Welcome to THE QUEEN OF QUOTES. I’m the Queen, Janice Alston. When I think of quotes, I think of expressions I’ve heard others say. They are often words from family and friends, as well as known/famous people. This month our quotes and expressions come from the Bible and a few that are interpretations of the scripture.

1. God won’t give you more than you can bear.

This quote is often spoken and attributed to the Bible; however, it is not associated. It is an interpretation from 1 Corinthians 10: 13, which states;
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

2. These quotes are from the history of creation. Genesis chapter 1.

• Verse 3 God said let there be light.
• Verse 6 God said let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters and let it divide the waters from the waters.
• Verse 9 God said let the waters be under the heavens be gathered together into one place and let the dry land appear and it was so.
• Verse 11 then God said let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind whose seed is in itself on the earth and it was so.
• Verse 14 then God said, let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the nights, and let them be for signs and seasons and for days and years and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth and it was so.
• Verse 20, then God Said, let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across their face of the firmament of the heavens.
• Verse 24 then God said, let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind.
• Verse 26 then God said, let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.
• Verse 28 then God blessed them and God said to them be fruitful and multiply fill the earth and subdue it have dominion over the fish of the sea over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves on the earth.
•Verse 29 God said, see I have given you every herb that you’ll see which is on the face of the earth and every tree whose fruit you’ll see, to you it shall Be for food.

3. The Ten Commandments

• you should have no God before me
• you shall not make for yourself a carved image
• you shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
• remember the Sabbath day, to keep it Holy
• honor your father and your mother
• you shall not murder.
• you shall not commit adultery
• you shall not steal
• you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
• you shall not covet.

4. In Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus is answering Peter’s question regarding How Often Should We Forgive.

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

That means we are to forgive our brothers and sisters not once, twice, or seven times– but 70×7 which represents continued forgiveness. Just as we are forgiven. Forgiveness is the key to a peaceful living. Forgiveness doesn’t necessarily mean that you must be in the company of the person whom we have forgiven. It means forgive them as often as we want. Ask or seek forgiveness from God.

5. Now for a short walk in 2 kings chapter 4. Here the Shunamite woman gives us an expression that I love.

Her brief story begins at verse 8. Elisha the prophet wants to do something for the Shunamite woman. She has no child, her husband is older, yet she’s been very kind to the prophet. Fast forward to verse 18. She now has a son but he became sick and died. And a mothers going to do what mothers do– saddle up and let’s ride! The Shunamite woman was asked by her husband, “where are you going? It’s neither the New Moon nor Sabbath.” Her reply, “IT IS WELL.” Further on when the man of God saw her coming, and she was riding that donkey hard, he told his servant to run and meet her. Ask her, “Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?” And she replied, “IT IS WELL.” This Shunammite woman said what I’m learning to say– even when things are not going as I desire. IT IS WELL. Now that’s a quote that we should all learn.

6. When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2. Solomon’s wise quotes and expressions will definitely open the eyes of our hearts and help us to be wiser. Check out chapter 10 and 11 too; they are truly wise.

7. There’s a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck what is planted.

Continuing with Solomon’s wisdom, we are now in Ecclesiastes chapter 3– my go to. Each quote is meaningful and surpasses time constraints. Read it for yourself. It’s enlightening.

8. In the pages of my women’s study Bible are a couple of quotes from Barbara Bush that I will share.

Mrs. Bush states, “the God of materialism offers nothing permanent to the woman who succumbs to it. She does not view the past with satisfaction because she never got all she wanted. The present is unappreciated because a whole focus is on the future.”
Mrs. Bush gives another quote, “how much better is the woman who trusts in God? She can regard the past as part of God’s plan for her life. She can enjoy her family, her home, her entire life now because she knows God will add to her everything He wants her to have.” Thank you Mrs. Barbara Bush.

9. To close, I’m going to Matthew chapter 5, The Beatitudes. I’ve always loved them.

• There are nine beautiful quotes from Matthew to encourage us when we’re not feeling our best or just need some uplifting.
• Each beatitude begins with BLESSED are.
• Verse 4 BLESSED are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.
• Verse 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled
• Verse 9 Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God.
• Read all of them.

I can go on and on through the Bible with quotes that inspire and uplift us. The best quotes and expressions for living a good life are found in God’s holy written word. Many things that are said in life and quotes are taken from scripture to give strength and hope– like God won’t give us more than we can bear. The Bible is God’s book of quotes given through man for mankind. They tell us how to live a good and fruitful life.

I hope you have enjoyed this little trip with me. I won’t say goodbye, because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting. So, I’ll say see you next time.