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More Words You Live By - Here are readers’ favorite Bible verses that we couldn’t share in the magazine.
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
Submitted by Anita Brown of Lanesboro, Minnesota, who says: “When looking for a Bible verse to use on T-shirts for our upcoming mission trip, I came across this one that has inspired me each day in my preparation for this journey.”
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“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Submitted by Mary Raddatz of Staples, Minnesota, who says: “To me, this is just a reminder of God’s unending goodness in our lives. We have been blessed manyfold, more than we can even imagine. We have nothing without Him and are given situations on purpose. We have the responsibility to accept God’s plan without doubt. This also reminds me that nothing is outside of God’s control. What security there is in that!”
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“I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” (John 16:20)
Submitted by Dottie Blakely of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, who says: “This verse has become my mantra since the day I learned that my husband was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and we lost our life as we knew it.”
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“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Submitted by Harriet Beckwith of Stoddard, New Hampshire, who says: “My husband was called home nearly five years ago. Since then, I have had to consider whether I should stay in this home where there are so many memories and lonely hours. But I take a deep breath and remember this verse.”
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“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (I Corinthians 3:16-17)
Submitted by Ron Fiebig of Fort Wayne, Indiana, who says: “As I taught in Lutheran schools, I made sure the students heard my interpretation of this passage whenever it was taught. I still think of what God wants me to do to keep my body as a temple. I don’t expect that a temple will be kept in poor repair if it is to glorify God. This, in turn, helps me do my best to keep in good shape and try to make good health choices. This passage impressed me when we first studied it in 5th or 6th grade. I kept it in mind as the temptations of youth and peer pressure forced me to make decisions about drinking and drugs. Today, it is the reason I follow a regular exercise routine, even though more often than not, I would rather do something else.”
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“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8)
Submitted by Marilyn J. Miller of St. Johns, Michigan, who says: “As a 17-year-old senior in high school, I was without a vocational goal and quite uncertain about selecting a major focus for college study. This verse came to me and became my life verse when I drew it from a fishbowl at a New Year’s Eve party for the teens of my church. God’s promise of guidance and protection has been one I could rest on through many challenging and some difficult times.”
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“The Lord watch between you and me when we are absent from the other.” (Genesis 31:49b RSV)
Submitted by Elaine E. Lybbert of Cresco, Iowa, who says: “This verse brings comfort
to me when I think of my loved ones who live, have jobs, are students or are traveling far from home.”
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“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)
Submitted by Jane Keller of Hillsborough, New Jersey, who says: “He helps me bear my burdens and those of others. He is always by my side.”
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“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” (Ephesians 1:16)
Submitted by Lillian Duda of Pine City, Minnesota, who says: “When sending get-well cards, I include this verse.”
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“Be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:4-6)
Submitted by La Vern Gerth of Decatur, Illinois, who says: “I was confirmed in 1933 and this was my confirmation verse. God is taking care of me.”
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“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard; nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV)
Submitted by Vivian Karner-Lindel of Willowbrook, Illinois, who says: “What a glorious feeling to know I will spend eternity with my Lord.”
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“Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1)
Submitted by Cathy Grzyb of Trevor, Wisconsin, who says: “Although our Lord is all-knowing, Jesus informs us that it pleases Him when we share our innermost thoughts and feelings. Because He so loves and cares for us, He desires that we reach out to Him through prayer. I believe a true relationship is based on regular, meaningful communication. I feel we each have our own “media” of prayer. My personal favorite is through song, which I have found to be very much like a pathway to the Lord. I consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to teach the students of Christ Lutheran’s Sunday Church School Program songs of praise to help build their young faith. I often repeat to them a favorite expression of mine: “He who sings prays twice.” Their little voices ring with the purest of faith when they sing, and they bless us all (young and old alike) when they join together to proclaim the glory of our Lord in song—no matter what key they happen to vocalize it in.”
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“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
Submitted by Pearl Kurth of Carroll, Iowa, who says: “Any time things in this life seem overwhelming, I know I can count on God to help me. It is beautiful to think of soaring like an eagle above my problems and letting God take care of them.”
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“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Submitted by Karen Whetzel of New Market, Virginia, who says: “When I was growing up, this was on a plaque in our church Sunday School classroom. I memorized it as a child, and it has come to mind during the hard times throughout my life.”
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“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)
Submitted by Lorraine Baker of Salem, Oregon, who says: “My little Norwegian mama suffered for several years with the devastating losses resulting from Alzheimer’s disease. This verse, promising that God never changes, filled me with peace and hope.”
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“He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith, I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’” (Matthew 17:20)
Submitted by Roy Bertelsen of Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, who says: “Just having been hospitalized and after surgery for a fractured hip, I was not sure if I would walk properly again. But my task is not impossible at all.”
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“The Lord is my light and my salvation—of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Both submitted by the Rev. Owen Gaasedelen of Northfield, Minnesota, who says: “These two verses combined have been a mainstay for me. After four years of seminary training and a subsequent 47 years of being vibrantly active in the ordained ministry, I retired. During the first two years of retirement, amid some ensuing health problems, I found myself floundering, being depressed and feeling fearful. I did a retake on Psalm 27:1 and Jeremiah 29:11, and these and other Bible verses served to pull me out of my doldrums. Thanks be to God!”
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“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
Submitted by Anna C. Nelson of Erie, Pennsylvania, who says: “My late mother-in-law was one of the most wonderful people I have ever known. This was one of her favorite Bible verses and it is also mine. I have it stuck right on my refrigerator. There are many times this verse has helped me through the years. (I am 89!) For instance, if I have to make an announcement in front of a group or go on stage singing with my chorus, or just take care of commitments and deadlines, it really is a comforting verse and gives me much confidence.”
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“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)
Submitted by Arlene Frey of Johnson Creek, Wisconsin, who says: “It is my favorite verse and also my Confirmation verse. When the Lord stands at my heart and knocks, I open it, and the Lord is always with me.”
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“‘I, Jesus, have sent my angel to announce these things to you in the churches. I am descended from the family of David. I am the bright morning star.’” (Revelation 22:16)
Submitted by Bess Snyder of Drifton, Pennsylvania, who says: “When I get up in the morning, I think of the Lord as my bright morning star, and that thought stays with me all day.”
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“Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6)
Submitted by Iola Rokke of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, who says: “These encouraging words give assurance for both our future days and for eternity. What a blessing that is, when we see much suffering and danger around us and in the world at large.”
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“For we are what He has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Submitted by Beth Hoffmann of Waukesha, Wisconsin, who says: “This verse struck me as a way to pray people into Scripture when they were in need of employment: ‘Lord, please connect Karen with the employer who will pay her for the good works you have prepared beforehand to be her way of life.’ A pastor assured me that Paul was not talking about employment, and I don’t disagree with that, but I keep using the prayer.”
“But you do see! Indeed you note trouble and grief, that you may take it into your hands; the helpless commit themselves to you; you have been the helper of the orphan.” (Psalm 10:14)
Also submitted by Beth Hoffmann of Waukesha, Wisconsin, who says: “I was grateful to find these words for my mental picture of a big box, into which I put all the things I don’t like but can’t change. Then, I give the box to God, who is big enough to manage all those difficulties. I give the heavy box to God, not because God needs it, but because I need to be rid of it, and so, freed up to deal with the things I can do, like dishes!”
Send us a Bible verse that is meaningful to you and tell us why. If we select yours for the magazine, we’ll send you a gift. E-mail us at thriventmagazine@thrivent.com.
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