Showing posts with label Bible Journaling. Show all posts

Monday, June 8, 2015

Psalm 119. #0002.

06-07-2015b PERSONAL JOURNALING, 902 a.m.
Psalm 119 Bible study link:
http://biblehub.com/psalms/119-1.htm
~*~
THE TREASURY OF DAVID BY CHARLES SPURGEON
Psalm 119:1
(Original source: http://biblehub.com/commentaries/tod/psalms/119.htm
Hints to Preachers
Psalm 119:1. - "Blessed." True blessedness lies in -
I. Defilement avoided by the word.
II. Delight experienced in the word.
Psalm 119:1. - Spiritual pedestrians are often mentioned in this Psalm. Model travellers are described in this passage. Observe, -
I. Their Character: "Undefiled." They are so
(1) in Christ: found in him; complete; accepted. They are so
(2) by Christ: His spirit, truth, and grace are in them. "Chosen generation," "peculiar people."
II. Their path: "the law of the Lord." This path is
(1) Conspicuous - high, visible, distinguished from every other.
(2) Ancient. The old path. Holiness is older than sin, wisdom than folly, life than death, joy than sorrow.
(3) Safe. Christ has repaired it. Apart from his work none can pass safely over. He has brought down mountains, raised up valleys, made crooked places straight, and rough places smooth. He has driven away the lion.
(4) Narrow. It has a fence of commands on one side, and of prohibitions on the other. It is entered by a strait gate, which renders it necessary for the great to become as little children.
III. Their progress: "walk." Not only talk, but step in the footprints of Jesus. Follow the law-fulfiller. They proceed in the exercise of his graces, in the exhibition of his virtues, in the fulfilment of his injunctions, and in the enjoyment of his favours.
IV. Their happiness: "Blessed." They have unfailing help, suitable company, animating prospects on the way. - W. Jackson, 1882.
Psalm 119:1, Psalm 119:2, Psalm 119:3. -
I. Positive and Negative Beatitudes of Being.
II. Six Con - Lions of Peace with God.
1. Purity.
2. Obedience.
3. Fidelity.
4. Seeking.
5. Integrity.
6. Following. - William Durban, 1882.
~*~
Psalm 119:1 Living Bible (TLB)
119 Happy are all who perfectly follow the laws of God.
Living Bible (TLB). The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
~*~
Psalm 119:1 Expanded Bible (EXB)
The Word of God
119 ·Happy [Blessed] are those ·who live pure lives [L whose way is blameless],
who follow the Lord’s ·teachings [instructions; law].
Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
~*~
Happiness and being blessed go hand in hand. They fit together and it takes both to accomplish the other.
To be happy, count your blessings. Be thankful.
When, and after, you count your blessings, you will be happy.
It takes two: happiness and blessing only come to the maximum when we are not just in the Word, or hearing the Word... and not only in putting it into practice, but the through perfectly living the Bible.
We will never find true happiness...
We will never be able to see and count all of our blessings...
Unless we apply the Word of God, the Bible, perfectly in our lives.
Applying the Bible means living a pure and blameless life.
How is this even possible? Is it possible at all?
The fact of the matter is this: We cannot know the Word, or apply it to our lives, unless we are in the Bible and think on it and pray about it.
Let's think on this verse, ponder it, contemplate it, meditate on it, pray on it, and journal about it and listen to what God tells us. Let's not rush it and just chew on this verse every moment for the next twenty-four hours at least.
~*~

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Blessings, Gratitude, and Thanksgiving Bible Verses: List #1

Colossians 4:2 New Living Translation (NLT)

2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 New Century Version (NCV)

17 Pray continually, 18 and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus.

New Century Version (NCV)

Give thanks--even when I have a troubled heart.

And, here is a verse I need to focus on most when my heart is troubled--and applying it and live it out:

Philippians 4:6 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

6 Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Psalm 107:21-22 Expanded Bible (EXB)

21 Let them ·give thanks to [praise] the Lord for his ·love [loyalty]
and for the ·miracles [wonderful works] he does for people [vv. 8, 15, 31].
22 Let them offer ·sacrifices to thank him [thanksgiving offerings].
With joy they should ·tell [recount] what he has done.

Expanded Bible (EXB)

Psalm 105:1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

1 Give thanks to Yahweh, call on His name;
proclaim His deeds among the peoples.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC 2014.)

