Andy's Inspiration Box

Jeremiah 29:7 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

Psalm 16:11 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 11 You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Matthew 10:40-42 The Message (MSG) 40-42 “We are intimately linked in this harvest work. Anyone who accepts what you do, accepts me, the One who sent you. Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father, who sent me. Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God’s messenger. Accepting someone’s help is as good as giving someone help. This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won’t lose out on a thing.”

Isaiah 11:1 English Standard Version (ESV) 11 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,     and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

A life that believes in the worth of all lives — is the only kind of life that’s really worth living. - Ann Voskamp

"Baby Jesus grew up to claim the authority to rule each and every individual. Baby Jesus didn’t stay a baby to be admired and cuddled. He grew up to invite our allegiance and our devotion. He grew up to bring about the possibility of reconciliation with God. Baby Jesus was born to die." - David Reay

Matthew 1:23 English Standard Version (ESV) 23  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,      and they shall call his name   Immanuel” (which means, God   with us). Matthew 28:20 English Standard Version (ESV) 20 ...And behold,   I am with you always, to   the end of the age.  

" Jesus gave up everything dear to him so we could gain everything in return. Being born as a baby may seem romantic and sweet to us. Yet for the divine Son of God it was an act of indescribable condescension. If we do see Christmas as a season of gift giving, then let’s never forget that Jesus gave us himself and it cost him everything." - David Reay

"Great men have come and gone, yet He lives on! Death could not destroy Him! The grave could not hold Him!" - Springs in the Valley (December 20)

Psalm 147:10-11 English Standard Version (ESV) 10  His delight is not in   the strength of the horse,      nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, 11  but the   Lord   takes pleasure in those who fear him,      in those who   hope in his steadfast love.

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. | Galatians 5:6

James 1:3-13 MSG 3 You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. 4 So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. 5 If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. 6 Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. 7 Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, 8 adrift at sea, keeping all your options open. 9 When down-and-outers get a break, cheer! 10 And when the arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer! Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don't ever count on it. 11 You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that bea...

John 10:10 King James Version (KJV) 10 ...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

"Our discipleship will not be one unbroken series of delights, nor will it be unending gloom and despair. We will have times of standing on solid ground; times when the ground seems to shift; time when we discover firm footing again having learnt through our more insecure times what it means to trust God." - David Reay

"Let your heart reach back with thankfulness and acceptance. Look at the manger scene with the fresh wonder of all He is to you. Every need, every change that you face can be encompassed by all He is. He is much more than just a baby!" - Gail Rodgers

"The greatest adversary to the love of God is not his enemies but his gifts. And the most deadly appetites are not for the poison of evil but for the simple pleasures of earth. When these replace an appetite for God himself, the idolatry is hardly noticeable and almost incurable." - John Piper

Revelation 3:20 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 20  Behold, I stand   at the door and   knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door,   I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

"We only get one shot at every season of life. Whether or not we learned anything becomes evident in the seasons that follow." - Andy Stanley

Hebrews 10:23-25 English Standard Version (ESV) 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

1 Peter 3:15 New International Version (NIV) 15 ...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

Joshua 22:5 English Standard Version (ESV) 5  Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the   Lord   commanded you,   to love the   Lord   your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Proverbs 17:22 English Standard Version (ESV) 22  A joyful heart is good medicine,      but a crushed spirit   dries up the bones.

"When you begin your day, begin it with Him and when your head hits the pillow at night, thank Him for His daily presence. In between, pause to speak His name and seek His presence in all activities and He will give you true rest." - John Grant

"Suffering quietly begs us to surrender so we’ll win a greater wisdom, a deeper strength, a closer intimacy."-Ann Voskamp #TheBrokenWay

"We have been invited to enjoy a blessed life, full of joy, love, and contentment. It means we have to step out to do the things God has called us to do. He invites us to participate in what He is doing around us, to connect with and serve people. Sometimes caution is wise. We must act with our eyes wide open." - Debbie West

1 John 3:17-18 English Standard Version (ESV) 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Galatians 5:13-14 English Standard Version (ESV) 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

John 20:19-21 New Living Translation (NLT) 19  That Sunday evening [ a ]   the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them!   “Peace be with you,”   he said.   20  As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!   21  Again he said,   “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”

"C.S. Lewis once said that he believed in Christianity as he believed the sun has risen. Not just because he could see it, but by it he could see everything else. For some of us, Christianity best interprets what is good and not-so-good in ourselves and in our world. It offers blunt description of our predicament and helpful remedy for it. Our faith neither pushes us down in the dirt nor resorts to false optimism about how great we are." - David Reay

"The Victory is certain! The Captain on whose side we are has never known defeat. He goes forth conquering and to conquer. The enemy may apparently gain temporary advantage at different points of the battle, but victory over Christ by Satan is simply impossible!" - Springs in the Valley (November 30)

"Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed...Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

"The very first sin recorded in the Bible was basically about humans wanting to be God. Ever since, we have not been content to trust that God is in charge not us. This does not lead to laziness or passivity but to a settled confidence that we are in the hands of one who knows far better than us how life is to be lived." - David Reay

Philippians 2:3 English Standard Version (ESV) 3  Do nothing from   selfish ambition or   conceit, but in   humility count others more significant than yourselves.

