I recently found a note I had written in my journal that I had written way in the middle of my book. I left blank pages in-between from where I had left off writing down verses and thoughts for some reason. This is what I found I had written down: There are three thought questions to ask oneself about how God has spoken to you from God’s word. The three questions to ask yourself are:
- What verse sustains you?
- What verse echoes your praise of thanksgiving to God?
- What verse reminds you God will work it all out?
These are three great questions to ask oneself when reading a section or passage in the Bible when studying God’s word on your own. Or when reviewing verses that you want to remember.
I gathered up my stack of Bible verses that I have written down on four by six cards. These are verses that God has used to speak to me in some specific way throughout the last several years of my life. I want to remember each one, so I have written them down on a card, so that I can remind myself and carry them with me to refresh my heart and mind with the promises from God.
I have now worked at labeling three separate buckets to store my cards with verses written on them, with those three labelled headings.
I challenge you to make your organized list from these three titles that speak of God sustaining – comforting, strengthening, supporting, encouraging, and uplifting you. Then which verses reflect and echoes your thankfulness and praise back to God? We know God will work all things out for our good, but what verses tell you that? Here are a few of mine to share:
What verse sustains you?
Psalm 54:4: “Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.”
Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 10:35-36: “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”
What verse echoes your praise of thanksgiving to God?
Ephesians 3:20: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.”
Psalm 145:1-3: “I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.”
Ephesians 5:20: “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
What verse reminds you God will work it all out?
Proverbs 29:25: “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.”
Psalm 41:1 (NIV): “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.”
Romans 8:27-28: “And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Priscilla Shirer, in one of her books, gave me the idea of writing down the date, next to a verse that God has used to speak to me, besides underlining or highlighting it with a yellow highlighter marker. Putting a date next to the verse helps to be a future reminder of God’s power in His word. Seeing a date will bring back a visual memory, when our eyes came across a verse that God has spoken peace to us, or comfort, or has delivered a challenge at a time when we needed to hear His voice. As Psalm 33:4 declares: “For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.”
Now it is your turn. Start your own organized list with these headings. Do you have more verses under one category more than the other two? I just realized my bucket that now holds – God sustains is pretty even with what verses remind you – God will work it out. But, the bucket labelled – Echoes my praise of thanksgiving to God is less in number of cards, than the other two. I need to fix that. It shows me that I need to spend more time expressing gratitude to my Heavenly Father for all that He has done for me. I need to remember to speak words of praise and thanksgiving to God, when I get up in the morning, go about my day, and then review again when I go to bed at night. I need to verbalize my gratefulness for God’s protection, power, majesty, justice, holiness, mercy, goodness, and steadfast love.
Yes, God will sustain you.
Yes, God will work it all out.
Yes, echo your praises from scripture, to God.
My prayer for today: God, you are so faithful, merciful, and gracious. Your words lift me up when I fall. You are always right there walking beside me. Only lasting peace, joy, and true satisfaction comes from you. I love that You keep astounding me! God, You are mighty. You will fulfill my desires in your perfect plan that you have for me. I praise you for your kindness, compassion, grace, mercy, patience, and unconditional love. Fill me with your presence throughout my day. I will extol you, my God and king, and bless your name forever and ever. There are no boundaries to your greatness. I am calming my mind right now in order to meditate on the glorious splendor of your majesty and wondrous works. My heart sings aloud of your righteousness. I give you praise! Amen.
Listen to the Newsboys song: “I Am Committed.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0Tn_r-XYWw