A Personal Note: Ten Verses That Change My Life

One of the blessings of growing older is we’ve had more years to spend in God’s word. And a funny thing is that the older I get, the more desperate I am for His word. It’s a little bit humbling; after all, I should have this Christian thing figured out by now, right? 

Nope. 

God’s desire is that we become more dependent upon Him, not less. 

Becoming dependent involves getting to know Him at even deeper levels. That’s where His promises come in. They reveal to us just what His character is like. Peter says it this way,  

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Though these, he has given us his very great and precious promises so that through them you may participate in the divine nature.” (2 Peter 1:3-4)

Here are 10 of my favorite scriptures and why:

1. Matthew 6:33 

   “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (ESV)

   I need this because in this world of so many distractions and worries it’s easy for me to feel overwhelmed with things I need to do. I have to continually go back to seeking Him first and allow Him to add these “things” as necessary.  

2. 1 Corinthians 10:13

   “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (ESV)

   This promise comforts me when I feel I am tested: hardship, disease, sorrow, uncertainty, etc. beyond what I am able, and I need reassurance that He’s got me, He knows my limits, and he will provide a way out. 

3. Psalm 147:5

   “Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.” (NIV)

   Sometimes I feel like no one understands how I feel, what I’m going through. Often I don’t even understand myself! But He does. He alone truly “gets me.”

4. 1 John1:5

   “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.” (NIV)

   This promise gives me perspective when all around me things seem dark. I need to be reminded that He is still LIGHT. The current darkness will leave. 

5. 1 John1:9

   “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (ESV)

   I mess up, hurt people, say things I shouldn’t, neglect things I should have done, and am naturally self-centered. I need a lot of forgiveness. He promises not only to forgive me but to cleanse me-like the biggest scrubbing, dry cleaning available. And He will continue to do this. Cleansing that pours down from His broken body on the cross-for me.

6. 1 Thessalonians 5:24

   “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” (ESV)

   Often, I recognize God’s call and am thankful but then I start to try to “do it” in my own strength and I get stuck. I fail. I must remember that He not only calls, but He will do it. It’s not all up to me.

7. Hebrews 7:25

   “Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” (NIV)

   I latched onto this promise when I became a mother and felt like it was ‘all up to me.’  Were John and I the only ones praying for this child? No! Right now, Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God the Father interceding for this person. It’s His delight and I imagine Him saying to the Father, ‘That’s my child, meet her needs. Pour out your mercy on her (or him).’ See also Romans 8:34.

8. Romans 8:1

   “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (ESV)

   “I’m a lousy wife, a bad mother, a terrible friend…” It’s so easy to fall into self-condemnation. Condemnation is one of Satan’s best tricks because we fail to recognize that it usually comes from Him. He tends to speak generally while the Holy Spirit convicts us specifically and offers us forgiveness.

9. Psalm 119:105

   “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (ESV)

   This Psalm has been one of my main prayers for my children and grandchildren. I long for them to ‘fall in love with the word of God.’ It is the one thing that lasts, that is true and the foundation they need for their lives. I too want to fall more in love with His word, hunger for it, and spend time in it for the rest of my life. 

10. Joshua 1:5

    “I will not leave you or forsake you.” (ESV)

    This promise became alive in a deeper way to me when we almost lost a grandson to a failed liver. Gathered with friends and family in the chapel of the hospital, we heard the helicopter land bringing a new liver for our child. We did not know if He would survive. I realized afresh how fragile life is. We can lose our homes, our finances, our jobs, our family members, our friends. Literally everything except HIM. Immanuel. He is God with us, and He will never leave us.

As you read these promises you may find yourself thinking that’s not what I thought it meant. It’s important to remember that God speaks to each of us in our own uniqueness. What I get from a verse will be different from what you receive. It’s also helpful to look at commentaries and study bibles to discern the context of the verses. 

An idea for you: 

With summer here you are likely to be with friends and family. I encourage you to take turns sharing your favorite verses with one another and tell why they are special to you. You might have several different translations available with pen and paper so kids can look verses up and write them down. Sharing in the scriptures together provides us with a way to get to know each other at a deeper level. This results in our blessing each other. 

“He is the God of GLORY and GOODNESS.” (2 Peter 1:4)

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If you are looking for a simple place to start, grab a copy of my book, the ONE Devotional, One Word, One Verse, One Thought for One Hundred Days. It’s easy for both children and old folks!

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