Giveaway Winners: The winners for this giveaway have been chosen randomly and will be contacted via email. We’re excited to announce they are the following readers:
11) Rhonda
28) Florence
40) Statia
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So Consider the lilies . . . watch how they grow. They don’t toil or spin, even King Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. If God clothes the grass of the field which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you? Matthew 6:28
At some point, this verse became alive to me and is one of my favorites and one I want my girls to know in the bottom of their hearts.
Here’s the (hopefully condensed) Behind the Design for Consider the Lilies:
It’s 2010, and we had just finished up the initial product development for Urban Soul. Anne is the super amazing product developer at Demdaco (the company that carries and distributes the Urban Soul Line) who came up with the whole concept of the metal and the magnets and all that fabulousness. She and I had many many phone calls and emails over several months but we had never met. She was going to be in Michigan and we made plans to meet for dinner. When she got in town she sent me a text that said, “Okay, we will meet you tomorrow. We’re excited!”
Totally normal, right? Well, except for the two words. We will. She said we will meet you. Now I was nervous anyway. I thought I was just going to meet with Anne who I had already talked to millions of times before. We who??
I started dwelling on wrong thoughts (first mistake). I mean, really what kind of qualifications do I have as an artist? I didn’t go to art school; I’m just a wife and mom from Michigan who needed some art for her house.
When I got her text, I immediately envisioned a group of people wearing suits and talking about stuff I know nothing about, which sent me into a downward spiral of anxiousness, nervousness, and self doubt. And since I have nothing to wear when meeting with a group of imaginary people wearing suits, I decided my planned outfit was completely wrong.
Enter an emergency trip to Banana Republic. They know me there. I used to work in the stock room. And I like their clothes. So I went. It was about 15 minutes to closing and my friend JC was working. I must have looked white in the face because as soon as she saw me she said, “Dee! What’s the matter?”
Me: I have a fashion emergency, and I have no idea what to wear!
Now this is slightly funny . . . the moment I said that, there were no fewer than three Banana Republic employees asking, “What? What is it? We can totally help you!”
I explained the situation above and they all said, “Oh, so just lunch with maybe three or four people?” I said, “Right, just lunch.” But the whole time I was talking and explaining and following them around looking at clothes, guess what was playing in my head?
Consider the Lilies, Consider the Lilies, Consider the Lilies
Yes, at 40(ish) years old I can still have a mini crises about my outfit in certain situations. I was so very thankful to have this truth running through my head as I shopped. As my girls grow, I want them to have this verse to hold onto as they go about their days and not worry about what they are wearing.
And as it turns out, we had lunch – just me and two of the product development team from Demdaco. It was great and so much fun. Two minutes in, and it was like we were old friends already.
By: Dee, Red Letter Words
Have you ever experienced a stressful situation and a particular verse calmed your fears and worries? What’s your “go to” verse when you’re faced with the unknown? Share with us and you’ll be entered to win this Consider the Lilies Wall Art! We’ll choose three winners and announce them on Friday.
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When I was going to sing at a funeral for the first time and was very nervous, I found Isaiah 12:2: I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord is my strength and my song. How perfect is that? I wrote it on a sticky note and put it inside
the music to remind me. Then when I was in the process of diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer – biopsy, chemo, surgery – and seemed to need strength above all else, that verse was one that would come back to me.
Hebrews 11:1 – Faith means being assured of the things we hope for, knowing something is real even if we can’t see it…..knowing God is “fixing” the situation we agonize over. It took me years to realize I don’t need to know “how” this will be done, but just hanging on to my faith – that it will be, according to His promises.
Great story! A few years ago, after the age of 40, I thought it would be a grand idea to run a few 5k events. I remember the excitement and nervousness I had at the beginning of each race. It was never easy, I always did a jog, walk combo. My verse I repeated almost as a song was Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Yes, I repeated it over and over until I crossed the finish line! So thankful The Lord gives us His strength to complete tasks! Have a blessed day!
Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What a comfort to know, really know, that I am never alone.
One of my very favorites is Nahum 1:7 — “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.”
And Psalm 27:1 — “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
There are many others that I go to in uncertain situation, including those which the ladies mentioned above. What a blessing God’s Word is! Thank you for making it into such beautiful art.
As part of a ten person team preparing to travel to Papua New Guinea to teach VBS to missionary kids while their parents attended conference, I was comfortably relying on my background as a retired first grade teacher. Then the phone rang! Plans were changing. Would I direct the team? Amid rising panic I raced to my prayer chair and opened my Bible to the Psalm of the day, Psalm 37; the fifth verse jumped out at me, especially, “and He will do this.” In my mind I heard the Lord say, “Barbara, Barbara, I was going to do the first grade teaching anyway, so what’s so different about Me being the director?” After we landed in Ukarumpa a serious problem occurred with some team members. I had no idea how to handle it, said so, and watched as God changed the hearts of those involved. He did it!
