Boxes

Do we put our life into "boxes"? And if we do, should we? What are these "boxes" anyway?
Boxes are simply a way to organize and separate various items (physical or otherwise) so that they are not mixed together. Sometimes this is good, but other times maybe not so good.

Should we separate our life so that we have our family in one "box", our school in another, our church in another, and our work in yet another "box"? With the result of our life broken down into this series of boxes that we have separated and sometimes have different standards for, or should our life be placed into just one box?

If our purpose in life is "glorify God and enjoy Him forever; making His name known and getting to know Him", should there be only one "box", one standard, one Biblical worldview, one lifestyle with Christ at the center?
But what would this look like? How is this practiced? One way is to focus on Christ and to learn to speak with Him at all times, ask Him for His will in everyday situations. Let praise for Christ always be on your tongue, do not be afraid to speak about the Lord because it is not "church box".

In school, focus on seeing God's hand through history, His design in nature, His order in math, beauty in art, etc... At church, see how God's word applies to everyday situations, current events, principles for daily life. At all times speak of the faithfulness of God, praise His Holy Name, do not be ashamed to be associated with Christ.

It is easy to let our life slip into comfortable "boxes". But may our life, our standards, our Biblical worldview, our character, our lifestyle be singular with Christ at the center, with Christ as our all!

Joni and Friends Family Retreat 2014 ~ Part 2

This past week I saw God work in such amazing ways!! I just returned home from my 3rd year of serving at the Joni and Friends Family Retreat in MN. God opened up so many doors and so many opportunities for service. www.joniandfriends.org

This year Joni Eareckson Tada attended the MN camp along with her husband, Ken Tada. I was so excited to be able to meet Joni! 

Every morning the STMs (Short Term Missionary, volunteers) have a devotional time. On Sunday morning I was so blessed to hear Joni's thoughts on spiritual disciplines (as retold by Judy Siegle).

1. Cultivate the discipline of praying without ceasing, -- brief prayers. speak it out loud.

2. Sing hymns to self -- memorize songs

3. Memorize Scripture -- now focusing on Jesus' words

4. Devotionals -- A Quiet Place -- Nancy Leigh Demoss

5. Gives thanks -- Joni was interviewed in the book, choosing gratitude, by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. She was asked how she keeps such a positive attitude with the challenges that she daily faces. Joni said that she has learned to give thanks in all circumstances; it has become a reflex reaction.

I was very impacted by the 1st and 5th point. Wouldn't it be amazing to have your "reflex reaction" in a stressful situation be to give thanks and pray?! I pray that I would be able to develop the spiritual disciplines of giving thanks and praying continually and that God would use that to make me more like Christ. 

Another lesson I was reminded of at camp is that when we are faithful serving the least, God will bless us abundantly. 

One of my most exciting adventures at camp happened on Friday. I was playing my harp for one of the younger campers outside the dining hall, along with helping him play some glissandos on the harp. Then as I started to play Amazing Grace with him, Joni rolls around the corner and joins in singing. Then I am able to share the harp with her. She could play some glissandos on the harp! And then I held the harp in proper position for her and was able to help her hand play some strings. It was such a joyful moment to be able to share my love for music and praise with Joni. 

I had prayed before camp that I would have the opportunity to show Joni my harp. But God had so much greater plans! I am in such awe of the greatness of our God. He is faithful to do abundantly, overflowing, more than we can ask or even imagine!

Joni and Friends Family Retreat 2014 ~ Part 1

This past week I saw God work in such amazing ways!! I just returned home from my 3rd year of serving at the Joni and Friends Family Retreat in MN. God opened up so many doors and so many opportunities for service. www.joniandfriends.org

This year I was so blessed to spend time with a new camper, Evie. I had so much fun with her and I loved getting to know her family. I was blessed to have Rosanne as a partner STM (short term missionary) to "share" Evie with. She has such an amazing testimony of God's faithfulness. 

Marie and Evie

Rosanne and Marie

Parachute fun!
At camp this year, many of the children enjoyed playing with parachutes and coordinating keeping a ball on the parachute.
Then the campers in wheelchairs were able to a "wheelchair dance" under parachutes.
I loved seeing all the creative ways JAF camp had for every camper to enjoy their time to the fullest.

 Evie learns to drive!!
She loved playing with the horn on Rosanne's chair.

