“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed…” – Romans 4:18. (Against all hope… in hope believed. When all hope, as a human possibility, failed, Abraham placed his hope in God.)
Bible
A cheerful heart is good medicine.
Proverbs 17:22 NIV
Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:12 NIV
It is to a man’s honour to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. – Proverbs 20:3
Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Matthew 10:29-31 (NIV1984)
The issue of money and lifestyle is not a side issue in the Bible. The credibility of Christ in the world hangs on it. “Fifteen percent of everything Christ said relates to this topic – more than his teachings on heaven and hell combined.” Listen to this refrain that runs through all his teachings:
- “One thing you lack: go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and then you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me.” (Mark 10:21)
- “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God… But woe to who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.” (Luke 6:20, 24)
- “Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” (Luke 14:33)
- “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:25)
- “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
- “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
- “Sell your possession and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted.” (Luke 12:33)
- “Zacchaeus… said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor’… And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house.’ (Luke 19:8-9)
- “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went out and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44)
- “[Jesus] saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘I tell you the truth,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others.” Luke 21:2-3
- “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself and is not rich towards God.” (Luke 12:20-21)
Source: John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life, p.109-110
“Drink water from your own cistern,
running water from your own well.
Should your springs overflow in the streets,
your streams of water in the public squares?
Let them be yours alone,
never to be shared with strangers.
May your fountain be blessed,
and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
A loving doe, a graceful deer –
may her breasts satisfy you always,
may you ever be captivated by her love.
Why be captivated my son, by an adulteress?
Why embrace the bosom of another man’s wife?”
Solomon, King of Israel (Proverbs 5:15-20 NIV.)
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face towards you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
Proverbs 28:6 NIV
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
Proverbs 11:13 NIV
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 15:22
Let you gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:5-7 NIV
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
… 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.
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
What does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD’S commands and decrees.
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 NIV
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Proverbs 10:19
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
Acts 2:17-18 NIV
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Proverbs 28:13 (NIVUK)
In the gospels there are seven things recorded that Jesus spoke as he suffered on the cross:
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34).
“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
“Dear woman, here is your son” (John 19:26).
“Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani – My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)
“I am thirsty” (John 19:28)
“Tetelestai” – it is finished! – It is done; it is paid! (John 19:30)
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Then he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46)
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out; that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
Acts 3:19 (NIVUK)
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Psalm 51:8
I have laboured to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due to me is in the LORD’S hand, and my reward is with my God.
Isaiah 49:4
So do not worry saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ for the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:31-33
I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to you.”
Psalm 31:14-17
Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
James 2:17 NIV
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.
Psalm 118:6-7 NIV
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life.
Proverbs 15:4
I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
Micah 7:7 KJV
Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:27-28 NIV
Jesus instructed us, “Do to others what you would have them do to you.”
Matthew 7:12 NIV
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
John 11:25-26 NIV
The race is not to the swift
or the battle to the strong,
nor does food come to the wise
or wealth to the brilliant
or favour to the learned;
but time and chance happen to them all.
Ecclesiastes 9:11 NIVUK
May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 115:14-15 NIV
Psalm 5:11-12 (NIVUK) says: “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favour as with a shield.”
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
Proverbs 27:1
But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:15 NIV
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
Psalm 32:8 NIV1984 Edition
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIVUK
Psalm 24v3-4 says: ‘Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, he who does not lift us his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.’ In other words, the psalmist poses a question: Who can come into the Lord’s presence; who may stand before him in his holy place? And the answer: He who has clean hands and pure heart… So, how do we get clean hands and a pure heart? Through confession. Sin comes between us and God and can act like a barrier in our worship, our relationship and our prayers being answered. But when we come clean before God and confess our sins and short fallings, and receive God’s forgiveness, we are given clean hands and a pure heart.
In Psalm 32 (v1-6) David says: ‘Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit there is no deceit.’ David goes on to say: ‘When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For night and day your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD” – and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you.’
Psalm 32 is a paradox of the Christian life: If you cover and try to hide your sins God will uncover them (David says, ‘night and day your hand was heavy upon me’). But if you uncover your sins in genuine confession God promises to cover them with his forgiveness.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29
I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
… know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.
