Thursday, February 28, 2019

God is able

"And God is ABLE to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." (2 Cor. 9:8)

"Now to Him who is ABLE to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Eph. 3:20-21)

"For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is ABLE to aid those who are tempted." (Heb. 2:18)

"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is ABLE to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day." (2 Tim. 1:12)

"Now to Him who is ABLE to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began." (Rom. 16:25)

"Now unto him that is ABLE to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." (Jude 24-25)

"Therefore He is also ABLE to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." (Heb. 7:25)

Monday, February 25, 2019

Things the bible says to remember

Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

Deuteronomy 5:15 And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

Deuteronomy 8:2 And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

Deuteronomy 8:11-17 “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end— then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’

Deuteronomy 8:18 And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 24:17-18 You shall not pervert justice due the stranger or the fatherless, nor take a widow’s garment as a pledge. But you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this thing.

1 Chronicles 16:11-12 Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore! Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth

Psalm 78:5-7 For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children; That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children, That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments

Psalm 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:

Psalm 30:4 Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.

Psalm 39:4 (NLT) LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered--how fleeting my life is.

Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

Psalm 77:11-12 I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds.

Psalm 143:5-6 (ESV) I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah

Psalm 119:52 I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lord, And have comforted myself.

Proverbs 3:1-8 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.  Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.

Ecclesiastes 12:6-7 Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.

Isaiah 46:9-10 Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’

Luke 17:32 Remember Lot’s wife.

Luke 22:19
And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

1 Corinthians 11:25
In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Acts 20:35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Hebrews 13:1-3 Let brotherly love continue.  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

Ephesians 2:11-13
Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Romans 11:18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.

2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel

Hebrews 13:7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

Hebrews 13:15-16 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

2 Peter 3:8-9 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Jude 1:17-18 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.

Revelation 2:4-5 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

2 Peter 1:5-9  But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control [a]perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Faith, Patience, and Waiting on God

Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord God:  Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Psalm 37:7-9 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Isaiah 40:30-31 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall. But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Psalm 37:34 Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

Psalm 130:5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.

Psalm 62:5 My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.

Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Lamentations 3:25-26 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.

Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.

Saturday, February 16, 2019

The fear of man and how to overcome it



Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.

“When God and spirituality are reduced to our standards or our feelings, God will never be to us the awesome Holy One of Israel. With God reduced in our eyes, a fear of people will thrive.” When People are Big and God is Small, p. 85

Jeremiah 1:8
Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.

"Shame-fear and rejection-fear...both indicate that people are a person's favorite idol. We exalt them and their perceived power above God. We worship them as ones who have God-like exposing gazes (shame-fear) or God-like ability to 'fill' us with esteem, love, admiration, acceptance, respect, and other psychological desires." When People Are Big and God Is Small p. 44-45.

Proverbs 15:3
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

Matthew 6:17-18 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Matthew 6:5-6 And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Colossians 3:23-24 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Galatians 1:10
For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Luke 9:26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

James 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

1 Corinthians 4:3-4 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.

Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.

Another person’s approval has no ability to affect your mood unless you believe what he or she says is valid. Feeling Good, p. 290

“All experiences of the fear of man share at least one common feature: people are big. They have grown to idolatrous proportions in our lives. They control us. Since there is no room in our hearts to worship both God and people, whenever people are big, God is not. Therefore, the first task in escaping the snare of the fear of man is to know that God is awesome and glorious, not other people.” When People are Big and God is Small, p. 95

Also see Why we worry about what others think

Bible Verses On Trusting God


Psalms 56:3-4, 11 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? ...In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.

Proverbs 28:25 He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.

Psalm 32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.

Proverbs 16:20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

Psalm 118:8-9 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes.

Psalm 112:5-7
A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

Isaiah 26:4 Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

Some examples of trusting God with your life

Job 13:15
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.

Daniel 3:14-18 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.

Esther 4:14-16 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”

Monday, February 11, 2019

Telling yourself the truth

The following information comes from the book called "Telling Yourself The Truth," by Marie Chapian and William D Backus. I've included a few quotes from the book, most of the bible verses used, and I also added a few bible verses that I thought were fitting.

Misbelief and how to be set free from it

It is not, however, events either past or present which make us feel the way we feel, but our interpretation of those events. (Telling Yourself the Truth p. 15)

James 3:14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

Misbeliefs are the cause of the destructive behavior people persist in engaging in even when they are fully aware that it is harmful to them (Telling Yourself the Truth p. 16).

Negative and distorted statements which a person repeats to himself come from the devil. Your flesh accepts them without question and then, like spoiled, rotting food, these words of mental poison create painful emotional aches and pains.
 (Telling Yourself the Truth p. 17).

Romans 8:6
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

John 8:31-32
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.

