Post a positive Bible verse (or any Christian Scripture, really, such as the Book of Mormon)! Any translation! Try to keep the verses at maximum, three. (Of course, nothing is binding!)
I'll start!
"From thee cometh victory, from thee cometh wisdom,
and thine is the glory, and I am thy servant.
Blessed art thou, who hast given me wisdom:
for to thee I give thanks, O Lord of our fathers."
-- 1 Esdras 4:59-60
My personal favorite- Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Even though Ecclesiastes is pretty grim, this is my favorite
Ecclesiastes 3
1For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
For all the bad, there is also a time for the best!!
I think my favorite verse is Hebrews 13:6
"So we can confidently say,
'The Lord is my helper:
I will not fear:
what can man do to me?'"
I found it shortly after I had been hurt my a close friend and it really spoke to me.
Another favorite would have to be Zephaniah 3:17
"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 song."
Someone from the camp I go to made a song out of that verse. We sing it a lot there.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
My other one that I pray everyday. Psalm 143:8, "Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You."
Psalm 3:1-8
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. Selah But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. ...
Isaiah 6:8
'Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"'
That has given me courage on several occasions when I had to stand up for myself, and for people like me.
Quote from: JoW on July 03, 2013, 01:47:19 PM
Isaiah 6:8
'Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"'
I go to a GLBT specific church occasionally that sings a hymn based on that scripture. It gets me every time!!.
Quote from: Lizerina on July 03, 2013, 11:09:43 AM
Another favorite would have to be Zephaniah 3:17
"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 song."
Someone from the camp I go to made a song out of that verse. We sing it a lot there.
I never go into Zephaniah, so that verse is pretty beautiful!
Here is one from Tobit 4:19--
"
Bless the Lord thy God alway, and desire of him that thy ways may be directed, and that all thy paths and counsels may prosper: for every nation hath not counsel; but the Lord himself giveth all good things, and he humbleth whom he will, as he will."
Quote from: Rahel on July 04, 2013, 01:59:55 AM
I never go into Zephaniah, so that verse is pretty beautiful!
Zephaniah is pretty cool. I haven't spent a lot of time there, but I do enjoy it. It talks a good bit about how, oh goodness, I can't remember the city now... But this city went through great trial and so much destruction and then still praised God. It's a good read. And I highlighted a ton when I read through!
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:16,17
An oldie but a goody :)
Quote from: Vicky on July 03, 2013, 11:05:05 PM
I go to a GLBT specific church occasionally that sings a hymn based on that scripture. It gets me every time!!.
That's gorgeous Vicky :) I recently went saw the US's first openly gay, partnered, Anglican minister speak about his journey. He said "Courage is fear that hasn't said it's prayers yet". I loved the hymns - I balled my eyes out (quietly). It'd been a long, long time since I'd felt like that about hymns...
Isaiah 56:4
For God says:
"To the Transgender who keep my Sabbaths
and choose what delights me
and keep a firm grip on my covenant,
I'll provide them an honored place
in my family and within my city,
even more honored than that of sons and daughters.
I'll confer permanent honors on them
that will never be revoked.
Quote from: Rahel on June 25, 2013, 03:51:39 AM
Post a positive Bible verse (or any Christian Scripture, really, such as the Book of Mormon)! Any translation! Try to keep the verses at maximum, three. (Of course, nothing is binding!)
I'll start!
"From thee cometh victory, from thee cometh wisdom,
and thine is the glory, and I am thy servant.
Blessed art thou, who hast given me wisdom:
for to thee I give thanks, O Lord of our fathers."
-- 1 Esdras 4:59-60
Christian scriptures? Only the New Testament...
what you call the "Old Testament" are Jewish scripture's
Here goes a good one, form the most Famous Jewish Rabbi...
of all times...
Matthew 19:8-12
8-9 Jesus said, "Moses provided for divorce as a concession to your hard heartedness, but it is not part of God's original plan. I'm holding you to the original plan, and holding you liable for adultery if you divorce your faithful wife and then marry someone else. I make an exception in cases where the spouse has committed adultery."
10 Jesus' disciples objected, "If those are the terms of marriage, we're stuck. Why get married?"
11 But Jesus said, "Not all men can accept celibacy, but only those to whom it has been given.
12 For there are some transgender and homosexual folks who were born that way from their mother's womb and more often than not never marry; and there are castrated men who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also men who have castrated themselves or remain celibate for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it."
"I do not boast in my own strength,
nor in my own wisdom;
but behold, my joy is full, yea,
my heart is brim with joy,
and I will rejoice in my God.
