Bible Verses for Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is coming up very soon and this collection has been a long time coming! I figure that now that I am a mom of two (what?!) I will share some verses for Mother’s Day. These verses are great if you want to add a special verse to someone’s card, or send a verse of encouragement at any time of the year really!

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

“Manny women have done excellently,

but you surpass them all.” (Proverbs 31:28-29, ESV)

Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children… (Deuteronomy 4:9, ESV)

A gracious woman gets honor… (Proverbs 11:16, ESV)

What was your mother? A lioness!
    Among lions she crouched;
in the midst of young lions
    she reared her cubs.
3 And she brought up one of her cubs;
    he became a young lion,
and he learned to catch prey;
    he devoured men. (Ezekiel 19:2-3, ESV)

An excellent wife who can find?
    She is far more precious than jewels. (Proverbs 31:10, ESV)

When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. (John 16:21, ESV)

As one whom his mother comforts,
    so I will comfort you;
    you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. (Isaiah 66:13 ESV)

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV)

…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)

Train up a child in the way he should go;
    even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6, ESV)

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:34, ESV)

He gives the barren woman a home,
    making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 113:9 ESV)

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
    and the glory of children is their fathers. (Proverbs 17:6, ESV)

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” (Ephesians 6:1-3, ESV)

Hear, my son, your father's instruction,
    and forsake not your mother's teaching,
for they are a graceful garland for your head
    and pendants for your neck. (Proverbs 1:8-9, ESV)

Listen to your father who gave you life,
    and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Buy truth, and do not sell it;
    buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
    he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.
Let your father and mother be glad;
    let her who bore you rejoice. (Proverbs 23:22-25, ESV)

Can a woman forget her nursing child,
    that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget,
    yet I will not forget you. (Isaiah 49:15, ESV)

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (1 John 4:18, ESV)

Your mother was like a vine in a vineyard
    planted by the water,
fruitful and full of branches
    by reason of abundant water.
Its strong stems became
    rulers' scepters;
it towered aloft
    among the thick boughs;
it was seen in its height
    with the mass of its branches (Ezekiel 19:10-11, ESV)

But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. (1 Thessalonians 2:7, ESV)

I would lead you and bring you
    into the house of my mother—
    she who used to teach me… (Song of Solomon 8:2a, ESV)

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;  it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, ESV)

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. (2 Timothy 1:5, ESV)

She opens her mouth with wisdom,
    and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26, ESV)

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What Bible texts will you be thinking of this Mother’s Day? Let me know below!

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On Bible Memorization

Growing up, every week at church we would receive one single Jelly Belly if we memorized a short Bible verse. I would work on that verse all week - or sometimes I would cram it all in on a single Friday night in order to be able to recite it the next day in church. Every 13 weeks, we would get a special treat if we were able to recite all of the verses from the previous 13 lessons, and I always wanted to ensure I was in on that!

After getting older and aging out of the programs, I stopped memorizing the Bible intentionally. There really was no need to now that I wasn’t getting one single Jelly Belly each week. Plus, I had a job now and could buy all the Jelly Belly treats that I wanted.

A while ago, a verse floated through my mind - funnily enough, one that I had memorized as a child:

“Your Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against You. ”

— Psalm 119:11, ESV

It started rolling around in my mind and I started wondering why I had stopped hiding God’s Word in my heart. As a teacher in a Christian School, I had been requiring my students to memorize Scripture as well and I realized that as a result of many verses hidden in my heart, it had been easy for me to remember what God wanted of me. And because I love Him and I want to do what He wants, knowing Scripture made it easy to do that.

So I set out to intentionally begin memorizing the promises in His Word.

Why? For just a few key reasons:

• To enhance Bible study

• To have the verses in my heart when I need them

• To keep me in check 

• To protect me from the lies of the devil and others

• To have encouragement for myself and to share that encouragement with others

How Can I Memorize Scripture?

Today, I want to share some easy steps on how to go about memorizing Scripture. I’ll also be sharing a few different strategies I’ve used and a few I know others use. Everyone has a way of doing things! I’d love it if you stuck around to the end and left a comment telling me what technique you use (or want to start using) as well!

Steps I Take

Set Quiet Time Aside

Quiet time is so important to not just memorize mechanically but to really dwell on the text. I like to memorize out loud (I need to hear it), so being alone helps me to really focus and not think so much about what the other person in the room is thinking about me.

