Andy's Inspiration Box

Luke 16:13 New International Version (NIV) 13  “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Psalm 136:1 Contemporary English Version (CEV) God’s Love Never Fails 136  Praise the  Lord ! He is good.      God’s love never fails.

Matthew 18: 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.

Exodus 15:11 Contemporary English Version (CEV) 11  Our  Lord , no other gods compare with you—      Majestic and holy!      Fearsome and glorious!      Miracle worker!

Isaiah 26: 1-11 GNT A day is coming when the people will sing this song in the land of Judah: Our city is strong! God himself defends its walls! Open the city gates and let the faithful nation enter, the nation whose people do what is right. You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever; he will always protect us. He has humbled those who were proud; he destroyed the strong city they lived in, and sent its walls crashing into the dust. Those who were oppressed walk over it now and trample it under their feet. Lord, you make the path smooth for good people; the road they travel is level. We follow your will and put our hope in you; you are all that we desire. At night I long for you with all my heart; when you judge the earth and its people, they will all learn what justice is. Even though you are kind to the wicked, they never learn to do what is right. Even here in a land of righteous people they still do wron...

"Never underestimate the vital importance of finding early in life the work that for you is play. This turns possible underachievers into happy warriors." Ken Robinson ,  The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything

Luke 10:27 New Living Translation (NLT) 27  The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbuor as yourself.’” [ a ]

Hebrews 12:28 New King James Version (NKJV) 28  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may [ a ]  serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. Footnotes: Hebrews 12:28   M-Text omits  may.

"In a Christian life that is to be effective, there will always be the pause  and the poise ." - Springs in the Valley (November 26)

Colossians 3:17 New King James Version (NKJV) 17  And whatever you do in word or deed,  do  all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

"Even when life is full and good I need to be aware of choosing my focus. Otherwise I can get my spirit bogged down with concern over details, and end up being unfruitful. Do you pay attention to the nudges of God to draw you close to His heart? It may be a song running through your mind, or a phrase from a Bible verse, or a pull to connect with someone you know who will be encouraging to your faith. Where we focus we follow. When you’re driving and turn to see something on the side of the road, very quickly you are heading there and need to immediately adjust or you are off the road!" - Gail Rodgers

Colossians 2:6-7 New King James Version (NKJV) 6  As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,  7  rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

Philippians 2:12-13 English Standard Version (ESV) 12  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13  for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Galatians 1:10 New King James Version (NKJV) 10  For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

“At present we are on the outside of the world, the wrong side of the door. We discern the freshness and purity of morning, but they do not make us fresh and pure. We cannot mingle with the splendours we see. But all the leaves of the New Testament are rustling with the rumour that it will not always be so. Some day, God willing, we shall get in.” - C. S. Lewis

Colossians 3:15 New Living Translation (NLT) 15  And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Galatians 5: 16-18 What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature. For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do. If the Spirit leads you, then you are not subject to the Law.

Hebrews 12:25 GNT Be careful, then, and do not refuse to hear him who speaks. Those who refused to hear the one who gave the divine message on earth did not escape. How much less shall we escape, then, if we turn away from the one who speaks from heaven!

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 New Living Translation (NLT) 26  Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27  Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.   28  God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29  As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

1 John 3:19-24 English Standard Version (ESV) 19  By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20  for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21  Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22  and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23  And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24  Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, [ a ] and God [ b ] in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

Deuteronomy 3:24 New Living Translation (NLT) 24  ‘O Sovereign  Lord , you have only begun to show your greatness and the strength of your hand to me, your servant. Is there any god in heaven or on earth who can perform such great and mighty deeds as you do?

Psalm 119:116 New Living Translation (NLT) 116  Lord , sustain me as you promised, that I may live!      Do not let my hope be crushed.

Matthew 11:28-29 English Standard Version (ESV) 28  Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Exodus 20:1-3 New International Version (NIV) 20  And God spoke all these words: 2  “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3  “You shall have no other gods before [ a ] me.

Psalm 119:105 New Living Translation (NLT) 105  Your word is a lamp to guide my feet      and a light for my path.

"We can play our part in this kingdom work. It may not seem much, but who knows how important the seemingly insignificant may be. We sow seeds that don’t seem to bear much fruit, but we have done what we can. We are servants, not Saviours." - David Reay

Psalm 119:18 New Living Translation (NLT) 18  Open my eyes to see      the wonderful truths in your instructions.

