13 reasons to love God's word

Thursday Thirteen, 7th edition

13 reasons to love God's word, from Psalm 119

1. God has commanded that his word be obeyed (v. 4).

2. By keeping God's word, you "shall not be put to shame" (v. 6).

3. Keeping God's word stored in your heart prevents sin (v. 11).

4. God's teachings are better than material wealth (v. 14).

5. Love God's word because it is eternal and life on earth is temporary (v. 19).

6. Keeping God's word will keep God from having to teach you the hard way (v. 21).

7. Knowing God's word gives you answers to those who taunt you (v. 42).

8. God's word can provide comfort during times of hardship (v. 50).

9. Love God's word because it is true and he is faithful (v. 75).

10. Loving God's word builds hope in our eternal salvation (v. 81).

11. Knowing God's word will make your wise (v. 98).

12. The Holy Spirit helps you understand the word (v. 169).

13. Blessed are those who know and follow God's word (v. 1).

13 common phrases that come from the Bible

Thursday Thirteen, 6th edition
13 everyday phrases that come from the Bible:

Scapegoat (Leviticus 16:8)

Eye for an eye (Exodus 21:24)

The apple of his eye (Deuteronomy 32:10)

The golden rule (Matthew 7:12)

Blind leading the blind (Matthew 15:14)

By the skin of our teeth (Job 19:20)

Can a leopard change his spots? (Jeremiah 13:23)

Drop in the bucket (Isaiah 40:15)

Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

Handwriting on the wall (Daniel 5:5)

Labor of love (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

Letter of the law (2 Corinthians 3:6)

My brother's keeper (Genesis 4:9)

13 passages offering forgiveness

5th edition of Thursday Thirteen

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For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don't forgive people, your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing.

Matthew 6:14-15

My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous One.

1 John 2:1

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

Therefore repent and turn back, that your sins may be wiped out so that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

Acts 3:19

It is I who sweep away your transgressions for My own sake and remember your sins no more. Take Me to court; let us argue our case together. State your [case], so that you may be vindicated.

Isaiah 43:25-26

"Come, let us discuss this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will be like wool.

Isaiah 1:18

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

Ephesians 1:7

I will never again remember their sins and their lawless acts.

Hebrews 10:17

Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, though we have rebelled against Him

Daniel 9:9

He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:13-14

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:12

Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and You took away the guilt of my sin.

Psalms 32:5

For You, Lord, are kind and ready to forgive, abundant in faithful love to all who call on You.

Psalms 86:5

13 biblical passages about children

Special 4th edition of Thursday Thirteen in honor of my daughter, Charlotte Moon, on the last day of her first year.

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Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Dt 6:5-7

And fathers, don't stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Eph 6:4

He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Pro 13:24

He established a testimony in Jacob and set up a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children

Psalm 78:5

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

Dt 4:9

Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so they won't become discouraged.

Col 3:21

A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, but the sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.

Pro 13:22

The one who lives with integrity is righteous; his children who come after him will be happy.

Pro 20:7

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

This saying is trustworthy: "If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work." An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy—one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity.

1 Tim 3:1-4

Look! I am ready to come to you this third time. I will not burden you, for I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

2 Cor 12:14

In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence and his children have a refuge.

Pro 14:26

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Psalm 127:1-3

13 deaths in the Bible

"13 deaths in the Bible," Thursday Thirteen, 3rd edition

1. Abraham’s death:
He took his last breath and died at a ripe old age, old and contented, and he was gathered to his people. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite.

Genesis 25:8-9

2. Rachel’s death
With her last breath—for she was dying—she named him Ben-oni, but his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). Jacob set up a marker on her grave; it is the marker at Rachel’s grave to this day.

Genesis 35:18-20

3. Issac’s death
He took his last breath and died, and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. His sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

Genesis 35:29

4. Jacob’s death
When Jacob had finished instructing his sons, he drew his feet into the bed and died. He was gathered to his people.

Genesis 49:33

5. Joseph’s death
So Joseph made the Israelites take an oath: “When God comes to your aid, you are to carry my bones up from here.” Joseph died at the age of 110. They embalmed him and placed him in a coffin in Egypt.

