Blessed Beyond Belief

Romans 15:13

2012-02-19T18:27:00.001-06:00

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Isaiah 9:6

2011-12-25T17:39:00.002-06:00

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Philippians 1:6

2011-11-12T16:05:00.001-06:00

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.

Nehemiah 9:6

2011-10-30T15:36:00.002-05:00

You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.

2 Corinthians 4: 1-6

2011-10-23T18:25:00.003-05:00

The Light of the Gospel

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are peri...shing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 8:10

2011-02-04T17:43:00.001-06:00

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord:I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts,and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Psalm 103:11-14

2010-12-10T19:26:00.001-06:00

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father pities his children,
So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.

Psalm 103:6-10

2010-12-10T19:24:00.001-06:00

The LORD executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

Psalm 103:1-5

2010-12-10T19:13:00.002-06:00

Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
whoheals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Jonah 4:2

2010-05-09T08:15:00.004-05:00

....thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

James 3:17

2010-03-31T07:14:00.001-05:00

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy

1 John 3:19-24

2010-03-18T20:02:00.002-05:00

By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved,if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 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. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

Proverbs 28:13

2010-03-14T21:18:00.004-05:00

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,

but whoever confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

1 Peter 1:3-5

2010-03-06T07:59:00.001-06:00

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Joshua 1:9

2010-03-05T19:51:00.003-06:00

Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.

Romans 1:17

2010-01-09T09:13:00.002-06:00

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Phil 4:8

2009-11-07T07:51:00.002-06:00

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

John 4:23-24

2009-09-21T21:57:00.002-05:00

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

1 John 3:1

2009-07-15T16:16:00.002-05:00

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Romans 15:5-7, 13 (ESV)

2009-07-04T09:17:00.002-05:00

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

2 Corinthians 1:20-22 (ESV)

2009-07-02T08:27:00.002-05:00

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

John 17:20-21 (KJV)

2009-06-19T13:11:00.003-05:00

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Ezekiel 36:26-27

2009-06-16T08:39:00.002-05:00

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Romans 5: 1-2 (ESV)

2009-06-01T10:31:00.002-05:00

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into

this grace in which we stand, and

we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Deuteronomy 32:3-4

2009-05-15T10:51:00.001-05:00

I will proclaim the name of the LORD.

Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
He is the Rock, his works are perfect,

and all his ways are just.

A faithful God who does no wrong,

upright and just is he.

2 Chronicles 20:12, 15, 17

2009-05-15T09:44:00.001-05:00

12 “ ….We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
15 …This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or

discouraged because of this vast army.

For the battle is not yours, but God's.
17 You will not have to fight this battle.

Take up your positions; stand firm and see

the deliverance the LORD will give you,….”

John 18:37

2009-05-13T16:28:00.001-05:00

"...Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice."

1 Peter 1:8

2009-05-01T17:29:00.001-05:00

Though you have not seen him, you love him;

and even though you do not see him now,

you believe in him and are filled with an

inexpressible and glorious joy

Philippians 3:8

2009-04-25T12:35:00.002-05:00

What is more, I consider everything a loss

compared to the surpassing greatness of

knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,....

Psalm 118:5-7

2009-04-15T07:48:00.001-05:00

In my anguish I cried to the LORD,

and he answered by setting me free.
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?
The LORD is with me; he is my helper.

I will look in triumph on my enemies.

Micah 7:18-19

2009-04-01T17:05:00.001-05:00

Who is a God like you,

who pardons sin and forgives the transgression

of the remnant of his inheritance?

You do not stay angry forever

but delight to show mercy.
You will again have compassion on us;

you will tread our sins underfoot

and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

Isaiah 26: 3-4

2009-03-15T14:50:00.004-05:00

'You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast,

because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever,

for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.'

(Picture of the Garden Tomb of Jesus)

Hebrews 10:35-36

2009-03-01T20:35:00.001-06:00

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God,

you will receive what he has promised.

2009-02-16T21:06:00.001-06:00

Romans 11:33-36
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.'

2009-01-28T21:18:00.002-06:00

John 15:9

'As the Father has loved me,

so have I loved you.

Now remain in my love.'

Luke 1:30-33

2008-12-21T13:17:00.001-06:00

'But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary,

you have found favor with God.

You will be with child and give birth to a son,

and you are to give him the name Jesus.

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.

The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,

and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." '

1 John 5:11-12

2008-12-13T12:34:00.002-06:00

'And this is the testimony:

God has given us eternal life,

and this life is in his Son.

He who has the Son has life;

he who does not have the Son of God

does not have life.'

Romans 10:13-15

2008-12-11T21:07:00.002-06:00

' For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?

and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?

and how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach, except they be sent?

as it is written,

How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace,

and bring glad tidings of good things! '

Ephesians 6:24

2008-12-10T18:13:00.002-06:00

'Grace be with all them

that love our Lord Jesus Christ

in sincerity. Amen.'

Hebrews 11:6

2008-12-09T16:00:00.001-06:00

..."for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

Ephesians 3:19-21

2008-12-08T19:56:00.008-06:00

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,

that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly

above all that we ask or think,

according to the power that worketh in us,

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus

throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Lamentations 3:25

2008-02-11T20:45:00.000-06:00

' The LORD is good

to those whose hope

is in him,

to the one

who seeks him; '

Psalm 46:10

2008-02-10T21:47:00.000-06:00

"Be still,

and know that I am God;

I will be exalted

among the nations,

I will be exalted

in the earth."

