Matthew 6:31-34
In these verses, the author of Matthew is encouraging his readers. He is saying, “Don’t worry about material things. Your Father knows what you need and he’ll provide. Don’t worry about the future because your God is in control.”
As a college student, I’m constantly under a lot of stress. I’m always worrying about upcoming exams, papers, my job, you name it. I’m under a lot of pressure. Whenever I reach the point when I’m about to give up, I’m somehow always reminded of this verse. I’m then reminded that I have no reason to worry about things in the future. I can’t control what’s going to happen. God is in control and he will provide exactly what I need and when I need it. This verse also speaks to any and every one who is stressed about money. GOD WILL PROVIDE.
Romans 5:3-4
In these verses, Paul is writing about hard times and why they are good for us.
These verses inspire me in a similar way that Matthew 6:31-34 do. Paul is telling the Romans, “Rejoice in your life’s hard times. They make you stronger!” I love the way he says that we learn to endure, which strengthens character, which strengthens our confident expectation in salvation. It’s a very linear claim that really encourages me when I’m having a hard time. After reading these verses, I like to think of hard times as challenges and the bigger the challenge- the bigger the reward in character.
Romans 6:19
Paul uses a certain phrase in this verse that has stuck with me for quite a while now. He’s talking of slaves an masters and says we used to be slaves to our sin, but we’re now “slaves to righteousness.”
The phrase “slave of righteousness” perfectly sums up what I try to be every day. If I were ever to get a tattoo, it’d be that on my wrist as to constantly remind me to be righteous with everything I do. What better thing to be enslaved to than righteousness?
Revelation 3:15-16
These verses come from a vision John had on regarding end times. These two verses are quoted from “the one who is the Amen,” which means Jesus. According to NLT, it says, “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth!”
I don’t know if you’ve ever had lukewarm water in your mouth, but it’s disgusting. This illustration gives me a pit of guilt in my stomach when I read it. To know that if I’m not “hot” for Jesus, I’m like lukewarm water in his mouth makes me feel awful. He would rather us even be cold towards him than be lukewarm! He has no respect for lukewarmness. There is no room for pale imitations within the Kingdom of God.
Proverbs 3:12
In this Proverb, Solomon compares discipline of God to the discipline of a biological father. He says, “For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.”
I had a strict disciplining father growing up. I now am very thankful for it because I’m happy with who I grew up to be. To think of God doing the same thing to me on a grander scale is very reassuring. Just like my father, God knows what’s best for me and disciplines me out of love instead out of disappointment.
