We often have a favorite quote or saying that we remember our whole life. Today we are talking about our favorite Bible verses.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Watch the video of this teaching at https://www.celllifechurch.tv/our-favorite-verses/ or on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/TYAhvruWPNU
The other day I was browsing social media and I came across a friend’s post asking what is a piece of advice you have received. That got me thinking about advice and words of wisdom I have received over the years. I’ve been thinking about that and it has been a topic of discussion during my prayer time with the Lord. That has led to this teaching today about our favorite verses.
Just like famous inspirational quotes or words of wisdom or advice, Christians often have a favorite verse or two. Some even call these their life verse. It’s a verse that resonates in your heart and you look to it like a sailor looks to a guiding star.
When we commit scripture to heart, it encourages us, changes us, and guides us. Scripture is active and living and brings life. It helps us understand the heart of God.
We both have some key verses that sit in the forefront of our hearts and mind that we would like to share with you today. We would also like to know what your favorite verse or life verse is. So let us know in the comments below.
We both have many favorite verses, but we are focusing on just two each. We will discuss the verse and then why it is one of our favorites.
The two favorite verses I have chosen to share are Philippians 2:3 and John 3:30. Let’s take a look at each of these and then I will share what they mean to me.
Philippians 2:3 says:
(3) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
In much of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he is teaching about unity in the body of believers. The disjointed and fractured Church we see today is nothing new. Paul was led by the Holy Spirit to send this letter of instruction to the Church in Philippi and we can learn from it today.
Two of the biggest things we can have that will drive a wedge between people are selfishness and pride. Selfishness makes everything we say and do be about ourselves or our groups instead of everyone else.
The reason this verse resonates in my heart is that I want to be aware of my motives for doing things, saying things, or how I respond to others. If I value others or look to them as better than myself, then I will serve them as Jesus would. I would show them respect and put them ahead of myself
The other verse I would like to share is very much like the first.
John 3:30 says:
(30) He must become greater; I must become less.
The entire ministry of John the Baptist is summarized in this one verse. John the Baptist was the cousin of Jesus. His entire ministry was to prepare the way for Jesus to come and minister. John the Baptist is quoted in the gospel of John saying this.
This is something we all must be able to honestly say. We all must put Jesus first, and ourselves last. We often teach about being the hands and feet of Jesus in the world today. In fact, that is a cornerstone of the ministry of Cell Life Church International. This verse is a reminder that all we say and do must point to Jesus and we must focus on ourselves less.
This verse resonates in me because simply stated, when people look at me, I want them to see Christ.
These are two of my favorite verses because they point to humility. We must continue to be a witness of Jesus Christ in this lost and dying world. We cannot and should not make it about ourselves. My accomplishments are from God in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. They are not my accomplishments. They are His accomplishments in me and through me. I am just the tool he uses to serve others. These verses continuously remind me to be humble and point people to God.
I also have two verses I would like to share with you. These both mean a lot to me and I am reminded of them often. Both of Kelly’s verses were in the New Testament and both of mine are in the Old Testament.
Psalm 119:11 says:
(11) I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the Bible and is very poetic. It is broken up into 22 sections, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, with 8 verses in each section. Each verse in a particular section starts with the Hebrew letter corresponding with that section. It is a beautiful psalm when translated, but even more so when you understand the construction of it and the love and devotion shown through it.
The psalmist tells us in verse 11 that he has hidden the Lord’s word in his heart. That in itself is wonderful, but the reason why is even more important; so that he will not sin against God. This is exactly what it takes to keep our minds and heart pure. We must fill our minds and our heart with God’s word. In doing this, we do not have room for sin. We continue to focus on God.
When I first said yes to Jesus and became a Christian I memorized this verse. I was in the US Navy at the time and the submarine I was stationed on was having major repairs and upgrades done so we had to wear helmets all the time. I printed out this verse and taped it to the inside of my helmet under the front so I could see it, but no one else could.
This is a constant prayer of mine, that I have hidden His word in my heart, that I might not sin against Him.
The other favorite verse I would like to share is found in Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes is commonly agreed by scholars to be written by King Solomon, the son of King David. We know that Solomon was the wisest man to live. When the Lord asked him what he wanted, Solomon did not ask for fame or riches, he asked for wisdom and the Lord gave it to him along with fame and riches.
Ecclesiastes talks about the futility of man being self-focused. Solomon writes about trying everything under the sun. He took a very humanistic view of the world and tried everything. In all of this, he never gave up on God or turned his back on him. The second to the last verse in the book of Ecclesiastes sums up Solomon’s conclusions after trying everything the world has to offer.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 says this:
(13) Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
After trying and experiencing everything the world had to offer Solomon concluded that our whole purpose and duty is to fear God and keep his commandments. That is our purpose. That is our everything. All we say and do should be to point people to God.
Fearing God does not mean to be afraid of Him. It means to respect him like we respect the head of our family. We have love and devotion for him. Keeping his commandments does not mean we go around being legalistic about things either. Everything God instructs us is based in love. His love for us, our love and devotion for him, and our love for one another.
Jesus tells us the greatest commandment is to love the Lord our God with our whole heart, mind, and strength. He goes on to tell us the second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. He then gives us a new commandment just before he ascends into Heaven and that is to go and make disciples. This is our duty, our whole duty.
What is your favorite verse or verses? What would you say is your life verse? Whatever it is we encourage you to print it out and post it somewhere you will see it often. Memorize it and live it. In doing this you will point people back to God through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit.
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