holy Spirit.







Day 14 (Monday)
Matthew 1:21-25New Life Version (NLV)
21 A Son will be born to her. You will give Him the name Jesus because He will save His people from the punishment of their sins.”
22 This happened as the Lord said it would happen through the early preacher. 23 He said, “The young woman, who has never had a man, will give birth to a Son. They will give Him the name Immanuel. This means God with us.” 24 Joseph awoke from his sleep. He did what the angel of the Lord told him to do. He took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have her, as a husband has a wife, until she gave birth to a Son. Joseph gave Him the name Jesus.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Day 12, Malachi 3:1-3

Malachi 3:1-3New Life Version (NLV)

The One to Come

“See, I am going to send one with news, and he will make the way ready before Me. Then all at once the Lord you are looking for will come to His house. The one with the news of the agreement, whom you desire, is coming,” says the Lord of All. “But who can live through the day of His coming? Who can stand when He shows Himself? For He is like a fire for making gold pure, and like a strong cleaner. He will sit as one who melts silver and makes it pure. He will make the sons of Levi pure. He will make them pure like gold and silver, so that they may bring the right gifts to the Lord.

Friday, December 11, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Day 11, Psalm 95:1-7

Psalm 95:1-7New Life Version (NLV)

A Song of Praise

95 Come, let us sing with joy to the Lord. Let us sing loud with joy to the rock Who saves us. Let us come before Him giving thanks. Let us make a sound of joy to Him with songs. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. The deep places of the earth are in His hand. And the tops of the mountains belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it. And His hands made the dry land.
Come, let us bow down in worship. Let us get down on our knees before the Lord Who made us. For He is our God. And we are the people of His field, and the sheep of His hand. If you hear His voice today,

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Day 10, Psalm 72:15-20

Psalm 72:15-20New Life Version (NLV)
15 He will live, and the gold of Sheba will be given to Him. Prayer will be given for Him all the time. Let them honor Him all day long.
16 May there be much grain in the land on top of the mountains. May its fruit grow like the trees of Lebanon. And may those of the city grow like the grass of the earth. 17 May His name last forever. May His name become bigger as long as the sun shines. And let men respect themselves through Him. Let all nations honor Him.
18 Honor and thanks be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who alone does great things. 19 And honor be to His great name forever. May the whole earth be filled with His shining-greatness. Let it be so.
20 The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.


A perfect reminder of where my praise should be....

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Day 9 :)

Isaiah 11:1-5New Life Version (NLV)

Peace through the One from the Family of Jesse

11 Then One will come from the family of Jesse. A branch will grow out of his roots. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of wise words and strength, the spirit of much learning and the fear of the Lord. He will be glad in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what His eyes see, or decide by what His ears hear. But He will judge the poor in a right and good way. He will be fair in what He decides for the people of the earth who have much trouble. He will punish the earth with His powerful mouth, and kill the sinful with the breath of His lips. He will wear a belt of what is right and good and faithful around His body.
 
This was supposed to be Day 3 :), but I missed it and added to the rotation today. These verses remind me of how my life should reflect Christ and how I should watch my judgment of others....

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Christmas Verse writing day 8, Psalm 72:8-14

Psalm 72:8-14New Life Version (NLV)
May he also rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. Those who live in the desert will put their faces to the ground before Him. And those who hate Him will kiss the dust. 10 Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring gifts. Let the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts. 11 Yes, let all kings fall down at His feet, and all nations serve Him.
12 For He will take out of trouble the one in need when he cries for help, and the poor man who has no one to help. 13 He will have loving-pity on the weak and those in need. He will save the lives of those in need. 14 He will take them from the bad power that is held over them and from being hurt. Their blood will be of much worth in His eyes.


Honest engine here, I got a little ahead of the template because I copied half it while almost asleep :) BUT I'm showing myself some grace and will forge ahead!
Have a great Tuesday!