When my son moved to Heaven, I was devastated. My husband took off work and stayed with me for two weeks. The day he went back to work, I stood in our kitchen and watched him drive off. I was so afraid of the unknown and not knowing how to live without my son. All I could do was cry. One phrase kept welling up in my spirit and I prayed over and over… “Lord, You said, You’ll never leave me nor forsake me”. I told the Lord that He had to help me through this one and put me back together because I was broken. That scripture comes from Hebrews 13:5b AMP. It’s been four long years now and it got much worse before it got better with other trials on top of this one. I absolutely know now that our Lord will never, never leave us and will not forsake us! Now when I think of my son, I smile even though I miss him immensely! I am blessed to know he lives in Heaven and I will get to see him again one day! Thank You, Jesus!!! 🙂
I love reading the stories shared and especially your bible verses. One I can relate to is ” The Just shall live by faith.” My twin sister and I were looking for a verse for my mother’s monument. It has been almost 3 years since her passing. We both were very close to our dear mother, since we were always there for her. My mother gave birth to 12 children, 8 boys and 4 girls. Because my father was unable to be available all the time sometimes through his poor health, my mother would be the one to keep things going. So many times, as a child, I would see her cook, mend, wash the clothes to hang out to dry, read stories to us, and in doing all of this, she always had a smile on her face. She would even play a tune on her accodian since she came from a musical family. She would sing a song that I recall, ” One day at a time.” Her faith was strong and because it was, she was able to endure the many demands of motherhood. She encouraged all her children to continue to pray and read scripture in the face of adversity. I watched my mother do all these things. My father died yet my mother kept the family together. My mother lived out her years with her children always looking out for her now. She was almost 90 when she passed, and her last words were ” Look out for each other.” She well deserved this verse, ” The just shall live by faith.” When we visit her graveside, we are always reminded of her great works and her strong and steadfast faith. I am ever so grateful for both my parents and the love they showed others, but especially their children, through the good times and the challenges they endured. I love your work that you so beautifully share with others. I would love to purchase the pillow ” Two are better than one ” sometime down the road. It epitomizes what true love can do! Thank you for allowing me to share.
Always, in struggles and trials I stop and say “Be still and know that I am God” Psalms 46:10. Even though I know He is in control, it stills my heart and reminds me if I turn my thoughts and heart toward Him and “be still” instead of trying to do it on my own, God always know what is best and will take care of everything. And He always does!
This is my favorite, too – “Be Still and KNOW that I am GOD!”
Because I tend to run ahead and try to make it all happen – try to put the pieces together, this verse has been especially important to me. We even have it in a beautiful ocean scene in our bedroom and every day it reminds me that He is God and I don’t have to be – for myself or anyone else. Thank the Lord for those words!
Joshua 1:9 is one of my favorites when I am facing a “giant”. “Have I not commanded you, be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” The first time He gave me this verse was the day I was taking a group of teenagers to Carmen concert. I was nervous about the trip because I wasn’t sure how to get to the coliseum. I ended up taking a wrong turn which put me in a district of the city that was very unfamiliar. I asked a gentleman for directions, which he proceeded to give me. The puzzled look on my face and a nudge from Jesus must have helped him decide to lead me to the coliseum I took the kids to help me watch out for the car he’d be driving so I wouldn’t lose him. Well, he drove up in a bright orange car. No way I’d lose him in traffic. God is good. He quietly reminded me of this verse He’d given earlier that day.
My favorite verse, and one I often return to when stressed or afraid, is the Deuteronomy counterpart to the Joshua verse just cited. It’s in 31:6 — “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD the God, he is is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” It has reassured me of God’s presence, guidance, strength and love countless times.
These are the plans I have for you says the Lord. Jeremiah 29:11.
I was not teaching at the time, because of health problems. Yes, being a mother was the most important part of my life, but I wondered what to do next in my life, with extra time, to help and serve others. I know that God spoke to me as I was driving down the interstate. I went to a book store to try to figure out what God wanted me to know, what He wanted me to do. I found a special bookmark (the last one) that I knew He wanted me to see, to read, to purchase. I love cats. The picture on the bookmark was a white cat, stylized like our white cat, our pet, at that time. I knew that this was the way that I could understand what God wanted me to know. Jeremiah 29:11 became my special verse! However, I was perplexed by the message after finding the verse.
After a troubling, stressful experience, I was selected to attend an Emmaus walk. As we were introduced to leaders of groups, I asked God to be selected for the group with one leader who had inspired me. I was chosen for that group! . . . and the leaders special verse was Jeremiah 29:11!
Many times this verse has “appeared” or has been read or talked about in groups, with a friend and of course, at church gatherings, when I realize that AGAIN God is speaking to me.
