Tag Archives: Friday Verse Journal

Friday Verse Journal: Colossians 3:15

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Thankful for….

Thankful for a glorious new day;

Thankful for the sun and the rain.

Thankful for the blue sky and the clouds;

Also, when the sun rises and gently goes down.

Thankful for the mountains, the meadows,

And the hills covered with emerald jeweled forests.

Also for the rippling lakes and rumbling oceans where

In the grain-sifting sand, my feet can sink and rest.

Thankful for the twittering birds of the air

and for butterflies fluttering here and there.

Thankful for close friends and family;

Thankful for the holidays when we meet

And the lifetime of cherished memories.

Thankful for their encouragement and their words

And the sweet moments locked forever in my heart.

Thankful for God, our Heavenly Father

Who reigns above forever and ever

And who so did love man

That he authored a lasting plan

To save us from our sins and from

Our many worldly and selfish whims.

Thankful for how God gives life purpose

For each new day with his mission; his focus.

Thankful for Jesus, His Son, and my Savior

And the hope he gives for an eternal future.

Thankful for the Lord who is always listening

And generously showers us with his blessings.

Thankful for the night when I can rest and sleep

Knowing Jesus is lovingly watching over me.

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts to which indeed

you were called… And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15 (Holy Bible ESV)

Friday Verse Journal Matthew 6:25-27

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“Do not worry,”

The Lord quietly told me.

“Remember I am God, the Lord Almighty.

Do not worry,”

The Lord comforted the spirit within me,

“and I am your friend for eternity.

“Do not worry,”

The Lord continued to comfort me,

“and do not fear the darkness in the eve

When the sun drops below the distant trees

And the night dawns darkening the vast sky

While you try to sleep until the morning light.

I will stay in your heart and forever by your side;

And I am always with you as your life guide.

So do not worry

When rain and clouds are all you see.

As you awake peering out the window

And see in dismay what you fear most.

Remember instead and do not fear

I am with you; I am here.

Focus on now; focus on today

Lean on me as I lead you the way.

Do not worry about tomorrow

Or be troubled and filled with sorrow.

Let me walk with you and be your friend

Today, and every tomorrow into everlasting.”

Matthew 6:25-27 (Holy Bible New International Version):

“Therefore do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothes?  And 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? Can any one  of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

Friday Verse Journal Romans 8:28

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The Dilemma of the Black Eyed Susan

I used to travel along an old field road

Journeying contentedly and all alone.

My sneaker clad or sandaled feet

Followed a sandy lane to the rows of trees.

The grass was olive green as I passed the hay

And acres of corn along the way.

But the favorite sight that caused me to pause and sigh

Were the yellow daisies with deep, black eyes.

There was something special, something unique

About the black-eyed Susan’s slender physique

Other daisies grew there, I had no doubt

As yellow and white, they dotted my route.

But this daisy was different, I thought with a sigh

While contemplating about the flower with a black eye.

It stood tall and alone in the grassy field

Wanting to be noticed, but with timidity remained concealed.

Oh, that lemon tinted bloom with a black eye

Waving in the wind, beneath the summer sunshine.

What hidden tenderness you softly convey

On this hazy and warm summer day

You dare to be different from the rest

You determine to remain alone and not impress

Anyone else who this way may wander

Nor cause them to pause and internally ponder.

But when I wander by; when I pass through,

I silently notice you, standing erect and true.

You do not bend to the grass or weeds

You’re not apt to follow another’s lead.

Instead you remain poised and pointing to the sky

Where the loving Lord lives and watches on high.

You don’t mind remaining forever alone

Until you wilt and your short life here is done.

You know and accept your part, for God has a plan;

A purpose for you and for us all. If I could just understand

If I could just be truly content and be sure

Knowing that in Jesus, my life is indeed safe and secure.

For I have asked Jesus to live forever in my heart

And he has dwelled in me promising to never depart.

But I don’t comprehend everything; I don’t know God’s entire plan

So I wander aimlessly from one day to the next seeking to understand.

But somehow I know just to remain content and steadfastly true

Remembering God’s love endures forever for me and for you.

That is good enough for you to know, the Lord seems to gently say

The answer of the blacked eyed Susan’s dilemma is to just faithfully stay;

Remain still knowing that God’s love is forever, eternally, the same

For today, tomorrow, and for all of your yesterdays which already came.

Romans 8:28 (Holy Bible New International Version):

“And we know that in all things God works for the good for those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

A Black-eyed Susan in Ohio

Friday Verse Journal Luke 10:27

 

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I know I am writing this a few days late but I still felt a desire to do so. Here is another image compliment of the Stellarium App on my kindle fire. These are two nebulas near each other and are known as the heart and soul nebula. It is amazing how much beauty God has created in our world and in the universe. He is so infinite that there is no end to his wisdom, his creativity, his beauty, and his love. God loves each of us so much that he sent his only son Jesus to die for us on the cross to take away our sins. He wants us, in return to believe in him through his son and to love him with all our beings. And only God’s faithfulness and love lasts forever.  Like the amazing beauty, I sometimes find around me, I am awestruck by God’s amazing and wondrous love. And all’s he wants from me is to love him back wholeheartedly.

Luke 10:27 (Holy Bible New International Version):

…”Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.”

Friday Verse Journal Psalms 8:3-4

 

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Oops, one day late again but I felt a deep desire to make an entry in my Friday Verse Journal. One of the things that I so enjoy doing is gazing at the night time sky but I must admit with a very cold winter upon us, I don’t feel like standing outside for very long at all. However with the help of the Stellarium app on my kindle fire, I have been able to capture some images with my camera phone without ever leaving my house. The Stellarium app helps me to find and identify planets, a variety of stars, nebulas, and even galaxies. I have had a lot of fun using it. Also while doing so, I am reminded how small and very tiny I am in this humongous universe. I am so thankful to realize that God is so loving and so mindful of me.

Psalms 8:3-4 (Holy Bible New International Version):

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them? Human beings that you care for them?”

Friday Verse Journal Philippians 4:4-5

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For a February day in Minnesota, today was warm, sunny, and beautiful. I made it a special point to go out and enjoy it. I walked to the nearby recreation center and then backtracked to the post office to pick up my mail. Winter is not over yet but amid the cold, bitter days God will bless us with some warm days that remind me of spring. I even glance around hoping to see green grass growing and lo, I did see a hint of green embedded in the grayish brown grass blades. And when God sends such a sign of hope through the bright warm sun and that tiny hint of new grass, I try to make it  a point to relish those special moments as a way of showing thankfulness to God for all he has done.  Every day and in many special ways, God shows me his love and his gentleness. Today I am rejoicing in that and in the hope that God’s gentle love also reaches others through me in what I say and do.  It is my hope today that you also are touched by God’s gentle love and can rejoice in that.

Philippians 4:4-5 (Holy Bible New International Version): 

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I’ll say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”

Friday Verse Journal Matthew 6:21

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Although this is one day late, I am determined to write something in my Friday Verse Journal segment. The other day I happened to stop for a quick lunch before returning to work. I sat in my car in the parking debating if I should splurge on a small lunch. I had just decided that I shouldn’t do so when I looked around the parking lot and saw a familiar car. A friend I hadn’t seen in a long time was there. Immediately, I changed my mind and ventured into the restaurant. I ordered a meal and soon found my friend at a small table. We had a wonderful time of chatting, sharing, and encouraging each other. Her friendship and kindness are very special gifts to me and I treasure them very much. I think such special friends are just a few of God’s wonderful gifts which he showers on me. The loving Lord has a way of suddenly surprising me during the day when I sometimes least expect it and that was the case when I unexpectedly met up with my friend. God knew I needed someone to talk to and provided. He truly does supply all my needs and blesses me with wonderful gifts and blessings. I hope that has showered you with a special gift today, something that you will treasure in your heart.

Matthew 6:21 (Holy Bible New International Version):

“For where your treasure is, there  your heart will be also.”

Friday Verse Journal Jeremiah 29:11-13

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God keeps proving over and over again that he loves me and wants me to keep loving and trusting in him. Today he provided for me when faced with several unexpected situations at work. I needed to change my schedule around making a number of adjustments. My work day started and ended completely different than I had anticipated. I had my mind firmly set on one path but the Lord directed me along a very different route. Instead of being like a straight and direct highway, my days are more like a winding, bending river and I don’t were i will finish the journey before my work is done. It was a long and tiring day but also one full of opportunities in showing love and kindness. I was out all day meeting and helping people when I expected to be in the office working on  admin tasks. When God answers my prayers and displays his love to me, I know he wants me to turn around and show that same compassion to others. In the job I have, I am able to do some of that every day. God is so good!

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (New International Version):

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Friday Verse Journal Colossians 2:6-7

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Through prayer, contemplation, and in my daily faith walk with Jesus, I am continually being revived and renewed by the Spirit. That is when I do take the time to just be with Jesus; to just be still and remember he is God. And then just let his cherished words seep inside of my heart and spirit. I have also been recently reminded through my personal Bible study to not let others judge me. Some judge and draw inaccurate conclusions without taking time to understand and I have see this a lot recently. It is very hurtful but there is no point to try to explain to some because I can tell they are just set on what they believe.

For my part, I am trying my best to do what I believe God is teaching me through my personal study, sermons, daily endurance, and the wisdom of other believers. Along with that I am being challenged to continue on a Thankfulness Journey which I have embarked on even when trouble brews and precious plans go awry.  On the other hand, God has shown me love and gentleness through the love, kindness, and generosity of others. Due to a recent blizzard for instance, a loving family took me into their home providing warm shelter and warm meals when I could not safely travel home. Therefore, God gives me plenty of reasons to remain thankful.

Again, this is two days late, but I am being determined not let another obstacle get in my way of posting a new verse for this week. As I have said, I am making a determined effort to continue with the attitude of thankfulness in my mind, soul and heart.

Colossians 2:6-7 (Holy Bible English Standard Version):

“Therefore, as your received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”