GOD'S WONDERFUL WORLD - JUNE 2011

Verse for the month: 'In the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water' - Isaiah 35:6, 7.

Verses reproduced below from the ESV (version of the Holy Bible):

1, Time, a precious talent (Psalm 90:12)

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

2, A cure for idleness (Romans 12:11)

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

3, God blesses givers (Proverbs 3:9, 10)

Honour the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

10) then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

4, An aroused conscience (1 Cor 15:34)

Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

5, Living for others (Acts 20:35)

In all things I have shown you that by working in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

6, Faithful in little things (Luke 19:17)

"And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.'

7, The source of all life (Ps 36:9)

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.

8, God's watch care (Ps 100:3)

Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

9, The great aim of life (Philippians 3:14)

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

10, One lease of life (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, "I have no pleasure in them";

11, Behind the scenes of life (Isaiah 42:16)

"And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them".

12, Live while you can (Eccl 9:10)

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.

13, Seeking heavenly treasure (Colossians 3:2)

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

14, Contentment (1 Timothy 6:6)

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment,

15, Light in the shadows (Lamentations 3:32, 33)

but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love;

33) for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men.

16, The road to happiness (Ps 100:4)

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name.

17, The proper perspective (Job 4:17)

Can mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his maker?

18, Thoughtfulness in the home (1 John 4:12)

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

19, Sing, and the world sings with you (Ps 40:3)

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.

20, The beauties of nature (Ps 111:2-4)

Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.

3) Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.

4) He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.

21, Peace and assurance (Isa 32:17)

And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.

22, Now is God's time (2 Cor 6:2)

For he says, "In a favourable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you."

23, Hope everlasting (1 Cor 15:19, 20)

If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

20) But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

24, Kindness the make of a Christian (Prov 31:26)

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

25, Say nothing to wound (1 Peter 3:10,11)

For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;

11) let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it".

26, Beyond tomorrow (1 Thessalonians 4:14)

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

27, Wrongs will be righted (Ps 37:9)

For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

28, Trust means security (Ps 112:6, 7)

For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever.

7) He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.

29, Fear not (Isa 43:1)

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine".

30, When eternal life begins (1 Jn 5:11, 12)

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12) Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

GOD'S WONDERFUL WORLD - MAY 2011

Verse of the month: He split open the rocks in the wilderness to give them water, as from a gushing spring (Psalm 78:15).

Full verses quoted from the ESV.

MAY 2011

1, True sorrow for sin (Acts 3:19)

Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.

2, Sincere confession necessary ( 1 John 1:9)

Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

3, The meaning of forgiveness (Micah 7:18)

Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.

4, Sons and daughters of God (John 1 :12)

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

5, Forgiven as we forgive (Matt 7:2)

For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

6, Restitution is required (Ezek 33:15)

If the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he taken by robbery, and walks in the statutes of life, not doing injustice, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

7, Come just as you are (Jer 13:23)

Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil.

8, A personal pardon (Ps 51:1)

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

9, Union with Christ (John 15:4)

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

10, Help for the poor in spirit (Matt 5:3)

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

11, A change of heart needed (John 3:3)

Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

12, Blessings on the humble man (Matt 18:2, 3)

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them

3) and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

13, A new life altogether (Eph 4:22-24)

to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,

23) and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,

24) and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

14, Holiness of life (Heb 12:14)

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

15, Strengthened by the Spirit (Eph 3:16)

that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

16, Transformation of character (Ps 17:15)

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

17, Our Lord's example (Rom 6:4)

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

18, "My beloved Son" (Matt 3:16, 17)

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens wereopened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him ;

17) and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

19, The first essential (John 3:5)

Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."

20, Our sins died with Christ (Rom 6:3)

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?"

21, We rise with Christ (Col 3:1)

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

22, Baptism, a symbol (Acts 22:16)

"And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name."

23, The Christian's marching orders (Matt 28:19)

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

24, Changed by beholding (2 Cor 3:18)

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

25, Taking up our cross (Luke 9:23)

And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

26, Developing good habits (Ps 119:101)

I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep you word.

27, Unashamed of Jesus (Rom 1:16)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

28, God works within us (Phil 2:13)

for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

29, Be careful when you sow (Gal 6:7)

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked , for whatever one sows , that will he also reap.