Philippians 4:7

2008-02-09T13:46:00.000-06:00

'And the peace of God,

which transcends

all understanding,

will guard your hearts

and your minds

in Christ Jesus. '

Psalm 40:3

2008-02-08T22:45:00.000-06:00

'He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. ..'

Ephesians 3:17-18

2008-02-07T17:51:00.000-06:00

'I pray that you,

being rooted and

established in love,

may have power,

together with all the saints,

to grasp how wide and long

and high and deep

is the love of Christ, ..'

Proverbs 3:5-6

2008-02-06T18:13:00.000-06:00

' Trust in the LORD

with all your heart

and lean not on

your own understanding;
in all your ways

acknowledge him,

and he will make

your paths straight.

Hebrews 12:2

2008-02-05T21:51:00.000-06:00

'Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,

the author and

perfecter of our faith,

who for the joy set before him

endured the cross..'

Philippians 4:4-5

2008-02-02T09:11:00.000-06:00

'Rejoice in the Lord always.

I will say it again: Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be

evident to all. '

Psalm 145:18-19

2008-02-01T17:36:00.000-06:00

'The LORD is near to all

who call on him,

to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those

who fear him;

he hears their cry and saves them.'

Psalm 112:4

2008-01-31T19:32:00.000-06:00

'Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,

for the gracious and compassionate

and righteous man.'

Deuteronomy 32:3-4

2008-01-29T20:17:00.000-06:00

'... Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
He is the Rock, his works are perfect,

and all his ways are just.

Daniel 4:3

2008-01-28T22:17:00.000-06:00

'How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders!

His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation. '

1 Chronicles 29:17

2008-01-27T11:36:00.000-06:00

'I know, my God, that you test the heart

and are pleased with integrity'

Psalm 107:6

2008-01-26T13:41:00.000-06:00

..'they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress. '

Isaiah 43:18-19

2008-01-25T22:53:00.000-06:00

'Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up;

do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the desert

and streams in the wasteland. '

Colossians 4:6

2008-01-24T17:09:00.000-06:00

'Let your conversation be

always full of grace,

seasoned with salt...'

Romans 12:11-12

2008-01-23T17:14:00.000-06:00

'Never be lacking in zeal,

but keep your spiritual fervor,

serving the Lord.

Be joyful in hope,

patient in affliction,

faithful in prayer.'

Romans 8:28

2008-01-22T21:34:00.000-06:00

And we know that in all things

God works for the good

of those who love him,

who have been called

according to his purpose.

2 Chronicles 7:3

2008-01-21T07:45:00.000-06:00

'..and they worshiped

and gave thanks to the LORD,saying,

"He is good;

his love endures forever."

Nehemiah 9:5

2008-01-20T07:58:00.000-06:00

"Stand up and praise the LORD your God,

who is from everlasting to everlasting...."

Psalm 121:1-2

2008-01-19T10:08:00.000-06:00

'I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. '

(picture is at Corinth)

Nehemiah 8:10

2008-01-18T08:52:00.000-06:00

'..the joy of the LORD is your strength.'

Colossians 3:12

2008-01-17T07:50:00.000-06:00

'Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. '

2 John 1:3

2008-01-16T08:25:00.000-06:00

'Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love. '

Galatians 5:1

2008-01-15T09:00:00.000-06:00

'It is for freedom that Christ has set us free...'

Ephesians 1:17

2008-01-14T16:15:00.000-06:00

..' that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. '

Psalms 6:9

2008-01-13T15:01:00.000-06:00

'the LORD accepts my prayer. '

Matthew 6:32-33 (NLT)

2008-01-12T07:44:00.000-06:00

..' your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.'

John 17:15

2008-01-11T09:47:00.000-06:00

'My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one'

Psalm 139:9-10

2008-01-09T20:53:00.000-06:00

'If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. '

2 Chronicles 7:14

2008-01-09T10:39:00.000-06:00

' if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.'

Psalm 46:1-2

2008-01-08T13:24:00.000-06:00

'God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,..'

Acts 16:25

2008-01-06T15:21:00.000-06:00

'About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.'

Matthew 3:13

2008-01-05T07:49:00.000-06:00

'Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.'

(present day Jordan River)

Acts 21:5,7

2008-01-04T08:46:00.000-06:00

All the disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray.
We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for a day.

(Picture is Acco, known as Ptolemais, and was one of the stops on Paul’s final return to Jerusalem )

Psalm 5:3

2008-01-03T19:56:00.000-06:00

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

The Beatitudes ( Matt 5:3-11)

2008-01-02T21:44:00.000-06:00

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake"

(Picture is present-day Mt Eremos)

Phil 4:4-7

2008-01-01T10:20:00.001-06:00

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
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.

Isaiah 46:9-11

2007-12-30T13:07:00.000-06:00

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned,that will I do.

Phil 1 9:11

2007-12-29T11:06:00.000-06:00

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

1 John 3:1

2007-12-28T16:36:00.000-06:00

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

Isaiah 40:31

2007-12-27T22:47:00.000-06:00

"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."

Luke 2

2007-12-26T19:25:00.000-06:00

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2

2007-12-25T07:10:00.000-06:00

The Birth of Jesus

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

John 1

2007-12-24T15:01:00.001-06:00

6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.[b]
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent,[c] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " 16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another

Luke 2

2007-12-24T08:06:00.000-06:00

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

Luke 1:46-55

2007-12-23T23:16:00.000-06:00

Mary's Song
46And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. 50His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."