Jan's Favorite Bible Verses

Scriptures are quoted from the NIV* unless marked otherwise. The verses are in the same order as the books of the Bible they come from. Bold formatting has been added for emphasis.

Proverbs 3:5-6
⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

When I think I know it all, when I've gotten it all figured out, that's when I am about to find out how much I don't know! Our own understanding is much more limited than we dream.

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

I just love the image of soaring on the wind like eagles! This verse promises a lot to those who hope in the LORD.

As a child did you yearn to fly like I did? To soar through the sky like a bird - I even have dreams about it. Not flapping and working, just gliding and soaring. So peaceful and joyous!

Well, God is your wings - like a hang glider. The Holy Spirit is the wind to blow you where God wills. You can soar - higher than the eagles! But you have to grab hold ... and lift up those feet!

Matt. 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matt. 7:7-11
⁷ Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. ⁹Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

We are too often afraid to ask. It's like we are afraid to "bother" God with our problems and dreams. But God is a good Father and is intently interested in us. He wants us to talk to him and share our feelings, our hopes, and our needs. He will answer!! And not with rocks, either!

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

You don't lose anything by giving. You gain a lot more, in spiritual ways and also in physical ways. He designed your body so He knows its needs! He knows the needs of your heart, too - to feel needed, to protect and comfort others, to provide for your children. God can out-give you any day of the week!

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

This one can be hard to swallow when your life is full of troubles. How can the bad parts of life be for your good?

The short answer is that you get stronger by exercise and you can't see the whole story yet because you're living it. If someone carries a baby all the time, that child will never learn to walk. Learning to walk means falling down... a lot.

Out of deepest tragedy, God can craft your life into a glorious victory and blessing for yourself and for others. Let Him!

Romans 8:31
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

No one and no thing is more powerful than the God who created it all. No one and no thing loves you more than the God who sent his Son Jesus to die and be raised again for your salvation. Whew! Quite an overwhelming thought there!

We cannot do it on our own. It is the strength that comes through Jesus that allows us to master the difficult situations of life and to succeed where all human wisdom saw only failure.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18
¹⁶Be joyful always; ¹⁷pray continually; ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances , for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Here it is again. "All circumstances" includes the ones I want out of... right now! But we are to give thanks for those difficult and painful circumstances, too. Job did not understand why he was suffering so. But the whole world has gained much understanding by hearing his story of trouble and patience.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

God is not one to sit around and just watch the world go by. He is active and rewards all who seek him.

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

James 2:23
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, "and he was called God's friend.

Prayer may be the most ignored secret weapon in the world! But you have to be "righteous" first for God to hear your prayers. Now that's a good trick, isn't it? But God doesn't mean that you must be perfect. Oh, no! You must have faith and trust God, as the second verse shows that Abraham did and was called righteous and God's friend!

My Favorite Bible Verses

and some thoughts about them