More Scriptures for Times of Transition: New Testament

This week’s post is a continuation from last week.  Times of transition are inherently stressful; however, by turning to the Word of God we can find comfort, relief.  Here is the link to last week’s post: Scriptures for Times of Transition.  

The verses that follow are a selection and not meant to be exhaustive.

I encourage you to meditate on these verses—letting them sink into your heart and mind.

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Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.  

(Matthew 24:35 KJV)

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.  

(Romans 15:13 KJV)

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

(2 Corinthians 4:16-18 KJV)

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  

(Philippians 4:6-7 KJV)

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  

(Philippians 4:19 KJV)

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.  

(Hebrews 6:19-20 KJV)

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.  

(Hebrews 13:8 KJV)

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.  

(1 John 2:17 KJV)

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.  

(1 John 5:14-15 KJV)

My prayer is that these verses will speak to your heart and provide strength and encouragement on difficult days.  For those of us who have Jesus as Savior and Lord can see difficult days in the light of eternity.  While difficult days come; we have a glorious future awaiting us with our Savior!

Where do you find comfort in God’s Word during times of transition?

From https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1379JxsnhYhv_LoXJSK7WgR3m0VXjSbjYBKl8ubqlAzZ0aahEtHmw795fuTFoDVE8nsHtyCzcCWx_SAi75QKVm7nMm56MfZFtOiqq2ksKW6FxujHHTmXMQtnlKgSouiiUFKRAD793tfE/s320/God+in+Heart.png

Please join with me in prayer:

Precious Lord, thank You for Your Word that contains solid truth; as we mediate on it, open our spiritual eyes to understand what You are saying to us.  Direct our attention to the Scriptures You want us to meditate upon and apply to our daily lives.  Bring to our minds all the ways You walk with us through all the transitions of life.  Remind us to keep our minds focused on You, especially when things seem to be in constant flux and we struggle to find our footing.  Open our eyes to the new possibilities, the new horizons that come from times of transition.  Thank You for the benefits that come from being Your child; may we share the Good News with those around us who desperately need to hear it.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim  

Scriptures for Times of Transition

Transition is defined as:  “noun transizh'on. [Latin transitio.] Passage from one place or state to another; change; as the transition of the weather form hot to cold. Sudden transitions are sometimes attended with evil effects.”[1] For the complete definition of transition, please see the link below.

For a variety of reasons, I have decided to look to the Scriptures to find comfort and direction for the future.  The Lord prompted me to do this due to my pastor retiring (his last Sunday is June 12), and the new pastor coming (June 26); a friend’s pastor is retiring, and another friend is experiencing a variety of life transitions.

The verses that follow are a selection and not meant to be exhaustive.

I encourage you to meditate on these verses—letting them sink into your heart and mind.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.  (Joshua 1:9 KJV)

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.  (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 KJV)

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 

(Jeremiah 29:11-13 KJV)

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 

(Proverbs 3:5 KJV)

Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.  (Proverbs 16:3 KJV)

And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.  

(Deuteronomy 31:8 KJV)

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.  (Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV)

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.  (Isaiah 43:19 KJV)

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  

(Lamentations 3:21-23 KJV)

For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. 

(Malachi 3:6 KJV)

My prayer is that these verses will speak to your heart and provide strength and encouragement on difficult days.  For those of us who have Jesus as Savior and Lord can see difficult days in the light of eternity.  While difficult days come; we have a glorious future awaiting us with our Savior!

Where do you find comfort in God’s Word during times of transition?

Please join with me in prayer:

Precious Lord, thank You for Your Word that contains solid truth, as we mediate on it, open our spiritual eyes to understand what You are saying to us.  Direct our attention to the Scriptures You want us to meditate upon and apply to our daily lives.  Bring to our minds all the ways You walk with us through all the transitions of life.  Remind us to keep our minds focused on You, especially when things seem to be in constant flux and we struggle to find our footing.  Thank You for the benefits that come from being Your child; may we share the Good News with those around us who desperately need to hear it.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim  

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[1] http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/transition

Memorials

Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer [Ebenezer means stone of help], saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.  (1Samuel 7:12 KJV)

In the United States of America it is Memorial Day weekend.  Originally, it was a time set aside to honor the men and women who gave their lives in various wars (as well as a time to decorate graves of loved ones who have passed away).  Sadly, this time has evolved into a huge party time—a time to kick off summer time. 

Many people will spend the weekend relaxing and hanging out with family and friends—not giving a second thought to what the day is really about.  However, there are places where those who have gone on are remembered.