Our feelings and behavior result from our beliefs

"Change a man’s beliefs and you will change his feelings and behavior."
(Telling Yourself the Truth p. 27)

Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinks in his heart, so is he...

Proverbs 12:5
The thoughts of the righteous are right, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

Psalm 119:59 I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies.

Matthew 9:29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”

Self-talk

If we do not find worth in what we are and what we have now, we will tell ourselves we are less important than others or we have less than others. (Telling Yourself the Truth p. 32).

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content

Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Psalms 34:13-14 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

When you like yourself, you will be free to like and appreciate others. When you are hard on yourself, you will be hard on others. (Telling Yourself the Truth p. 35).

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ

When we become God’s children the great I dies and there’s a change, sweet as morning, that takes place and we trade banners: the old used I for a shiny impenetrable His. Self-talk that degrades others degrades ourselves. (Telling Yourself the Truth p. 42).

When you're depressed

Psalm 42:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

James 1:16-17 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

When we lose someone or something important to us, we will feel hurt, yes; but if the hurt deepens to despondency and depression and remains that way for weeks or months, the cause is not the loss but misbelief. (Telling Yourself the Truth p. 43).

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

To ascribe the all-sufficiency of God to any person is idolatry, and the basis for idolatry is deception and misbelief. (Telling Yourself the Truth p. 44).

When feeling angry

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

James 1:19-20 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Ephesians 4:26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath

Mathew 18:15 Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.

Proverbs 17:9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.

The constant repeating of misbeliefs is what sustains and perpetuates angry resentment. Constant repeating of the truth generates peace and health. (Telling Yourself the Truth (p. 52).

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

When experiencing anxiety

Jesus never told us to go out and take a course in how to get people to like us. He told us to love Him, trust Him, have faith in Him, glorify Him, and to genuinely care about others. (Telling Yourself the Truth p. 71).

Job 3:25 For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory

Luke 11:9 So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

When you lack self-control

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Ephesians 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man

Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Matthew 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

Luke 21:19 By your patience possess your souls.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content

Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

The most important thing you can do to increase your self-control is to identify the misbeliefs in the words you tell yourself. Then argue against those misbeliefs. Never let yourself get away with misbelief talk. Use determination and energy in arguing and refusing each misbelief with the truth. (Telling Yourself the Truth p. 110).

1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

When feeling self-hate

Matthew 22:37-39  Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

The Scriptures teach us two important truths about our self-worth. 1. Our life, including our opinions, feelings, wants and needs, is not less valuable or important than anyone else’s and 2. Our life, including our opinions, feelings, wants and needs, is not more valuable or important than anyone else’s. (Telling Yourself the Truth p. 115).

When Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends [John 15:13]," He prepared the way for us to be able to love ourselves in the purest sense. Condemnation, guilt, despair, self-degradation, shame and self-hate have all been nailed to the cross in His body. By His taking our sin on the cross with Him, we are set free to live healthy and abundant lives with wholesome, pure, swept-clean attitudes. (Telling Yourself the Truth pp. 115-116).

1 John 3:16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

1 Timothy 6:6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Corinthians 4:3-4 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Change

John 1:12-13 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Taking risks

Look at the risk God took when He created man with a free will. He took the risk that man might use his will to rebel against God, his creator and protector. And that’s just what happened. (Telling Yourself the Truth p. 144)

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Faith itself is a risk. You must trust God and act in faith in order to take that step you cannot see. (Telling Yourself the Truth p. 144).

Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Philippians 3:7-8 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Saint Paul here was willing to risk everything there was to risk because he knew with absolute certainty whom he belonged to, and a relationship with Jesus Christ was more important to him than his own comfort and life. (Telling Yourself the Truth p. 146).

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Relationships with others

When you dream up a list of obligations for others, you’re leaving yourself wide open for disappointment. These arbitrary obligations you put others under are not in accord with the Word of God at all. (William. Telling Yourself the Truth p. 153).

There are only two basic obligations, two things we ought to do: “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind . . . love thy neighbor as thyself.” Matthew 22:37-39. (Telling Yourself the Truth p. 155).

God’s love is a love of free choice. What wonderful words those are! True freedom is the opportunity to choose to act and live as you ought. We have the glorious opportunity to discover the personality of Jesus, to choose love over manipulation, guilt, and false obligation. (Telling Yourself the Truth p. 156).

Romans 13:10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Psalms 37:4
Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Matthew 9:29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.

When feeling indispensable

Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.

Mark 6:31 And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.

Matthew 14:23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.

Other helpful verses

Psalms 94:14 For the Lord will not cast off His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance.

Psalm 121:5-6 The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.

Isaiah 43:1-2 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Psalms 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit.

Romans 8:37-39 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.