30, Don't get discouraged (Joshua 1:9)

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

31, A life insurance policy (2 Peter 1:10)

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fail.

GOD'S WONDERFUL WORLD - APRIL 2011

Verse of the month: The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come (Song of Solomon 2:12).

Complete verses quoted from the ESV.

APRIL 2011

1, The just shall live by faith (Col 2:6)

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,

2, Faith is the victory (1 John 5:4)

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.

3, Justified by His blood (Rom 5:9)

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

4, The sacrificial blood of Christ (1 Pet 18, 19)

knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,

19) but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

5, Peace through the Cross (Rom 8:1)

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

6, A perfect atonement (Rom 5:11)

More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

7, Saving power (Eph 2:8, 9)

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your doing; it is the gift of God,

9) not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

8, Praying for a larger experience (Ps 119:32)

I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!

9, Power in the blood (Eph 2:13)

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

10, Redemption and forgiveness (Eph 1:7)

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

11, Self-righteousness insufficient (Matt 5:20)

"For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven".

12, Filled with His righteousness (Matt 5:6)

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

13, Repentance, a gift (Acts 5:31)

God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

14, Obtained by faith (Rom 4:5)

And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

15, My guide and pilot (Ps 32:8)

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

16, The sinner's friend (Prov 18:24)

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

17, The saving power of Jesus (2 Cor 12:9)

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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

18, A wellspring of life (John4:14)

"but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

19, Clothed in His righteousness (Isa 61:10)

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exalt in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

20, Proving the will of God (Rom 12:2)

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

21, Faith in action (James 2:18)

But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

22, He bore our sins (Isa 53:5)

But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

23, A glorious substitution (Gal 3:13)

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us - for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"

24, Wonderful news (John 20:18)

Mary Magdelene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord" - and that he had said these things to her.

25, The work of a lifetime (John 17:19)

And for their sake I will consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

26, A hatred of sin (Heb 1:9)

"You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."

27, When I fall (1 John 2:1)

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

28, A test of character (Mal 3:3)

He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.

29, Affection from God (2 Peter 1:3)

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.

30, Joy and peace in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17)

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

GOD'S WONDERFUL WORLD - MARCH 2011

Verse of the month: "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matt 6:26).

Verses quoted in full from the ESV.

MARCH 2011

1, A purpose in everything (Esther 4:14)

For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

2, The Lord stood by me (2 Tim 4:16,17)

At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!

17) But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.

3, The perils of pride (Prov 16:18)

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

4, Guard against untruthfulness (Eph 6:14)

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

5, The God who delivers (Dan 3:17, 18)

"If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king".

6, Life or death? (Rom 6:23)

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

7, God will destroy the tormentor (Rom 16:20)

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

8, What God longs for (Deut 5:29)

"Oh that they had such a mind as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever".

9, The way of transgressors (Prov 13:15)

Good sense wins favour, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.

10, The way of truth (Ps 119:30, 31)

I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.

31) I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame!

11, Spiritual blessings (Eph 1:3, 4)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

4) even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blames before him. In love

12, God's unchanging plan (Gen 17:7)

And I will establish my covenant between me and you [Abraham] and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.

13, Man's inability to save himself (Gal 2:16)

yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

14, Promise of peace (John 14:27)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

15, You can depend on God (Ps 111:7, 8)

The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;

8) they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

16, I live by God's rules (Ps 119:35, 36)

Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.

36) Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!

17, Love as Christ loved (John 13:35)

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another".

18, In harmony with heaven (Ps 119:165)

Great peace have those love your law; nothing can make them stumble.

19, Lord, open my eyes (Ps 119:18)

Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.

20, Abiding in love (John 15:10)

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.

21, The responce to love (John 14:15)

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments".

22, Search for me (Jer 29:13, 14)

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart

14) I will be found by you declares the Lord and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

23, The unchanging God (James 1:17)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

24, Abundant grace (Rom 6:14)

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

25, The faith that works (Heb 11:6)

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

26, How faith is made perfect (James 2:17)

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

27, Praise Him (Eph 5:18, 19)

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

19) addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

28, Faith does not cancel obedience (Rom 3:31)

Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

29, The faith that God gives (Heb 11:1)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

30, How the gift of faith is given (Rom 10:17)

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

31, The good fight of faith (1 Tim 6:12)

Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.