Scripture for the Soul

“[Trials and Temptations] Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”- James 1:2-3

Everything we go through and face can be made into an opportunity to stand for Christ and learn and grow in Him. Pray for His strength, help, courage, and wisdom during the storm and the sunshine. Strive to embody His characteristics and His likeness. Find Him in His Word, on your knees, and in the rainbows He has placed in the sky. Find joy in the Lord and pour that joy into your life. 

All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

God Has A Plan

Everything that happens in life is under the umbrella of God's plan. We have free will so we can see God's goodness, His love, and His grace. We may choose to sin or choose Christ but in all decisions He knows our hearts, He knows our deepest desires, and He knows where we are in our lives. That is an extraordinary thing- that the Lord God Almighty knows our future and will guide our steps if we listen and lean on Him. Every person, every place, every circumstance that has passed through your life has been there for a reason. If it was something negative- what did the Lord teach you? Did you make that obstacle into an opportunity? Did you grow in Christ in some way? Well, then that "negative" was not negative at all. It was an opportunity to grow, to change, to be transformed into the likeness of Christ. It was an opportunity to be strengthened by the Lord in your areas of weakness. If the past is following you to the present, meet it, deal with it. Ask God to show you how you have grown during that time, ask Him to show you the lessons you learned, and ask Him to help you live for the glorious present He has given you. The Lord has a plan for each of our lives. He knows our past, He guides our present, and He sees our future. Find peace and joy in the fact that the Lord can guide your steps, your heart, and your desires onto His path towards the prosperous future He has for you.


Here are a few Scriptures to show that the Lord has a plan, knows our future, and will guide us:

New International Version (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:11 Listen to this passage 11 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. New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
Psalm 37:23 Listen to this passage  23 If the LORD delights in a man's way,        he makes his steps firm; New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
Proverbs 3:5 Listen to this passage  5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart        and lean not on your own understanding; New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
Psalm 48:14 Listen to this passage  14 For this God is our God for ever and ever;        he will be our guide even to the end. New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
Jeremiah 10:23 Listen to this passage Jeremiah's Prayer  23 I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own;        it is not for man to direct his steps. New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
Psalm 37:4 Listen to this passage  4 Delight yourself in the LORD        and he will give you the desires of your heart. New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica

http://www.biblegateway.com/

The Bible is the best way to get to know your Creator God so dive into His Word to seek Him. If you don't have a Bible of your own check out-- http://www.biblegateway.com/ which is an online Bible.

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All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Use Your Life's Every Moment as an Opportunity

Whatever is happening in our lives is happening for a reason. We can use where we are and what we have to glorify God or we can use it to do our own will. What path are you going to take? Sometimes it's hard to stand up and do the right thing or to do God's will when it goes against our own sin nature but God calls us to a new life. He calls us to run from our sin nature to deny the world and sin around us and to jump into His will and His arms. Every moment of our lives is an opportunity to serve Him. Don't get distracted by the people who want to pull you down or the sin issue that wants to take its hold! Keep your eyes fixed on Him! Use your life's every moment as an opportunity to serve Him and teach others about His greatness!!!

Hebrews 12:2 

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

To All the Students Out There....

To all the students out there....these past few weeks have been filled with finals and there are more to come in the coming weeks and I want to pray for you all. Pray that you are diligent with your studies, pray that you absorb the information, and most importantly pray that you will use all that you study to further the kingdom of Christ. The subjects that we are studying now are just a means to reach out to other people and connect to them. They are opportunities not just something we need to check off our list to get to graduation. So get out your coke, your Starbucks, or your caffeine of choice and study with the Lord's work in mind. Have a blessed night and an awesome finals week!!!

Jeremiah 29:11 

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.

All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.