Monday, December 7, 2015

Christmas Verse Writing Challenge...the last 3 days :)

I took a break from the internet for the weekend :) Here are the last 3 days (Saturday to Today)


Saturday 12/5
Isaiah 11:6-10New International Version (NIV)
The wolf will live with the lamb,
    the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling[a] together;
    and a little child will lead them.
The cow will feed with the bear,
    their young will lie down together,
    and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
    and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
They will neither harm nor destroy
    on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea.
10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.
 
Sunday 12/6
Jeremiah 33:14-16New International Version (NIV)
14 “‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.
15 “‘In those days and at that time
    I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line;
    he will do what is just and right in the land.
16 In those days Judah will be saved
    and Jerusalem will live in safety.
This is the name by which it[a] will be called:
    The Lord Our Righteous Savior.’
 
 
 
Monday 12/7
Psalm 72:1-7New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 72

Of Solomon.

Endow the king with your justice, O God,
    the royal son with your righteousness.
May he judge your people in righteousness,
    your afflicted ones with justice.
May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,
    the hills the fruit of righteousness.
May he defend the afflicted among the people
    and save the children of the needy;
    may he crush the oppressor.
May he endure[a] as long as the sun,
    as long as the moon, through all generations.
May he be like rain falling on a mown field,
    like showers watering the earth.
In his days may the righteous flourish
    and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.
 
 

Friday, December 4, 2015

Christmas 31 Day Scripture writing Day 4, Isaiah 52:7-10

Isaiah 52:7-10New Life Version (NLV)
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who tells of peace and brings good news of happiness, who tells of saving power, and says to Zion, “Your God rules!” Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices. They call out together for joy, for they will see with their own eyes the return of the Lord to Zion. Break out together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem. For the Lord has comforted His people. He has saved Jerusalem. 10 The Lord has shown His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, that all the ends of the earth may see that our God saves.

Take a little time this morning to really reflect on the goodness of God. As this year draws to a close, think of what He has done.

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Christmas 31 Day scripture writing Day 3 :) Isaiah 11:1-5

Isaiah 11:1-5New Life Version (NLV)

Peace through the One from the Family of Jesse

11 Then One will come from the family of Jesse. A branch will grow out of his roots. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of wise words and strength, the spirit of much learning and the fear of the Lord. He will be glad in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what His eyes see, or decide by what His ears hear. But He will judge the poor in a right and good way. He will be fair in what He decides for the people of the earth who have much trouble. He will punish the earth with His powerful mouth, and kill the sinful with the breath of His lips. He will wear a belt of what is right and good and faithful around His body.
 
Challenge yourself you write out the verses each day and spend just a few minutes listening....that's the key ;)

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Christmas 31 day scripture writing challenge, day 1&2

Hello Lovelies!

I was challenged to expand on my daily Bible reading by following a plan of verses that points us to the true meaning of the season by a dear friend on Instagram (@strongforapurpose).
The challenge is simple: read the verses each day AND copy them into your journal. This has been proven to help with verses stick and give them a bit of an anchor in your heart. I'm taking it a step further by copying them here as well :)
So, get a pen and journal ready and let's enter into the Lord's presence with expectancy!

Day 1:
Isaiah 7:14-17New Life Version (NLV)
14 So the Lord Himself will give you a special thing to see: A young woman, who has never had a man, will give birth to a son. She will give Him the name Immanuel. 15 He will eat milk and honey when He knows enough to have nothing to do with wrong-doing and chooses good. 16 For before the boy knows to turn away from what is bad and choose good, the land whose two kings you are afraid of will be left empty.” 17 The Lord will bring upon you and your people and your father’s house such days as have never come since the day that Ephraim was divided from Judah. He is going to bring the king of Assyria on you.

Day 2:

Isaiah 9:6-7New Life Version (NLV)
For to us a Child will be born. To us a Son will be given. And the rule of the nations will be on His shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Teacher, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to His rule and His peace, upon the throne of David and over his nation. He will build it to last and keep it strong with what is right and fair and good from that time and forever. The work of the Lord of All will do this.


My own personal goal this coming year is to live more audaciously than ever before and drink fully of God's great grace. All too often I find myself saying "when" as He pours into me because it requires change. This coming year, I embrace the fullness of God and say "YES!" with enthusiasm.