Several summers ago at Beulah Camp, I heard Bob Phillips preach a sermon where he said, “I’m not really sure what I think about having a ‘life verse’ but if I had one, it would be Acts 20:24.” He went on the read the verse and while he read it, something inside me said, “You know what, I’m not sure what I think about life verses either, but if anyone asks me what mine is, it has just become Acts 20:24.”
That message had an impact on me. I have printed that verse on Harvest T-shirts, I have used it during messages and have had it memorized since that day.
I recently read a book called Simplify by Bill Hybels. In the book, Bill describes the power of having a life verse. The Bible is very honest as it describes what brings us life. It puts life in perspective – our time on earth is short. Focusing in and living with a scripture in our hearts helps us keep an eternal perspective.
Since reading Simplify, I’ve had a new thought in the back of my mind… it’s good to have a life verse. The verse may change from season to season, but it helps us memorize and live with a short verse that keeps us moving forward in faith and in ministry.
Here are three things a life verse helps you do:
1. Speak of your faith more clearly.
A life verse allows you to articulate your faith to those around you. Your family, friends, coworkers and church benefit from the clarity in your life that comes with a life verse. It may seem overwhelming to bring up lots of scripture in a conversation, but a simple life verse opens the door. Your faith becomes more clear as you share your life (and life verse) with others.
2. Speak of your faith more often.
A life verse comes to mind on a regular basis. What is your mission? What is your goal? Why is your hope in the Lord? When trials come, you have something to lean on – God’s Word, not only tucked away in your heart, but right on the tip of your tongue and the forefront of your mind.
3. Speak of your faith more confidently.
A life verse gives confidence to live out your call. Your life is being shaped by the story your tell yourself. Too often, with far too many folks, the story in our hearts and heads is one of low confidence. Allow powerful scripture to become your story – let it shape your confidence.
In Bill Hybel’s book, he catalogued a list of possible life verses. Here are a few of them:
Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.
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 82:3-4
Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
Proverbs 19:17
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will reward them for what they have done.
James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Psalm 119:37
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Joshua 1:9
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.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
2 Timothy 1:7
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Colossians 2:6-7
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
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.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Do you have a life verse? What is it? I would love to hear it.
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Build a Biblical Worldview Into Your Kids
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Philippians 4:13 became my life verse in Bible college. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I learned to trust Him to give me what was needed to do what He asked and led me to do.
One of my music professors mentioned another that I really liked and used. Proverbs 18:16 “A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.” What gifts God has given me and used for Him only would take me where God wanted me. Through the years I’ve seen those who thought God couldn’t exist without them and their great abilities – stumble and fall, often taking family, church, friends ministry, their reputation, God and His churches testimony down with them very usually to a sad end. I’ve learned to not “toot my own horn” and promote myself because prIde would surely come along and trip me up.
Thanks for your comment, Bob!
my life verse: Micah 6:8
one of mine too!
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. Jeremiah 29:11 became my life verse at a time when my family was moving, trying to find the ‘right’ place to live, which schools and preschool for our sons. It helps to realign when I become overwhelmed with what to do, where to serve, am I using my gifts, why is this happening or not happening etc., etc. It centers my thinking and my view on all that happens and the way it unfolds is part of the plan for my life–the plans that God has for me!!
Great one! Thanks, Chyrel.