Six Verses for Hope & Courage

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV Therefore encourage one another and build each other up. Many years ago, when my son was in middle school, he had a rock painting art project. While it probably wasn’t exactly what the art teacher envisioned, I love it! He wrote, “Build Up! Don’t tear down.”  There is so much wisdom packed…

1 Peter 1:24-25 NIV All people are like grass,    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever. I love my wildflower garden. The pops of color are a welcome sight to my eyes in the otherwise muted desert. But…

Does God really care about me? Matthew 10:29 NIV Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. If God cares about each sparrow (or in this case finch,) then imagine just how much more He cares for you!

Philippians 4:4 NIV Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Sometimes when the world seems to be dishing out more than your plate can hold, it’s hard to remember to feel joy, let alone Rejoice!  But we need to remember what exactly it is we are rejoicing. I’m not rejoicing over…

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!

Matthew 6:30 TLB And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you, O men of little faith? I was walking along the river trail and was struck by the beauty of these wild iris. Their pop of color in a wash of…