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In the United Methodist tradition, we honor those who have passed away since the previous Memorial Day by reading their names and lighting a candle.  In addition, memorials given to the church are used to buy items; such as, pictures, Bibles, and books—in memory of an individual—are dedicated.

Photo Credit: C. Meissner

With all of this in mind, I thought it would be interesting to look at memorials in the Scriptures.  In order to better grasp the idea of a memorial, let us consider the definition of memorial from Webster’s Dictionary of 1828: 

“1. Preservative of memory.  There high in air memorial of my name, Fix the smooth oar, and bid me live to fame.  2. Contained in memory as memorial possession.  MEMO'RIAL, noun That which preserves the memory of something; any thing that serves to keep in memory. A monument is a memorial of a deceased person, or of an event. The Lord's supper is a memorial of the death and sufferings of Christ.  Churches have names; some as memorials of peace, some of wisdom, some of the Trinity.  1. Any note or hint to assist the memory.  Memorials written with king Edward's hand shall be the ground of this history.  2. A written representation of facts, made to a legislative or other body as the ground of a petition, or a representation of facts accompanied with a petition.”[1]

Photo Credit: C. Meissner

We memorialize to honor; we honor people, we also honor God.  On the flip side, we also dishonor people and God by how we treat them and talk to and about them. 

Memorials have a long history; they have a solid biblical foundation.  Throughout God’s Word, we can find memorials to God’s power, might, help, and work on behalf of His people. 

In the Old Testament we see a memorial to the faithfulness of God being put up, by the prophet Samuel—the Ebenezer stone (1 Samuel 7:12). 

What does it mean to you to have a God Who helps? 

What can you do to help you remember how God helps you?

Photo Credit: P. Whitlach 

In the New Testament we see the establishment of Communion—a memorial to Jesus’ work on the cross (1 Corinthians 11:26-29).  (In the future, I plan to take a closer look at Communion.)

Obviously, there are many more memorials in the Scriptures, some will be considered later.

Please join with me in prayer:

Dear Lord of All, Thank You for being our ever faithful “stone of help”.  We realize what a wretched state we would be in without You.  We praise and thank You for Your faithfulness towards us, especially when we have been less than faithful, at times, towards You.  We remember with gratitude all that You have done for Your children.  During this time, we lift up to You memories of loved ones who have died.  Thank You for the ways they have touched our lives.  We remember with gratitude, all that Jesus did for us.  Guide us to use this special time in a way that is honoring, rather than dishonoring.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim  

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[1] From http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/memorial   

God’s Faithfulness

Webster’s Dictionary 1828 defines faithfulness (dictionary link) as: “1. Fidelity; loyalty; firm adherence to allegiance and duty; as the faithfulness of a subject.

2. Truth; veracity; as the faithfulness of God.

3. Strict adherence to injunctions, and to the duties of a station; as the faithfulness of servants or ministers.

4. Strict performance of promises, vows or covenants; constancy in affection; as the faithfulness of a husband or wife.”

God’s faithfulness is all around us, if we would just open our eyes and soften our hearts.  If we can somehow see the unseen through understanding how God deals with His people, we can praise God even in the midst of pain, as well as the good times.  It is a part of God’s character and nature to be faithful—He cannot be anything but faithful.  We can fully trust God in all things.   

If we can focus our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (see Hebrews 12:2 see here), we’ll find ourselves able to honestly proclaim the words to the hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness.

God is faithful to provide for His children; think about how God has provided for you when you thought all was hopeless.  Perhaps, the most difficult time to grow in our faith is during the times of calmness and good—when things are going well. Being faithful in all circumstances is important.

In fact, Paul, the apostle, talks about this in several of his letters. Paul was able to be joyful and content in all things, no matter what his circumstances.  In fact, he wrote his letter to the Philippians (“the book of joy”) from a jail cell—where he was awaiting to learn his fate.  Paul was martyred for his testimony in Jesus.  

How do we react when we face trials?  What about good times?  When is it easiest for you to grow in faith and relationship with God?

     

“It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning:  great is thy faithfulness.”  (Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV)

 Please join with me in prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to see your faithfulness to us in our daily lives, so that we can truly sing the words to Great is Thy Faithfulness.  Thank you for your great faithfulness to us.  We acknowledge our powerlessness without you to live our lives.  Teach us to grow in our relationship with you.  In Jesus’ precious name, we pray, Amen.

From my heart to yours,

Kim