Monday, October 6, 2014

Today's Bible and Prayer Journaling: October 06, 2014: THE READ THE BIBLE FIVE TIMES IN 15 MONTHS BLOG POST SERIES

2014-10-06 09:01:03, Monday

I decided two days ago (today is day 3) to start a "Read the Bible in 90 Days Program." After all, I want to read the Bible cover to cover between now and the end of the year, which means I technically need to read it in 88 days, not 90. I'm reading the readings from BibleGateway.com at this link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/bible-in-90-days/today?version=HCSB

This means my readings didn't start at Genesis 1, which I'm just fine with. I will get there between now and the end of the year, but just am not starting there. It works for me. I want to read all of the Bible for 2014 and then maybe twice or three times in 2015. I want the Bible to be the first book I go to and read each day, not any other book.

I didn't get all of yesterday's reading done, but have finished it this morning. My reading today is: Nehemiah 13:15 - Job 7:21. I hope to get to Job 15ish or so in order to make up for the two additional days I need to read of the 90 day Bible reading plan.

And, yes. I think I've just decided I want to incorporate the 90 day reading plan into my life all year. If I did this, it means I would read the Holy Bible four times in 2015.

Wow.

I'm pausing and letting that set in for a moment.

Read the Bible five times between now and the end of 2015? Yes. This seems like a life-transforming goal. Count me in! What an incredible journey it would and will be.

Hence, welcome to:

THE READ THE BIBLE FIVE TIMES IN 15 MONTHS BLOG POST SERIES.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present LLC 2014.)

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Prayer and Bible Journaling

2014-10-02 08:02:59, Thursday

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If you are reading this blog post as a daily devotional Bible study for prayer journaling, then please prayer journal after you read each verse and answer all of the questions.

-------

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Expanded Bible (EXB)

9 But he said to me, “My grace is ·enough for you [sufficient for you; all you need]. ·When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you [L For (my) power is perfected in weakness].” So I am very happy to ·brag [boast] about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can ·live [reside; or rest] in me. 10 For this reason I am ·happy [pleased; content] when I have weaknesses, insults, ·hard times [times of need], ·sufferings[persecutions], and ·all kinds of troubles [distress] ·for [for the sake of] Christ. Because when I am weak, then I am truly strong.

Expanded Bible (EXB)

Is this true for me? Is His grace enough for me?

If His grace is enough, why is it? Is this true at all times?

If His grace is not enough, why not and how can I change my thinking so it is?

Read Psalm 10 and 11.

Reading Ephesians 4 and 5.

Passage I want to meditate on, contemplate, and prayer journal at least three times today:

Ephesians 4:17-27 New Living Translation (NLT)

17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Lord, help me to know what to do and what not to do, according to the Ephesians 4 verses. Help me know what to apply to my life and how. Guide me and teach me, God. I want to live for You alone and want to bring You glory. And, I thank you in advance for showing me Your Way through these verses.

Ephesians 4:17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

17 Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their thoughts.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

What thoughts do I have, Lord, that are not of You?

Lord, I know the answer to that one. Most of my thoughts are futile. Help me to live Philippians 4:8; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 10:5-7. I want to focus on your and Your Word alone. I want to live Your Way. I want to live according to Your purpose, not mine, for my life. I want to live a life that's intentionally focused on You and Your Word alone. Thank You for giving me the want, Lord. I also realize it is what I need. Thank You for helping me to see this as well. And, thank You, in advance, for showing me how to live like this.

How can I focus my thoughts on You alone?

What beliefs do I have that are futile?

I want to believe, and have opinions, based off of You and your Word, not off of man. I am thinking of my Christianity, politics, current events, war, terrorism, all of it. I want to take a stand on what You want me to, not on what I think I should, what others say I should, or anything based off of what others say. I want to stand on you and the foundation of Your Word alone. I don't want any of my thoughts or beliefs to be futile, but to be eternally based.

Abba, show me how.

Show me how to make Your grace enough for me, today, every moment, for the rest of my life.

To You, alone, be the glory!

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC 2014.)

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 EXB: A Memory Passage

2014-10-01 07:04:53, Wednesday

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Expanded Bible (EXB)

Expanded Bible (EXB)

The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

Prayer journal your thoughts, what God says to you, what you say to God, etc.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC 2014.)

Monday, September 29, 2014

When Stuff Goes Wrong

First, my computer started acting up and having problems with memory.

Then, the modem of my internet decided to die.

Then, my cat got sick and my elderly beagle couldn't hold his liquids inside any longer (even though he had recently been outside and he has a 12 hour bladder usually. We don't push it that long, but know it's what he can do)--both in the space of ten minutes.

Then, my computer died entirely.

Then, beagle had 'the issue' again three days later. Now, I think it's behavioral oriented and will watch him like a hawk and break him of the new disgusting habit. He's never done that before. (Ugh!) Spray bottle will be always in hand.

Wait. He has dementia. Is he forgetting to go outside? Is it cognitive? (Hmm.)

