Recently I shared in Words to Build a Life On  how I have found the Bible a source of strength and hope in difficult times.

As I begin a new year, I have been thinking about those verses that have been so meaningful to me.

My Top Verses of a Lifetime

John 3:16 – For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

This verse, like most people my age who attended Sunday School as a child, was the first verse I learned.  The truth of God’s love has always been an encouragement to me.

Psalm 23:1 – The Lord is my shepherd;     I have all that I need.

The entire Psalm has been a blessing to me, but this verse especially is so true.  There are things I “want” that I do not have – but I can honestly say that God has always met my need.  Through parents’ divorce, through husband’s accidental death, through cancer, and more, He has always been faithful.

Psalm 23:4 – Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me;

While all of Psalm 23 has been a blessing, verse 4 really gave me comfort when I walked through the valley of the shadow of death while battling breast cancer.  I wrote about the strength this verse gave me when I was told by my doctor that “the odds are not in your favor” in Coincidence or An Act of God.

John 14:1-3 – Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.  There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?   When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

What a wonderful thought that Jesus is preparing a place for me – and that place will be with Him!  Something to look forward to at the end of this life!

Romans 8:38-39 – And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Again, I have found this so true.  Divorce, unemployment, death, disease, discouragement, nothing has ever separated me from the love of God.

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

I took this advice at an early age.  Studying God’s Word, but also reflecting daily on the words I read and then obeying it has been the secret of my life.  It has brought me joy and peace throughout my life.

Philippians 3:14 – For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.

This verse has been my “life” verse.  When I have been afraid to try something new, afraid of change that came to my life, afraid in any situation, I have remembered that I can everything – through Christ.  That is the secret.  Not in my own strength or ability – but in Christ who gives me strength.