Scripture provides believers with the tools that equips us for daily guidance (read 2 Timothy 3:16-17), spiritual growth, strength (read Philippians 2:13), and wisdom to live out the life that God has called us to live for His glory, what is pleasing to Him and His will through Jesus Christ our Lord (read Ephesians 4:11-16, Hebrew 13:20-21).

The earliest time I can remember writing down Bible verses was in the early 90’s. I know it was much earlier than that because of growing up in church and memorizing Scripture even in the 80’s. I remember the 90’s most clearly because my aunt (my dad’s sister) gifted me a spiral journal notebook with a Bible verse on the front of the cover and I still have it. I would write verses that really spoke to me and wanted to memorize to always have with me in my mind and heart.

Through the decades I wasn’t always consistent with this practice until recently, and now I write out verses every day. Spending daily quiet time in His word has strengthened my faith, has given me a deeper understanding of His calling, and it brings me great joy, peace, calmness, perseverance, purpose and healing.

For the month of April, I wrote out verses in my daily calendar about self-control and I thought it would be a great idea to post about which verses really stood out to me. Out of the thirty days in April, I chose three verses to highlight.

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. – Titus 2:11-14 (NIV)

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. – 2 Peter 1:4-7 (NIV)

I would like to encourage you to start this faith journey with God. When you do, each and every time you open your Bible, first pray and ask Him to open your heart to His word for wisdom and understanding in the name of Jesus.

May’s Scripture writing is about “Contentment.”

Today is the day for salvation, my friends. Jesus paid your sin debt by shedding His blood on the cross, so that you will have eternal life. If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your savior, I pray that you’ll ask Him to forgive your sins and come into your life, believe in His finish work on the cross, and His resurrection. For there is no greater love than what he did for us.

John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life,”

1 John 1:9 says: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”

Acts 3:19 says:“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,”

Romans 10:9 says: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved”

Stephanie