What
epic truth in Scripture has radically changed the way you live your life?
Provide a Scripture passage that God has used to teach and mold you during a time
of either hardship or doubt. Or maybe God has encouraged you to grow in some way
and there is a Scripture for that too. Let’s just get some thoughts going about the truth that has changed us
and caused us to follow the call of God to bring his truth to the world.
-Article submitted by Robert De Graff – Future Swaziland Participant
Feel free to email me at [email protected] to submit a
question that you would like to see posted. It could be used on every
team blog page.
Talk about a loaded question…. I feel like all of us could most likely go on forever talking about how scripture has greatly impacted us. but here is one thing that I’ve been thinking about a lot lately:
Philippians 3:13-14- “Brothers, I do not consider that I ave made it my own. But ONE thing I do: forgetting what lies behind AND straining for what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”
I’ve just been sorting through a lot of events in my life that impact me everytime I draw close to God and they become a hinderance so I am working on forgetting them and STRIVING for more. I know that perfection is something that can never be obtained but I will strive to glorify Christ more and more each day.
I’ve been going through a lot of struggles lately. Mainly with things related to going on the trip (support letters, etc.), as well as other things. I’ve been feeling attacked and in every step I take to go on the trip something goes wrong or I have to wait for something. So God has been just teaching me a lot through my struggles and this verse came to mind as I was thinking about what I’ve been going through lately:
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
1 Peter 1:6-7
Through my struggles/trials God will prevail and I will only grow stronger in him. I think it’s made going through everything so much easier, just to lean on God and trust in him.
One of the verses that has really encouraged me through the past few years is I Timothy 4:12
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
There have been many situations where this verse was very helpful to me, especially when it comes to being a part of different ministries in my church.
Throughout the past couple of months and semester I have learned and am learning that I cannot let my feelings dictate, or perhaps change what I know to be true. When trials or hardships come up the first thing I do is question God. But I’ve learned to trust in Him no matter what. The words in Jeremiah 29:11 have helped me trust that he loves me and he meets me where I’m at.
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope”.
For me I would have to say that the verse that is constantly changing and shaping my outlook on my life is Romans 12:1-2
“1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer 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.”
these verses keep me hungry for what God has in store for me next, rather than what the world is putting in from of me. I love the idea of transformation over conformity. Just being led by the wind of God.
I have probably three (3) key verses I find myself repeating over and over.
One being the same as Daniel, Romans 12:1-2. I’m having to daily remind myself to not conform, renew my mind, and remember that I’m a living sacrfice. My life is not my own, it’s just on loan.
Second being Acts 20:24 – “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.”
Third would be Genesis 17:1 – “Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD (YHWH) appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty (El-Shaddai meaning Powerful Provider); Walk before Me, and be blameless (blameless means Authentic).” It’s so awesome, not only to be reminded of the covenant that I, as a new testament believer am a part of, but more what God says to Abram. He is telling us that El-Shaddai is our provider and just like he came to Abram when he had no strength left IN HIMSELF that YHWH would provide for Him if we walk with Him and remain “blameless” or “authentic” with the LORD.
I swear I’m not jumping on the bandwagon, but Romans 12:1-2. I just love the perfect example of sacrificial love in verse 1 followed up with how it can be accomplished in verse 2. Forgetting everything this world has taught me and allowing God to transform me by renewing my mind daily is essential to my walk with Christ.
wow, there are so many verses that i think we all could put as an answer to this question. one that has meant a lot to me the past couple of years is Galations 6:7-10 and i like it the best in the message.
“Don’t be misled: no one makes a fool of God. what a person plants, he will harvest. the person who plants selfishness ignoring the needs of others – ignoring God!- harvests a crop of weeds. all he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! but the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. so let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. at the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.”
I think these verses can sum up how a Christian should live their life and it is a constant reminder to me just how to live and stay living the life God has called me to.