Read and Study

I think this is pretty straight forward. I love studying out the text to help me build connections as I memorize. I find it much much easier to memorize larger chunks at a time, rather than one verse here and there. In fact, one of my first conscious memorizing endeavors was learning an entire book - chapter by chapter, of course, but by the end, I could say the entire book in one sitting. 

Repeat 

I repeat the texts out loud (see why I like to find a quiet alone spot?) to really get them into my mind. Repetition is key for me.

Listen 

I do this in a few ways. I use a Bible reading app to listen to (and quote along with) but I sometimes will record myself and listen to that as well. I mean, I’ve memorized entire radio dramas just by listening to them so many times, so why not memorize the Bible this way? This way, it’s also easy to make progress while I’m driving or exercising!

Write 

The hand to brain connection is stronger than we think. I like to write out the verses or chapters by hand. It’s a totally different way to experience Scripture! You can even dedicate a special notebook to write your verses out in if you like.

Share with a Friend

This can be taken in a few different ways. One idea is to have an accountability partner who is willing to listen to you spout off a few verses as you internalize. Another option is just finding a friend each day to talk to about what you’ve been learning as you memorize - and trust me, you WILL be learning as you memorize. 

Some Additional Strategies:

• Chunk Verses

• Use Rhythm - put the words to a certain rhythm (also good for memorizing sheet music, strangely enough)

• Use Song - put the verses to song!

• Visualize - what do you see as you hear the words?

• Write it out

• Start an accountability group or find a partner to join you

• Move while reciting - movement gets those brain cells working!

• Dramatize - act it out with voice or movement or both!

• Use a Scripture Memorization App

• Memorize Large portions

• Use flashcards if you want to memorize short verses

Whatever method you use to get God’s Word in your heart, just know it’s better off in there than collecting dust on a shelf!

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Do you memorize Scripture? Would you like to? What strategies do you use to memorize?

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Bible Verses for When You Feel Afraid

With all of the craziness that is going on in our world in the last few months, I just thought I’d drop in and share a few of my favorite verses to meditate upon and to pray when fear creeps and lurks at the edges of my life. They remind me that I am not in control - which is a good thing, because my God has everything in His hands. I won’t say much more and let Him speak instead.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me

    and delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant,

    and their faces shall never be ashamed. (Psalm 34:4-5, ESV)

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)

When I am afraid,

    I put my trust in you.

In God, whose word I praise,

    in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.

    What can flesh do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4, ESV)

Say to those who have an anxious heart,

    “Be strong; fear not!

Behold, your God

    will come with vengeance,

with the recompense of God.

    He will come and save you.” (Isaiah 35:4, ESV)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, ESV)

God is our refuge and strength,

    a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1, ESV)

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6, ESV)

And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Luke 12:22-34, ESV)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV)

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,

    my God, in whom I trust.”

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler

    and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his pinions,

    and under his wings you will find refuge;

    his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

You will not fear the terror of the night,

    nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

    nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side,

    ten thousand at your right hand,

    but it will not come near you.

You will only look with your eyes

    and see the recompense of the wicked.

Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—

    the Most High, who is my refuge—

no evil shall be allowed to befall you,

    no plague come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you

    to guard you in all your ways.

On their hands they will bear you up,

    lest you strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread on the lion and the adder;

    the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;

    I will protect him, because he knows my name.

When he calls to me, I will answer him;

    I will be with him in trouble;

    I will rescue him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him

    and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91, ESV)

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:34, ESV)

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

    I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

    your rod and your staff,

    they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4, ESV)

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper;

    I will not fear;

what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6, ESV)

The Lord is my light and my salvation;

    whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

    of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1, ESV)

God is our refuge and strength,

    a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam,

    though the mountains tremble at its swelling. (Psalm 46:1-3, ESV)

You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’ (Lamentations 3:57, ESV)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27, ESV)

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (1 John 4:18, ESV)

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

    and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the Lord your God,

    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

I give Egypt as your ransom,

    Cush and Seba in exchange for you.

Because you are precious in my eyes,

    and honored, and I love you,

I give men in return for you,

    peoples in exchange for your life.

Fear not, for I am with you;

    I will bring your offspring from the east,

    and from the west I will gather you. (Isaiah 43:2-5, ESV)

But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” (Proverbs 1:33, ESV)

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? (Matthew 6:25, ESV)

And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” (Acts 18:9-10, ESV)

He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:16-17, ESV)

...Jesus said...“Do not fear, only believe.” (Mark 5:36, ESV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6, ESV)

The Lord your God is in your midst,

    a mighty one who will save;

he will rejoice over you with gladness;

    he will quiet you by his love;

he will exult over you with loud singing. (Zephaniah 3:17, ESV)

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What Bible texts bring you comfort when you are feeling afraid? Let me know below!

