Andy's Inspiration Box

Jeremiah 11:1-5  New Living Translation (NLT) 11 The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, 2 “Remind the people of Judah and Jerusalem about the terms of my covenant with them. 3 Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is anyone who does not obey the terms of my covenant! 4 For I said to your ancestors when I brought them out of the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt, “If you obey me and do whatever I command you, then you will be my people, and I will be your God.” 5 I said this so I could keep my promise to your ancestors to give you a land flowing with milk and honey—the land you live in today.’” Then I replied, “Amen, Lord! May it be so.”

Matthew 5:14-16 The Message (MSG) 14-16  “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

1 Peter 2:11-12 New Living Translation (NLT) 11  Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 12  Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbours. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honourable behaviour, and they will give honour to God when he judges the world.

What you say goes,  God , and stays,  as permanent as the heavens. Your truth never goes out of fashion; it’s as up-to-date as the earth when the sun comes up. Your Word and truth are dependable as ever; that’s what you ordered—you set the earth going. If your revelation hadn’t delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came. But I’ll never forget the advice you gave me; you saved my life with those wise words. Save me! I’m all yours. I look high and low for your words of wisdom. The wicked lie in ambush to destroy me, but I’m only concerned with your plans for me. I see the limits to everything human, but the horizons can’t contain your commands!

Hebrews 11:8-12 The Message (MSG) 8-10  By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations—the City designed and built by God. 11-12  By faith, barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she was at the time, because she believed the One who made a promise would do what he said. That’s how it happened that from one man’s dead and shriveled loins there are now people numbering into the millions.

"If we're going to do anything of eternal significance, God has to do it in us." - Proverbs 31 Ministries

"Those who would come close and stay close to God must become familiar with a broken heart and contrite spirit. Not as a sign of despair or misery or self-pity. Rather as a sign of helpless trust. We can’t stay on track on our own. We need help. We come to God with broken hearts knowing he will not despise them but instead mend them." - David Reay

Hebrews 12:1-3 The Message (MSG) Discipline in a Long-Distance Race 12  1-3  Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on   Jesus , who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there , in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through.  That  will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Romans 4:4-5 If you’re a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don’t call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it’s something only   God  can do, and you trust him to do it—you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked—well, that  trusting -him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God,  by  God. Sheer gift.

Hebrews 11:1-2 The Message (MSG) The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

Psalm 91:1-6 Good News Translation (GNT) 91 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.

Ephesians 5:15-17 English Standard Version (ESV) 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

Romans 5:4-5   There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

Psalm 145:17-20 New International Version (NIV) 17  The Lord is righteous in all his ways      and faithful in all he does. 18  The Lord is near to all who call on him,      to all who call on him in truth. 19  He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;      he hears their cry and saves them. 20  The Lord watches over all who love him,      but all the wicked he will destroy. "When we call on God we are not calling on some distant deity. He is near to us. He anticipates our calling to him. He can no more resist hearing and responding to our cries than a loving parent can resist responding to a plea for help from a child. In fact, we call on him because in a way he has already called to us. His is the first move. He invites us to call on him to be true to his promises and his character." - David Reay

Psalm 69:29-30 The Message (MSG) 29  I’m hurt and in pain; Give me space for healing, and mountain air. 30  Let me shout God’s name with a praising song, Let me tell his greatness in a prayer of thanks.

"Sometimes God's ways may seem harsh and unkind, but behind them is a heart that beats with love. He loves us too much to let us get away from Him. The next time you might feel that God is on your case remember this: if He didn't love you so much He would not pursue you in the way He does. It may seem uncomfortable to you but really it is a divine compliment." - Mick Brooks

"Are your prayers easy to answer yourself or do you dare to trust God and pray boldly for things only He can bring about?" - Wendy Blight

1 John 1:7 Good News Translation (GNT) 7  But if we live in the light—just as he is in the light—then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin.

Isaiah 58:5-8 New International Version (NIV) 5  Is this the kind of fast  I have chosen,      only a day for people to humble  themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed      and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast,      a day acceptable to the  Lord ? 6  “Is not this the kind of fasting  I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice      and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed  free      and break every yoke? 7  Is it not to share your food with the hungry      and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe  them,      and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8  Then your light will break forth like the dawn,      and your healing  will quickly appear; then your ri...

