Category Archives: Scriptures

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Seven Scriptures to Remind Us that Jesus is the Real Reason for the Season…

Hello World,

I don’t know about you but December always seems to fly by…Between making Christmas lists, shopping with the masses, sending out Christmas greetings via e-mail or snail mail, going to Christmas parties and other events, preparing for the New Year and regular life stuff, it seems there is never enough time to do it all and so I almost look forward to January when life is back to its regular pace…

And if you noticed, I haven’t mentioned Jesus at all…That is because with all I have to or want to do, I can forget that the birth of Jesus, God’s precious gift to mankind, is the real reason for the season…And so to prepare my heart for this season and hopefully help you prepare your heart for this season too, I have decided to list seven scriptures that take the focus off of the worldly expressions of the Christmas season and help us to focus on Jesus…

1.  “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:23 I just love that Immanuel means “God with us.”  Jesus was born so that God could be with us…Remember that the next time you feel alone because you are not…God is with us!

2. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 Look how much we are loved by God! He sacrificed His one and only Son! What have we sacrificed for God lately? Something to remember and act on at this time of the year…

3. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 Every time I see Christmas lights, I’m going to remember that God is the father of heavenly lights and that every good and perfect gift is from Him…I’m feeling better about the Christmas season already…

4. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 Although we will never be free of sin this side of Heaven, we can still accept God’s gift of eternal life with Jesus Christ who helps us not to sin…

5. “…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…” 1 Peter 3:15 At some point during this Christmas season, we have to know that everyone around us does not know the real reason for the season…I hope I’m ready when the opportunity arises for me to tell somebody about my Lord and Savior…

6. “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4…Do  you want the desires of your heart? Of course 🙂 Then we have to delight ourselves in the Lord and His purposes…Now, this does not mean that we send up a list of what we want and then He delivers gifts like He is some Santa Claus in the sky…No, this verse means that mysteriously when we align ourselves with the Lord, His desires for us become our desires…and then we get the desires of our heart because they are His desires for us too…

7. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14…This time of the year especially I have to make every effort to give glory to God and live at peace with others…I wish those in government would remember that…

What helps you remember the real reason for the season? “Happy Birthday Jesus” by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir also reminds me that Jesus is the real reason for the season…

Any thoughts?

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Seven Surprising Scriptures That May Keep You From Getting Divorced…

Hello World,

If you know me, you may be wondering why I, a single woman (with a boyfriend), would be qualified to write a post about divorce prevention…Well, I submit this…What’s the best way to not get divorced? My answer: Not Marry The Wrong Guy…And that I have managed to do so read on…

Today’s post is dedicated to my fellow soon-to-be single sister Kim Kardashian, who as we all know by now, opted to file for divorce from NBA player Kris Humphries after a mere 72 days…But this isn’t her first divorce although her first ex-husband Damon Thomas, a music producer, was reported to file for divorce in this marriage…

The next time that Kim K. decides to get married (and I’m betting that she will since she really seems to want to be a wife), I suggest that she crack open a Bible…Reading these surprising scriptures will likely give her a new perspective on what to look for…

Everyone at some point has heard about 1 Corinthians 13 aka The Love Chapter or he that findeth a wife findeth a good thing or the be equally yoked verse.While these are great verses, they are used over and over again to help people select a mate…The Bible is full of other great but not as popular verses that just may surprise you…

