1. Bible reference (New Testament) Romans14:10-13

All humanity, as individuals, will stand before the judgement seat of Christ and tell why we did what we each did with our lives.

Romans 14

10 So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For the Scriptures say,

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bend to me,
and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.'”
12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. 13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

Bible reference (Old Testament) ~ Psalm 23

I was writing this blog entry I looked up at my clock and, (if this ain’t cool! I don’t know what is!) it was 7:23.

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This verse needs to be memorized! It’s beautiful! It says to live your life for Jesus!

Bible reference (New Testament) Romans 12:9-16

The writer of Romans, Paul, lists the qualities of genuine love for others. 

Romans 12

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong.

Hold tightly to what is good.

10 Love each other with genuine affection,

and take delight in honoring each other.

11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

12 Rejoice in our confident hope.

Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them.

Always be eager to practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you.

Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.

15 Be happy with those who are happy,

and weep with those who weep.

16 Live in harmony with each other.

Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.

And don’t think you know it all!

Bible reference (New Testament) Romans 12:17-21

Leave revenge to God. 

Romans 12

17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.

18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the Lord.
20 Instead,

“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”[b]

21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

When I was in the eighth grade we read this poem in English class. It gives a little candid insight into this famous author’s family life from long ago.

The Children’s Hour
–Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Between the dark and the daylight,
When the night is beginning to lower,
Comes a pause in the day’s occupations,
That is known as the Children’s Hour.

I hear in the chamber above me
The patter of little feet,
The sound of a door that is opened,
And voices soft and sweet.

From my study I see in the lamplight,
Descending the broad hall stair,
Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra,
And Edith with golden hair.

A whisper, and then a silence:
Yet I know by their merry eyes
They are plotting and planning together
To take me by surprise.

A sudden rush from the stairway,
A sudden raid from the hall!
By three doors left unguarded
They enter my castle wall!

They climb up into my turret
O’er the arms and back of my chair;
If I try to escape, they surround me;
They seem to be everywhere.

They almost devour me with kisses,
Their arms about me entwine,
Till I think of the Bishop of Bingen
In his Mouse-Tower on the Rhine!

Do you think, O blue-eyed banditti,
Because you have scaled the wall,
Such an old mustache as I am
Is not a match for you all!

I have you fast in my fortress,
And will not let you depart,
But put you down into the dungeon
In the round-tower of my heart.

And there will I keep you forever,
Yes, forever and a day,
Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,
And moulder in dust away!

Last Sunday at Guts church we were given a challenge ~ spend ten minutes a day, boldly telling someone about Jesus.

This is doable! I’ve got a strategy.  Here are a few ways it can be done.

1) Tell a personal Jesus story.

Why? Because it is encouraging and God will be honored for His goodness.

I’ve had to think this one through a little.  But here are three stories where prayers were answered in big ways.

–when our newborn survived going into shock and was in the Saint Francis ICU neo-natal unit for over a month. He’s healthy and 24 now!

–When our car was almost wrecked three different times on icy roads during about a ten year period. The name of Jesus was spoken and no harm was done.

–When I became a Christian at thirteen.

2) Use memorized Bible verses when it is fitting.

Why?  Because the Bible says the Word of God never returns void!

Isaiah 55:11

[God says] So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

3) Say the name of Jesus.

Why?  Because it is powerful!

Matthew 28:18-19

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

To get it started each day, I just say a prayer asking, trusting and thanking God for opportunities to come my way in which I am able to kindly tell someone about God.

Bible reference (Old Testament) ~ Psalm 19:7-11

Over 10 years ago I went through a time in my life that was humbling and could’ve led to depression. But I was determined to fight depression.  The situation was on my mind day and night. I didn’t want people to feel sorry for me. Even though I had to face them regularly.

I was demoted on my job.  I went from training new people back to a monotonous assembly job.

So I turned to Bible verses. Memorizing Bible passages that would take my mind off my daily work. Every night I would scour through details of why my situation happened. I had to teach myself to quit thinking about it. And I would say Bible verses to distract my mind.  

I’m a detail oriented person. Thoughts of what I see, hear and emotionally feel constantly go through my mind.

I memorized parts of Psalm 139 and Psalm 19.

Here are the gorgeous words that describe the Bible found in Psalms.

Psalm 19

7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
9 Reverence for the Lord is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
each one is fair.
10 They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.
11 They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them.

Bible reference (New Testament) ~ Romans 8:38-39

Nothing can separate us from the love of God.