Essential Bible Verses for Social Media Storms

As is my practice in the middle of polarizing and contentious events, this week I will not be posting a "business as usual" post. In some ways this post is a continuation of the post on Essential Bible Verses for Posting on Social Media. 

1. Avoid pouring fuel on the fire (Proverbs 15:1: A gentle answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger). 
2. Give focus to those who are loving and humble. (Ephesians 4:15: Speak the truth with love; Philippians 4:8 whatever is worthy of praise, think on these things.) 
3. Focus on earnest work for peace. (Romans 12:18: As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.)
4. Grieve with those who grieve. (Romans 12:15: "Mourn with those who mourn." There are times when rejoicing is out of place, so the remainder of the verse is not implied by the quotation of the current part.) 
5. Do not believe the first report without reservation, and do not disbelieve a report merely because it differs from a previous report. (Proverbs 18:17: The first to present a case seems right til another comes forward and questions him.) 
6. We are called to be discerning about what we believe. (1 Thessalonians 5:21: Test everything, hold onto what is good.) 
7. We are called to be discerning about what we say. (Ephesians 4:29: Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful in building up others according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.) 
8. Be as unfailingly kind as our humanity can manage. (Ephesians 4:32: Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ has forgiven you.)

Essential Bible Verses for Dealing with Difficult People

I have been struggling with my attitude towards someone lately, and wanted to collect some scriptures to help me with that. 

1. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live at peace with all. (Romans 12:18)
2. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
3. Judge not, so that you will not be judged.  (Matthew 7:1)
4. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:6)
5. See that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. (1 Thessalonians 5:15)
6. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, for love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)
7. Do not repay evil for evil or slander for slander, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. (1 Peter 3:9)
8. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; knowing that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel but be kind to everyone, able to teach, patient. (2 Timothy 2:23-24)
9.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
10. Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

   So many good candidates for this list. 

Essential Bible verses for posting on social media

These Bible verses about speech are helpful to me for social media: 

1. The first to present his case seems right until another comes forward and questions him. (Proverbs 18:17)
2. A gentle answers turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)
3. These six things the LORD hates, and seven are an abomination to him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginings, feet that run swiftly to mischief, a false witness who speaks lies, and he who sows discord among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19)
4. Dear brothers and sisters: be swift to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. For the wrath of man does not bring about the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)
5. Speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15)
6. Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but that which is good for the purpose of building up, that it may serve to bring grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)
7. In your anger do not sin: do not let the sun go down upon your anger. (Ephesians 4:26)
8. Do not repay evil with evil. Be careful to do what is right. (Romans 12:17)
9. Love one another as I have loved you, that you also love each other. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples: if you have love for each other. (John 13:34-35)
10. When he [the devil] speaks a lie, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)
11. A good man brings good out of the good treasured in his heart, and an evil one out of the evil brings forth evil: for out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45)
12. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who persecute you. (Luke 6:28)

Essential Bible Verses On Prayer

These passages of the Bible focus on God hearing our prayers: 

1. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him greatly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. (Genesis 17:20)
   
   
2. And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows. (Exodus 3:7)
   
   
3. And the LORD said to him, "I have heard your prayer and your request that you have made before me: I have hallowed this house, which you have built, to put my name there for ever; and my eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually.(1 Kings 9:3)
   
   
4. Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears: behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up unto the house of the LORD. (2 Kings 20:5)
   
   
5. Because your heart was tender, and you have humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard what I spoke against this place, and against those who live there, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have rent your clothes and wept before me; I also have heard you, says the LORD.(2 Kings 22:19)
   
   
6. And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him, I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice. (2 Chronicles 7:12)
   
   
7. Thus says the LORD: In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you. And I will preserve you, and give you for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate inheritance. (Isaiah 49:8)

These passages speak of God hearing our prayers: prayers of parents for children, prayers of relief for suffering, prayers for places of worship, prayers for healing, prayers for forgiveness, prayers for grace. 

Ten Proverbs on Heart's Wisdom

So much Western discussion of knowledge and wisdom is guided (misguided?) by an assumption of hostility between heart and mind. As with the Shema, so with the Proverbs: the heart and mind are best when they work together with integrity. One without the other is easily led astray. 

Here are my ten favorite proverbs that speak of the role of heart in wisdom: 

• (Pro 2:10)  When wisdom enters into your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul;
• (Pro 3:1)  My son, forget not my law; but let your heart keep my commandments
• (Pro 3:3)  Let not mercy and truth forsake you: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
• (Pro 4:21)  Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart.
• (Pro 14:30)  A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
• (Pro 14:33)  Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding ... 
• (Pro 15:28)  The heart of the righteous studies to answer: but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
• (Pro 16:23)  The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
• (Pro 22:11)  He who loves pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
• (Pro 27:9)  Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so does the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

In the book of Proverbs, wisdom is seen as beautiful, desirable -- and drawing on more than mind alone. Truth and mercy -- the first casualties of so many disputes -- are singled out to be valued and remembered. Wisdom's domain includes pureness of heart, rejoicing, friendship, and graceful speech. I could benefit from more wisdom!

Ten Proverbs on Wisdom as a beautiful treasure

The book of Proverbs seeks to frame our view of wisdom not as a joyless duty, instead showing wisdom as something desirable. Time and again it speaks of wisdom as a treasure: a lost treasure, or gold, or silver, or jewels. They are prizes worth seeking, worth the effort, worth the search. These things are not merely valuable but beautiful in a way that lends beauty to their whole environment. 

Here are my ten favorite that portray wisdom as desirable, beautiful, and enriching in a way that matters: 

• (Pro 2:4)  If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures ...
• (Pro 3:14)  For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
• (Pro 8:10)  Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
• (Pro 8:19)  My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
• (Pro 10:20)  The tongue of the just is as choice silver ...
• (Pro 16:16)  How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to gain understanding is preferable to silver!
• (Pro 20:15)  There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
• (Pro 22:1)  A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.
• (Pro 25:11)  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
• (Pro 25:12)  As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

The proverbs aim both to challenge our priorities and to inspire a better quest. The book of Proverbs portrays wisdom as one of the chief treasures of life. 

Ten Verses on the the Tree of Life

The tree of life is mentioned ten times in Scripture*: 7 times in the Old Testament (3 in Genesis, 4 in Proverbs), and 3 in the New Testament.  

Gen 2:9  And out of the ground the LORD God made grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Gen 3:22  And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

Gen 3:24  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Pro 3:18  She [wisdom] is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retains her.

Pro 11:30  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise.

Pro 13:12  Hope deferred makes the heart sick: but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

Pro 15:4  A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

Rev 2:7  He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches: To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Rev 22:2  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, there was the tree of life, which bore twelve crops of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Rev 22:14  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

The references in Genesis and Revelation discuss a tree, and are taken to mean something that God provides his people to preserve their life and health, along with their strength and vitality through the years. From the standpoint of these texts, it is another way of being like God. 

The references in Proverbs take a different turn, and these things are also called a tree of life: 

• wisdom
• the fruit of the righteous
• desire fulfilled
• wholesome speech

Based on the first of these where wisdom is called a tree of life, there is an ancient Jewish teaching that the tree of life in Genesis was wisdom, in contrast to the other tree with its knowledge. The book of Proverbs explores how wisdom does what the tree of life does, preserving life and health. 

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* As far as I have been able to determine. If there are other references I'd be glad to hear of them. 

Essential Bible Verses for Evangelism

I've added a few comments, though most of these verses are presented without comment. 

1. Grace be with you/The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you (and variations on the same). (Romans 16:24, 1 Corinthians 16:23, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Philippians 4:23, Colossians 4:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:28, 2 Thessalonians 3:18, 2 Timothy 4:22, Titus 3:15, Hebrews 13:25, 2 John 1:3, Revelation 22:21)
   Many of the letters of the New Testament end with nearly the same blessing. Religion, done right, is a channel of blessing because Jesus revealed his Father as the God who blesses. Our mission as evangelists is to bring good news, so that the person who hears is blessed. Evangelism, done right, is a channel of grace and blessing to the one who hears.
2. It was right that we should make merry, and be glad: for your brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. (Luke 15:32)
   The lost are our own brothers and sisters in Christ. It helps to be conscious of both their loss and ours, and that rightly any two people should have a brotherly relationship.
3. You are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the Living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of the human heart. (2 Corinthians 3:3)
4. The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving (James 3:17)
5. Christ is the wisdom of God and the power of God (I Corinthians 1:22)
   The Word of God has a human face, and compassion, and values love -- and values us.
6. Let your light so shine before all that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
   In our worship, we glorify God. If we go to the world and live the way He teaches -- which is the worship He has asked of us -- we add to the number of people who glorify God.
7. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15a)
8. Do this with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15b)
9. Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. (1 Peter 3:16)
10. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

Essential Bible Verses for Healing Shame

Shame has different elements, from feeling dirty or exposed, abandoned, and disowned, to a loss of confidence about being accepted or valued, to the fear of rejection and being alone. The Bible speaks to these: 

1. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. We hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we assigned him no value. (Isaiah 53:3)
2. God opposes the proud, and gives grace to the humble. (I Peter 5:5)
3. There is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who had no need to repent. (Luke 15:7)
4. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
5. You are washed, you are made holy, you are made innocent in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (I Corinthians 6:11)
6. And white robes were given to every one of them; and it was said to them, that they should rest yet for a little season. (Revelation 6:11)
7. You shall no longer be called Forsaken; neither shall your land any more be called Desolate. (Isaiah 62:4)
8. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the children of God. (John 1:12)
9. He calls his own sheep by name. (John 10:3)
10. That you may be blameless and faultless, the children of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:15)
11. To him who overcomes, I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no one knows except the one who receives it. (Revelation 2:15)
12. The home of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (Revelation 21:3)