  1. “Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.” Genesis 24:14  Maybe Kim should consider an arranged marriage (Read the whole chapter for the entire story)….Before you start rolling your eyes, just think about it…The divorce rate in this country should make all of us reconsider what constitutes marriage. Check out this interesting article “Marriage Around the World” on Oprah.com.
  2. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ” Romans 12:2 In the world of the Kardashians, it seems that only athletes (Bruce Jenner, Lamar Odom, Kris Humphries) or people somehow connected to Hollywood are suitable mates. Kim should try dating outside of her family’s type and maybe then she would be able to make a more informed decision about whom to marry…Dating outside of Hollywood via Match.com worked for Essence Atkins of TBS’ ‘Are We There Yet?’
  3. “Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14  It has been reported that Kim & Kris recently saw the pastor that married to help them get closure. I hope that Kim continues to seek guidance from a pastor or a therapist to help her sort through her issues in her failed marriages. If you are the common denominator in a pattern, then you must address it…And she is in Tyler Perry’s new movie “The Marriage Counselor!”
  4. “So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.” Genesis 29:20 From various conversations I’ve had with men and personal experience, I’ve learned that men respect you more when they work to get your love. Kim & Kris met, married & will divorce in just over a year…Maybe if Kim had let Kris work for her love for a long while, she may have discovered that he just wasn’t The One…
  5. “His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my lover, this my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.” Song of Solomon 5:16 I think your husband should be your lover and your friend…Being someone’s lover can happen automatically, but being a friend takes time…From what I’ve read, Kim eloped in her first marriage when she was just 19 years old suggesting an impulsive pattern that just isn’t working for her… patience is a virtue…
  6. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 Maybe Kim should take a break from dating and develop her relationship with God first. Maybe if she seeks God first instead of a mate, He may bless her with a mate that is beyond her wildest dreams…They say the right one typically shows up when you’re not looking…
  7. “Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am.” 1 Corinthians 7:18 This verse brings me back to my original point. The best way to prevent divorce is to not get married…After all, marriage ain’t for erebody…Just ask Halle Berry…

Do you have any advice for Kim? Comment and let me know…

Any thoughts?

 P.S. I hope I don’t sound mean…what do you think?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Seven Scriptures to Inspire Resilience During Tough Times…

Hello World,

From “Occupy Wall Street” to the divorces of friends, 2011 has shaped up to be a year of change – and not necessarily good change for a lot of our fellow travelers on this earth…Having experienced some tough times in my own life, I’ve learned to consult the Word of God to inspire me and give me the courage to face my life daily when it seems easier to keep the covers over my head and sleep all my troubles away…

1. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28  This verse is my absolute favorite verse in the entire Bible because in this verse God promises that He is working together all of my circumstances (good or bad) for my good. The only caveat is that we must love Him first…

2. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. ” Proverbs 3:5-6. It is so tempting to try and figure out why certain things have happened to us, but I have learned in some situations that it is pointless to endlessly ruminate. Instead, it is more powerful and ultimately sane to trust that we are walking on an God-ordained path, a path that only He knows where it will lead…

3. “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18 I remember when someone first told me that I should give thanks to God for all things – even bad things…I was like, “Yeah right. I should give thanks to God for being fired from my job, not being able to pay my mortgage and not having enough money to fix my car.” But I did what I was advised to do, and it really helped me. When we give thanks to God for all of circumstances, we acknowledge His sovereignty. And God has shown me over and over again that He is more than able to work it all out…

4.  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 I have learned that God is always with me so I don’t have to succumb to terror and discouragement! Instead, I can focus on the strength and courage that God will give to me if I only ask…

5. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.” Psalm 23:6 This is God’s promise that goodness and mercy will permeate all the days of our lives – no matter what it looks like now…

6. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 Sometimes, just some cold, hard cash would go a long way in solving our problems. I have discovered that the Lord will provide for all of our needs – even financial – when it is needed. I remember a time when I was in between jobs, and a close friend paid my mortgage that month!

7. “…Weeping may endure for a night. But joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5. There is no doubt about it. No one is immune from tough times. But tough times don’t last forever! Joy will come in the morning!

I hope these verses inspire you to be resilient as they have inspired me! The Bible is filled with Good News if we would only crack it open…Also, sometimes God speaks through other good books…Check out “Where Will You Go From Here? Moving Forward When Life Doesn’t Go As Planned,” by certified personal and executive coach Valorie Burton. (Incidentally, I interviewed her for my book.)

Also, please also take a look on my new interview series “Resilience & the Bible” which includes:

Resilience & the Bible: How to Use Scriptures to Bounce Back From – Rebellious Teenagers

Resilience & the Bible: How to Use Scriptures to Bounce Back From – Losing Your Home

Resilience & the Bible: How to Use Scriptures to Bounce Back From – Losing Your Voice

Resilience & the Bible: How to Use Scriptures to Bounce Back From – Racism & Prejudice

Resilience & the Bible: How to Use Scriptures to Bounce Back From – Domestic Violence & Divorce

Resilience & the Bible: How to Use Scriptures to Bounce Back From – Stiff Person Syndrome

Any thoughts?

My favorite gospel song that inspires resilience…”This Battle is Not Yours” by Yolanda Adams…I got to meet her someday and thank her personally for this song because it has me blessed me sooo much over the years…