Yea, I know that I am nothing;
as to my strength I am weak;
therefore I will not boast of myself,
but I will boast of my God,
for in his strength I can do all things."
-- Alma 26:11-12
Quote from: peky on July 05, 2013, 08:56:01 AM
Christian scriptures? Only the New Testament...
what you call the "Old Testament" are Jewish scripture's
I guess many Christians believe that the Jewish Scriptures are also part of the Holy Writings, lol.
I do like your passage of Matthew by the Rabbi. Cute stuff! :D
Quote from: peky on July 05, 2013, 09:20:19 AM
Here goes a good one, form the most Famous Jewish Rabbi...
of all times...
Matthew 19:8-12
8-9 Jesus said, "Moses provided for divorce as a concession to your hard heartedness, but it is not part of God's original plan. I'm holding you to the original plan, and holding you liable for adultery if you divorce your faithful wife and then marry someone else. I make an exception in cases where the spouse has committed adultery."
10 Jesus' disciples objected, "If those are the terms of marriage, we're stuck. Why get married?"
11 But Jesus said, "Not all men can accept celibacy, but only those to whom it has been given.
12 For there are some transgender and homosexual folks who were born that way from their mother's womb and more often than not never marry; and there are castrated men who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also men who have castrated themselves or remain celibate for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it."
Thats exactly the way I read it!! Right on!
Though I don't profess to be Christian - or even Jewish, for that matter - I have read a fair amount of the bible. After a slog through the discouraging Book of Judges (Is it just me? Couldn't that barren desert of disarray, failure, and slaughter use a
few more oases of hope?), I encountered one of the most moving expressions of personal loyalty that I've seen in the bible (or elsewhere, for that matter), from the Book of Ruth:
Quote
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
I'm not sure whether I'll ever be able to read this passage without shedding tears - which I'm wiping away as I prepare to post this.
That's the oasis. :)
Quote from: Celia on August 04, 2013, 03:48:30 PM
Though I don't profess to be Christian - or even Jewish, for that matter - I have read a fair amount of the bible. After a slog through the discouraging Book of Judges (Is it just me? Couldn't that barren desert of disarray, failure, and slaughter use a few more oases of hope?), I encountered one of the most moving expressions of personal loyalty that I've seen in the bible (or elsewhere, for that matter), from the Book of Ruth:
I'm not sure whether I'll ever be able to read this passage without shedding tears - which I'm wiping away as I prepare to post this. That's the oasis. :)
Awww, that is so sweet! I have always loved that verse! And yes, it is one of the more moving verses in the Bible. These little gems are interspersed all throughout! And Judges is quite a negative book... I generally avoid them for the more wisdom literature of the Bible: Wisdom, Sirach, Song of Songs (my favourite book), etc.
That wonderful relationship between Naomi and Ruth always remind me of David and Jonathan... although the dynamic is a little different! ;)
And David sware moreover, and said, "Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, 'Let not Jonathan know this,' lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death."
Then said Jonathan unto David, "Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee."
And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.-- 1 Samuel 20:3-4,17
The books of Samuel and Kings, while not as bleak as Judges, can still be a something of a rough ride. The relationship between David and Jonathan constituted some of the brighter spots. Where a relationship could have been intensely adversarial, it was pleasantly close. It's too bad that Jonathan didn't have a better fate. :-\
My favorite scripture has always been:
Luke 1:37:
[37] For with God nothing shall be impossible.
I love that scripture because if it was up to me to find the Lord Jesus of Nazareth I would be lost. I was just too spiritually ignorant and had the deck stacked against me with evil teachings and influences from my birth and youth. I could never have found him.
Even though I was too dumb to realize the leading of God in my life he was faithful to guide every aspect of my life and protect me from going astray spiritually when I made the wrong decisions. I have always felt if a person truly trusts the Lord and makes decisions based from an honest desire to be with him both in this life and the next he will always have someone there to teach, guide and mentor me in the way that I should go. He has been faithful in that even though at times I have not been faithful.
In the army I wanted to be stationed in a warm climate near home but just as he told Peter he would be carried in a place he didn't want to go I wound up in a cold climate. My unit number was 137. I might have been where I didn't want to be but that unit number reminded me of that scripture every day.
There are so many things this scripture means to me but I won't bore others with my details.
May God bless.
"Man looketh upon the appearance of man but God looketh upon the heart of man."