"Perhaps we need to simply accept the mystery of life as it is in this out-of-shape world where not even God has his own way. Perhaps we do best to look to the cross and see there that God is for us and we can rely on his love however hard it might be to identify it at any given time. For me, I have to conclude that God has promised me himself in Jesus and all the rest is up for grabs." - David Reay

Isaiah 41:13 New International Version (NIV) 13  For I am the  Lord  your God      who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear;      I will help  you.

Psalm 84:11 NIV For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Psalm 119:143-144 The Message (MSG) 137-144  You  are  right and you  do  right,  God ;      your decisions are right on target. You rightly instruct us in how to live      ever faithful to you. My rivals nearly did me in,      they persistently ignored your commandments. Your promise has been tested through and through,      and I, your servant, love it dearly. I’m too young to be important,      but I don’t forget what you tell me. Your righteousness is eternally right,      your revelation is the only truth. Even though troubles came down on me hard,      your commands always gave me delight. The way you tell me to live is always right;      help me understand it so I can live to the fullest.

Psalm 10:14 New Century Version (NCV) 14  Lord , surely you see these cruel and evil things;      look at them and do something. People in trouble look to you for help.      You are the one who helps the orphans.

Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Luke 10:38-42 English Standard Version (ESV) Martha and Mary 38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus[a] entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary.[b] Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Colossians 1:9 New Century Version (NCV) 9  Because of this, since the day we heard about you, we have continued praying for you, asking God that you will know fully what he wants. We pray that you will also have great wisdom and understanding in spiritual things

Our faith in God rests on the fact that we know him to the degree that we trust he knows what he is doing. But that doesn’t always mean we know what he is doing! - David Reay

"...sometimes in the darkest corner of things, there really are rainbows -- shy but defiant promises of better things." - Ann Voskamp

Hebrews 13:16 ESV Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

"No one accomplished more in his brief span on earth than Jesus. And no one was more fully present. Jesus said he did nothing but what he saw his Father doing (John 5:19). Constant communication with God taught Him how to value every single moment. He experienced no conflict between the stillness of knowing God and the efficiency of working His plan." - Becky Toews

Isaiah 1:18 New Century Version (NCV) 18  The  Lord  says,      “Come, let us talk about these things. Though your sins are like scarlet,      they can be as white as snow. Though your sins are deep red,      they can be white like wool.

Psalm 85:13   New King James Version (NKJV) 13  Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps   our   pathway.

James 1: 2-4 ESV Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Psalm 23 New Century Version (NCV) The Lord the Shepherd A psalm of David. 23  The  Lord  is my shepherd;      I have everything I need. 2  He lets me rest in green pastures.      He leads me to calm water. 3  He gives me new strength. He leads me on paths that are right      for the good of his name. 4  Even if I walk through a very dark valley,      I will not be afraid, because you are with me.      Your rod and your shepherd’s staff comfort me. 5  You prepare a meal for me      in front of my enemies. You pour oil of blessing on my head;      you fill my cup to overflowing. 6  Surely your goodness and love will be with me      all my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Philippians 1:6 ESV And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

"This is a critical moment in the history of humanity as all attempts to produce happiness and peace of mind have failed and faltered. Jesus is exactly who people need." - Selwyn Hughes

1 Corinthians 4:5   New Living Translation (NLT) 5  So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.

2 Corinthians 3:3 New Living Translation (NLT) 3  Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.

"Thank God that just because our words fail our prayers do not fail. Thank God that he is able to get deep inside us and understand what is going on: even if we do not. Thank God that we don’t have to have clear minds or positive feelings in order to pray. Our very groans and sighs become prayers in the hands of the Spirit who comes alongside to help us." - David Reay

Isaiah 40:29 New Living Translation (NLT) 29  He gives power to the weak      and strength to the powerless.

"God promises throughout His Word that He has got our future under control and has amazing plans for us. He knows our past and can use it for great things. Our focus needs to be in the present. Here. Right now. This moment." - Debbie West

1 Peter 2:9 New Living Translation (NLT) 9  But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, [ a ]  a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

"Mystery and uncertainty are only to prepare us for deeper discipline. Had we no stormy sea we should remain weaklings to the end of our days. God takes us out into the deeps; but He knows the track! He knows the haven! And we shall arrive." - Springs in the Valley (November 2)

"God's Word is our spiritual food and without it we cannot grow and become strong in Him. #Habits" - Leona Clausing

Psalm 16: 5-6 You, Lord, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands. How wonderful are your gifts to me; how good they are!