Natascha Lockhart-Hughes

Abstaining ...Lord Help Me to Hold Out

Colossians 3:3 (MSG)
Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you'll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.

Colossians 3:5 (MSG)
And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That's a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. It's because of this kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger. It wasn't long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. But you know better now, so make sure it's all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk.

New Life

Colossians 3:3 (MSG)
Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you'll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.

Sayings of Jesus

John 10:10 (MSG)
A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

Ephesians 1:4

Ephesians 1:4 (MSG)
Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love.

A Work in Progress

Philippians 1:6 (MSG)
There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

Escape

Psalm 55:7 (MSG)
I want some peace and quiet. I want a walk in the country,

Jesus

Hebrews 4:16 (MSG)
So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

Proverbs 30:7

Proverbs 30:7 (MSG)
And then he prayed, "God, I'm asking for two things before I die; don't refuse me— Banish lies from my lips and liars from my presence. Give me enough food to live on, neither too much nor too little. If I'm too full, I might get independent, saying, 'God? Who needs him?' If I'm poor, I might steal and dishonor the name of my God."

1 Samuel 16:23

1 Samuel 16:23 (MSG)
After that, whenever the bad depression from God tormented Saul, David got out his harp and played. That would calm Saul down, and he would feel better as the moodiness lifted.

1 Samuel 16:15

1 Samuel 16:15 (MSG)
Saul's advisors said, "This awful tormenting depression from God is making your life miserable. O Master, let us help. Let us look for someone who can play the harp. When the black mood from God moves in, he'll play his music and you'll feel better."

Numbers 23:19

Numbers 23:19 (MSG)
God is not man, one given to lies, and not a son of man changing his mind. Does he speak and not do what he says? Does he promise and not come through?

Acts 4:12

Acts 4:12 (MSG)
Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one."

Hebrews 3:12

Hebrews 3:12 (MSG)
So watch your step, friends. Make sure there's no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. For as long as it's still God's Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn't slow down your reflexes. If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we're in this with Christ for the long haul. These words keep ringing in our ears: Today, please listen; don't turn a deaf ear as in the bitter uprising.

Hebrews 6:12

Hebrews 6:12 (MSG)
Don't drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them.

Ephesians 3:20

Ephesians 3:20 (MSG)
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

Psalm 94:19

Psalm 94:19 (MSG)
When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up.

Psalm 9:13

Psalm 9:13 (MSG)
Be kind to me, god; I've been kicked around long enough. Once you've pulled me back from the gates of death, I'll write the book on Hallelujahs; on the corner of Main and First I'll hold a street meeting; I'll be the song leader; we'll fill the air with salvation songs.

Psalm 9:3

Psalm 9:3 (MSG)
The day my enemies turned tail and ran, they stumbled on you and fell on their faces. You took over and set everything right; when I needed you, you were there, taking charge.

Psalm 55:22

Psalm 55:22 (MSG)
Pile your troubles on god's shoulders— he'll carry your load, he'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin. But you, God, will throw the others into a muddy bog, Cut the lifespan of assassins and traitors in half. And I trust in you. A David Psalm, When He Was Captured by the Philistines in Gath

Psalm 34:19

Psalm 34:19 (MSG)
Disciples so often get into trouble; still, god is there every time.

Psalm 34:18

Psalm 34:18 (MSG)
If your heart is broken, you'll find god right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath.

1 Corinthians 10:13

1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG)
No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.

Isaiah 41:10

Isaiah 41:10 (MSG)
Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

Matthew 11:30

Matthew 11:30 (MSG)
Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Matthew 11:29

Matthew 11:29 (MSG)
Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.