A Cellist in the Tuba Section

Sometimes, when someone is bullying you or spreading rumors about you, it can be our first response to want to fight back or gossip about them behind their backs. (I personally struggle a lot with gossip so this lesson is just as much for me as anyone else who might read this.) However, God calls us to react differently. If we are living as Christ followers, we should be marked by our love for others-even those who treat us poorly. No, not even those who treat us poorly--especially them. That's the thing that makes us unique, in that we love when everyone would seem to say that we don't have to love anymore. This is a supernatural thing that God helps us to accomplish. Below are some Bible verses about dealing with difficult people. Memorize these now so that the next time you have to deal with someone difficult, the Spirit can remind you how to react. Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.  (ESV) Romans 12:18-21  If possible, so far as it...

Do you often feel unloved? Excluded? Well, I have recently been searching to learn about God's love, and what that looks like. So, below I have compiled some of the verses I've found about how much God loves you, so memorize some for those moments when you feel absolutely alone and unloved. Lamentations 3:22-24 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." (ESV) Psalm 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  (ESV) Psalm 103:11-14 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remem...

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV) Deuteronomy 6:5-9 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (ESV) Philippians 4:8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (NLT) When I was growing up, I helped with...

Does it ever feel hard not to worry? Is your mind often filled with concerns about grades, relationships, sports, clubs, or other hardships you may be facing? I often struggled in high school with worry, and there are some days where I still worry a lot. However, I have gathered some verses that have been helpful to me in moments of fear, and I hope they will ease your restless soul too. (All of the following verses are from the ESV). Matthew 6:27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? Proverbs 31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. Zechariah 9:9-10 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having a salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peac...