Essential Bible Verses on Stress or Anxiety

1. Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7
2. Aren't two sparrows sold a penny? Yet not one of them shall fall to the ground without your Father. Even the hairs of your head are numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable than many sparrows. - Matthew 10:29-31
3. Who of you, by worrying, can add a single hour to his life? - Matthew 6:27
4. Look at the birds of the air. They do not plant or harvest or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26
5. Consider the lilies of the field. They neither toil nor spin, yet not even Solomon in all his splendor was arrayed as these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, you of little faith? Matthew 6:28-30
6. If God is for us, who can be against us? - Romans 8:31
7. Who will bring an accusation against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is it that condemns? - Romans 8:33-34
8. I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39
9. When you pray ... your Father knows what you need before you ask him. - Matthew 6:7-8
10. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Related: 

• Essential Bible Verses for the Overwhelmed
• On Earth as in Heaven: Fear Not
• Fellowship and Fulfillment

Essential Bible verses on forgiveness

1. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. (Psalm 32:2)
   
2. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
   
3. The LORD forgives all your sins, and heals all your diseases. (Ps 103:3)
   
4. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12)
   
5. Look, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)
   
6. There is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous who had no need to repent. (Luke 15:7)
   
7. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you. For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26:28)
   
8. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
   
9. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
   
10. The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.(Matthew 9:6)
    
11. Take heart, your sins are forgiven. (Matthew 9:2)
    
12. Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more. (John 8:11)

God's Word: "Fear Not"

I have noticed, sometimes, worry and fear about the world around us. Sometimes war seems nearer and sometimes farther. Right now, of course, it seems nearer. Sometimes those who give themselves over to evil rage -- proving that they are enemies of God -- seem more murderous and their murderous rage seems to grow. The only message I have about the times is the one we have been given for all times: Watch and be ready. But there is another message that God brings at all kinds of times: Fear not.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. (Psalm 46:1-2)

Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10)

But now says the LORD who created you, O Jacob, and who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name; you are mine." (Isaiah 43:1)

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

The LORD is on my side. I will not fear. What can man do to me? (Psalm 118:6)

You drew near in the day that I called on you: you said, "Fear not." (Lamentations 3:57)

Didn't God tell Abraham, "Fear not, for I am your shield and your very great reward"? (Genesis 15:1) Didn't God tell Hagar, "Fear not; for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is"? (Genesis 21:17) Didn't God tell Isaac, "Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you, and multiply your seed for my servant Abraham's sake"? (Genesis 26:24) Didn't God tell Jacob, "Fear not to go down into Egypt, for there I will make of you a great nation"? (Genesis 46:3)

How often did God say to Moses, and to his people through Moses, not to fear their enemies, but to fear only Him, to wait and see the salvation that God would work for them? Didn't the angel tell Daniel, even while he was in captivity and a slave in a foreign land, not to fear? Didn't Daniel take heart that his service and devotion to God was known in heaven? (Daniel 10:12-19) When the exiles rebuilt what was destroyed after their return, didn't God remind them of his love and his faithfulness, and tell them not to fear? (Haggai 2:5)

When Christ came, didn't the angels announce to Mary, to Joseph, and to the shepherds not to fear? When Christ came, didn't he tell us not to fear those who destroy the body, but cannot destroy the soul? Didn't he tell us to fear only God? Christ did not promise that we should have no trouble. Instead, he promised that in this world we would have trouble, but that he had overcome the world.

It is possible that we may face more serious persecution in our times for the name of Christ. When the disciples had trouble and persecutions, didn't they celebrate that they were accounted worthy of such a thing? And can you name one hero of the faith who was accounted an especially worthy servant without trials or sufferings? Didn't the greatest lay down their lives for God, not fearing man but only the LORD?

I would like to think the current storms that threaten us would pass, even if that seems unlikely some days. But in a time like this, we will show whether we trust God and hope in him by what we allow to frighten us. Is anyone else in the place of God, that we should fear them?

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. (Psalm 46:1-2)

Essential Bible Verses for the Overwhelmed

1. My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34)
2. Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
3. He restores my soul. (Psalm 23:3)
4. Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit. (Zechariah 4:6)
5. Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)
6. Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5)
7. Cast your anxieties on him, for he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
8. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything. (Philippians 4:5-6)
9. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. (Revelation 21:4)
10. To him who overcomes, I will give of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.(Revelation 2:17)
11. I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. (Isaiah 43:25)
12. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Update: More here, collection of notes for hard times