Many times in my blogs I’ve used the phrase, “one of my favorite verses.” For a couple of years now I’ve used tags on my Blogger site and I can now attest to my favorite chapter – Matthew 22, which I’ve used 36 times – and my true favorite verse in that chapter:
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. [Matthew 22:36-40 KJV]
That chapter also has explanations about what heaven will be, too. Next on my most used, therefore my second favorite, is John’s 14th chapter. It contains the verse I wish read after I’ve gone home, in celebration of my love of God. Nope, not the one about many mansions – I couldn’t care any less about housing arrangements with my Lord. It’s the one about being happy:
Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. [John 14:28 KJV]
There are many, many verses in John 14, though, that Jesus is giving His disciples to understand the coming days. They are at Passover. He has explained about his broken body, the spilled blood. He has told them to remember these things. Those are verses we come to love after we’ve come to accept Genesis 1:1, John 1:1 and John 3:16; come to know that God loves what He created and provided means for mankind to connect to His love.
Third on my list of 440 chapters referenced comes from our pastor’s favorite book – Philippians, the fourth chapter. He has mentioned this is his favorite book, but I have evidence, too. Several years ago I began noting the verses used in sermons along with the date of the sermon. Yep, he was right. But I did have a problem discovering which of these verses I would have used most in the 23 postings attributed – there are so many good verses here! I think this one would be my first choice out of the chapter. Follow this and lives change:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. [Philippians 4:8 KJV]
Our King James version of the scriptures contains 1,189 chapters, so I have yet to reference half. Of course, the number of books, chapters and verses depends on what you are reading, and has no bearing on God’s message. His covenant with Israel stands as given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Through their descendants, the world has been blessed. As prophesied in Genesis 22:8, God did provide Himself, a lamb, as an offering. For all of His love toward us, we give thanks.
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Thank you for taking time to read and comment on the blog. Comments should take into consideration this verse: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 KJV)