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.    ................... "