When Bitterness Builds
Laurie Davies
“Hannah was praying silently, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli thought she was drunk ...” 1 Samuel 1:13 (CSB)
“…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together will all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled up to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV)
“’Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.’” Deuteronomy 6:4-8 (NLT)
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:10-12 (NIV)
“We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need.” Colossians 1:11 (NLT)
“The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: ‘Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in.’ Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.” Mark 10:13-16 (MSG)
“I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.” Psalm 17:6 (NLT)
“His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant!’” Matthew 25:21a (NIV)
“… But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13b-14 (ESV)
“’But what about you?’ he said. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” Matthew 16:15-16 (NIV)
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’” Matthew 16:13 (NIV)
“Hannah was praying silently, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli thought she was drunk ...” 1 Samuel 1:13 (CSB)
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven ...” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)
Heavenly Father, thank You for the truth that I am not at the mercy of my thoughts and feelings. When negativity rises in me and I feel like I’m sinking, remind me that Your peace and wisdom are...
“Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NCV)