Isn't this the way things go? Never mind how several prayer requests I've had, the answer is: "Wait." Never mind how I'm still trying to figure out what I want to write when I grow up, so to speak. So, what now? What do you do when stuff seems to go haywire--and wrong?

Prayer and getting into the Word of God (the Holy Bible) are my answers and it makes all of the difference. This is where I find His peace and joy. This is where I find true contentment.

I also count my blessings. This is the biggest help. (Phil. 4:6, but also Phil. 4:4-8.)

Philippians 4:4-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

There are times I wonder if God will show me a little grace and throw me a little bone.

Then, I look around and see the wonder of His creation. Then, I read something really profound and inspirational in His Word. Then, I realize all of the things going well, in spite of the few things that aren't. Prayer (journaling), reading the Bible, and counting my blessings are a sure way to help me have a new perspective on things.

Shouldn't I be more surprised when I am able to overlook the things of this world and see God and His work and glory? Shouldn't that be what I focus on--not on the stuff going wrong?

Now, I will hush and get some real writing done. It will be the first in a week, so to speak.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC 2014.)

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Bible Reading Psalm 1 and New Bible Reading Plan

Bible Reading Psalm 1
2014-09-24 07:58:42

MY NEW BIBLE READING PLAN
I've decided that no matter what, I want to read a Psalm per day at the very least. And, I don't just want to read it. I want to re-read it, pray on it, and prayer journal about it all day throughout the day and night--at least three times.

Of course, if I read more in the Bible each day, that's wonderful. I still want to read the Bible through in a year, but my first priority is in applying the Psalms to my life--and contemplating them.

Psalm 1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
BOOK I
(Psalms 1–41)
1 How happy is the man
who does not follow the advice of the wicked
or take the path of sinners
or join a group of mockers!
2 Instead, his delight is in the Lord's instruction,
and he meditates on it day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted beside streams of water
that bears its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
4 The wicked are not like this;
instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not survive the judgment,
and sinners will not be in the community of the righteous.
6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

My key verse is Psalm 1:2. ***

Psalm 1:2 Expanded Bible (EXB)
2 They ·love [delight in] the Lord's ·teachings [laws; instructions],
and they ·think about [meditate on] those ·teachings [laws; instructions] day and night.
Expanded Bible (EXB)
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

PRAYER
Lord, help me make this verse the hallmark, the foundation of my life, each and every day for the next four plus decades.

--Stacy Duplease
http://rypstories.blogspot.com/ and http://ahttf.blogspot.com/
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HDX Tablet

Friday, September 19, 2014

Bible and Prayer Journaling September 19, 2014

Words to pray, journal, and contemplate today.

Psalm 19:7-14 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

7 The instruction of the Lord is perfect,
renewing one’s life;
the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy,
making the inexperienced wise.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
making the heart glad;
the command of the Lord is radiant,
making the eyes light up.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are reliable
and altogether righteous.
10 They are more desirable than gold—
than an abundance of pure gold;
and sweeter than honey,
which comes from the honeycomb.
11 In addition, Your servant is warned by them;
there is great reward in keeping them.

12 Who perceives his unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from my hidden faults.
13 Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins;
do not let them rule over me.
Then I will be innocent
and cleansed from blatant rebellion.
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to You,
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

How can I apply these verses to my life?

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC 2014)

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Verse of the Day

2014-09-10 08:59:47

BIBLEGATEWAY.COM VERSE OF THE DAY

Isaiah 46:4 New Living Translation (NLT)

4 I will be your God throughout your lifetime—
until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Prayer Journal your thoughts.

What does God say to you?

What do you say to God?

How can you apply this to your life?

YESTERDAY'S VERSES OF THE DAY

1 Kings 19:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

12 After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Prayer Journal your thoughts.

What does God say to you?

What do you say to God?

How can you apply this to your life?

John 15:7 New King James Version (NKJV)

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

New King James Version (NKJV)

Prayer Journal your thoughts.

What does God say to you?

What do you say to God?

How can you apply this to your life?

#BibleJournaling #ChristianJournaling #PrayerJournaling #PrayerJournal

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

When Life is Noisy: Morning Personal Journaling September 09, 2014

2014-09-09 09:09:10, Tuesday

Bible Journaling, Christian Journaling, Prayer Journaling

Good morning, Lord. (I stop and take a few deep breaths, trying to focus on You and not on all of the noise in my life, which there is plenty of at the moment.)

{Noise = Things that scream for my attention or keep fighting for my attention. Distractions. Circumstances, thoughts, decisions, planning, feelings, etc. Anything that isn't of God or His Word.}

This reminds me of a verse. Let me look at some of the context, though, then I'll focus on one verse, and a couple of verses:

1 Kings 19:1-18 New King James Version (NKJV)

19 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

5 Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lordcame back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” 8 So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.

