Shepherd's Gate Missions Inc.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by renewing of your mind. Then, you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will." — Romans 12:2

"But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." — Isaiah 40:31

“O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot.” — Psalm 16:5 (NKJV)

Exposition: God had said to Aaron, when he gave him no special inheritance in Canaan, "I am thy Part and thine Inheritance among the children of Israel" (Numbers 18:20). David claims the same privilege. God is his "Portion," and he needs no other. A man's "cup" in Scripture is his lot or condition in life (Psalm 11:6, Psalm 23:5) — that which is given him to drink. David will have God only for his cup. "Thou maintainest my lot" — i.e. thou makest it firm and sure (comp. Psalm 30:6, "In my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved") (Pulpit Commentary).

"teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age. Amen." — Matthew 28:20 (NKJV)

"For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you'" — Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

• “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” — John 3:16 (NIV)
• “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him” — 1 John 4:9 (NIV)
• “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them” — 1 John 4:16 (NIV)
• “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” — 2 Peter 3:13 (NKJV)
• “Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” — 2 Peter 1:4 (NIV)
• “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” — John 8:12 (NIV)
• “Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous” — 1 John 3:7 (NKJV)
• “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all” — Psalm 34:19 (NIV)
• “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit” — Psalm 34:18 (NASB)
• “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles” — Psalm 34:17 (NKJV)

"I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me, there is no Savior" — Isaiah 43:11 (NKJV)

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” — Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

"To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified” — Isaiah 61:3 (NASB)

“For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building” — 1 Corinthians 3:9 (NASB)

In the Knowing Jesus Study Bible (NIV), edited by Edward Hindson and Edward Dobson, eight means of growth for Christian character are highlighted:

1. Faith (Trusting Faith): "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1).
2. Goodness (Demonstrating Virtue): "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)" (Ephesians 5:8-9).
3. Knowledge (Developing Insight): "But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere" (2 Corinthians 2:14).
4. Self-Control (Holding Oneself in Check): "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith" (1 Peter 5:8-9).
5. Perseverance (Persisting): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Hebrews 12:1).
6. Godliness (Surrendering Completely): "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (1 Timothy 4:8).
7. Kindness (Affection for Others): "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12).
8. Love (Deep-Seated Concern): "Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:2).

“The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.” — Psalm 16:5 (KJV)

Relating to Psalm 11:7, it says the Lord is righteous, and one will only be righteous who will see His face (Psalm 27:8).

Psalm 11:1-3 shows that if one has faith and trust in the Lord, one can take refuge in Him as He is sovereign.

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..."

“I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments.’” — Daniel 9:4 (ESV)

“LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.” — 1 Kings 8:23 (NIV)

“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” — 1 John 1:5 (NASB)

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” — James 1:17 (NASB)

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” — Isaiah 60:1

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” — John 1:14

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” — Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB)