Fighter Verses

“Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” –Matthew 9:13 What a seemingly simple and clear command the Lord gave to the disapproving Pharisees —“go and learn.” Jesus had just called Matthew the tax collector to follow Him, which he did […]

Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. –Psalm 55:22. This prayer of David came in the midst of his very real and serious troubles. His anguish came from a close friend who betrayed him. David’s recourse was prayer, not revenge; he left […]

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! 2Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. –Psalm 100:1-3 Psalm 100 is my favorite call […]

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing –1 Thessalonians 5:14-17 I love how practical the Bible can […]

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. –Philippians 1:21 This is a short verse and easy to memorize. It can roll off my tongue without much effort and too often without thinking about the deeper meaning and implications behind it. Paul wrote this letter from prison to encourage the believers […]

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. –Romans 12:11-13 I’m so glad God cares enough to help us in the practical, day-to-day living out of His […]

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith- –Philippians 3:9 Righteousness. Such an important term related to the character of God and the calling of His children. It is not […]

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. –2 Timothy 1:7 This week’s Fighter Verse is a statement of what God has given believers. It follows a powerful reminder of Timothy’s godly heritage and training from his mother and grandmother. His mentor, the apostle Paul, wanted to […]

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  –John 15:5 As I reflect on this verse, I think about the walks I take in the nature preserve near my home. I see […]

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. [17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”] –Romans 1:16 […]