Andy's Inspiration Box

“God is God. Because he is God, He is worthy of my trust and obedience. I will find rest nowhere but in His holy will that is unspeakably beyond my largest notions of what he is up to.”   ―  Elisabeth Elliot

Jeremiah 18:1-6 New International Version (NIV) At the Potter’s House 18  This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the  Lord :   2  “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.”   3  So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel.   4  But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. 5  Then the word of the  Lord  came to me.   6  He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the  Lord . “Like clay  in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand... *Photograph copyright R. Harriott 2012

Hebrews 7:18-28 New Living Translation (NLT) 18  Yes, the old requirement about the priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless.   19  For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20  This new system was established with a solemn oath. Aaron’s descendants became priests without such an oath,   21  but there was an oath regarding Jesus. For God said to him, “The  Lord  has taken an oath and will not break his vow:      ‘You are a priest forever.’” [ a ] 22  Because of this oath, Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God. 23  There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office.   24  But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever.   25  Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God throug...

Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart   trust ed in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.

Psalm 46 New King James Version (NKJV) God the Refuge of His People and Conqueror of the Nations 46  God  is  our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2  Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3  Though  its waters roar  and  be troubled, Though  the mountains shake with its swelling.  Selah 4  There is  a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy  place  of the tabernacle of the Most High. 5  God  is  in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. 6  The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. 7  The  Lord  of hosts  is  with us; The God of Jacob  is  our refuge.  Selah 8  Come, behold the works of the  Lord , Who has...

“This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness.”   ―  Elisabeth Elliot

"The sun always shines above the clouds." - Paul. F. Davis "Clouds symbolise the veils that shroud God." - Honore De Balzec Exodus 19:9 And the Lord said to Moses, "I will come to you in a thick  cloud  and speak to you. The people will hear me speaking with you and will always trust you. *Photograph copyright R. Harriott 2012

"It is not for thee, my soul to know the times and seasons which the Father hath put in His own power; wait thou only upon God; let thy expectation be from Him... Faith is only possible when we are on God's plan, and stand on God's promise. It is useless to pray for increased faith until we have fulfilled the conditions of faith. It is useless to waste time in regrets and tears over the failures which are due to our unbelief... Faith is as natural to right conditions of soul as a flower is to a plant. Ascertain your place in God's plan, and get on to it. Feed on God's promises. When each of these conditions is realised, faith comes of itself; and there is absolutely nothing which is impossible." -   Rev F. B . Meyer   (Springs In The Valley).

Colossians 1:24-29 New International Version (NIV) 24  Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.  25  I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—  26  the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.  27  To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.   28  He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.  29  To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

2 Corinthians 12:6-10 New Living Translation (NLT) 6  If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message,   7  even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8  Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.   9  Each time he said,  “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”  So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10  That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

1 John 3:1-3 Good News Translation (GNT) 1   See how much the Father has loved us! His love is so great that we are called God's children—and so, in fact, we are. This is why the world does not know us: it has not known God. 2  My dear friends, we are now God's children, but it is not yet clear what we shall become. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he really is. 3  Everyone who has this hope in Christ keeps himself pure, just as Christ is pure.

Deuteronomy 7:7-9 New King James Version (NKJV) 7  The  Lord  did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples;  8  but because the  Lord  loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the  Lord  has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9  “Therefore know that the  Lord  your God, He  is  God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments...

Psalm 91:1-16 Good News Translation (GNT) Whoever goes to the Lord for safety,       whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty,   2 can say to him,               You are my defender and protector.       You are my God; in you I trust.     3 He will keep you safe from all hidden dangers       and from all deadly diseases.   4 He will cover you with his wings;       you will be safe in his care;       his faithfulness will protect and defend you.   5 You need not fear any dangers at night       or sudden attacks during the day      6 or the plagues that strike in the dark       or the evils that kill in daylight.   7 A thousand ...

2 Timothy 1:11-14 Good News Translation (GNT)   11 God has appointed me as an apostle and teacher to proclaim the Good News, 12 and it is for this reason that I suffer these things. But I am still full of confidence, because I know whom I have trusted, and I am sure that he is able to keep safe until that Day what he has entrusted to me. [ a ] 13 Hold firmly to the true words that I taught you, as the example for you to follow, and remain in the faith and love that are ours in union with Christ Jesus. 14 Through the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, keep the good things that have been entrusted to you.

