Brendan was just a wee one when I started this blog just about one year ago. After deciding to have a family blog, I waited to publish until I settled on a name. The name we concluded with, One After Another, comes from a scripture verse: John 1:16. Today as I was reading to Brendan, I had Taylor pick out some books for him and she brought me this:
It is a cardholder with a scripture verse for each letter of Brendan’s name that my old small group put together for him. It had been put with all his newborn keepsakes that I found when we were organizing after Christmas. I started to read them to the kids and it really hit me how much I want these verses that the women chose to be true for him as he grows. Coincidentally, the verse for “R” was John 1:16 for the word “receive.”
From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.
I wanted to share these verses with you because of their encouragements and challenges.
Bold: …”that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:19-20
Receive (John 1:16) and Reap: “Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
Enlighten: “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance with the saints.” Ephesians 1:18
Need: “Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:8
Disciple: “Jesus said, ‘If you abide in My word, hold fast to my teachings and live in accordance with them, you are truly My disciples.’ ” John 8:31
Abides: “Whoever keeps his commandments abides in Him, and He in them. And by this we know that He abides in us by the Spirit whom He has given us.” 1 John 3:24
Noble: “The noble man makes noble plan, and by noble deeds he stands.” Isaiah 32:8 and Now: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work in us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
Those are some powerful messages! I am so thankful to have found this little treasure and look forward to making these verses and more part of my prayers for my little boy.