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“Are you feeling afraid today? Here are some Bible verses to meditate on when facing fear.”

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On Adding Value

The other night, my husband turned to me and said the sweetest thing:

“You add value to my life.”

It really got me thinking. I’m always trying to be intentional about what I add to my life, but am I intentional about what I add to the lives of those around me?

I’d like to think that that I always try to be considerate and intentional with my interactions, but sometimes it’s easy to let our words or behaviour slip through the cracks. Today, I want to explore a few broad guidelines to keep in mind when interacting with others intentionally that will help you add value to their lives.

Consider Your Words

This may be obvious, but being careful of the words we choose is important. Do we inspire and encourage, or do we mock and tear down? Are our words too few or too many? Are we too quick to speak or accuse?

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29, ESV)

It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman. (Proverbs 21:19, ESV)

Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.(Proverbs 17:5, ESV)

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

(1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; (James 1:19, ESV)

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.(Proverbs 17:28, ESV)

Consider Your Actions

Think about your actions and interactions. What we DO is louder than what we SAY. How do we treat others and how might they perceive our actions? How do we act even when we don't think others are watching (by the way, someone is always watching). Do our actions stem from our hearts - or do we just "act good" without having our heart in it?

Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. (Haggai 1:5, ESV)

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (James 1:23-25, ESV)

Consider Service

What do we do for others that can add value to their lives? It could be as simple as a smile, a hug, a cup of tea. Maybe some time together sharing that cup of tea. Do we meet greater needs too? Do we have an ear that listens, an eye that pays attention to basic needs that need to be met...simple consideration for others? We may tell someone that Jesus loves them, but do we show them Jesus' love?

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:14-17, ESV)

Consider Everything

What you put into your life, you’ll get [and give] out. I think I'll just let Paul finish off this one:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8, ESV)

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How do others add value to your life? How do you try adding value to others?

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Finding God In Your Every Season

 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, ESV)

I have had many seasons in my life. My guess is, so have you. I’m not talking Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall - though we’ve likely all experienced our share of these. My favourite thing about God is that everything He does has a purpose - down to the times of the year. We see object lessons if we look, and amazing truths can be discovered. The same could be said in each season we find ourselves in.

In the last 4 years alone, I’ve found myself in so many different ones: as unemployed, as a graduate student in a city where I knew no one, as a newlywed pastor’s wife and homemaker, as a part-time teacher’s aide, and now as a full-time teacher juggling many responsibilities. This one is extremely busy. Each season has been trying in their own way and some were even satisfying and fulfilling, but in every one of them, I’ve come to learn that true contentment that comes only from the Lord. I have also learned that even though it is difficult at times to see, God is in every season.

Each differs and some seasons last longer than others, but one thing remains constant; the love of God and the fact that we need Him. How amazing that God wants to be near us in everything we go through!

In seasons of closeness with God, delight in Him and savour His presence (see Psalm 37:4).

In seasons of doubt and drought, remember the delight you found in God’s presence, and cling to Him (see Psalm 77:11).

In seasons of busy-ness, find quiet times to be restored. Remember that your life exists not without the Creator (see Isaiah 40:28).

In seasons of God-gifted love, remember that God is Love, and we can only love the way He loves when we love Him with our whole heart (see 1 John 4:8).

In seasons of hunger, remember that Jesus is the bread of life (see John 6:35).

In seasons of disappointment, rely not on your feelings. The heart is deceptive...who can know it (see Jeremiah 17:9)? Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.

In seasons of uncertainty, hold fast to the promise that God is the same yesterday, today and forever (see Hebrews 13:8).

In seasons of searching, seek for the Lord (see Deuteronomy 4:29)!

In seasons of longing, remember that God is the strength of your heart (see Psalm 73:26).

In seasons of shame, remember that Christ restores (see Psalm 51).

In seasons of contentment, thank God for His many blessings, and share them with others (see Psalm 9:1)!

In seasons of discontent, remember that God will never leave you and is all that you need (See Hebrews 13:5).

In seasons of discouragement, remember that God’s grace is sufficient (see 2 Corinthians 12:9).

In seasons of confusion, remember the truth will set you free (see John 8:32).

In seasons of anxiety, remember that God has everything under control (see Matthew 6:25-34).

In seasons of joy, rejoice! This is the day the Lord has made! (see Psalm 118:24).

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What seasons are you experiencing in your life right now?

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