I am no longer wondering what God’s plan is for my life. I know that my life was planned even before I was born . . .I have the assurance that the plans are to prosper my life, not to harm me. The plans are to give me Hope and a Future. My trust and faith in God grows each day. I can be at peace, because my life has been planned by God. When I watch for His guidance, pay attention to what happens each day, read my Bible and BE STILL to listen, I experience these plans in my life. The words in this verse give me assurance over and over again that all is fine, God knows and helps me to see what my life plans will be for each day!
The Lord gave me a word for the 2013 New Year: OBEY. I try to do just that, everyday. I am reminded “how” to do that, with my favorite bible verse from Proverbs 3, 5-6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all thy ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct thy path.
As I read your story and those of the ones that have added comments I think id Matthew 6 25-24. ….look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them… How simple yet powerful. It always nrinhs comfort to my soul and taps into my heart reminding me to surrender and let God be in control.
Matthew 11:28-30 I love the design of your art. I have always thot it important to keep the Bible close in word and deed.
Thank you.
Matthew 11:28-30- Come unto me allyou that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon youand learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
I love the design of your art. I have always thot it important to keep the Bible close in word and deed.
Thank you.
Whenever I am going through a rough time weather its with finances or health issues or even family matters. I go back to
Jeremiah 29:11
I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. That’s where I get strength from and just to know that God has a plan already for me and my life gives me hope.
Shirley Junior
Little Rock, AR
one of my favorite verses is Phil 4:13. I’ve been going to a real struggle in my life, divorce. This verse has helped me through some dark days. I know if I didn’t have God in my life I’d never made it to where I’m at today. God is our strength and he will help us through any struggle we have in our lives. I can do all things through Christ that strenghtens me!!
The verse that comes to my mind whenever i am anxious over anything is..psalm 46…….be still and know that I am God……praise God
I love, love, love that very verse – probably because it seems to have been spoken for me! Next to it in my bible I wrote something else that hit home from one of Anne Lamott’s books, hope it’s okay to share: “behold, look upon something amazing or unexpected (every moment we are freely given opportunity to see thru different pair of glasses) ; we could be aware of, filled with & saved by presence of holy beauty rather than worship golden calves.”
“He will never leave me {or my loved ones} or forsake me”…using it even now as my 2 oldest are attending classes on a very secular campus…!!
“Even a long, dangerous journey can be faced confidently when
God is leading the expedition.” I have this verse even on the wallpaper of my cell phone….i try to remember this whenever i am faced with a difficult decision..
I can get anxious or worried very quickly when I’m stressed. I found my go to verse strangely enough on one of those name cards from the Bible Book store. It had my name on it, Danielle, and under it was this verse: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6. That verse has helped me countless times.
Proverbs 3:5-12
The Message
Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
don’t sulk under his loving correction.
It’s the child he loves that God corrects;
a father’s delight is behind all this.
My go-to verse when I am anxious is Isaiah 41:10. It’s gotten me through a lot of rough patches.
Most recently, I clung to it while I was starting my blog. I was so anxious to put my heart out there, but this verse reassured me that I had nothing to fear for God was with me…holding me!
I absolutely love this print! 🙂
When my Granny died, I found a little booklet with Proverbs 3:5-6 underlined and she had written ‘so true…’ When my daughter was old enough to discuss a life verse, we talked about Proverbs 3:5-6 that Granny A liked and thought it would be good for us. It is amazing how many times it shows up just when we need the reminder. Hope your day is blessed!!
Whether I’m going through trials with personal issues, my marriage, my children or my mom and brothes and sisters I remember this verse and I find comfort and peace knowing that God is working behind the scenes on my behalf. Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. How awesome is that! Sweet blessings.
My go to verse when troubled or faced with adversity is: 2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to make all grace (every favor and [a]earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need [b]be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].”
He gave me this verse when my mom became very ill and had to be hospitalized the day before Thanksgiving last year. Then he reminded me of it when my husband was hospitalized with CHF on Christmas Eve last year. And again, when my brother-in-law was placed on the donor list in March of this year.
When the enemy tried to flood my family with attacks, BY THE ABUNDANT GRACE OF GOD, I stood up to him and said, “Is that all you’ve got? Because MY GOD IS ABLE & HE DECLARES, to me & you, that HE KNOWS so IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS, GET OUT OF MY LIFE & OUT OF MY FAMILY. YOU ARE NOT THE WILL OF GOD FOR US & YOU MUST GO NOW!!!!!”
God healed and restored my mother back to her healthy self!!! My hubbie still has CHF but by the Grace of God, he is home and we are managing it through his diet & with medication. I watch God move in his life daily – so he’s being restored constantly. And my Brother-in-law, received a donor liver. After the transplant and a week in the hospital, he was told he could go home. His liver is being renewed daily and healing beautifully. HALLELUJAH, HE IS THE GREAT I AM!!!!
And I get to watch it all in amazement & tell Him, “I LOVE the way you love me!!!! You ARE MY EVERYTHING!!!! Thank you God for loving me!!! ”
“God’s voice thunder in marvelous ways; He does great things beyone our understanding.” Job 37:5
I have a tendency to worry about everything and a need to be in control. I wrote this out on a few pieces of card stock in my wallet and checkbook as a constant reminder to “let go, let God”; “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own.”
Matthew 6:34
I love this artwork as it contains the word that I chose for my word of the year : consider. That word is a reminder to me to stop and think about God and His love for me when I am stressed. It pops up in a few places in scripture : James 1:2 “consider it all joy when you face trials of many kinds..”, Heb 12:3 “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Heb 3:1″..consider Jesus…” It’s a great word that brings me back to the ‘Rock’ of my salvation.
My go to verse aka my life verse is Psalm 23. “The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want…Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for You are with me…You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows….Surely goodness. and mercy follow me all the days of my life…
Psalm 23 saved my life in a mighty big way. Back in my early 30’s at the height of my career in corporate America while raising a family with two young kids, ages 7 & 2, I came home and collapsed at the stair well one day. My husband took me to the hospital where I was diagnosed with some kind of heart syndrome. My recovery was slow with panic attacks and bouts of depression even when I had already gone back to work.
I had memorized and would recite Psalm 23 at least 3 times at work and again before I go to bed. Truly believing that my faith in the Lord Jesus healed me and delivered me and by the divine grace and favor of God, I am now fully retired ministering to my children and six grandchildren. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
My go-to verse, first as a high school student, and then as wife and mother to 5 is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I admit that lately, I have lost sight of the fact that He is the source of my strength, and I have been floundering in my faith. Thank you for sharing your story behind “The lilies of the field,” I needed the reminder that God’s Word is alive!
Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight all your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6. When I’m in a situation or a tough season in life, it may not make sense to me. I know that everything is filtered through Him. This makes it my season to trust/depend/lean on/hold on to Him. He will direct my paths. He has got this.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will dierct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6
For as many years as I can remember, my favorite verse has been Isaiah 40:31, “…but those that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and faint.” It sustains me in times of weakness, sorrow and exhaustion. It gives me hope for tomorrow.
But as an adult and more specifically since surviving an abusive marriage and an actual attempt on my life during the divorce, I have grown to love 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love and sound judgment.” My earthly tendency is to dwell in fear and anxiety, but this verse is a reminder that His intention is never for us to live in fear and that my power comes from Him! God is Good!
“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:14
The Lord has it all under control – I don’t even need to find the words.
What a blessing to read all these verses.
My favorite is Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I AM God” I have found this to bring peace to my heart as an adult. Growing up my mom would always tell me if I was ever going through something hard I was to say…Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”…I will carry that with me always.
“For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17
This verse was a comfort to me after the loss of my 9 yr old daughter. As I was suffering from grief and anxiety I would focus on listening for His song in my heart and resting in my Mighty Savior.
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” I just whispered this verse to my daughter on her first day of kindergarten … just like I whispered it to her older brother in 3rd grade … and to myself – the first time I led a small group, when my family moved across the country, when our third child was diagnosed with Down syndrome, and time and time again.
My go to verses are Philippians 4:6-7. I love how practical they are. Instead of worrying, pray thanksgiving prayers. I’ve done a lot of moving in the last 7 years and in the uncertainty that comes with that, this has been solid advice.
The verse that always comes to mind when I am faced with some form of crisis is “Everything works together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose”. Rom. 8:28
Over the years I have often been in situations that seem to big, to frightening to think about….and the quiet voice of my Lord says to me, ‘Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am YOUR God, I will strengthen you, I will uphold you with my right hand of righteousness.’ a loose paraphrase of Isaiah 41:10. The times are really to numerous to mention that this particular verse has spoken to my heart and given me the strength I need in the moment by realizing that no matter what I face in this life, I am never alone. For that I am truly thankful!
I am a mother of 5, grannie of 5 and severely overweight. Aug. 2010, I was put in hospital with CHF (congestive heart failure). I found out my true weight being 468lbs. I was devastated! My son who was almost thru with medical school had been on me for years to lose weight. Me – I’m thinking I don’t weigh that much but it hit me like a ton of bricks. So at that moment I asked the Lord to help me, change me to lose the weight! My favorite verse was Philippians 4:13 – I can do all this through him who gives me strength. I am still losing weight but now weigh only 300 lbs. Another verse is Matthew 19:26 – “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” I will win the battle!
My go to verse is Philippians 4:8 “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Here’s why. I’m a worrier and the 4 previous verses in Philippians talks about giving your worries to God and being thankful. Because I will hold onto worry I have used Philippians 4:8 to remind myself to think positively.
I love hearing everyone else’s go to verses. They are all so good!