9 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

10 So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake,but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord wasnot in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

14 And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

15 Then the Lord said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. 16 Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anointas prophet in your place. 17 It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

New King James Version (NKJV)

Remember how anyone who sees the Lord's face falls over--dead. They cannot withstand seeing so much majesty and perfection. I would say they cannot bear to see His glory.

I would also, with a grin on my face, say, "It boggles the mind so much they cannot withstand it." But, I'm not really joking at all and am serious. God is awesome. He is Above ALL. He is all majesty, all power, all dominion. He is Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. He is all Strength. He is. He is the Great I AM.

Verses 11-13 are the focus verses. But, the key verse is 12:

1 Kings 19:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

12 After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

God can speak louder than a waterfall, louder than thunder, louder than an earthquake or a fire in a forest. However, God can also speak in a small voice and in a whisper. He can be all powerful and can be gentle. That being said, I think in verse 12, He is far more powerful from our human and finite perspective in the whisper. After all, He could choose to let loose, but He chooses subtlety at times, which shows His perfect restraint.

If He whispers, the noise in my life can cause me to fail to hear Him. This is why it's so important for me to remain open to Him at all times. The way I remain open to the Lord is through silencing, or at least quieting the noise in my life. I focus on Him and His Word, not on everything else demanding my attention. I focus my mind and heart onto Him alone. The only way I can do this is through living 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (look it up in your favorite version of the Bible and in the journal entry or blog post previous to this one) and John 15:7 intentionally, at all times. I have to be purposeful in this.

John 15:7 New King James Version (NKJV)

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

New King James Version (NKJV)

Yes. I have a lot of noise in my life. I need to be still and quiet, so I can hear Him. This is what I will focus on today.

Lord, help me to live these verses today.

PRAYER

Lord, my mind and life are full of a lot of noise right now. Help me to either silence it or forget it through focusing on You and Your Word alone. Help me to be quiet so I can listen to and for Your whisper and small voice. If I allow the noise to overpower You, I cannot hear You or Your direction. Lord, teach me to do so--and help me to do so. I want to bring You glory and live in the center of Your will alone.

#BibleJournaling #PrayerJournaling #ChristianJournaling

Monday, September 8, 2014

The 5-Day Countdown to a Major Life Blessing

2014-09-08 11:46:43

I am reaching a monumental life marker on September 13, 2014.

I've talked about this in previous journaling entries and blog posts. However, this is different. I'm going to devote some time every day this week to focusing on this life milestone and major life blessing. I want to look back, look at the present, and look into the future and give God thanks and give Him the glory as I seek to do His will today and tomorrow (and every moment and day thereafter).

Yep. Turning forty--the big Four-Oh--turning four decades--turning two-fifths of a century old is a major blessing to me.

I am not upset at all to turn forty. It's a privilege in my opinion. That being said, it only adds more responsibility to my life. Now, let me explain everything I just said and to everything I just inferred.

Turning four decades old is an enormous blessing because God has given me forty years to try to grow my faith in Him and try to get to know Him more, as I also try to bring Him glory in all I do, say, think, feel, and believe.

Let me put it a little more simply, though. Why is turning forty a blessing? It's because God has had a purpose for each day and each moment He has allowed me to live on earth. And, the same can be said for every moment hereafter. What is His purpose? It's to bring Himself glory. It's to show how He alone is God and He alone deserves our loyalty and praise.

He has a purpose for me every moment I have been alive, am alive, and will be alive. The catch is, I need to continue to remain open to Him and the Word through prayer, Bible reading and contemplation and application, and thanksgiving. These are the vessels He uses to have a relationship with me and to speak to me, if I remain open and listen, never mind do what He says, how He says, when He tells me to do so.

Let me emphasize this point:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

16 Rejoice always!
17 Pray constantly.
18 Give thanks in everything,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

I have spent the last four decades on earth, each and every moment and day, so I can do the things commanded to me in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. This is what I am supposed to do every day for the rest of my life. Period. End of story. The End.

What is my purpose now? In the past? And in the future? It's that--pure and simple.

Well, here's another way to phrase one of these points:

Verse to Focus on Today: Psalm 9:1

Psalm 9:1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

For the choir director: according to Muth-labben. A Davidic psalm.

1 I will thank Yahweh with all my heart;
I will declare all Your wonderful works.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Psalm 9:1 is a good summary for 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, wouldn't you say? It's just another way to say it and adds a little more meaning. Both speak powerfully as to how I am to live my life.

It's all about You, Lord, not me. You are the reason why I've lived, am living, and will live.

1 Corinthians 12:6-11 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts ofhealing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to anotherprophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

God has given me a Gift of the Spirit of faith.

Lord, thank You for the last four decades and for growing my faith.