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Maura W.
Maura is our program strategist. She's a fan of the beach, tennis, music, family and God's Word.
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Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Hayley says:
When I was 4, my father starting to physically and emotionally abuse me. He would beat me, yell at me, shut me in rooms without food, and a whole plethora of other things. At times, I would feel alone and scared. But, tonight at church I heard this verse, and I’ve decided to make this my life verse.
So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through preaching Christ.
Lyle P. says:
When I lost my job, I found out that my faith was really in myself and not in God – and that the only way to build a real faith in Jesus is through His Word.
I am a middle-aged, middle-class male, raised in a Christian family and happily married with 4 wonderful children. Like many people, I sometimes struggled with doubt and sin but felt like I generally had my life together, with a strong faith that could withstand difficulties.
Until my job ended. Then, my security fell apart, my bucolic suburban bubble was popped, and I was forced to confront my own mortality, fears and self perception – at the same time that my kids were hitting their teenage years. I was struggling to hold things together, while still modeling to them a trust in the Lord – as my savings were dwindling rapidly.
My faith was at a low ebb. I was fearful. But then my new faith was born, one which has come not from vague sentiments or feelings or my own strength but rather is anchored in the person of Jesus as revealed through his own book, the Bible. His Word tells me of a loving person who lived a consistent life, regardless of circumstances, and talks repeatedly about an accessible God who can be trusted and who wants to give me peace. And His Love is changing my life from one filled with fear and regret to one built on a real, revealed faith built on His Word.
“Do not be worried and upset,” Jesus told them. Believe in God and believe also in me.
Evelyne says:
I never knew that one day God could ever open a way for me but I one day opened the Bible and found myself reading this verse. It says, “worry not for I the Lord your God will always be with you.” I have stopped worrying since that day, and any time I feel like the world has turned upside down, I read that verse and feel blessed.
If anyone should cause one of these little ones to lose his faith in me, it would be better for that person to have a large millstone tied around his neck and be drowned in the deep sea.
Aly A. says:
While the entire Bible is truly a comfort to me, this one verse alone affects me the most.
I grew up physically and emotionally abused by my father. I was never good enough for him, and he said my bruises marked me for the failure I was. I often thought God had turned his back on me, but when I finally got free of my father, I visited a church for the first time in years, and they showed me this quote. They told me that I do not need to be angry with my father, God will punish him for his sins in the Afterlife. I am only 15, I cannot spend the rest of my life submerged in hate for my father and a wanting for vengeance. I have all my life ahead of me, thanks to God.
This verse reminds me that though God is not always in front of our eyes, he is always watching our backs. I am not worth much to my birth father, but to my Father, my Creator, the One who has been there through it all, I am and always will be worthy of protecting. I dedicate myself and my life to God’s mercy now, and I have never felt more loved.
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.
Donna B. says:
I was raped by a psychiatrist at his home office, so I was nervous going to a counselor where the office was attached to his home.
That morning I read this verse in my Bible study. I wasn’t sure I could do this counseling in this office. When I walked into the waiting area there was the same verse on the wall. I had peace and knew I was going to be ok, and I was doing the right thing by being in counseling.
Give praise to the LORD; he has heard my cry for help.
Alexsis says:
I have been going through a lot in my life lately. Emotions ranging from anger towards the world, to deep depression, self pity, and at times I even became mad at God. I broke down one morning and cried out to God, not only to heal my heart and give me peace, but I asked that he would send me somebody: a friend, or anyone - someone who loves Him, and lives for Him, and that I would find a good church as well, to grow in Him.
Two days later I went grocery shopping and as I was reading the aisle labels a young man passed me and asked how I was doing. I non nonchalantly said “hi,” not even looking his way. I kept walking but then he called me and asked if I wanted to go to his church. I got the directions, the pastors number, and I intend to go this Sunday.
But God is so awesome, HE HEARD MY CRY. I don’t know why he asked me, but God put us together at that right moment. With this revelation I pant for the Lord. I now know to consult him in everything, and to seek his kingdom first.
My problems that I have been experiencing have been marital. I don’t know where God wants to take me, but I do know that he wants ME. I can pray pray pray for my marriage and my family, but at the end of the day GOD wants ME, and he wants to change ME first before he saves anything. I don’t know where He is taking our marriage, but I do still continue to pray that He would direct my husbands path, and soften his heart to let Him in. But mostly I ask God to change me: take away any harsh feelings I have, make my heart pure, make me a better person all around, and give me the power to forgive.
Pray for me as well.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Natalie P. says:
Only a year ago I was fifteen. My world seemed to be caving in. Depression, hurt, failure,and loneliness plagued me and I lived as if I was an old woman beat down by merciless time. I was a Christian and over and over I pleaded for Jesus to restore my life to me. I was tired of living in fear with feelings of rejection from everyone I had ever met.
One day as I was crying and while reading my Bible my eyes fell upon Matthew 6:33 and Jesus laid it on my heart. The words kept playing back in my mind and then Jesus spoke to me. I realized that I had been praying for the wrong thing. I shouldn’t be praying for Jesus to take this away from me, I should be praying that Jesus would bring me closer to Him. I began dwelling on this daily: “I seek your kingdom first and all these things will be added to me.”
Through much trial and error I am learning to surrender myself to Jesus. I am happier, healthier, and living with high goals in mind. I thank Jesus every day for showing me that the more I give my life to Jesus the more He gives me tenfold back. Thank you, Jesus!!!
But because of our sins he was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did. We are healed by the punishment he suffered, made whole by the blows he received.
Laci G. writes:
This verse has proved so true in my life and has given me strength throughout my darkest hours.
At age 16 I hit rock bottom in my battle with Anorexia Nervosa. I stood terrified one late October morning in my doctor’s office as the scale only read 58 lbs! I cried along with my family as we were told I needed to be admitted to the hospital and given a feeding tube, or within a week I would die. For many months I’d fought hard to stay at home while being treated at an outpatient care unit, but my fight just wasn’t enough.
I stood in that office with every bone in my spine showing, my hair thin and brittle, my skin yellowing and worst of all my tailbone area bleeding when I would sit for very long. I knew it was a matter of life and death, and at that moment I also knew the time had come to give up and give it over to God! My flesh could no longer fight the demon and with the most heartfelt prayer I think I’ve ever said, I released everything to Him. I felt a complete warmth embracing my cold body and knew in an instant I was going to live. By Gods grace only I beat the odds and began the long road to recovery. Today, I can sit here as a 29 year old, happily married, healthy woman. Praise God I have personally seen the power of “by His stripes we are healed”.
You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe. You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, LORD.
Kerry writes:
This verse gets me through very rough times.
Last year, I had a mental breakdown and had to leave my job. I know that God told me to leave for a reason. I know that sometimes we may not see certain things and may not even understand why God takes us through certain things. I remember when I said this verse every morning before I went to school. I believed and God came through for me. He helped my to see what I couldn’t see and what I denied. I know that my Father loves all of his children and I must do His will. I am ready for change!
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him,and he shall direct thy paths.
Carla F. writes:
This scripture is special to me because I have experienced some negative, challenging, hard times as a single parent. It has not been easy at all. This scripture tells me to trust (hope, believe) in the LORD completely, fully, without doubt, and not to depend on my own understanding.
In everything I do, I must become aware of Him, know and understand that He exist and He will divinely guide me. He will order my steps and tell me exactly what to say or do. Life is so hard without God. I can’t imagine NOT trusting in Him, for without faith it is impossible to please Him. Trusting in Him means my hope is in God, and therefore, my circumstances are entrusted to His will and His way. Are you unemployed? “Trust in the LORD with all your heart” ……..I did.
