I have found over the years several Bible verse that inspire me. Verses that have either motivated me in difficult times or verses that shed some light on how to live everyday in a world of so many choices. I suppose the Bible is the one constant over the years that has directed how I live my life.
The fact that I have eternal life through Jesus Christ is the main focus of all of it. John 3 : 16 talks about how God so loved the world that He gave his only Son to die for me, for the world, is something that brings joy to my heart. This passage inspires me but there are many others that motivate me.
In Acts chapter 2 it is written that the believers sold their possessions and property and distributed the profits to those in need. This gives me hope that there can be a selfless approach to life. The idea of becoming a follower of Christ is not for selfish gain but to contribute to a collective body of like minded believers.
I look at the world and see how people, most people, only think about what they can get from you. The passage in Acts shows me that being a Christian is not like the rest of the world in that the blessings from God overflow to those around you. You benefit by sharing what God has provided because others around you are doing the same.
The Acts verses brings hope to me yet I still have not seen the things described done today. I see people gathering in buildings each week only to go out with themselves as their only motivation.
I am motivated to do more than be a hearer of the Word of God. In James chapter one it is written that we should not be hearers of the Word but that we should be doers as well. In chapter two it goes on to say that what good is faith without works and what good is works without faith.
These passages motivate me to do more than sit in a pew on Sunday morning. Reading these words give me a desire to bring about change that is so needed. I am not talking about going to some street corner and shouting at strangers. I am referring to the change that the Church needs so desperately.
In 1 Corinthians 12 it is written that we, the church, is one body having many parts and that the parts have specific functions as related to the body. We should rejoice in the fact that each of us has different functions. We are not meant to be robots or clones. We are not to change so that we are just like everyone else, but we are to be aware of how God made us.
My inspiration comes from the freedom found in reading God’s Word. In Psalm 128 it says that the one who fears the Lord and walks in the ways of the Lord is happy. I know that the fear this verse means is not a fear of trembling but a fear liken to a reverence for the Creator. I am delighted by the fact the God provides for those who are faithful and call upon His name.
It is easy to get lost in the temporary feeling of joy after allowing deciding to follow after Christ, but the true joy comes after that when you realize that this being a Christian is not some membership like a membership at a wholesale club. This membership is becoming a member of a family.
In Mark 3 : 35 it is written that Jesus told a group gathered in a house that whoever does the will of God is His brother, sister and mother. Romans 8 says that we if we are children of God then we are also heirs and co-heirs with Christ.
I find inspirational the various passages proclaiming hope for those who seek earnestly after the Lord. The motivation in my life is to live life that reflects these principles set forth in the Bible and not to merely say I believe something but to show that I believe in more than luck.
Today it is easy to get caught up in the religion of Christianity, but the foundation of the Faith is not some building but the people that call upon the Name of the Lord for Salvation. Salvation is not saying a prayer or having perfect attendance on Sunday mornings. Salvation is a life changing moment when a person acknowledges that he or she is a sinner in need of redemption.
Salvation is not having a superior attitude because Salvation is not something you can ever gain by doing anything except believe and tell God that you want the free gift of eternal life. The prayer is the beginning of the change that has been the inspiration for me to keep going. The Bible is the reminder of the Hope that keeps me waking up everyday determined to be different.
I use the Holman Christian Standard Version of the Bible. HCSB