Isaiah 49:23b NIV
Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send?” And Isaiah said: “Here I am. Send me” (Isaiah 6:8). When was the last time you prayed that prayer? What would it take for you to pray it today?
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what they have done.
Proverbs 19:17 NIV
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour… A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12 NIVUK
Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:5
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
Proverbs 12:16 NIV
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24
Personal ambition and goals must not, in themselves, be our number one priority. – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition” (Philippians 2:3). We need to ask ourselves, whose kingdom am I trying to build – my own or God’s? Jesus, when talking about our need of the necessities in life, said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). Jesus went on to say, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Matthew 16:26 NIV)
Three principles of ethical business practice taken from Proverbs 22:
- Reputation: A good name is more desirable than great riches, to be esteemed better than silver or gold (v4).
- Humility: Humility and fear of the LORD bring wealth and honour and life (v4).
- Generosity: A generous man will himself be blessed (v9).
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him
Nahum 1:7
Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Isaiah 46:4
The fear of the LORD adds length to life.
Proverbs 10:27
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). So let me ask you this: how fruity are you?
Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil.
Psalm 141:3-4a
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Colossians 3:23
Cast all your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:22 NIV
Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left.
Isaiah 54:2-3 NIV
A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offence.
Proverbs 19:11
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17 NIV
The LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:18-21 NIV
Enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.
Acts 4:29-30 NIV
Humility comes before honour.
Proverbs 15:33 & 18:12 NIV
It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honourable to seek one’s own honour.
Proverbs 25:27 NIV1984
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
Proverbs 10:9 NIV
Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
Proverbs 20:17 NIV
…I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health—that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul!
3 John 1:1 MSG
The divine intention and biblical institution of marriage: “A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” – Genesis 2:24
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:9-10 NIV
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9 NIV
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV
May the favour of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17 NIVUK
May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests.
Psalm 20:4-5 NIV1984 Edition
Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 NIV
The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
Proverbs 12:23 NIV
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
Proverbs 28:19 NIV
I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil – this is the gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 NIV
“… whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 14:23 NIV
Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 NIV
Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do.
Ephesians 6:7-8 NLT
With humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2 NIV
An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.
Proverbs 29:22
“Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.”
Solomon, King of Israel (Proverbs 18:13 NLT)
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-25 NIV
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.” – Solomon, King of Israel, Ecclesiastes 5:10. NIV
Galatians 6:7 says, “A man reaps what he sows.” Here are three fundamental truths connected to this verse: You always reap what you sow; you always reap later than you sow; and you always reap more than you sow.
Jesus said to his disciples, “… whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20: 26-28 (NKJV)
LORD, I have heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD.
Repeat them in our day,
in our time make them known;
in wrath remember mercy.
Habakkuk 3:2 NIV
Where there is no vision, the people perish.
Proverbs 29:18 KJV
Psalm 118:24-25 (NIV1984) says: “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. O LORD, save us: O LORD, grant us success.” – It is worth noting that we are told to ‘rejoice and be glad in it.’ Not to rejoice and be glad before it, or over it, or after it but to rejoice and be glad in it. Remember this: Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is the present… a gift, so let’s rejoice and be glad in it! We are to seize this day with its blessings and challenges, and live every moment of it. We are called to enjoy the journey.
A Christian does not live by explanations but by promises. A parcel delivery company used to have a slogan written on their delivery vehicles saying, “A promise means nothing until it is delivered.” That’s true, unless the promise is from God! God always keeps his promises, his covenants; He is always as good as His word… and God has given us many promises in the Scriptures. Here are just a few of them:
- Commit to the Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans. (Proverbs 16:3)
- Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)
- Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
- 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)
- I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. (…) Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. (Isaiah 43:1, 46:4)
- Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)
- Jesus promised: And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)
Those who trust in the LORD will prosper.
Proverbs 28:25 NIV
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
Colossians 3:23 ESV
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Philippians 2:3-5 NIV
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 NIV
I have chosen you and not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:9-10 NIV