Evie loves meeting babies!
Her smile tells it all. Evie loves to be an encouragement to others by making cards.

 This year I learned a new way to communicate with a camper. Evie "talks" with her eyes. She can answer yes/no questions and make choices between 2 options depending on where she looks with her eyes. We made several crafts together with her directing me on which stickers and colors to use by her eyes. She is such an amazing little girl!

This year's theme for the elementary program was the underwater adventure - how our hope in Christ overflows!
Evie loved getting dressed up for the "underwater adventure"

Praise and worship time was one of our favorite times.
Evie loved to play maracas and participate in action songs. 

We learned several Scripture verses this week which spoke about our hope in Christ. 

Evie and her family!
I learn so much by watching how the families care for and love their children with disabilities.
I am so blessed that they would share their lives and families with me for one week.

Jesus Loves Me - Talent Show
Sign language by Evie and Dani, Harp by Marie, Singing by Rosanne

God shows up best in our weaknesses. He is glorified when we give Him the praise. 

"May the God of all HOPE fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him,

so that you may OVERFLOW with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Hebrews 13:15

Joni and Friends Family Retreat ~ Lessons Through the Years

This year I was blessed to be able to serve as an STM (short term missionary) at the MN Joni and Friends Family Retreat for the 3rd time. (www.JoniAndFriends.org) Each year God shows Himself as faithful and I learn more of His character. He draws me closer to Himself as I learn to serve and minister to and along side those with disabilities and other challenges. God uses suffering to draw us closer to Christ and cause us to depend fully upon Himself.

Here are some of the lessons I learned each of the past 3 years along with some photos demonstrating those lessons.

We Are His Workmanship - Ephesians 2:10

In 2012, I learned that God views every person as special in His sight. We must learn to be friends with others and see them as God sees them. A person's disability is not what defines them, rather it is the character and personality. Everyone can learn to love and praise God. The knowledge of God is spiritually discerned and those who seek Him humbly as a little child with find their joy in Christ!

Press On - Philippians 3:14

In 2013, God taught me to trust His plans. Every camper assignment is different and has its own rewards and challenges. Reaching out to others and just being their friend is just as important as a STM assignment that requires a full days work and fun. :) I also personally was challenged to try some new activities and get out of my comfort zone.

Hope Overflowing - Hebrews 13:15

I believe one of the most important lessons God taught me this year (2014), is to show compassion and be a willing servant no matter the task or who would be benefited. God is showing me that since at camp I am willing to serve anyone even when I am tired, find the task unpleasant or unrewarding, feel like sleeping in, or simply would not receive much notice or praise for completing a job. But then at home I have realized that I can be so selfish or lazy or seeking praise for myself. I am learning to treat every assignment as important and every person I serve as valuable and worth my entire effort. I must not categorize some people as "difficult" to serve or "easy" to serve, regard those without the "disability" label, but who need some extra help, as a "bother", but am willing to give those with "disabilities" cheerful service.
God also reminded me that His plans are way superior to my plans and desires. When we are faithful to serve Him in humility and joyfulness, His blessings overflow abundantly! God opens up doors that we could not have imagined. When things don't go exactly how we expect or plan, God has something so much greater in store for us!

I pray that you are encouraged to continue to seek God's will and plan for your life. You will be amazed when you look back through where God has led you, how His plans are always perfect!

Abiding in Christ

Here is a copy of the lesson I shared at a recent Bright Lights girls meeting with some girls from our church. I thought it might be an encouragement to some of you as well. Many of these quotes and ideas I heard at a Set-Apart Girl Simulcast from Leslie Ludy, which was hosted by a dear friend of mine.

I pray this is just as encouraging to you as it was to me in studying and reminding myself of God's faithful promises and the joy and delight of abiding in Christ.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bright Lights How to Develop a Ministry/Abiding in Christ 6-26-14

Last meeting we talked about how to share the gospel and how to be a witness to this lost world. To illustrate the importance of abiding in Christ and how that relates to being a witness for Christ, Take the example of the 2 major seas in Israel, the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. Both of the seas have some inflow of water, but only the Sea of Galilee has outflow. These 2 seas can illustrate 2 types of Christians, the Christian who abides in Christ and her joy overflows to the world around her, or the kind of Christian who receives instruction but never shares, never demonstrates the joy of Christ with others.

