The Word

Words are kind of my thing. I dig words. And I love to be inspired. So, I have always enjoyed a good quote when I see one. I've been jotting them down as I hear them for many years now. I've even been known to display a pleasing fortune cookie fortune from time to time.

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But in the past few years, I have spent much more time studying God's living Word — the Bible — and have been exposed to a whole new world of quotable words. Let me first say, however, that I don't simply view the Bible as a collection of nice, inspirational quotes — that's certainly not what I'm implying. It's important to take into context how these words are used and to study and reflect upon the true intention behind them.

Nevertheless, posting some of my favorite scripture tidbits has helped to keep God's Word in front of me, in plain sight, on a daily basis. And, because I love words so much, I have a lot of little sticky notes laying around — too many to contain solely on my refrigerator and small bulletin board — so I decided to jot them down here, as a collection to be reflected on at leisure.

I believe that God reveals the words (His Word) that He needs me to hear, when He needs me to hear them. So, this collection will continue to grow over time, there's no doubt. But for now, here are several of my favorite scripture verses (all taken from the NIV) that have crossed my consciousness so far. Enjoy!

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Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
— Proverbs 3:5
(One verse that I fall back on time and time again. This is faith.)


Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18


Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.
— Proverbs 16:32
(Patience. Control. Kindness. Peace. These are things I struggle with regularly. This verse is a great reminder.)


[...] make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
— 2 Peter 1:5-7


Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
— Colossians 3:23
(This one hangs above my washing machine. Smile.)


For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
— 1 Corinthians 1:18


But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve [...] But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
— Joshua 24:15


Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.
— 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
(See this post where I was reminded, thanks to this verse, that my body deserves to be treated kindly. It is God's gift to me and I should not neglect it.)


For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.
— Ephesians 2:8
(I did nothing to deserve God's grace. Nothing.)


She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
— Proverbs 31:27
(The wife of noble character)


Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?
— Galatians 1:10


[...] The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
— Galatians 5:6
(This one just says it ALL for me!)


Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
— James 1:22
(DO! what. it. says.)


In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
— James 2:17


The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
— Luke 6:45
(A reminder to keep my tongue in check. Spread love, not hatred.)


Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
— Psalm 25:4-5
(This is my daily prayer.)


But who am I... that [I] should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
— 1 Chronicles 29:14
(That I might GIVE...generously!)