"You do something great with your life when you do all the small things with His great love." -Ann Voskamp #TheBrokenWay

Hebrews 12:28 New International Version (NIV) 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe

"It is true that sometimes our prayers remain puzzlingly unanswered. A seemingly good thing is not granted. Suffering persists. Yet it is also true that sometimes our prayers are answered and we don’t recognise it. We are so busy scratching our heads about the prayers that haven’t got an answer that we overlook the prayers that have been answered." - David Reay

"Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Romans 7:25

Psalm 89:15 New Living Translation (NLT) 15  Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship,      for they will walk in the light of your presence,   Lord .

Proverbs 16:24 New Living Translation (NLT) 24  Kind words are like honey—      sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

"We are involved in spiritual mountaineering, where sometimes slopes are like grass . When our feet slip we must reach our and hold on to anything that will stop or slide - even though it is only a small branch. Stop and steady yourself. Don't concern yourself about climbing, just concern yourself about stopping your slide. Once your have stopped sliding you can start climbing again." - Mick Brooks

Jeremiah 1:7-8 English Standard Version (ESV) 7  But the   Lord   said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and   whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8  Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the   Lord .”

Daniel 10:7-12 New King James Version (NKJV) 7  And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.  8  Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength.  9  Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. Prophecies Concerning Persia and Greece 10  Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and  on  the palms of my hands.  11  And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling. 12  Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set...

Matthew 28:19-20 New International Version (NIV) 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Psalm 81:10 New International Version (NIV) 10 I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

Proverbs 16:3-4 English Standard Version (ESV) 3  Commit your work to the   Lord ,      and your plans will be established. 4  The   Lord   has made everything for its purpose,      even   the wicked for the day of trouble.

First steps always seem like not enough, but they are the bravest and they start the journey to where you’re meant to go. - Ann Vodkamp #TheBrokenWay

"God's measureless love is like the ocean. Through the windows of earthly life we catch a gleam. From the valleys of trouble we glimpse it near the shore. On the sands of hope we see it, wave on wave. From the headlands of faith we view a broader tide to the line that blends eternity with time. Our happiest days are islands set in its boundless breath. Yet, as with the ocean, we have never seen it all!" - Springs in the Valley (November 16)

"Sometimes in our Christian journeys we can only hang on by our fingertips. We go back to basics. We forgo excitement and mountain-top blessings and instead hold on to an apparently absent God in our shadowy valleys. And as we do so we realise we are far from alone in these uncomfortable phases of our journey." - David Reay

Psalm 119:105-112 New International Version (NIV) נ Nun 105  Your word is a lamp  for my feet,      a light  on my path. 106  I have taken an oath  and confirmed it,      that I will follow your righteous laws. 107  I have suffered much;      preserve my life,   Lord , according to your word. 108  Accept,  Lord , the willing praise of my mouth,      and teach me your laws. 109  Though I constantly take my life in my hands,      I will not forget  your law. 110  The wicked have set a snare  for me,      but I have not strayed  from your precepts. 111  Your statutes are my heritage forever;      they are the joy of my heart. 112  My heart is set  on keeping your decrees      to the very end.

Philippians 4:10-11 New International Version (NIV) 10  I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.   Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11  I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content   whatever the circumstances.

"Faith believes that what God says will take place without a shadow of a doubt. Faith believes that we will see the promises of God unfold even when it looks impossible. Faith believes in what we can’t see, and knows it is there." - Mary Pinckney

1 Peter 2:1-3 New International Version (NIV) 2  Therefore, rid yourselves  of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander  of every kind. 2  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,  so that by it you may grow up  in your salvation,   3  now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Jeremiah 6:16 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 16 Thus says the Lord, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls.

Psalm 103:13-14 New International Version (NIV) 13  As a father has compassion   on his children,      so the   Lord   has compassion on those who fear him; 14  for he knows how we are formed,      he remembers that we are dust.

We are too prone to engrave our trials in marble and write our blessings in sand. -C.H. Spurgeon

Romans 7:21-25 New International Version (NIV) 21  So I find this law at work:   Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.   22  For in my inner being   I delight in God’s law;   23  but I see another law at work in me, waging war   against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin   at work within me.   24  What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?   25  Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law,   but in my sinful nature [ a ]   a slave to the law of sin.

"Does my busyness and my dismissal of him from my everyday life deafen me to his love song? Does he still sing even when I sin so grievously? Does he sing over others and yet not to me? Perhaps my daily prayer is to be that I am so quieted by his love for me that I can hear the love song that he sings to me and over me." - David Reay

Joshua 24:15 New International Version (NIV) 15  But if serving the  Lord  seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites,  in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household,  we will serve the  Lord .”

"The soul that thus truly and solemnly dedicates itself to Him becomes His, and He will come to that soul to abide forever, to be it's shield and exceeding great reward." - Springs in the Valley (November 8)

1 Timothy 2:1-2 New International Version (NIV) Instructions on Worship 2  I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—   2  for kings and all those in authority,  that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness  and holiness.