40 Acts - INSERT VERSE

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

As a teenager, I always found the ‘memory verse time’ in our youth club rather tiresome. Each week we all had to quote our favourite or meaningful Bible verse—so meaningful I can’t remember a single verse!

As I grew older, however, different Bible verses helped and resonated with me at various stages in my life. The Bible’s rich tapestry of poetry, instruction, prophecies and story telling gives us insightful views on our fragility as humans, sound advice, words of comfort and prayers of faith. In fact it speaks into every situation life throws at us.

When I was a student, coming to terms with being an adult and living my own life, I loved Psalm 139, and I notice one of my own daughters now has this pinned up on her noticeboard:

‘For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.’

Later, when I embarked on a precarious and stressful career in television, ‘Be still, and know that I am God’ (Psalm 46: 10) became the balm to my whirling mind. And when I became a mother with four small children, this was pinned on my fridge (more for my own benefit than the children’s!):

‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.’ Galatians 5:22-23

Our favourite verses are a blessing to us, so why not to others? When speaking to people who are exploring Christianity or may have little knowledge of what being a Christian is about, I love to share this one:

‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.’ Ephesians 2:8-9

Cue the loud sound of pennies dropping.

I’ve had a few heart-in-mouth moments when sharing a verse, but that of course is today’s challenge. What verses resonate with you at this stage in your life and how can you share them? Try posting on social media or even have a conversation; you may well be surprised by the response you get.

Debbie Wright

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