Genesis 50:25-26

6. Moses’ death
So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, as the LORD had said. He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab facing Beth-peor, and no one to this day knows where his grave is.

Deuteronomy 34:5-6

7. David’s death
As the time approached for David to die, he instructed his son Solomon…. Then David rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David.

1 Kings 2:1,10

8. John the Baptist’s death
Although the king regretted it, he commanded that it be granted because of his oaths and his guests. So he sent orders and had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. Then his disciples came, removed the corpse, buried it, and went and reported to Jesus.

Matthew 14:9-12

9. Stephen’s death
Then they screamed at the top of their voices, stopped their ears, and rushed together against him. They threw him out of the city and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. They were stoning Stephen as he called out: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin!” And saying this, he fell asleep.

Acts 7:57-60

10. Uzzah’s death
When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. The LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down and he died there beside the ark of God.

2 Samuel 6:6-7

11. Ahaziah’s death
Then Elijah said to King Ahaziah, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron—is it because there is no God in Israel for you to inquire of His will? You will not get up from your sickbed; you will certainly die.’” Ahaziah died according to the word of the LORD that Elijah had spoken.

2 Kings 1:16-17

12. Saul’s death
The Philistines overtook Saul and his sons and killed his sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers caught up with him and severely wounded him. Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me.” But his armor-bearer would not do it because he was terrified. Then Saul took his sword and fell on it.

1 Samuel 31:2-4

13. Jesus’ death*
When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

John 19:30

* Jesus rose from the dead 3 days after his death.

13 Things to Pray for

In my 2nd Thursday 13, I have decided to list 13 things to pray for.

Pray for your enemies (Mt 5:44)
Pray for God’s glory to be known (Mt 6:9)
Pray for God to send missionaries throughout the world (Mt 9:38)
Pray for the kingdom of God to come (Lk 11:2)
Pray God will provide for your daily needs (Lk 11:3)
Pray for forgiveness (Lk 11:4)
Pray that your faith will not fail (Lk 22:32)
Pray that you will not fall into temptation (Lk 22:40)
Pray for God to protect you from Satan (Lk 17:15)
Pray for boldness in witnessing (Acts 4:29)
Pray for your plans (Ro 1:10)
Pray for the salvation of others (Ro 10:1)
Pray for spiritual maturity (2 Cor 13:9)

A Baker's Dozen of Biblical 12s - 1st Thursday 13

A famous blogger has been posting her Thursday 13s for some time now; and wanting to be as famous, I thought I'd give it a try. This week's theme is "gross" (144). Well, here are 13 verses from the Bible mentioning 12 of something(s). OK, so it's not a gross, but it's the square root of a gross.

1. These are the tribes of Israel, 12 in all, and this was what their father said to them. He blessed them, and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing. (Genesis 49:28)

2. This was the dedication gift from the leaders of Israel for the altar when it was anointed: 12 silver dishes, 12 silver basins, and 12 gold bowls. (Numbers 7:84)

3. Twelve lions were standing there on the six steps, one at each end. Nothing like it had ever been made in any other kingdom. (1 Kings 18:20)

4. Elijah left there and found Elisha son of Shaphat as he was plowing. Twelve teams of oxen were in front of him, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah walked by him and threw his mantle over him. (1 Kings 19:19)

5. Summoning His 12 disciples, He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness. (Matthew 10:1)

6. Then one of the Twelve—the man called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests…. (Matthew 26:14)

7. When evening came, He was reclining at the table with the Twelve. (Matthew 26:20)

8. While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. A large mob, with swords and clubs, was with him from the chief priests and elders of the people. (Matthew 26:47)

9. He appointed the Twelve: To Simon, He gave the name Peter (Mark 3:16)

10. When He was alone with the Twelve, those who were around Him asked Him about the parables. (Mark 4:10)

11. Sitting down, He called the Twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." (Mark 9:35)

12. Then He took the Twelve aside and told them, "Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem. Everything that is written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. (Luke 18:31)

13. [The city] had a massive high wall, with 12 gates. Twelve angels were at the gates; [on the gates], names were inscribed, the names of the 12 tribes of the sons of Israel. (Revelation 21:12)

* All verses are from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB).