Forgiveness can be one of the hardest things you have to do on your journey to growth and peace. When we hold on to hurt, pain, resentment, and anger it harms us far more than it harms the offender. Forgiveness frees us to live in the present. Forgiving yourself can be the hardest of all. Everyone makes mistakes and even worse, intentionally chooses the wrong way. But God’s love for us is overwhelming and covers a multitude of errors. Stop punishing yourself today with these 7 Bible verses to help you forgive yourself.
7 Bible Verses to Celebrate Pentecost
One spring Sunday, when I was living in Europe, a French friend startled me by wishing me (in French), “Happy Pentecost!” It wasn’t that I misunderstood her—I knew enough French—but I couldn’t imagine anyone saying the same thing back home.
“Happy Pentecost!” Why did we never greet each other like that in English, sharing the good news the way we did with Christmas and Easter? That’s too bad, I thought. Because Pentecost is a holiday that deserves much celebration. It’s often thought of as the birthday of the church (more on that). Let’s look at the Biblical record:
1) When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. (Acts 2:1) Jesus had ascended into heaven and His followers were trying to figure out what was next. What did they do? They gathered “together in one place.” Things can happen when believers congregate.
2) And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. (Acts 2:2) God is big, beyond our comprehension. Just when we think we have figured things out, we can be startled out of our boots!
3) Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. (Acts 2:3) Not just the ability to speak a foreign language but a visual symbol as well, “tongues, as of fire.” I’ll never forget the Sunday when the preacher, in his enthusiasm, suggested we eat special foods to honor Pentecost. “Shall we eat tongue?” whispered a friend. A Pentecost birthday cake!
4) All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. (Acts 2:4) Take note that in their humility, the disciples gave credit where credit was due. Their linguistic powers were heaven-sent.
5) Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?” (Acts 2:7-8) As the poet W.H. Auden pointed out, the astounding gifts of Pentecost weren’t just in speech but also in understanding. Isn’t that precisely where we could all use the Spirit’s help?
6) Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38) Pentecost means “50,” coming as it did 50 days after Easter. Back then, on Good Friday, Peter denied he even knew Jesus. Not now. Not going forward. He can offer the gifts of the Holy Spirit because he has received them. He changed like we, too, can be changed.
7) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) It happened just as Jesus predicted, and it continues to this day. No wonder that French friend could say, “Happy Pentecost!” It’s like wishing a happy birthday to the church.
7 Bible Verses for Mother’s Day
Face it: You’d be so lost without your mother. She’s on duty the other 364 days a year, so when that special Sunday rolls around, give Mom her due respect. Here are seven of our favorite verses to celebrate her with faith.
7 Bible Verses for Hope and Healing
Are you or someone you know going through a difficult illness? Take comfort in these Bible verses about hope and healing.
7 Bible Verses for a Good Night’s Sleep
God’s Word can bring you peace and comfort in the darkest of night. Don’t let your worries keep you up! Reflect on these Scriptures to rest in God’s grace. Enjoy these 7 Bible verses that will help you get a good night’s sleep.
Having trouble getting a good night’s sleep? Download Abide for Christian sleep meditations that use calming techniques and Scripture verses framed in calming stories to lull you into a peaceful slumber.
20 Bible Verses About Spring and New Life
What Does the Bible Say About Spring?
Spring is a beautiful time of year when the winter weather subsides, and the flowers begin to bloom. Because of this, spring is often associated with hope and rebirth—two major aspects of the resurrection of Christ. Easter, the day to celebrate this resurrection, even happens during the spring season. Bible verses about spring can be found throughout Scripture, from Genesis to the Book of John. These verses exemplify that positivity and renewal.
READ MORE: 16 Spring Activities for Couples, Families, Kids
During this time of year many people feel rejuvenated, both in their lives and in their faith. As they shake off that winter chill, they might consider starting a new positive habit or recommitting to their prayer life. Reading Bible verses about spring can be a powerful way to draw closer to God as we are presented with the possibility of new beginnings.
Popular Bible Verses About Spring
1. Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone. —Zechariah 10:1
2. Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. —James 5:7
3. And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years.” —Genesis 1:14
4. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps. —Psalm 85:11-13
READ MORE: 25 Joyful Spring Quotes to Inspire You
Spring Bible Verses About Hope
5. Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. —Hosea 6:3
6. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. —Romans 15:13
7. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. —Proverbs 23:18
8. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. —Lamentations 3:21-23
READ MORE: 7 Spring Prayers for Hope and New Beginnings
Spring Bible Verses About New Life
9. For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. —Song of Solomon 2:11-12
10.Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. —Romans 12:2
11.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
12. When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” —John 8:12
Spring Bible Verses about Flowers
13. The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. —Isaiah 35:1-12
14. Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. —Luke 12:27
15. I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the young women. —Song of Solomon 2:1-2
16. All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. —Isaiah 40:6
Short Spring Bible Verses
17. They waited for me as for showers and drank in my words as the spring rain. —Job 29:23
18. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. —Romans 12:12
19. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. —Lamentations 3:23
20. When a king’s face brightens, it mans life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. —Proverbs 16:15
READ MORE ABOUT BIBLE VERSES AND SPRING:
7 Bible Verses About Helping Others
What does the Bible say about helping others? Turn to these uplifting verses for encouragement and inspiration to extend your blessings by serving others.
7 Bible Prayers for the Weary
If he were writing today, pamphleteer Thomas Paine might have written, “These are the times that weary men’s souls.”
Can you identify? Are you weary? If so, you’re not alone. Whether from breaking news, pandemic policies, social media tirades or something else, feelings of weariness and cynicism are certainly understandable.
In such times, prayer can be a lifeline. And prayers from the Bible can lift up a person’s soul like helium in a birthday balloon. So, if you’re struggling with lethargy and apathy, consider praying one—or all—of the following Scripture prayers to revive your spirits:
I am weary, God,
but I can prevail. (Proverbs 30:1, NIV)
Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:11, NIV)
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalm 51:12, NIV)
My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding. (Psalm 119:28-32, NIV)
I come to You, Jesus, for the rest You promise to all who are weary and burdened. Teach me Your ways and let me find rest for my soul, for Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. (Based on Matthew 11:28-30.)
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31, NIV)
Lord, let me not become weary in doing good; remind me and encourage me with the knowledge that at the proper time I will reap a harvest if I do not give up. (Based on Galatians 6:9.)
These are among many Bible passages that can lift drooping spirits and energize a weary soul (others include Hebrews 12:1-3, Psalm 10:17-18 and Psalm 13). Pray them as often and as long as necessary.
6 Tips from Scripture for Success
What is success? Wealth? Fame? Power? Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, author of The Power of Positive Thinking, defined it this way:
“After decades of experience, I am more confident than ever that the Bible’s principles can help anyone anywhere live more effectively. Real success is the spiritual process of developing a mature and constructive personality through which we can accomplish our highest objectives, with the help of God.”
The Scriptural principles of faith, determination, positive action, moderation, goal-setting and perseverance contribute to achievement in both the spiritual and the material worlds. God gave Joseph success in everything he did: “The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man…the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand” (Genesis 39:2-3).
If you want to be successful, follow these six steps:
1. Put God first.
God promises that when you put him first, you can accomplish everything you need to. “The Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalms 84:11).
2. Go for the goals!
Focus on the goals God leads you to; give time and thought to achieving them. Proverbs 12:24 promises: “ Work hard, and you will be a leader….”
3. Dream big.
Think of the Bible heroes you have admired all your life: Abraham, Moses, David, Paul. They were men of courage and faith who accomplished great things—with God’s help.
4. Stick with it.
The Apostle Paul concentrated on one thing: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). Make sure your goal is the right one—and then give it your full effort!
5. Motivate yourself.
Every day, expect to do great things. Think positive thoughts. Fill your mind with affirmations, like this one found in Chronicles 22:13: “Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses…Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
6. Gather good support.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” (Ecclesiastes 9-10). Look for people who share your values and your faith.
6 Tips for Spiritual Wisdom
The Bible has a great deal to say about wisdom. Throughout Scripture, it is esteemed above wealth or military might. When God granted King Solomon one request, he asked for wisdom—and Solomon became one of the mightiest kings of all time. “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore” (1 Kings 4:29).
Again and again the book of Proverbs urges its reader to grasp this most precious—and practical—possession. “My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion” (3:21). “Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse” (2:12). “A person’s wisdom yields patience” (19:11).
Wisdom is more than knowledge; it is sound judgment and discernment. It is knowing what to pursue and what to let go, what to long for and what to flee. Where does wisdom come from? “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding” (Psalm 111:10). “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).
A friend of mine has six gems of wisdom which he repeats almost every day:
1. “To live long, live slowly.”—Cicero
2. “The way of a superior man is threefold: virtuous, he is therefore free from anxiety; wise, he is therefore free from perplexity; bold, he is therefore free from fear.”—Confucius
3. “Sit loosely in the saddle of life.”—Robert Louis Stevenson
4. “Let nothing disturb you; let nothing frighten you. Everything passes except God; God alone is sufficient.”—Saint Theresa
5. “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.”—Isaiah 30:15
6. Then finally, and most importantly, the words of Jesus: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
Let us pray to God today to help us “gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12)!
6 Spiritual Secrets to Good Health
There are certain spiritual laws that contain the secret of good health, and if we will try to discover these laws and obey them, our chances of remaining healthy through the years are greatly increased.
