Bible Verses

Just Do It

It has been one of the world’s best-known advertising campaigns.

Nike spent millions and millions of dollars hawking its athletic shoes and gear.

The company enlisted big-name celebrities such as Michael Jordan to endorse a series of ads that ended with the challenge: “Just do it.”

The ads helped sell countless shoes shorts and sweatpants. Even people who rarely moved a muscle purchased some of this gear.

They wore their nice-looking athletic clothing only while sitting on the couch watching sports events on TV and snacking on chips and dip.

No matter how much athletic gear you buy, you’ll never look like the muscular models in the ads unless you use it. And the same goes for those who practice the Christian faith.

James, the brother of Jesus, was a practical man. He had heard some of the leading early Christians promote lofty theological ideas.

But for James, if Christianity didn’t change one’s life, it was all so much hot air. In his brief book, James repeatedly reminded his readers that Christianity is a faith of concrete action, not idle speculation.

If you say you are a Christian and you don’t control your tongue, you are mistaken.

If you say you love God but don’t love your brother, you are deceived. If you say you have been saved by Christ but your life does not show the fruit of good works, you’re kidding yourself.

Too often, we reduce Christianity to a pile of words. We assume that the people who can recite all the right theological terms know what they’re doing. But sometimes action does not back up their words.

“Preach always,” said Saint Francis of Assisi. “If necessary, use words.” Saint Ignatius, who lived during the first century, was one of the earliest Christian leaders, serving as the bishop of Antioch.

He would have agreed with Francis: It is better for a man to be silent and be [a Christian] than to talk and not to be one. It is good to teach if he who speaks also acts.

There is then one Teacher, who spake and it was done; while even those things which He did in silence are worthy of the Father.

Let us therefore do all things as those who have Him dwelling in us, that we may be His temples, and He may be in us as our God, which indeed He is, and will manifest Himself before our faces. Wherefore we justly love Him.

Other saints from ages past confirm the message James gave us nearly twenty centuries ago: don’t just listen to God’s Word, but do what it says. Nike had the right idea: just do it.

If you follow that advice, you’ll be well on the way to being a better disciple of Jesus.

Father, help me convert my faith into action. Help me live out your Word in my daily life.

How the Mighty Are Fallen

When a group of Middle Eastern terrorists decided to attack the United States, they chose a target that symbolized the nation’s vast economic wealth and its pride in human accomplishment.

In a matter of a few hours, the two huge World Trade Center towers—once the tallest structures in the world—crumbled into a mass of twisted metal and dust, taking nearly three thousand people to their deaths.

The Tower Of Babel Bible Story

But the tragedy of September 11, 2001, wasn’t the first time a tall tower symbolized people’s pride in their accomplishments.

Some four thousand years ago, a group of community leaders and hotshot executives from the booming ancient city of Babel decided to demonstrate how cool they were by building the world’s first high-rise.

Here’s how the New Living Translation (NIT) of the Bible renders the verse from Genesis: “Let’s build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies—a monument to our greatness!”

The proposed project was a great unifier for the city of Babel. People contributed raw materials and labor to the project. And as the tower rose into the sky, the citizens of Babel began to feel pretty proud of themselves.

Genesis 11:4 Meaning

God wasn’t too excited about their plans, which they designed to unify all of the people of the world into one common language.

God scattered the people from the plains of Babylonia, sending them all over the world and giving them many different languages that would complicate future building efforts.

it’s not that God doesn’t like big buildings. After all, when God created humanity in his image, he gave us the ability to create enormous, wonderful projects.

And God isn’t upset when people talk to one another. He gave us our minds and our mouths.

What did bother God was the fact that people didn’t consult him before cooking up a plan to promote world harmony by secular means.

The people of Babel wanted to demonstrate their own greatness by building a tower to the sky.

Bible Verses About Pride And Rebellion

They were so arrogant that they thought their tower could prevent their being “scattered over the whole earth” and instead lead to their greater unification.

Similar promises have been made about technological developments throughout human history. The transatlantic cable was supposed to bring the world together.

And the internet would make us all smarter and tear down barriers between countries!

God loves it when people use the talents and skills he has given them to make the world a better place.

But before you build a monument to your own greatness—any symbol of pride and accomplishment—stop and consult God about your plans. He might have a better idea.

God, thank you for giving people tremendous gifts and abilities. But help us to serve you with our talents rather than trying to create a secular utopia on our own.

