Micah 6:8
But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously -
take God seriously. (MSG)
Each time I autograph one of my novels, I write not only my name, but also the inscription Micah 6:8. Why? There are three reasons:
- I want the reader to know my books are biblically-themed.
- I hope the unchurched will be curious enough about what this verse contains to open a Bible (maybe for the first time in their lives) and be inspired to read more, and to be led to the Lord.
- Micah 6:8 is my "life verse."
What the prophet is saying here sums up in a nutshell what living the Christian life should look like: Love your neighbor as yourself; show mercy as God has shown you mercy, and most importantly, place God first in your life. And it foreshadows perfectly the lessons Jesus would teach His disciples, lessons which we, as Christians today, still follow. As Jesus reiterated anew: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and Love your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27)
Straightforward.
Unencumbered.
Uncomplicated.
Quite simple, isn't it?
~
Do you have a "life verse"? Please share in the comments.
Prayer: Father, let us remember daily in our hearts and minds the Great Commandments Christ Jesus has given to us. May our words and actions always reflect Your endless love and grace. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
My life verse has morphed over the years but the one I use now is Psalm 37:5
ReplyDelete"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this . . ."
DeleteBeautiful and perfect, Bill!
Love and blessings!
I love it Martha! My life verse is Psalm 73:26 - My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Deb! I love reading your life verse every time I visit your blog. Maybe, I should share mine here, too!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Hi Martha! Our church sold paver bricks to raise money. You could have them inscribed with any saying, or just your family name. I chose the passage you use here. (My sister loves it so much, she was going to name one of her children 'Micah')
ReplyDeleteIt's such a beautiful way to frame a life. And I love that you use it in your writing life. You are a true witness to God, and to your creative gifts.
Beautiful!
Ceil
Oh, Ceil, what a touching story you shared here about the bricks and your sister almost using Micah for her child's name (I think it's beautiful, too!)
DeleteAnd thank you for your kind words about my Christian witness. I try, but only with God's help will I succeed.
Love and blessings!
Love this verse from Micah!
ReplyDeleteMy life verses are from Proverbs 3:5-6. I quote them below:
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
An old and familiar passage, yes, but the message to me is timeless. I have always been a *why* person, and often answers elude me. These verses have come to my mind so often as I learn to let go of my ability (more accurately, inability) to understand things, and learn to trust fully on the goodness of my Lord.
GOD BLESS!
This is one of my favorite verses, too, Sharon, and I've used it as the scripture header for more than one post here. We do so often think we know the way and can do things on our own. This passage reminds us to place God first and to lean on Him for our every need. And you're right - we can't possibly understand it all when it comes to God, so it is best to simply trust.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Awesome! I am working on a piece about what love looks like . . . you clearly know the answer!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha, for your kind words. Looking forward to reading your piece on love in the near future!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, I love your life verse. It contains so much to how we should live our lives.
ReplyDeleteAt this point, even though I've pondered it, I don't have a life verse. Although, I'm partial to Zephaniah 3:17 "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."
Love and blessings!
I love that verse, Kim! I know about the life verse business - I went a long time before Micah 6:8 jumped out at me one day and I knew it was "the one." It is difficult to choose when there are plenteous verses which guide us in the way God wants us to live.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Great idea. My life verse is Hebrews 12: 2 - Keep your eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of your faith.
ReplyDeleteFun reading everyone's life verses.
Ah, Jean, what an incredible and meaningful verse! Jesus is, indeed, the author and perfecter of our faith. And yes, I've enjoyed everyone's life verses, too. It reminds me of how God speaks to us in innumerable and individual ways.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh lovely! And congratulations on the 3rd book - I hadn't realized!! You are such an inspiration, Martha.
ReplyDeleteMy verse is Jeremiah 29: 11 ...'For I know the plans I have for you....'
I love, love, love that verse from Jeremiah, Corinne! He does have plans, and I've worked that verse into my third novel of the second series.
DeleteAdventures in the Glade "Revenge!" is published, and the second one, "Redemption" should be out in June. I held onto that until I had resolved what would occur in the third. God is so good with His guidance and in teaching me to take my time in all endeavors, never forcing anything before the time is right.
Love and blessings!
Wow that's so lovely Martha. My verse is
ReplyDeleteIf you are crying because the sun has set down, your tears wont let you see the twinkling stars.
:)
Love it, Privy! Those stars, so infinite and amazing when seen from an unpolluted (by light) sky, are so incredibly splendid to behold. They simultaneously remind me of what an insignificant creature I am, but that I'm not so insignificant that I'm not loved by an eternal and ever-loving God.
DeleteLove and blessings!
And I will be with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20
ReplyDeleteGod bless.