Do not be afraid—I am with you! I am your God—let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you. Isaiah 41:10   GNT

Matthew 26:6-13 Good News Translation (GNT) Jesus Is Anointed at Bethany 6 Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon, a man who had suffered from a dreaded skin disease. 7 While Jesus was eating, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar filled with an expensive perfume, which she poured on his head. 8 The disciples saw this and became angry. “Why all this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold for a large amount and the money given to the poor!” 10 Jesus knew what they were saying, and so he said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? It is a fine and beautiful thing that she has done for me. 11 You will always have poor people with you, but you will not always have me. 12 What she did was to pour this perfume on my body to get me ready for burial. 13 Now, I assure you that wherever this gospel is preached all over the world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

"We are being educated in being what it means to love in a restored relationship with God, others and ourselves and these three lines are wonderful ones to pray daily; May I know Thee more clearly, Love Thee more dearly, Follow Thee more nearly." - Mick Brooks

Psalm 118:24 New International Version (NIV) 24  The Lord has done it this very day;      let us rejoice today and be glad. " It is a day we have never had before and will never have again. It is a day full of opportunities to discover more of the love of God, maybe especially so if it is a day fraught with challenges. Each day is something of a sacred space in which we discern the movements of God and align ourselves to them." - David Reay

For the full content of divine nature lives in Christ, in his humanity, and you have been given full life in union with him. He is supreme over every spiritual ruler and authority. Colossians 2:9-10   GNT

"Healthy relationship with God involves us facing both our recognition of our not-deserving kindness and our recognition that God thinks enough of us to display that kindness." - David Reay

James 1:25 Good News Translation (GNT) 25  But if you look closely into the perfect law that sets people free, and keep on paying attention to it and do not simply listen and then forget it, but put it into practice—you will be blessed by God in what you do.

"Take the hardest thing in your life - the place of difficulty, outward or inward, and expect God to triumph gloriously in that very spot. Just there He can bring your soul into blossom." - Lilias Trotter

"Waiting to become ‘good people’ will see us waiting forever. Coming home as we are will see us as guest of honour at a party thrown by our waiting father." - David Reay

Deuteronomy 32:3-4 New International Version (NIV) 3  I will proclaim the name of the Lord .      Oh, praise the greatness of our God! 4  He is the Rock, his works are perfect,      and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong,      upright and just is he.

"The most faithful cannot compare with Jesus in loneliness of manner: He taught only one woman at Jacob's well; He noticed a finger-touch on the hem of His garment; He stooped to take little children up and bless them; even so small a thing as a cup of cold water would yield its recompense of a heavenly reward." - Springs in the Valley, Jul 13.

Psalm 73:28 Good News Translation (GNT) 28  But as for me, how wonderful to be near God,      to find protection with the Sovereign  Lord      and to proclaim all that he has done!

"We should and can find prayer to be creative, for when our lesser life touches the Life it becomes alive." - Mick Brooks

Philippians 1:6 Good News Translation (GNT) 6  And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus.

"Maybe we need to remember that though we were wounded, we have been healed, and our scars are proof of a God redeeming all the broken things." - Ann Voskamp

Mark 12:30-31 English Standard Version (ESV) 30  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31  The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

"The Holy Spirit is the guide who nudges our heart when we are prone to get off God’s track. Pay attention to the stirrings of your soul." - Gail Rodgers

Psalm 117:1-2 Living Bible (TLB) 117  Praise the Lord, all nations everywhere. Praise him, all the peoples of the earth.  2  For he loves us very dearly, and his truth endures. Praise the Lord.

"What if God should have a plan for you? In such a case - surely it is the true case - everything we have to do, everything we have to bear, comes to us as a part of a prearranged plan. Things that disturb our work, things that upset our purpose, things that thwart our wishes, interruptions, annoyances - these may all be a part of the plan - God's plan - and should be met accordingly." - Springs in the Valley (July 7)

"If you are among "them that love god", all things are yours!  The stars in their courses fight for you. Every wind that blows can only fill your sails." - Springs in the Valley (July 6)

"If you're facing a big challenge today, that just means God is preparing you for something good in your future." - Leona Clausing

"You aren’t a citizen of here working your way into heaven. You’re a citizen of heaven working His Way through here." - Ann Voskamp

Psalm 71:5 Good News Translation (GNT) 5  Sovereign  Lord , I put my hope in you;      I have trusted in you since I was young.

"Our very desire and longing for God is a sign that we are spiritually aware, that God is somehow at work in us. Perhaps even a sign that we know he is there all along even if he seems so very far away." - David Reay

"Embrace discomfort. It might not feel good but it can motivate you to change." - @ChrystalHurst

"The God who sends special people across our paths can also be trusted to send us to special places where we discover and rediscover our true selves in him." - David Raey

"Expect good things. Wake up every morning and thank God your answer is on the way!" - Leona Clausing

Joel 2:11b-13 English Standard Version (ESV) “For the day of the LORD is great and very awesome; who can endure it? ‘Yet even now,’ declares the LORD, ‘return to me with all your heart with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;  and rend your hearts and not your garments.’ Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.”