There is that and 2 or so more quotes from the bible that I see as being positive and so on because they can relate to transgendered people when looked at another way. Plus they make me happy. Many would argue I'm wrong with what I believe in for them (I have no idea if ya'll would here) but that quote right there makes me happy because imo when it said "heart", I honestly believe that meant "soul" and it's VERY true that man kind does indeed look and judge people (And even treat them differently) based on their appearance but God does not. :)
Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
My favorite is
Isaiah 54:17-No weapon formed against me shall prosper and every tounge that rises I shall condemn in judgement.
Quote from: Shana-chan on August 07, 2013, 04:37:43 AM
"Man looketh upon the appearance of man but God looketh upon the heart of man."
There is that and 2 or so more quotes from the bible that I see as being positive and so on because they can relate to transgendered people when looked at another way. Plus they make me happy. Many would argue I'm wrong with what I believe in for them (I have no idea if ya'll would here) but that quote right there makes me happy because imo when it said "heart", I honestly believe that meant "soul" and it's VERY true that man kind does indeed look and judge people (And even treat them differently) based on their appearance but God does not. :)
I just love that quote. I've found great solace in the last weeks realising that all that is in the heart, tells its own tale and that this is known in the way the quote notes.
:)
Romans 8
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Quote from: SarahM777A on September 29, 2013, 05:39:49 PM
Romans 8
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Welcome back! I was wondering where you went to. :)
Quote from: Malachite on September 29, 2013, 05:45:12 PM
Welcome back! I was wondering where you went to. :)
It was a really long spring and summer. I just got sidetracked with things outside of here so... I'm back. :)
Romans 8
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."[j]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Maybe cliche but it was the first bible verse I learned and memorized and to me, one of the most important ones
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
I have always found Philippians 4:6 to be comforting.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
1 John 4:8
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 Cor 13:2-8
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,endures all things.8 Love never ends.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Phillipians 4:12-13
"12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
That's life,
Hugs,
Jen
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Joshua 24:15 (KJV)
"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
I especially love the bolded part!
2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Amen! I really feel like this scripture is speaking to me, because though I try to be strong, I realize that I am not perfect person, so therefore I have weaknesses. This scripture shows me that even though I have weakness, God can still manifest and shrine through those weaknesses and use them to His glory.
" .......... still looking. ................... "
My all time favorite, 1 Corinthians 13:12!
12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
^-^
2 John 1:8
Talks about it being OK to be selfish. "Look to yourself". "Make sure you don't lose what you've worked for"; Transition. "So you can receive the reward" A fully transitioned, non Trans woman.
That's the way I see it. Once surgery is complete and mind and body are in one accord, the transition is finished. You are no longer Trans. You're just the woman you've always been.
Quote from: Catherine Sarah on December 18, 2013, 08:23:38 AM
2 John 1:8
Talks about it being OK to be selfish. "Look to yourself". "Make sure you don't lose what you've worked for"; Transition. "So you can receive the reward" A fully transitioned, non Trans woman.
That's the way I see it. Once surgery is complete and mind and body are in one accord, the transition is finished. You are no longer Trans. You're just the woman you've always been.
hey that's really interesting. So much of the Christian tradition emphasises quelling selfishness, but then, seeing a scriptural adaptation of selfishness recasting the word in spiritual ascendance and through the emphases of Faith is very beautiful.
Thank you for the prompt
what i live by:
"i can do all things through christ who strengthens me."
phillippians 4:13
Quote from: Eva Marie on September 30, 2013, 09:02:52 AM
I have always found Philippians 4:6 to be comforting.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
This is my favorite verse, too. :)
Ephesians 4:26- Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath
Luke 6:27-28:
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
That's hard for me to do, but I'm trying to.
Galatians 5
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Psalm 34:19 (KJV)
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all."
A little nice nugget for many us here dealing with our transitions and relationships (or lack thereof for both). :)
No positive scriptures posted in the last 7 months? Looks like I got to bump this thread. :)
Mark 11:24 (KJV)
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
I needed that one today.
Psalm 18:1 - I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.
I love this prayer! Hope you all do too! God bless! :)
You Have Called Me by Name
Oh, Lord my God,
You called me from the sleep of nothingness
merely because in your tremendous love
you want to make good and beautiful beings.
You have called me by my name in my mother's womb.
You have given me breath and light and movement
and walked with me every moment of my existence.
I am amazed, Lord God of the universe,
that you attend to me and, more, cherish me.
Create in me the faithfulness that moves you,
and I will trust you and yearn for you all my days.
Amen.
— Joseph Tetlow SJ