I know that I haven't blogged in a few days, but today's blog will be kind of short, so I apologize. I hope it'll be a blessing to you anyway. This afternoon, I've been working on a project I've lovingly called, "Purple Verses" for two years or so now. Originally, it's because they were on purple, spiral-bound note-cards. Since that time, I've upgraded to florescent multicolored cards, but I still call them purple verses, more out of habit than anything. They are a collection of verses that stretch my faith, personalized with "I" and "me" kinds of pronouns to intentionally draw myself into the adventure God has called us into. They are adventure verses, boldness verses, verses about the kind of life we are called to live in Christ.
I initially began this project after hearing Mark Hankins preach on the power of our words. He says: "Faith moves God. Faith moves mountains. Faith won't move anything until it moves you. The first part of you that your faith will move is your mouth. James 2:17-20; Mark 11:23." And then, as I began studying it out, I came across Isaiah 55:11, which says that God's Word never returns void, and I began to learn that if we want our words to be guaranteed to come to pass, we need to speak God's Word in faith! We need to get it in our mouths, need to begin renewing our hearts and minds to line up with the Word by hearing it (Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God - even if it is out of our own mouths). So, as I began coming across more and more adventure type verses, boldness verses, verses that were filled with a radical and holy power that I had rarely seen exhibited in the churches of my hometown, I decided to write them down, personalize them, and begin speaking them out of my mouth. The goal was (and is) to read them everyday, at least once. I did really well with that when I first started purple verses, continuing the practice faithfully for a period of months, and saw my mind change, my heart change, and my daily experience with God change. However, since then, I've grown a little slack, a problem I am ameliorating now. I am determined to get back in the habit and thought I'd share with you some of the purple verses, and invite you to do them along with me. :) So here are the vast majority of them (excepting a few time management, energy verses, and random verses that I may not have gotten all typed up):
I initially began this project after hearing Mark Hankins preach on the power of our words. He says: "Faith moves God. Faith moves mountains. Faith won't move anything until it moves you. The first part of you that your faith will move is your mouth. James 2:17-20; Mark 11:23." And then, as I began studying it out, I came across Isaiah 55:11, which says that God's Word never returns void, and I began to learn that if we want our words to be guaranteed to come to pass, we need to speak God's Word in faith! We need to get it in our mouths, need to begin renewing our hearts and minds to line up with the Word by hearing it (Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God - even if it is out of our own mouths). So, as I began coming across more and more adventure type verses, boldness verses, verses that were filled with a radical and holy power that I had rarely seen exhibited in the churches of my hometown, I decided to write them down, personalize them, and begin speaking them out of my mouth. The goal was (and is) to read them everyday, at least once. I did really well with that when I first started purple verses, continuing the practice faithfully for a period of months, and saw my mind change, my heart change, and my daily experience with God change. However, since then, I've grown a little slack, a problem I am ameliorating now. I am determined to get back in the habit and thought I'd share with you some of the purple verses, and invite you to do them along with me. :) So here are the vast majority of them (excepting a few time management, energy verses, and random verses that I may not have gotten all typed up):
1. I am steadfast and persevering, fully engaged in the work of the Lord (NAB). I know that my otil is not fruitless in the Lord. (Montgomery) – 1 Cor. 15:58
2. Because I know the Lord my God, I shall be steadfast and accomplish notable feats (Dan. 11:32b, Berk.), brave deeds (Har.), mighty acts of valor (LB), fighting like a hero (Jerus), for the Kingdom of God. – Psalm 108:13
3. My faith is turning dreams into deeds and betting my life on the unseen realities [of God’s promises]. – Hebrews 11:1, Jordan
4. The Spirit He has bestowed on me is not one that shrinks from danger; it is a spirit of action, of love, and of discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7, Knox
5. God can do anything [in my life – I know it!] – far more than I could ever imagine or guess or request in my wildest dreams! – Ephesians 3:20, MSG
6. The path I walk is charted by faith, not by what I see with my eyes. Therefore there is no doubt that I live with a daring passion … - 2 Cor. 5:7-8a, VNT
7. The resurrection life I received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. Rather, it is adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike, “What’s next, Papa?” – Romans 8:15, MSG