Wisdom Or Knowledge?

Over the last few decades, computers have gotten smaller, smarter, and faster.

My first computer was a boxy machine with a small, monochrome monitor, limited memory, and processor speeds just slightly faster than the proverbial tortoise.

In the 1990s, hot new computers began talking to other computers over the World Wide Web.

Ecclesiastes 12 and LDS Teachings

Soon, someone working at a desk in Timbuktu could download more data than a top-notch researcher could have tracked down a century before.

And if you listened closely to some of the most optimistic predictions from evangelists of virtuality, computers would help people double the amount of information in the world every few years.

With all this progress, can world peace be far behind?

LDS Commentary On Ecclesiastes 12

Solomon lived thousands of years ago. He never saw a computer, but he was pretty good with an abacus, and some people even say he was the wisest man who ever lived.

Solomon lived at a time when human knowledge was growing rapidly.

Philosophers were probing the hidden nature of the cosmos and writing insightful books about politics and art.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 In The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints

Solomon followed many of the important intellectual debates of his day. (The passage from Ecclesiastes indicates he experienced weariness along the way.)

He would have trouble grasping our modern-day computer revolution, but he was well familiar with people who confused wisdom with knowledge.

Solomon’s biblical Book of Proverbs is full of insightful comments about people who think they know everything but are actually fools.

Knowledge is information. It’s the kind of thing you can look up with the help of a dictionary, encyclopedia, library card file, or Internet search engine.

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 And LDS Doctrine

If you want to know how to build a nuclear bomb or a hospital, knowledge will help you do a better job.

It is wisdom, however, that helps you know whether a bomb or a hospital would be more helpful for the human race.

We are living in an information age. Advertisements tell us that there’s more information on the computer chips in our digital cam¬era or coffeemaker than there was in some of the world’s biggest libraries a few centuries ago.

Remembering God In Youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1) – LDS Perspective

Half a dozen competing cable TV news channels run nonstop chatter while across the bottom of the screen, breaking news bulletins, weather reports, and sports scores rapidly scroll by.

Everywhere we turn, ads, sound bites, and promotions for this new product or that new service bombard us.

But as Solomon warned millennia ago, these things are not the source of the wisdom and guidance we need in life.

Ecclesiastes 12 And Preparing For Eternity

No matter how much information we have, we still need the wisdom that comes only from God.

God, give me your wisdom so I can make my way through the in¬formation overload of modern life.

Taking Time Out for God

A few years ago Steve and I were enjoying a vacation in Europe with another couple. Our first stop was Paris, which is a bustling whirl of activity day and night. We filled every moment of our four days there.

On the fifth morning, we headed for Switzerland. Our bed-and-breakfast near Geneva overlooked the lake.

We oohed and aahed at the sight of such peaceful surroundings after the hustle of Paris. But sighs of delight had barely escaped my lips when I shifted gears. “I’m off!” I announced.

It was around 1:00 P.M. when I walked expectantly down the hill and toward the main street of the town. I noticed that the streets were relatively deserted.

A sign on the door of the first shop I approached explained the lack of foot traffic: “Closed from noon until three.”

I tried the doorknob anyway, but it was locked. I jiggled it as if there were some mistake. Frustrated, I went to the next shop.

The same sign in the store window was embroidered in needlepoint, but I didn’t appreciate the artistic touch.

I walked back to the hotel to snatch Steve from whatever cozy chair he had settled into, only to find him in our room asleep. Our friends were nowhere to be found, and I could only assume that they, too, were resting.

I didn’t want to sleep! I didn’t want to read! I wanted to be out and about, doing something!

With an irritated sigh, I finally sat in one of the chairs in the library off to the left of the entrance to the B and B. I put my feet up on an ottoman and laid my head back.

One of my favorite Rachmaninoff melodies was lilting from the CD player. I realized that the stillness was pleasant. The tension in my body began to drain away.

The breeze from the lake drifted through the open French doors and carried with it the scent of lilac. Why don’t I do this more often? I asked myself.

There was an almost audible response: You are addicted to busyness.

Virtually everyone I know struggles with the curse of busyness. We live in a culture that thrives on action, always moving, doing more, and accomplishing more.

It’s no wonder that God sometimes seems far away or difficult to understand. Our minds are so full of many thoughts about our busy schedules that we miss his still, small voice.

My afternoon in Switzerland showed me how refreshed I could be if I just paced myself with time to be in God’s presence.

