Living Out Scripture…

Today I want to share some of my favorite scripture. Some of which you’ve probably seen woven into other blogs throughout time. With sharing the verses I’d also like to share why they are my favorite.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9 NIV

I love the above verses and refer to them often. I would especially refer to them in my workplace. Often I ask myself am I practicing speaking in truth and honesty, am I acting in pureness or joining in? The above verses can be used to gauge how you handle just about any situation you find yourself in.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John: 16-18 NIV

The world is becoming increasingly materialistic; as we do so, we also find it harder to part with our possessions. Or sometimes we hold onto our possessions thinking “what if” – What if I need this in a few months or next year? What if something happens and I lose the original I need a backup. Why I love this verse though is not only does it remind us to love not with words or speech but in actions and in truth, it also reminds us to trust in God. If we lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters, as Christ Jesus laid down his life for us, then we know in our heart of hearts He will always give us what we need. We never need to worry about our “what ifs” because He has that covered.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will –

Ephesians 1:4-5 NIV

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139:13-15 ESV

These verses remind me that the Lord knows me better than I know myself. He made us in great detail, he created us with a purpose and my soul rests in this.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV

This is the last one I’ll leave you with today. Scripture aka the word of God is indeed living and active it is meant to pierce and divide one’s soul and spirit, make you wrestle with the right and wrong of it all. It should have us checking in daily on the thoughts and intentions of our hearts.

The Lord knows what’s on our minds and hearts before the thoughts even occur. (More scripture for another day) There is a comfort in how deeply He knows us, and how He still chooses to love us all the same.