So, how does this relate to developing a ministry and being a witness to the world? Here is a quote from Leslie Ludy from the Set-Apart Girl conference, “Being set-apart for Jesus is not a hindrance to our Christian witness; being set-apart for Him IS our Christian witness. The world isn’t rejecting Christianity today because we aren’t enough like them, but because we are too much like them. It is not popularity and cultural relevance that will win the world for Christ, but men and women who live and die as if Jesus is all that matters.”

Jim Elliot, one of the missionaries to the Auca tribe said, “Do not seek after a ministry, rather anticipate the fruit of a disciplined life by abiding in Christ.” So today we will have 2 main points: first, the importance of abiding in Christ (the inflow); second, the ministry that results from abiding in Christ (the outflow).

First, let’s read John 15:1-17. What does abiding in Christ result in? (bearing fruit, joy abounding, love for others, close friendship with Christ, abiding/remaining fruit). Just as the branch must cling to the vine to live, so we must cling to Christ. Jesus did not say ‘I am the power supply cord and you are the computer or cell phone.’ Rather He said, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” Just as a branch will die unless it is connected continually to the vine. So we will be useless unless we are continually in Christ and daily abiding in Him. This is one truth that sets us apart from the world. We have a relationship with the Lord. Leslie Ludy shares about clinging to Christ, “We will shrivel up and die unless we cling to Jesus, just as the branch clings to the vine for its survival. We cannot cling to Him if we are clinging to anything else. True set-apartness is based on a relationship with the King of all kings. When you are truly set-apart for Christ, people... look at your life and see Jesus - His life, His purity, and His holiness, His joy, His selflessness, and His love. You are clinging to His cross and His righteousness not your own self-effort.”

So how do we gain this joy filled relationship with Christ? The key is to delight in Christ. Let’s look up some Scriptures on the joy of delighting in Christ. (Psalm 16:11, John 3:29-30, Psalm 19:7-10, Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 73:28, Psalm 119:97-99, 103, John 14:21, 23, Romans 8:14, 2 Corinthians 6:16b-18, Philippians 3:7-14, Colossians 3:1-4).

Here are some practical ways to develop a joy-filled relationship with Christ.

• Read His Word (not just as a daily chore, but as a time to get to know Christ)
• Think upon (meditate) on God’s Word
• Remember and record His faithful promises
• Think about His character
• Memorize His Word
• Don’t let distractions get in the way of spending time with Him
• Prayer (according to the will of God)
• Spending time in His presence in worship

I know it is so easy to go into “autopilot” and just go through the motions of being a Christian instead of actually abiding and delighting in Christ. Sometimes it may seem as if being a Christian is just a list of “dos and don'ts” or just having a place to meet with friends once a week. But being a Christian is so much more than that! Our identity of being in Christ is our joyous relationship with the One who made us, the One who saved us, the One who is always there for us. In Revelation the Lord speaks about the danger of losing our first love. (Revelation 2:2-5) We can outwardly be standing for truth but if Christ is not our first love, our absolute joy, God calls us to repent because He loves us. (Revelation 3:19-20) He calls us to have a close relationship with Him.

There was a time in my life where outwardly I was mostly doing the right things, saying the right things, being the “good girl”. I made the appearance of faithfully abiding in Christ. But in actuality I was losing my first love. Being a “Christian” had become sort of a list of what I did or didn’t do or say. Rather than a relationship with the One who loves me. But as I was learning, when we go astray or lose our focus on Christ, He desires to reconcile us back into close fellowship with Himself. “It is like God says to us when He disciplines us, ‘I love you so much, to leave this (sin, fake emptiness, hypocrisy) in your life.’” - Leslie Ludy. As I was learning, I could not go on living an outwardly “good life” without abiding in Christ. The result of this hypocrisy is discouragement, bitterness, disillusionment and lack of joy. “We have settled for a counterfeit peace and joy.” - Leslie Ludy.

But the awesome news is that God is faithful! He is calling us to have this close relationship with Himself. He will diligently search for His lost sheep (us). Even though we will fail, God will never forsake us. (2 Timothy 2:11-13). He remains faithful! So the very first step in developing a ministry is learning to abide in Christ and to joyfully delight in Him.

