In my previous entry, I shared what my two most favorite books in the bible are, Esther and Ruth...
Now, however, I would like to reveal my two favorite Scripture verses for those who asked.
My favorite verse in the Old Testament is Zephaniah 3:17. He was a prophet who is not all that well known today, not even among a majority of his fellow Jews, nor even among Christians. The verse goes as follows, "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in his love. He will joy over thee with singing."
To think that the Creator of the entire universe loves me is wonderful to behold. He adores His children. Like a proud parent, my heavenly Father sees me as the apple of His eye. He accepts me just as I am, and He sings over me with joy. In fact, His love is not something I have to earn, it is simply a part of His nature.
While in the New Testament, my favorite one is Revelation 22:17. "And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come.' And let him that hears say, 'Come.' And let he who is thirsty come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely."
Here again God's love is revealed to its fullest expression. The Holy Spirit beckons everyone to come to Messiah Jesus in order to receive forgiveness for their sins. While the bride of Christ, which is the church, also invites the wayward to come and receive this free gift. And whoever is spiritually thirsty and weary from having to carry the guilt and shame of his or her sins, is invited to come, as well.
With God, there is no rejection for those who seek Him with a sincere and repentant heart. His arms are open wide and the invitation has been given. "Come to Jesus now." The Bible says that Jesus is the Water of Life, and He offers all to drink of Him.
As Christ himself declares, "If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink. He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:37-38).
It doesn't get any better than this. I came to Jesus years ago, and I'm glad I did. Now I too say to everyone, "Come."
D.B.
My favorite verse in the Old Testament is Zephaniah 3:17. He was a prophet who is not all that well known today, not even among a majority of his fellow Jews, nor even among Christians. The verse goes as follows, "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in his love. He will joy over thee with singing."
To think that the Creator of the entire universe loves me is wonderful to behold. He adores His children. Like a proud parent, my heavenly Father sees me as the apple of His eye. He accepts me just as I am, and He sings over me with joy. In fact, His love is not something I have to earn, it is simply a part of His nature.
While in the New Testament, my favorite one is Revelation 22:17. "And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come.' And let him that hears say, 'Come.' And let he who is thirsty come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely."
Here again God's love is revealed to its fullest expression. The Holy Spirit beckons everyone to come to Messiah Jesus in order to receive forgiveness for their sins. While the bride of Christ, which is the church, also invites the wayward to come and receive this free gift. And whoever is spiritually thirsty and weary from having to carry the guilt and shame of his or her sins, is invited to come, as well.
With God, there is no rejection for those who seek Him with a sincere and repentant heart. His arms are open wide and the invitation has been given. "Come to Jesus now." The Bible says that Jesus is the Water of Life, and He offers all to drink of Him.
As Christ himself declares, "If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink. He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:37-38).
It doesn't get any better than this. I came to Jesus years ago, and I'm glad I did. Now I too say to everyone, "Come."
D.B.