Let me say right up front that it was hard to narrow this list to 10, so I’m sure I’ll share a few more in the coming weeks. I really love the scriptures! It’s my 3rd year of being a true follower of God. I have grown more in love with the Bible each and every day. However, even though all Scripture is inspire and profitable, I decided to list down only the top 10 bible verses that have impacted my life and really helped me grow more and more in my faith in the Lord.
1. Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Vinz’s Note: Every time I’m in a situation where my faith is compromised, I always meditate on this verse; and I always remind myself to stop conforming to this age, but continue to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. Typically, when we think about this verse we think of transformation as something we do. But Paul is clear in using the passive voice stating that this is something already done by God. We cannot do enough spiritual disciplines to bring about transformation. We cannot pray enough, study enough, or even earn our transformation by the sweat of our brows. It must be done to us. Again, this was done by God, through his mercy.
2. James 1:12
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
Vinz’s Note: I remember one commentator who said that this verse doesn’t say “Blessed is the one who is never tried”. In reality, there is an element of blessing which is experienced in this present life. However, the “bulk” of the blessing is looking toward our future life with Christ. Let’s always trust our loving and sovereign Father to use trial as a faith-growing test and source of a reward in the future.
3. Ephesians 4:29
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Vinz’s Note: Paul’s concern for a personal ethic that reflects our unity with Christ and our new life in him comes down to the kind of words that we use. Following the teaching of Jesus, Paul teaches that out of the heart comes the words we use, and this is an evidence of the presence of Christ, or of a sinful rebellion against God. This life is lived out through spiritual battles. The spiritual entities that control this world set themselves against the Christians. So, in our lives, families and relationships are living out a battle. It is a battle where Christ is the victor. Please be reminded that our choices and actions have real meaning and significance for the glory of Christ and our loyalty to him.
4. Matthew 6:9-13
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.”
Vinz’s Note: This verse made a big impact in my prayer life, In the context, after Jesus had been out praying, one of his disciples came to him as he finished and they asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. There is something different in Jesus’ way of praying that’s why His disciple asked to teach them. As with any relationship, if you want to get the most out of it, you must first understand the dynamics which make it work. What is, or is not, expected. A relationship with God absent of prayer is like a marriage without love. Form, but no substance. Saying the words, “I love you,” but never displaying affection. Think of what your relationships would be like if nobody paid attention to you. Prayer, simply stated, is talking, or conversing, with God. And yet as simple as this may be, it is one of the more difficult areas for Christians to deal with. Prayer should be our lifestyle.
5. Jeremiah 29:11-12
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
Vinz’s Note: This was the very first memory verse that I memorized when I became a believer of Christ. Every time I have a problem, this verse always pops in my mind and motivates me by reminding me that God is always there for me regardless of how bad the situation I am in. But as I learned the word of God deeper, I realized that I have taken this verse completely out of context. The verse means is that God has plans only for a specific group of people, namely the Israelites. And if we read the Scriptures, we will find that this promise has already been fulfilled: The Israelites who were in exile that time finally returned, and the nation of Israel was restored for a time. God made this promise through the prophets, and that promise came true.
6. Colossians 4:2
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Vinz’s Note: This sort of “earnest” prayer is important, but it does not come easy. Earnestly in prayer speaks of a great effort steadily applied. “Heaven’s gate cannot be stormed by just one weapon, but by many. Spare no arrows, Christian. Watch and see that none of the arms in thy armory are rusty. Besiege the throne of God with a hundred hands, and look at the promise with a hundred eyes. You have a great work on hand for you have to move the arm that moves the world; watch, then, for every means of moving that arm. See to it that you ply every promise; that you use every argument; that you wrestle with all might.” (Spurgeon)
7. Psalm 150: 1-6
“Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!”
Vinz’s Note: In this verse, each of the last five Psalms begins and end with “Praise Him”; And each psalm increases in praise, love and joy, unto the last, which is praise celebrating its ecstacy. If you analyze this verse, you can see that the elect soul, the heir of God is like consumed by the love of God. He begins every sentence with Praise Him; and his sentences are very short, for he is in haste to utter his next Praise Him, and his next, and his next. This verse always reminds me that God deserves the highest praises a man can give. Not an obligation because He is God.
8. Ephesians 2:8-9
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Vinz’s Note: For so many years, I believed that the only way for us to get to heaven when we die is by doing good works here on earth, by doing the right thing or by obeying the commandments of God. But the Bible clearly stated that it is only by the grace of God can we be saved through faith; and not by works.
9. Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us, in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Vinz’s Note: I still can’t comprehend why God really loves me despite of my sinful nature, He chose to take that cross and die in a painful and cruel death which He didn’t deserves.
10. John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Vinz’s Note: If you are a bible-believing Christian, I’m one hundred percent sure that you already know or have even memorized this verse. This is about the great love of God; of how He gave His one and only son for us to have a way to get to God the Father.
Your turn… What are some of your favorite bible verses?
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