Michael A. Smith

Lamentations 2:19

Lamentations 2:19 (NLT)
Rise during the night and cry out. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer, pleading for your children, for in every street they are faint with hunger.

BASIC PREMISE

Mark 8:37 (MSG)
What could you ever trade your soul for?

Isaiah 2:15-17

Isaiah 2:15-17 (NLT)
He will break down every high tower and every fortified wall.

Just count your blessings!

Habakkuk 3:17 (MSG)
Though the cherry trees don't blossom and the strawberries don't ripen, Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty, I'm singing joyful praise to God. I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God's Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I'm king of the mountain! (For congregational use, with a full orchestra.)

Rewards

Matthew 16:27 (KJV)
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Kingdom Minded

Daniel 12:3 (KJV)
And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Psalm 127:2

Psalm 127:2 (MSG)
It's useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don't you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?

Psalm 12:6

Psalm 12:6 (MSG)
God's words are pure words, Pure silver words refined seven times In the fires of his word-kiln, Pure on earth as well as in heaven. God, keep us safe from their lies, From the wicked who stalk us with lies, From the wicked who collect honors For their wonderful lies.

Luke 18:27

Luke 18:27 (MSG)
"No chance at all," Jesus said, "if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it."

Matthew 6:33

Matthew 6:33 (MSG)
Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs 1:7 (MSG)
Start with god—the first step in learning is bowing down to god; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.

Deuteronomy 30:16

Deuteronomy 30:16 (MSG)
And I command you today: Love god, your God. Walk in his ways. Keep his commandments, regulations, and rules so that you will live, really live, live exuberantly, blessed by god, your God, in the land you are about to enter and possess.

Philippians 3:12-16

Philippians 3:12-16 (MSG)
I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

Hebrews 12:3

Hebrews 12:3 (MSG)
When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Psalm 119:30

Psalm 119:30 (MSG)
I choose the true road to Somewhere, I post your road signs at every curve and corner.

TOO HEAVY FOR YOU

Romans 4:4-5 (MSG)
If you're a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don't call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it's something only God can do, and you trust him to do it—you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked—well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift.

Hebrews 4:15

Hebrews 4:15 (MSG)
We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all-all but the sin.

James 4:10

James 4:10 (MSG)
Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.

End Times

Luke 21:25-26 (MSG)
"It will seem like all hell has broken loose—sun, moon, stars, earth, sea, in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.

Psalm 127:1

Psalm 127:1 (MSG)
If god doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks. If god doesn't guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap. It's useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don't you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?

Psalm 51:12

Psalm 51:12 (MSG)
Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!

1 Samuel 16:7

1 Samuel 16:7 (MSG)
But god told Samuel, "Looks aren't everything. Don't be impressed with his looks and stature. I've already eliminated him. god judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; god looks into the heart."

Matthew 10:5-6

Matthew 10:5-6 (MSG)
Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge: "Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.

Proverbs 25:28

Proverbs 25:28 (MSG)
A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.

Psalm 139:23-24

Psalm 139:23-24 (MSG)
Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life.