1. Avoid pessimism and gloom.
More and more, science is discovering how closely mental attitudes and physical conditions are related. Bleak, downbeat thoughts seem to block the flow of vitality and energy. Conversely, laughter is a tonic.
“A merry heart,” says the Bible, “does good like medicine” (Proverbs 17:22). Of course. It is a medicine! Gloom and gladness are both states of mind, and you can choose which one to practice.
2. Rid yourself of resentment.
Bottled-up anger usually seems to strike the possessor of it at some weak physical spot. Ask God for the strength to “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13).
Resentment, hatred, anger, guilt—these things are like splinters in the soul. Unless they are removed they will fester and ultimately poison the whole organism.
3. Forget about yourself.
This is never easy to do, but there are great curative powers awaiting anyone who will start thinking less about his or her own problems and more about the problems of others. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
4. Cling to the lifeline of work.
Many people fail to recognize the health-giving power of work. They regard work as something inherently unpleasant, something to be avoided whenever possible. How wrong they are!
To work hard at something challenging, something you consider worthwhile, is probably the best health insurance of all. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23). Work can be a source of health and strength…when you let it.
5. Look forward, not back.
If you dwell on old mistakes, if you brood about past failures, if you go around lamenting what might have been, you are blocking that flow of energy and well-being which we call good health. If, on the other hand, you look forward to tomorrow eagerly and enthusiastically, if you make optimistic plans and dream hopeful dreams, your body will prepare itself almost instinctively to supply the energies you will need.
Take the Apostle Paul’s advice: “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…” Philippians 3:13).
6. Seek the Great Healer.
In one of the most beautiful scenes described in the New Testament, Jesus was on a plain near the sea. A great multitude had gathered. The Bible says, “And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all” (Luke 6:19). The Revised Standard Version renders this text: “…for power came from him and healed them all.”
The Bible also says that Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He has not lost His ancient skill. The multitudes still gather today, you and I and all of us. And I tell you in His name that if we seek to touch Him, really seek to touch Him, power will come out of Him and heal us all.
How does this healing power operate? It heals the body, but that is secondary. The real sickness of man is in his mind and in his soul. And this is the part that Jesus Christ makes whole. When you are whole in soul and mind and body, you live with power and with joy.
And that is the true secret of radiant, lifelong health.
6 Prayers God Most Wants to Hear from You
God loves it when we pray.
He loves it so much that the Bible tells us to “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV). And, judging from the prayers that are recorded in the Bible—especially those in the Psalms—He will hear and respond to all kinds of prayers, whether we’re celebrating, complaining or crying.
But there are some kinds of prayers He most wants to hear from us, at least if the “sample prayer” Jesus gave to His followers is any indication—and who would know better than Jesus?
Measured by the Lord’s Prayer, these are the prayers God most wants to hear:
1) Affirming Prayers
When Jesus prescribed a way of praying for His earliest followers, He started, “Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9 NIV). This suggests that God wants to hear you identify with Him and affirm that you are His child, establishing your place in His family.
2) Prayers of Praise
The Lord’s Prayer continues: “hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:9 NIV). Elsewhere, the Bible says that God is “enthroned” on the praises of His people. So, go ahead and praise Him for His attributes such as His holiness, power, glory, love and kindness.
3) Prayers of Submission
Jesus also instructed His followers to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 NIV). This is a prayer of submission and participation in God’s will and ways. It indicates that God loves to hear you surrender to His loving will and enlist in His wise plans.
4) Practical Prayers
When Jesus told His followers to pray, “Give us today our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11 NIV), He urged them to appeal to God for the most basic, practical, ordinary needs of daily life. So, when you pray for food, job, finances, home, car and health, you’re saying the prayers your Father in heaven most wants to hear.
5) Prayers of Forgiveness
When Jesus modeled prayer to His early followers, He included the confession of sin and request for forgiveness in His short recipe: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12 NIV). Some of us, of course, more naturally pray for forgiveness from “trespasses,” but the idea is the same. It’s a signal that God wants to forgive our sins and wants us to forgive those who wrong us. He desires a daily soul-scrub for us, one that keeps us from holding on to our sins…and from resenting others for theirs.
6) Prayers of Deliverance
One more category of prayer that God most wants to hear from us are prayers of protection and deliverance. Jesus told His followers to pray, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13 NIV). God knows that we are prone to temptation and vulnerable to the evil one, and we need Him to help us avoid and escape both…as well as to pray so that we’re also regularly, even constantly, aware of our need.
These six kinds of prayers aren’t the only ones—there are so many ways and occasions that could fuel our unceasing prayers. But, judging by the Lord’s Prayer, these are the ones God most wants to hear from you, so much so, that they make a good plan for daily prayer.