If we are truly set-apart and abiding in Christ then we will have a ministry. This is the second point, this is the “outflow”. Leslie Ludy what happens when others see the life of a girl who is set-apart for the Lord, “When a young woman looks at your life and sees that Jesus is all that matters to you, she will be hungry for what you have.” When the world sees Jesus in your life, your smile, your words, actions, attitudes, your joy and peace - then you will be witnessing to them that there is a better way. When Christ is seen in my life, my joy is complete. Our goal is to “reflect the purity and Heavenly nature of Jesus Christ in and through our character and conduct. Being set-apart for Jesus is our Christian witness.” - Leslie Ludy.

One way all of you girls can have a tremendous impact now when you are young is to pray. I know that sounds very basic, but actually that is our greatest tool to impact the world for the Kingdom of Christ. Praying is actually speaking to God, getting to know Him. Now I think you all know that, but just imagine if you never spoke to your best friend, how would you know her? You would not be able to really know her and develop a close relationship with her. In the same way, how can we have a relationship with Christ unless we speak to Him in prayer? Remember that the prayer of faith according to God’s will avails much. (1 John 5:13-15, 1 John 3:24, Ephesians 6:18-19, Matthew 6:5-8). I encourage each of you to pray that God would give you the attitude of Christ and that His character would be displayed in your life. (Philippians 2:5, 1 Corinthians 11:1, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15). I pray that the mind of Christ be in you that others would see the light of Christ in you.

Another way you can have an impact on the world for Christ is to share with others who is Jesus to you and how important He is to your life. When others see your joyful, radiant smile, and notice it, that is your opportunity to proclaim the joy of Christ. Writing out your testimony of how Jesus is your all in all is another way to share about the transforming power and joy in Christ. Remember that “Being set-apart for Jesus is not a hindrance to our Christian witness; being set-apart for Him IS our Christian witness. The world isn’t rejecting Christianity today because we aren’t enough like them, but because we are too much like them. It is not popularity and cultural relevance that will win the world for Christ, but men and women who live and die as if Jesus is all that matters.” The world must see a difference between the joy in our lives because of Christ and the emptiness of the world.  

Joni and Friends' Dinner

At the end of March (as a special 21st birthday present) my mom planned a special trip for the two of us to travel up to MN to hear Joni Eareckson Tada speak at a dinner. I was so excited to get to hear Joni and her husband, Ken, speak and share their story. The Lord worked out all the details and I had the privilege of being asked to bring my harp to play as background music for a donor reception before hand. If you ever get a chance to hear Joni speak, it is amazing!!
This year, Joni and Ken will be coming to the MN family retreat (the same camp I have volunteered at the past 2 years and will be going back again this year for). If any of you are interested in volunteering at the camp it would be great to have some more friends join!
Below are some photos from the dinner and reception with Joni.

Krista H., Jenny H., Marie

Ken and Joni

Harp at the reception

Lamentations

The book of Lamentations was written by the prophet of Jeremiah. This was his heartfelt cry of sorrow about the sin of his people that they had rejected God as their Savior.
Though not easily seen from our English translation, the first four chapters are written as 4 acrostic poems in the Hebrew language. Each verse (or set of 3 verses, as in chapter 3) start with consecutive 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
Amid the sorrow and suffering portrayed within this book, chapter 3 verses 22-26 are like a parenthesis of hope and trust in the Lord. They remind us that God's lovingkindnesses and His faithfulness never cease. Each day He gives us the grace we need. To wait upon the Lord is commended.
The main theme of Lamentations, is a call back to return to the Lord that He may show mercy. This is exemplified in chapter 5 by Jeremiah's prayer for God's mercy upon his people.
This book reminds us that though we have suffering and trials, God will not forget. Sin has consequences, but God is merciful to those whose hearts are humble toward Him and repent of their sin.

Jeremiah

Last year our church finished studying through the book of Jeremiah. Here are some insights I learned from reading and studying this book as well as some favorite verses.

