Scripture X3: II

(Continuing from "Scripture, Scripture and more Scripture")

Many of these verses to begin with are ones that I am sure seem very common and familiar to us all; ones that we have known since the beginning of our faith journey with God. Although, the further we move along, I'm sure the bulk of newer verses will gradually sound less familiar; and the point here is to make the unfamiliar: familiar!

Before I post the next ten verses I would like to share what Richard J. Foster states from his Book, "Life with God." He says that when he comes across a particular scripture (after the reading of a certain passage) "will often write out that excerpt on an index card and carry it with him throughout the day for reflection whenever he has the chance to read it again." He continues to say that, "This is one way of seeking the gentle leading of God's Spirit. Such humble submission to the text allows God to shape the attitude and posture of our hearts." This is huge while each of us personally makes the time for Bible study and memorization of the written Word. Just one or a list of verses helps us to see the importance behind memorization - like a grocery list helps one when shopping. What I mean is that the routine of opening the saved list of verses on my iPod, increasingly helps me to realize that I must master theses verses so I will not have to constantly reach for a Bible; because you and I will not always have a Bible at the tip of our fingers. Consequently, I should have them memorized so for whatever circumstance arises, I will be ready and willing to share off the tip of my tongue what God has helped me store within my heart.

11.  "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

12. "And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).

13. "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).

14. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,  for those who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).

15. "The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world" (John 1:9).

16. "Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth" (Genesis 1:26).

17. "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship" (Romans 12:1).

18. "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

19. "And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18).

20. "Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).

(All ESV Translation)

Scripture, Scripture, and more Scripture.

Just the other day, I so happened to stumble across a "Bible Verses" application for my iPod. For this simple free application, each and every time I launch it, a new Bible Verse appears. Each verse is then saved in a Bible Verses List for future reference. Today I would like to post the first 10 verses, because to me they have been most encouraging, thought provoking, and powerful. As far as I'm concerned there seems to be no means of the order to which they come, just simply and randomly - inspirational. Still, after the viewing of the first 10 I can't help but think that there is definitely "method behind such madness"(ha-ha). I hope you too feel the same way about the profitableness that each of these verses bring. That like similar lists of verses you may have or have had in the past, this also reflects for you, verses that will come in handy in any situation, in any circumstance, where you may be sharing the Gospel, talking with another believer or just personal meditation.

Lastly, before I post the first 10 (and will continue to post more weekly), I would like to share Numbers 15:37-41.

Tassels on Garments

37 The Lord said to Moses, 38 “Speak to the people of Israel, and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner. 39 And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after. 40 So you shall remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God. 41 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord your God.” (ESV)

With that said, like the people of Israel who wear tassels on their garments to help them remember the commandments, we should too have ways of keeping scriptures with us where ever we go to remind us of God's love, mercy, and grace. You may have some around the house, in the car, or at the office, but I pray that when all is said and done, we can have them memorized and stored within our hearts. Memorization is definitely hard and most challenging for all, but simply doing it is the only way we will get better. For instance, not to long ago, Dr. Odame talked about the importance of exercising our muscle memory capability, which is the only way for us to have any type of betterment with memorization, just like a child learns, grows, and develops. Let us therefore be like children, as we have all once been before, who continue to have memory work as a part of their growth with Jesus.

1. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1).
   
2. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
   
3. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
   
4. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).
   
5. "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
   
6. "For by grace you have been saved a through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).
   
7. "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).
   
8. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
   
9. "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).
   
10. "because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).

(All ESV Translation)