8. I persevere in believing in Christ, believing that through Him, I can do the same things He did and even greater things because Christ went to the Father. – John 14:12, Williams
9. God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go! - Romans 8:14, MSG
10. My spirit is on fire, bubbling up and boiling over as I serve the Lord (Voice). Yes, I am unwearied in activity, aglow in the Spirit (Knox). – Romans 12:11b
11. Though the thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy, Jesus came to give me life in all its fullness (and I claim it in faith!) – John 10:10, LB
12. I can do everything I need to do because Christ is the energizing center of my life. – Phil. 4:13, Johnson
13. I am charging on to gain anything and everything Jesus Christ has in store for me – and nothing will stand in my way. I’m leaving my old life behind, putting everything on the line for this mission. I am sprinting toward the only goal that counts. – Phil. 3:12-13, Voice
14. I don’t care about my own life. The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me – to tell people the Good News about God’s grace. – Acts 20:24, NCV
15. I do not cultivate nonproductive patterns in my life, so I am delivered from experiencing emptiness, meaninglessness, and spiritual decay. Rather, I continue to live in union with the Spirit, so I not only experience real life here and now, I will have life forever. – Galatians 6:8, Johnson
16. I am not surprised [when God answers my prayers]. Since I have faith in God without doubting, I too am able to do unusual things for Him [like Jesus did] … When I ask God for help, I believe that I receive it, and I see Him help me in amazing ways. – Matt. 21:21-22, Clear Word
17. I walk along in the ever brightening light of God’s favor. – Proverbs 4:18, LB
18. But more than anything else, I put God’s work first and do what He wants (CEV). I give first priority to the Spirit dimension (Johnson), the God movement and its kind of life (Jordan). Yes, I steep my life in God-reality, God-initiative, and God provisions (MSG), trusting that when I get a proper perspective (Johnson), He will give me all I need from day to day (NLT). – Matthew 6:33
19. Results beyond my thoughts will arise from these beginnings in which I now participate. – Eph. 3:20, Dist.
20. My goal is to measure up to God’s plan for me. – 2 Cor. 10:13, LB
21. Since I know what lies ahead of me, I am not bored with being a Christian, nor am I spiritually dull or indifferent (LB). I am not a spiritual moron, rather, I am an imitator of those great souls who by creative and persistent effort achieved their dreams [for the glory of God] (Jordan). – Hebrews 6:12
22. I pray [and declare in faith] that everyone who meets me will catch my faith and learn from me how wonderful it is to live in Christ. – Philemon 6
23. Experiencing [the love of God more fully today than ever before], I am overwhelmed with an awareness of the presence of God. – Ephesians 3:20, Johnson
24. I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I’m not just shadowboxing or playing around (LB). I am not in doubt of my goal (Knox). – 1 Cor. 9:26
25. He must become greater and greater [in my life] (LB), must take center stage (VNT), while I must become less and less (LB), stepping off to the side (VNT), in order that He might get all the glory. – John 3:30
26. I quickly carry out the tasks assigned me by the God who sent Jesus into this world, for I know there is little time left. – John 9:4, LB
27. I delight in doing everything God wants me to, and day and night, I am always meditating on His laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely. – Ps. 1:2, LB
28. I have what my faith expects (Goodspeed). I will not be disappointed (Knox). – Matt. 9:29,
29. I live life then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as someone who does not know the meaning and purpose of life, but as one who does! I make the best use of my time, despite all the difficulties of these days. I am not vague, but I firmly grasp what I know to be the will of God. – Eph. 5:15-17, Phillips
30. While a backslider gets bored with himself, my godly life is exciting [through the power of God!] – Prov. 14:14, LB
31. In the same way [Jesus] was given a mission in the world, He has given me a mission in the world [and by faith I will fulfill it!] – John 17:18, MSG
32. I don’t act thoughtlessly, but I try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants me to. – Eph. 5:17, LB
33. I shake off complacency (Phil.), turn from [any ounce] of indifference [in my life] and [grow continually more] enthusiastic about the things of God (LB). – Rev. 3:19
34. I follow the steps of the godly and stay on the right path, for only good men [and women of faith] enjoy life to the full. – Prov. 2:20-21, LB
35. The one thing I ask of the Lord, the thing I look for, is to remain close to Him my entire life, to see the beauty of His character, and to talk with Him in His temple. – Ps. 27:4, Clear Word
36. God’s beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. – Psalm 23:6, MSG
37. I see God’s actions, and I take delight in what He does … Psalm 107:42, Voice
38. I am not afraid – God has promised I won’t be embarrassed. I don’t hold back – He’s promised I won’t come up short [as I adventure in faith with Him]. – Isaiah 54:4, MSG
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