• Jeremiah 1:4-8 God's calling of Jeremiah, though he was young, God enabled him to serve Him faithfully, God also called and set apart Jeremiah for a specific service to God before God formed him and he was born. God has called each one of us for a specific task to advance His kingdom. He enables us to complete those tasks by His strength. 
• Jeremiah was known as the "weeping prophet". He called Israel back to God before the exile to Babylon. He prophesied of the coming destruction of Jerusalem. He preached about repentance and God's judgment that was coming and His mercy that was available if they would repent.
• Jeremiah cared deeply for his people (chapter 9). He desired that they would return to their God.
• Though Israel would go into captivity to Babylon because of their sin, God promised that they would return to their own land (chapter 30). 
• Jeremiah 31 is one of the most well known chapters in the book. God calls His own people, proclaims His love toward His people. The New Covenant that was instituted at Christ's death (remembered by the church as the Lord's Supper) was proclaimed by Jeremiah. About this covenant, God says, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." (Jer 31:33) I think it is wonderful that we are now a part of God's New Covenant as the "Israel of God" (Gal 6:16) and that He has written His law on our hearts that we may obey His law. 
• The book of Jeremiah ends with the fall of Jerusalem and the people and the king being exiled to Babylon.

Isaiah

I just finished reading through the book of Isaiah. There are so many wonderful treasures speaking of our Lord and Savior. There are many verses speaking of God's care for us and His foreknowledge. Amid judgment for the nations, the Lord shows forth His compassion for His people. God's faithfulness is clearly seen. The book of Hebrews quotes Isaiah and Isaiah has numerous passages speaking about the birth of our Lord. My favorite Old Testament books are Deuteronomy, Psalms, Ruth, and Isaiah.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;” (Jeremiah 1:4-5a)

For You [O God] created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13-16)

This is what the LORD says – your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb. (Isaiah 44:24a)

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1b)

I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things. (Isaiah 45:7)

As you do not know {how the spirit enters the body being formed} in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. (Ecclesiastes 11:5)

Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One form us both within our mothers? (Job 31:15)

Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who give him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? (Exodus 4:11)

Ears that hear and eyes that see – the LORD has made them both. (Proverbs 20:12)

Does He who implanted the ear not hear? Does He who formed the eye not see? (Psalm 94:9)

But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” (Romans 9:20)

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

[And] God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. (Genesis 1:31a)

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; (Psalm 139:14a)

Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see! (Isaiah 42:18)

The Lord gives sight to the blind, (Psalm 146:8a)

This is what the LORD says – He who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: “Do not be afraid, [you] whom I have chosen.” (Isaiah 44:2)

I will lead the blind by ways that they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. (Isaiah 42:16)

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.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer and the mute tongue shout for joy. (Isaiah 35:3-6a)

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He enables me to stand on the heights. (Psalm 18:33)

Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. (Hebrews 12:13)

The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)

Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.” (Haggai 1:5)

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength... But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:25, 27-31)

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the LORD to take it away from me.  But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

We live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law. (Psalm 119:18)

When Your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear Your name, O LORD God Almighty. (Jeremiah 15:16)

At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was Your good pleasure.” (Matthew 11:25-26)

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)

“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me. (Matthew 18:2-5)

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Then Jesus said..., “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. (Luke 14:11-14)

Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame... and make them come in, so that My house will be full.” (Luke 14:21b, 23b)

The LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. (Psalm 118:23)

However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him” – but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10b)

Then Jesus [said], “ Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

And He [Jesus Christ] is the head of the body, the church. (Colossians 1:18a)

Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. (1 Corinthians 12:14)

If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable and the parts that we think are less honorable, we treat with special honor...  But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.  (1 Corinthians 12:17-27)

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. (1 Peter 4:19)

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart Him? (Isaiah 14:27a)

I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted. (Job 42:2)

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised. (Job 1:21b)

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. (Habakkuk 3:18)

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. (Job 19:25)

I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:27)

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)

You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them, and You listen to their cry, (Psalm 10:17)

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:13-14)

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters,” says the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:18)

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1a)

Yet You brought me out of the womb; You made me trust in You even at my mother’s breast. From birth I was cast upon You; from my mother’s womb You have been my God. (Psalm 22:9-10)

For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:13-14)

One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see! (John 9:25b)

And I – in righteousness I will see Your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness. (Psalm 17:15)

Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD. (Psalm 102:18)

For You have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; You brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise You. (Psalm 71:5-6)

You hem me in – behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. (Psalm 139:5-6)

But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all Your deeds. (Psalm 73:28)

Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. (Psalm 40:5)

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds. (Psalm 77:11-12)

For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13-16)

[For the Lord] has made everything beautiful in {His} time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more. My mouth will tell of Your righteousness, of Your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim Your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone. Since my youth, O God, You have taught me, and to this day I declare Your marvelous deeds. (Psalm 71:14-17)

Verses from NIV 1984