“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.”
Proverbs 1:7 NIV
Bible
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.
Romans 12:11 NIV
“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.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways”, declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV
“As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.”
Proverbs 27:19
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head and the Lord will reward you.
Proverbs 25:21-22
But now, this is what the LORD says – he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.”
Isaiah 43:1-3 (NIV1984)
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
I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.
With me are riches and honour,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
My fruit is better than fine gold;
what I yield surpasses choice silver.
I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.
Proverbs 8:17-21 NIVUK
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
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
Those who trust in the LORD will prosper.
Proverbs 28:25 NIV
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
Colossians 3:23 ESV
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Luke 6:37
Have I not commanded you? 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
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
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Psalm 130:5-6 NIV
Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
Proverbs 26:20 NIV
“Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Jesus. (Mark 9:23)
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
Proverbs 10:4
It is to a man’s honour to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. – Proverbs 20:3
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
Psalm 31:24 NIV
“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.)
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 gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
Proverbs 11:13 NIV
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt.
Psalm 32:1-2 (NLT)
Psalm 116v15 (NLT) says: ‘The LORD cares deeply when his loved ones die.’ – The grave graduates us to glory.
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
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 NIV
How’s this for persevering (from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians): “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.” (2 Corinthians 11:24-27 NIVUK) – Child of God, stick with it.
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
Isaiah 26v19 (NLT) says: ‘Those who die in the LORD will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy!’
The function of the yoke is to make the burden easier to carry. I love the way Eugene Peterson translates this passage (Matthew 11:28-30) in The Message: ‘Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I will show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.’
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
Proverbs 12:1
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defence; he has become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:2 NIV
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 15:22
Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else.
Galatians 6:4
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV.
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life.
Proverbs 15:4
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
Proverbs 16:9 NIV
This is what the LORD says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.”
Jeremiah 6:16 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
You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance…
Deuteronomy 1:6-7 NIV
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
Let the wise listen and add to their learning and let the discerning get guidance.
Proverbs 1:5 NIV
What he opens no-one can shut, and what he shuts no-one can open.
Revelation 3:7 NIV
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him.
Psalm 37: 4-7 NIV1984 Edition
Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but 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 40:27-31 NIV
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
Philemon v6 NIV1984 Edition
A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
Proverbs 17:27-28
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving kindness.
I will build you up again
and you will be rebuilt.”
Jeremiah 31:3-4
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:14 NIV
The Prayer of Jabez:
And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested. – 1 Chronicles 4:10 (New King James Version)
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
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
Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… Let us encourage one another – and all the more as we see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:22, 25b
Honour the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Proverbs 3:9-10 NIVUK
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable
– if anything is excellent or praise worthy – think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 NIV (Think and thank God)
Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 NIV
[Jesus] proceeded to tell a parable (…) because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’
Luke 19:11-13 ESV
Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear, your God will come… he will come to save you.”
Isaiah 35:3-4 (NIV1984)
And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8 NIV
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.
Psalm 34:12-13 NIV
Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry.
Ephesians 4:26
Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?
Psalm 85:6 NIV
The Lord will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your ancestors, if you obey the Lord your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deuteronomy 30:9-10 NIV
“Big shots are just little shots who kept on shooting.”
attributed to Christopher Morley
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Cast all you anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
‘Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders – he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out.’
Psalm 55:22, MSG
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
Proverbs 26:17
A gentle answer turns away wrath but harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1
He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
Proverbs 13:3
Man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
James 1:20
As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.
Proverbs 23:7 KJV
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
1 Corinthians 4:2 NIV
Use honest scales and honest weights.
Leviticus 19:36
A good name is more desirable that great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Proverbs 22:1
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
1 Corinthians 15:33
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
King Solomon, the wisest king who ever lived. (Proverbs 13:24)
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.
Proverbs 23:13-14. (The word ‘rod’ is a figure of speech and means disciplines of any kind.)
The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
Proverbs 29:15 NIV1984 Edition
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4
I will surely bless you… because you have obeyed me.
Genesis 22:17a, 18b
The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 4:4
In Matthew 16:18 Jesus says, “I will build my church” not “go and build my church.”
gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 NIV
“Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD ALMIGHTY.
Malachi 3v7
Psalm 13: A Psalm of David, King of Israel (1010-970 B.C.)
How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me.