favorite verses
Over the last several years it seems like my life has become more and more defined by some specific ethos, values, life lessons, etc., more than others. Most of these can be traced back to a biblical foundation in one way or another.
in no particular order…
John 21:22 - where Jesus says “what’s it to you?” when Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” - When Jesus tells us to do something, we shouldn’t worry about what other people are doing, we should just do it.
Colossians 4:6 - our words should “taste good” as food is “seasoned with salt” so that we make the most of every opportunity.
Proverbs 18:19 - An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.
Matthew 23 - where Jesus warns us what will happen when we “shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces” by making rules that “crush people with unbearable religious demands.”
Ezekiel 13:3 - where God says “What sorrow awaits the false prophets who are following their own imaginations and have seen nothing at all!”
Philippians 2:14 - Do everything without complaining and arguing. (this should be one of the new ten commandments for the 20th century)
James 4:11 - If you criticize and judge others, then you think you are the judge rather than God. Our job is to obey the law, not to decide how it applies to others.
2 Corinthians 11:23-28 - What Paul put up with was beyond our imagination…
“I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.”
…and to think, we whine when someone doesn’t like the color of the carpet.
James 1:19 - … we must be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
1 Corinthians 1:25 - the foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans…
Matthew 25:42-45 - where Jesus points out what it really meant to follow him - ‘For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
2 Kings 20:1 - where the Lord says “… you are going to die.” See, the whole bible really does apply to all of us. :)