Psalm 146 New Living Translation (NLT) 1  Praise the  Lord ! Let all that I am praise the  Lord . 2       I will praise the  Lord  as long as I live.      I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath. 3  Don’t put your confidence in powerful people;      there is no help for you there. 4  When they breathe their last, they return to the earth,      and all their plans die with them. 5  But joyful are those who have the God of Israel [ a ]  as their helper,      whose hope is in the  Lord  their God. 6  He made heaven and earth,      the sea, and everything in them.      He keeps every promise forever. 7  He gives justice to the oppressed      and food to the hungry. The  Lord  frees the prisoners. 8     ...

Philippians 4:13 New King James Version (NKJV)   I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Acts 1:6-8 New International Version (NIV)   6  Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”   7  He said to them:  “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.   8  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Romans 9:17-26 New Century Version (NCV) 17  The Scripture says to the king of Egypt: "I made you king for this reason: to show my power in you so that my name will be talked about in all the earth." 18  So God shows mercy where he wants to show mercy, and he makes stubborn the people he wants to make stubborn.   19  So one of you will ask me: "Then why does God blame us for our sins? Who can fight his will?" 20  You are only human, and human beings have no right to question God. An object should not ask the person who made it, "Why did you make me like this?" 21  The potter can make anything he wants to make. He can use the same clay to make one thing for special use and another thing for daily use.   22  It is the same way with God. He wanted to show his anger and to let people see his power. But he patiently stayed with those people he was angry with—people who were made ready to be destroyed. 23  He waited with patience so tha...

2 Timothy 2:20-26 New Century Version (NCV)   20  In a large house there are not only things made of gold and silver, but also things made of wood and clay. Some things are used for special purposes, and others are made for ordinary jobs. 21  All who make themselves clean from evil will be used for special purposes. They will be made holy, useful to the Master, ready to do any good work.   22  But run away from the evil desires of youth. Try hard to live right and to have faith, love, and peace, together with those who trust in the Lord from pure hearts.  23  Stay away from foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they grow into quarrels. 24  And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, a good teacher, and patient. 25  The Lord's servant must gently teach those who disagree. Then maybe God will let them change their minds so they can accept the truth. 26  And they may wake up and escape from ...

Psalm 29 New Living Translation (NLT) A psalm of David. 1  Honor the  Lord , you heavenly beings [ a ] ;      honor the  Lord  for his glory and strength. 2  Honor the  Lord  for the glory of his name.      Worship the  Lord  in the splendor of his holiness. 3  The voice of the  Lord  echoes above the sea.      The God of glory thunders.      The  Lord  thunders over the mighty sea. 4  The voice of the  Lord  is powerful;      the voice of the  Lord  is majestic. 5  The voice of the  Lord  splits the mighty cedars;      the  Lord  shatters the cedars of Lebanon. 6  He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf;      he makes Mount Hermon [ b ]  leap like a young wild ox. 7  The voice of the...

Revelation 21:1-3 New King James Version (NKJV) All Things Made New 21  Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.  2  Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  3  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God  is  with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them  and be  their God. "The clouds roll back as He takes her hand and walks her through the gates.  Forever we will reign."                                                                      -  Wedding Day (Casting Crowns)

Colossians 1:3-14 Good News Translation (GNT) 3  We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you. 4  For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all God's people. 5  When the true message, the Good News, first came to you, you heard about the hope it offers. So your faith and love are based on what you hope for, which is kept safe for you in heaven. 6  The gospel keeps bringing blessings and is spreading throughout the world, just as it has among you ever since the day you first heard about the grace of God and came to know it as it really is. 7   You learned of God's grace from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is Christ's faithful worker on our [ a ]  behalf. 8  He has told us of the love that the Spirit has given you.   9  For this reason we have always prayed for you, ever since we heard about you. We ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will, with al...

Matthew 10:34-38 New King James Version (NKJV) Christ Brings Division 34  “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.   35  For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’;   36  and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ [ a ]   37  He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.   38  And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.  39  He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Footnotes: Matthew 10:36   Micah 7:6

James 1:2-12 New International Version (NIV) Trials and Temptations   2  Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, [ a ]  whenever you face trials of many kinds,  3  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  4  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  5  If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  6  But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  7  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  8  Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.  9  Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.  10  But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they wi...