Life Verse
Their names are written in ink in the margins of my Bible:
Nancy. Juliann. Michelle. Alex. Teri. Tracy.
There are others.
They are brothers and sisters who have answered my question: “Friend, what’s your life verse?”
Perhaps the term — life verse — is new to you. Here’s a definition. It’s a verse that may define your life, or how God has worked in your life. It may be something that gives you inspiration or direction. Perhaps it’s something that you cling to in dark times. Or maybe it’s a piece of scripture that brought you to a belief in Jesus Christ.
I became familiar with the term only about two years ago when I wrote a piece for The One Year Life Verse Devotional, a book published by Tyndale. The book includes short stories penned by some amazing people — Josh McDowell, Joni Eareckson Tada, Chuck Colson, Dr. James and Shirley Dobson, Elisabeth Elliot and Lee Strobel. And then there are a few no-names like me. But whether we’re famous or not, we have one thing in common. Make that two things: we all have a life verse, and we all head-over-heels crazy about Christ.
Flipping through my Bible this morning, I came across the name of a dear friend who once shared with me her life verse. I paused to pray for her, as I do whenever I come across a name in the margin. And now, I ask you: “Friend, what’s your life verse?”
P.S. — One of my life verses (I have two) is found in Mark 9:24: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” This is a verse I prayed repeatedly as I moved from unbelief to faith in Christ.
More recently, I have adopted Psalm 63:3: “… your love is better than life.” There is nothing better than God’s love. Nothing. No, nothing.
Put me down for Phillipians 4:10. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. Oh, and also by Psalm 63:4. I will sing praises as long as I live. Oh, and recently, I love Isaiah 40:31 Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their stength. And then, of course, there is Galatians 5:22-23 “The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control”. How many can I have? Love, Carol
Hi Jennifer! Great post today.
Put me down for 1 John 1:5 “…God is light, in Him there is NO darkness!”
I have a couple more, but that’s good for now.
Great idea!!!
I don’t know if this is my life verse, but it’s the first Psalm that really hit me–51:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.”
Dukes, you have been an absolute lifeline to God/dess. I cannot thank you enough…
Hi, I just found your blog recently, not sure through who. but, I have enjoyed reading so far. Two of mine are Joshua 1:9 because I always sem to have some tupe of fear trying to hold me back and and Isaiah 40:31 was in my face all the time when I was going through a rough patch and couldn’t understand why it wasn’t getting better when I wanted it to 🙂 I still get that one because I tend to have my own timeline.
Phillipians 3: 12-14, in a short summary, it reminds us that we mess up, but as long as we seek forgiveness, and strain for the future, we will always be pressing towards the goal of the Heavenly Call in Christ.
Sweet question. I think there are probably different ones at different times. The one in my epigraph is fairly central… “You shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.” Isaiah 58:12
Hey Girl!
One of mine has always been Jer. 29:11… oh what sweetness to know the Lord has a plan for my life!
Keep writing!
Andrea
I read on this post yesterday but it took until today for me to really think about the main scriptures that I apply to get me through things.
But it’s not just one. I would have a hard time settling for just one.
Here are the scriptures enter my mind the most:
John 14:26
“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
This was an important verse for me when I didn’t quite understand God, but I still read His word looking for some kind of hope. Later as I got better into the bible and when I needed to make referrence to one of His scriptures I would humbly claim this verse of John 24:36
Matthew 5:45 “…He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” I repeated that in my mind during times that didn’t make sense to me when life seemed so unfair.
That verse kinda goes with this next verse, to me at least:
Ecclesiastes 3
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend,a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
This verse helps me to understand that God does have a reason for things under His heaven and that only makes me trust Him knowing this.
(Sorry I took up so much room) :-O
Jennifer,
I love the idea of what you are doing. I think that it is an excellent way to include prayer in a simplistic manner.
Now, my life verse would have to be life verses. ;0)
So many times in my walk with Christ it seems I constantly come back to Proverbs 3: 5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thy own understanding but in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy paths.” These were the very first verses that I learned and still guide me now.
Thank you for sharing this idea.
with blessings,
Minister Mamie
Last night, I wrote your names in the margins — Carol, Lynn, Jen, Melissa, Chris, LL, Andrea, Sarah and Minister Mamie. What a privilege to pray for you when I reach your verse. Blessings to you!
I like Philippians as well. Philippians 4:4-9, but especially 8:
“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things…”
I, regrettably am a man of considerable size. For the longest time I took great pride in the fact that I was strong – but as the world chops us down to size and Jesus Christ has taken over – my life verse is fittingly II Cor. 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I praise God that He is removing my desire to be strong on my own, and that He is continuing to fill with with a desire be the biggest weakling on the face of the earth!
I, regrettably am a man of considerable size. For the longest time I took great pride in the fact that I was strong – but as the world chops us down to size and Jesus Christ has taken over – my life verse is fittingly II Cor. 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I praise God that He is removing my desire to be strong on my own, and that He is continuing to fill with with a desire be the biggest weakling on the face of the earth!
Mine is Psalm 23!
Marilyn
I’ve always loved Psalm 66:16–“Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.”
Colossians 2:9 (NKJV)
9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
Colossians 2:9 (NKJV)
9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;