It’s still a challenge, but now I have more stillness in my life than I did before.

Father, help us to experience the peaceful fullness of resting in your presence.

A Welcome Return

When I was a little girl my father did a lot of traveling for his job. Sometimes he would be gone for weeks at a time, and my mother and I would carry on with life together.

As the time drew near for him to return, I’d start to count the days. When the day arrived, I peered out the living room window, eager to see his car pull up in front of our house.

He was tall and lean and took the front steps in great strides, calling my name as he ran into the house.

Revelation 22 For Latter-Day Saints

I always charged into his arms before he could reach the front door. He’d scoop me up and hug me tight. I felt secure and loved and so very glad that he was home.

Now I am a grandmother and have the opportunity to see my grandchildren anticipate and greet their fathers at the end of each day.

Revelation 22 LDS Commentary

When I am with Lara and family in California for example, the sound of the garage door ignites the children’s excitement. “Daddy’s home!” Lisa yells and dances in place.

The twins immediately drop the toys that so fascinated them just minutes before and run to the door. All three run and throw themselves into Daddy’s encircling arms. Craig scoops them up and warmly hugs them close to him.

This young father is gone only during the course of each day. And yet his children look forward to their father’s return with great an¬ticipation. Their Father is a safe, loving, and godly reflection of their Father in Heaven.

The Book Of Revelation Chapter 22 Explained

Jesus tells us that he will be coming back. He will usher in a new age and will reign over all the earth. He will defeat evil.

Even so, we sometimes don’t anticipate his return as we might. I think it is because we know this world and the next world is unknown. We want to raise our families and enjoy the fruits of our labor.

But if we could only glimpse the delight that will be ours when he returns, we might be more excited.

Latter-Day Saints Study Guide For Revelation 22

When Lara was little she used to look at the sun filtering down through clouds, creating a fanlike display of shimmering light. She’d excitedly say, “Look! Maybe Jesus is coming back today!”

Her childish wonder was wonderful. She looked with anticipation to the day when Jesus would come back and claim his own.

There are a multitude of questions about the coming of Christ and what will happen afterward that we can’t answer.

Revelation 22:1-21 Meaning In LDS Doctrine

But we can enjoy the anticipation of his return, like a little child delighted to see Daddy walk through the door.

Father, thank you that one day all will be well. One day Jesus will return to claim his own. We look forward to that day.

How Hebrews 11:1-6 defines true faith – A Faith That Transforms

What is faith? One man gave this curious response: “Faith is believing in something that you know isn’t true.”

For some people, faith is something they use as an irrational defense against a cold, cruel world.

This kind of faith might help an insomniac get through another sleepless night, but it’s not the kind of faith that will transform our lives or please the God who wants his followers to trust him with childlike abandon.

Francis Schaeffer was an influential Christian thinker who lived many years in the Swiss Alps.

So when he tried to explain faith in his book, he did so in a way that made sense to him: Suppose you’ve been out hiking in the mountains when a blizzard sneaks up on you.

Hebrews 11:1-6 Examples of Exemplary Faith

Just as the snow and wind surround you in a blinding fog, you find yourself on a small rocky ledge unsure of where to go.

If you suddenly get a strange notion in your head that the path back home is a few feet below you and you jump, based on your faith in that notion, this is blind faith.

Your faith may be strong, but that doesn’t mean you will land safely.

On the other hand, suppose you’re sitting on your rock ledge, shivering in the biting cold, and you hear a voice calling out to you.

The voice says, “Hello, you can’t see me, but I know where you are and I know how you can reach safety.

You need to walk to the edge of the ledge and jump. When you land, I will be there to care for you and take you safely home.”

In this case, jumping would still require an act of faith, but this wouldn’t be a blind leap into the dark.

Biblical interpretation of Hebrews 11:1-6

It would be a reasoned faith that the man who called out to you is really there and means what he says.

How can we be sure of something we don’t see? How can we have hope in something we can’t touch? This is the kind of faith God wants from us.

Though we cannot see him, he wants us to trust him. And though we cannot touch him, he desires that we place ourselves in his outstretched arms.

When people claim that God doesn’t exist, he instead wants us to believe in him and rely on him.

When it looks like life is pointless and meaningless, God wants us to have faith that he is still in control and is working behind the scenes to do his work.

What Faith Means In Hebrews 11:1-6

And when it seems that we are surrounded by evil and it looks as if the darkness will prevail, God wants us to trust in his promise that good will ultimately prevail.

This is the kind of faith for which God has commanded believers throughout the ages. And it is the only kind of faith that will see us safely home.

God, there are times I wish I could touch you or see you face-to-face. But until then, help me to believe and remain faithful.

Faith

Jesus taught the power of belief in Mark 9:23, when he said, “If you can! Everything is possible for one who believes.” Initially, when I read this verse, my thought was, “Great! I have the power to make anything possible”.

Faith-Building Bible Verses

However, upon further reflection, I realized that Jesus was not giving a command for us to exercise our faith for everything, rather he was teaching about the power of belief.

The Holy Spirit lives in us and is omnipotent. Therefore, through the guidance and power of Jesus, nothing is impossible for us.

Bible Verses About Faith In Hard Times

And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6).

Trust In God During Hardships

He said to them, Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20).

Encouraging Bible Verses For Struggles

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20).

And Jesus said to him, And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

Self-Control

Are you temperate in all things? Alexander the Great conquered many countries but was a slave to his drinking habits. Solomon was the wisest man ever lived but could not control his desire for women.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23).

Scriptures For Faith During Trials

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide a way of escape, so that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Biblical Faith In Adversity

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. (Titus 2:12).

Guilt And Shame

Do you recall experiencing guilt and shame after confessing any of your sins? Has anyone ever reminded you of your sins after Christ has forgiven you? When Jesus died on the cross, he freed us from the condemnation of present, past, and future behaviors.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:17).

Bible Verses For Overcoming Guilt

Read and Learn More Bible Verses Every Christian Should Know

Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. (Isaiah 54:4).

Scriptures To Help With Guilt And Forgiveness

He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:19).

Instead of your shame, there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land, they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy. (Isaiah 61:7).

Worry

On a daily basis, many us of worry about our past, present, or future. Some of us are concerned that past activities may be revealed at any moment and cause embarrassment while others are worried about their finances, family, health, or job security.

Biblical Comfort For Guilt And Shame

Worry cannot change our situation, hence God desires that we trust him to manage our concerns.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30).

How To Find Peace In The Bible When Feeling Guilty

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6).

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19).

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. (John 14:1).

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? (Matthew 6:25).

Best Bible Verses For Dealing With Guilt

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6).

When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. (Psalm 94:19).

Grace

The story is told that Jesus informed Peter, that he would deny him three times before the rooster crows (Matthew 26:34; 69-75).

Peter rejected the Lord’s information and stated that he would never deny him. As the story goes, after Jesus’ arrest, Peter denied knowing him three times.

Bible Verses About Grace

Nonetheless, he confessed his sins and God forgave him. God’s grace is available for us every day.

But he said to me. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Scriptures On God’S Grace

For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9). But he gives more grace.

Read and Learn More Bible Verses Every Christian Should Know

But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that was with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10).

Bible Passages On Grace And Mercy

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:1).

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8).

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. (Titus 2:11)

Grace In The Bible: Key Verses

Patience

Patience is a virtue that we need to effectively carry out our divine assignments and enter God’s Kingdom. Hence, God allows circumstances in our lives to teach us patience.

These circumstances involve waiting on something or someone. As we learn patience, we become more tolerant and appreciative of everyone and our varied circumstances.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6).

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31).

Ephesians 2:8–9 (Grace Through Faith)

Grace In Christianity: Biblical Perspective

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! (Psalm 37:7).

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with them all. (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

Humility In The Bible

The story is told that King Nebuchadnezzar uttered a proud thought and God punished him with temporary insanity and seven years away from the Babylonian throne (Daniel 4:31-37).

After seven years, his sanity returned and he was restored to his position. He learned humility through disgrace. This is not the preferred method but the lesson was well learned.

God loves us very much but he hates pride. A haughty spirit does not reflect the Image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Bible Verses About Being Humble

Read and Learn More Bible Verses Every Christian Should Know

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. (1 Peter 5:5).

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8).

Bible Verse About Humble Yourself

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Forgiveness

The story is told that the teachers of the law and Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus who was caught in adultery. They told him that she was caught in adultery, and then enquired if she should be stoned according to the Mosaic Law.

Scripture On Humility And Pride

Jesus said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” The accusers walked away one by one. Afterwards, Jesus told the woman that he did not condemn her, and she should go and sin no more (John 8-11).

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22).

Humble Yourself Before The Lord Verse

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:13).

Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. (Isaiah 1:18).