Encouraging Bible Verses – God Keeps His Promises
“1 Give thanks to the Lord and pray to him.
Tell the nations what he has done.
2 Sing to him; sing praises to him.
Tell about all his miracles.
3 Be glad that you are his;
let those who seek the Lord be happy.
4 Depend on the Lord and his strength;
always go to him for help.
5 Remember the miracles he has done;
remember his wonders and his decisions.
6 You are descendants of his servant Abraham,
the children of Jacob, his chosen people.
7 He is the Lord our God.
His laws are for all the world.
8 He will keep his agreement forever;
He will keep his promises always.”- Psalm 105, Verses 1-8 (New Century Version, quotes, italics, and bold mine)
Have you ever felt like God had abandoned you? Maybe you feel like that today… I know there have been times when I have felt that way.
However, we need to remember that God always keeps His promises. He will never forsake you nor leave you, as we are told in Deuteronomy 31:6 -
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (NIV, bold mine)
Isn’t that an awesome promise? I know it makes me feel that I’m loved, to know that I have a Father in heaven who will never leave me, and a Saviour who petitions my cause at the throne of my Father in Heaven.
So, depend on the Lord and His strength, and always go to Him for help… you won’t have to go very far.
Bible Verses for Encouragement, Psalm 119 Verse 114
“114 You are my refuge and my shield;
your word is my source of hope.” – Psalm 119:114 (New Living Translation)
Psalm 119 verse 114 is a reminder to us not only that the Lord is looking out for us, but also that He has left us a powerful source of hope and encouragement.
Reading Bible verses for encouragement is not just a good idea; according to the Psalmist it is the prescribed source of hope for those in need of comfort.
In 2 Corinthians 1 verses 3 through 7, Paul writes the following as he opens his second letter to the church in Corinth:
“3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NLT, bold text mine)
How interesting that Paul tells the reader that God is the source of all comfort. Obviously, Paul’s purpose in this was to remind the reader that we should look to the Lord first, foremost, and always for comfort in our time of troubles.
So, if you’re hurting, pray to God that he provides you with comfort in your time of troubles. He’s there for you… turn to Him and let the Lord who loves you carry your burden.
Hope For Belief in a Creator Who Loves Us – Evidence of God
Earlier today, I came across this lecture (http://www.cosmicfingerprints.com/audio/newevidence.htm) regarding scientific evidence of God’s existence and couldn’t help but think of it as a lecture of hope.
That is, hope to all people who hear and read the story put out by the secular culture regarding the origin of life, creation, evolution, and so on, and doubt the existence of a loving and caring God who created a planet uniquely designed to support intelligent life…
Now, I’m not a science professor… but according to the bio on the site the author of this lecture, Dr. Hugh Ross is:
“…the youngest person ever to serve as director of observations for Vancouver’s Royal Astronomical Society. With the help of a provincial scholarship and a National Research Council (NRC) of Canada fellowship, he completed his undergraduate degree in physics (University of British Columbia) and graduate degrees in astronomy (University of Toronto). The NRC also sent him to the United States for postdoctoral studies. At Caltech he researched quasi-stellar objects, or “quasars,” some of the most distant and ancient objects in the universe.”
All I know is that Dr. Ross explains some very technical concepts regarding the scientific evidence for the existence of God in terms that even I could understand, despite my pitiful understanding of physics and astronomy.
For more on Dr. Ross and his work, visit http://www.reasons.org/.
Bible scriptures of comfort – John 16:33
“In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world.” -John 16:33 New Century Version
One thing you’ll notice when you read the words of Jesus in the scripture – He doesn’t mince words. Christ lets us know exactly what to expect from the world. Yet, the Lord’s message always comes with a promise of salvation and everlasting life.
So, be brave!
No matter what troubles may come our way, our Saviour has defeated the world.
Tony Robbins Tells Sylvester Stallone’s Story
Say what you will about Tony Robbins… I love this encouraging story about Sylvester Stallone’s “Rocky” start in the movie business. 
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Searching for Words of Encouragement to a Soldier?
Often, it’s hard to know just what to say to a loved one who is headed into danger in service to their country.
This video does a great job of not only showing why our soldiers need our support, but also in telling us what words of encouragement our soldiers need to hear from us.
I just want to warn you, though… there are some images of families in mourning in this video. But, in my eyes it’s good to be reminded of just how very valuable our loved ones are when we’re searching for a way to give them courage and hope.
Enjoy…
Churchill Quote on Perseverance
“Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty – never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.” Churchill, Address at Harrow School (October 29, 1941)
This oft-quoted line from an address given at Harrow School by Churchill in the early days of WWII is actually a highlight from an entire discourse on perseverance. If you want to read a message that conveys the man’s uncanny ability to provide hope through his words in the darkest of times, you’ll want to read the whole address.
However, I believe the words above nicely sum up what he had to say at Harrow. And, we should remember that the very message he spoke that day is the same attitude that carried the British through one of the most difficult periods in that country’s history.
So, never give in – never, never, never, never… because, in my experience at least, from such firm resolve is where hope truly springs.
Waiting in Hope
18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.
I love this Psalm because it offers us a promise, and also tells us something about God.
In verse 18, we’re told that God is watching over those who fear Him and who place their hope in His love.
Then, in verse 20, we’re told to “wait in hope”. Sometimes, I think waiting for God to move is the hardest thing to do when you’re hurting and afraid. We tend to want to be delivered from whatever pain or heartache we’re dealing with right away; the thing is, it’s often in the midst of that pain that the love of God is revealed.
Yes, learning to wait patiently on the Lord during our time of need is difficult… but through doing so we can also learn more about God’s love for us than we ever thought possible.
My Favorite Bible Verses For Encouragement
On faith:
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
On hope:
“(1)Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (2)through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. (3)Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; (4)perseverance, character; and character, hope. (5)And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” – Romans 5:1-5 (NIV)
On worrying:
(22)Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. (23)Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. (24)Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! (25)Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (26)Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
(27)“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. (28)If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! (29)And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. (30)For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. (31)But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. – Luke 12:22-31 (NIV)
On God’s plan for us:
“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 (NIV)
