2 Corinthians 10:5

We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5 NLT)

Ecclesiastes 10:10

Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed. (Ecclesiastes 10:10 NLT)

Ecclesiastes 9:3, 7-9, 11

It seems so tragic that everyone under the sun suffers the same fate. That is why people are not more careful to be good. Instead, they choose their own mad course, for they have no hope. There is nothing ahead but death anyway.  So go ahead. Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this!  Wear fine clothes, with a splash of cologne! Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun. The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil.  I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time. (Ecclesiastes 9:3, 7-9, 11 NLT)

Ecclesiastes 8:11, 12, 14, 15

When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong.  But even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives a long time, I know that those who fear God will be better off.  And this is not all that is meaningless in our world. In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless! So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 8:11, 12, 14, 15 NLT)

Ecclesiastes 7:3, 4, 14-18, 20, 28, 29

Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us. A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time. Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life. I have seen everything in this meaningless life, including the death of good young people and the long life of wicked people.  So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself?  On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time?  Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes. Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins. Though I have searched repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for. Only one out of a thousand men is virtuous, but not one woman!  But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.” 

(Ecclesiastes 7:3, 4, 14-18, 20, 28, 29 NLT)

Ecclesiastes 6:3, 6, 9, 10

A man might have a hundred children and live to be very old. But if he finds no satisfaction in life and doesn’t even get a decent burial, it would have been better for him to be born dead.  He might live a thousand years twice over but still not find contentment. And since he must die like everyone else—well, what’s the use? Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind. Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny. (Ecclesiastes 6:3, 6, 9, 10 NLT)

Ecclesiastes 5:19, 20

And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God.  God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past. (Ecclesiastes 5:19, 20 NLT)

Ecclesiastes 4:8-12

This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.  If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.  Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?  A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:8-12 NLT)

Ecclesiastes 4:5, 6

“Fools fold their idle hands, leading them to ruin.” And yet, “Better to have one handful with quietness than two handfuls with hard work and chasing the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 4:5, 6 NLT)

Psalms 51:12

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. (Psalms 51:12 NLT)

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God.  For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?    God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind. (Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 NLT)

Isaiah 51:12-17, 21-23

“I, yes I, am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear? Yet you have forgotten the L ord , your Creator, the one who stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth. Will you remain in constant dread of human oppressors? Will you continue to fear the anger of your enemies? Where is their fury and anger now? It is gone! Soon all you captives will be released! Imprisonment, starvation, and death will not be your fate! For I am the L ord  your God, who stirs up the sea, causing its waves to roar. My name is the L ord  of Heaven’s Armies. And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely in my hand. I stretched out  the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth. I am the one who says to Israel, ‘You are my people!’” Wake up, wake up, O Jerusalem! You have drunk the cup of the L ord ’s fury. You have drunk the cup of terror, tipping out its last drops. But now listen to this, you afflicted ones who sit in a drunken stupor, though not from drinking wine. This is what the Sovereign L ord , your God and Defender, says: “See, I have taken the terrible cup from your hands. You will drink no more of my fury. Instead, I will hand that cup to your tormentors, those who said, ‘We will trample you into the dust and walk on your backs.’” (Isaiah 51:12-17, 21-23 NLT)

1 Corinthians 2:16

For, “Who can know the L ord ’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16 NLT)

Ecclesiastes 1:17, 18

So I set out to learn everything from wisdom to madness and folly. But I learned firsthand that pursuing all this is like chasing the wind. The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow. (Ecclesiastes 1:17, 18 NLT)

1 Samuel 17:34, 35, 37

But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock,  I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death.  The L ord  who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the L ord  be with you!” (1 Samuel 17:34, 35, 37 NLT)

Proverbs 30:5

Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. (Proverbs 30:5 NLT)

1 Samuel 16:6, 7

When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the L ord ’s anointed!” But the L ord  said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The L ord  doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the L ord  looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:6, 7 NLT)

1 Samuel 15:11

“I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.” Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the L ord  all night. (1 Samuel 15:11 NLT)

Proverbs 29:25

Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the L ord  means safety. (Proverbs 29:25 NLT)

1 Samuel 14:6

“Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the L ord  will help us, for nothing can hinder the L ord . He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!” (1 Samuel 14:6 NLT)

1 Samuel 12:20-22

“Don’t be afraid,” Samuel reassured them. “You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the L ord  with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him.  Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless!  The L ord  will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the L ord  to make you his very own people. (1 Samuel 12:20-22 NLT)

Job 8:5-7

But if you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty, and if you are pure and live with integrity, he will surely rise up and restore your happy home. And though you started with little, you will end with much. (Job 8:5-7 NLT)

Proverbs 23:4

Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. (Proverbs 23:4 NLT)

Isaiah 48:9-11

Yet for my own sake and for the honor of my name, I will hold back my anger and not wipe you out. I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering. I will rescue you for my sake— yes, for my own sake! I will not let my reputation be tarnished, and I will not share my glory with idols! (Isaiah 48:9-11 NLT)

Isaiah 53:11, 12

When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. (When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. (Isaiah 53:11, 12 NLT)

Proverbs 21:31

The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the L ord . (Proverbs 21:31 NLT)

Proverbs 20:24

The L ord  directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? (Proverbs 20:24 NLT)

Proverbs 19:21

You can make many plans, but the L ord ’s purpose will prevail. (Proverbs 19:21 NLT)

Psalms 46:1

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. (Psalms 46:1 NLT)

Psalms 119:49, 50

Remember your promise to me; it is my only hope. Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles. (Psalms 119:49, 50 NLT)

Proverbs 16:32, 33

Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. We may throw the dice, but the L ord  determines how they fall. (Proverbs 16:32, 33 NLT)

1 Peter 1:6-9

So be truly glad.  There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.  These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.  The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:6-9 NLT)

Proverbs 14:30

A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. (Proverbs 14:30 NLT)

Proverbs 12:21

No harm comes to the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. (Proverbs 12:21 NLT)

Proverbs 11:22

A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout. (Proverbs 11:22 NLT)

Judges 7:2, 7

The L ord  said to Gideon, “You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength.  The L ord  told Gideon, “With these 300 men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Send all the others home.” (Judges 7:2, 7 NLT)

Proverbs 9:9-11

Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more. Fear of the L ord  is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. (Proverbs 9:9-11 NLT)