What’s Your Life Verse?

“Tebow’s effect hard to ignore” led the sport’s column after the Denver Broncos’ victory over the Steelers in the NFL national playoffs this week. “He kneels in prayer at times when many players would be pounding their chest,” Eddie Pelts of the Associated Press reports. Pelts’ question, “Does God really care about football? is answered by Joe Price, a professor in the religious studies department a Whittier College. “Not one whit. But does God care about people who play football? You betcha.”Whether you’re a huge follower of sports or agree with Price, no one can ignore Tim Tebow. School students emulate him and kneel in school halls. He’s the subject of talk shows and sermons. This bold witness for Christ, who used to stencil 3:16 into his eyeblack when he played in Florida, lives his passion for Christ. He has carried before millions John 3:16, “For God so loved the world He gave HIs only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.”

While other players have knelt in prayer and given credit to God for their success, something especially unusual happened to this remarkable Christian football player. While some are calling it “coincidence”, others are asking Pelts’ question, “Does God care about football?”

I choose to agree with Price that God cares about people and is doing all He can to reach us. What’s your take on the fact that the John 3:16 Tebow threw for 316 yards and set an NFL playoff record by averaging 31.6 yards per pass? Is it a “coincidence” or is God showing favor? Could it be that God is using a willing Christian to impact those in his sphere of influence? “You betcha!” I say. The most widely searched item on Google for much of Sunday night into Monday was John 3:16.

What Does This Mean for Us

It’s great for us to be armchair sport’s enthusiasts and cheer for a fine Christian player. But could it be that God has a message for those of us who are already Christians? Could it be that God is saying that we’re to be living out our “life verse” as well for our spouses, children, friends, and co-workers to see? John 3:16 is Tim Tebow’s life verse. What’s yours? When others look at you, do they say, “Oh, Mom loves….and then quotes a verse? Do your employees or employer know that you live by the verse …..? Is it a predictable fact that when your friends or family call with a need that you direct them to find encouragement and hope in the verse …..?

If you don’t have a Bible verse “associated” with God’s mission for your life and His message through you consider the following. Might any one of them fit? If not, why not ask God to show you the verse He desires you most live out before others. Begin reading through the Bible with the quest to discover that most important life verse for you. My personal one is found in Philippians 3:7-10 – to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. Hill Country Ministries’ mission statement, “to spread God’s Word and love,” is based on Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”

Friends’ Life Verses

Following are some of my friends’ life verses. How do I know? They live them out.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made know to God,” Philippians 4:6.

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me,” Philippians 4:13.

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be empted beyound what youare able, but with the temptation will provide the way o fescape also, so that will be able to endure it,” 1 Corinthians 10:13.

“God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose,” Romans 8:28.

“‘I know the plans I have for you,‘ declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a futre and a hope,’” Jeremiah 29:11.

I wonder if God is using Tim Tebow to awaken the rest of us to the fact that He does notice and care what we’re living out before others. I wonder if God is encouraging us that by living out our life verse we can make a difference.

I’d love to know your life verse. Here are two easy ways to share it with me: Send me a note at www.debbietaylorwilliams.com or post it below.

Heavenly Father, thank You for bold witnesses like Tim Tebow. Protect him and use him for Your glory. Use us, too. Awaken us to the fact that You see and care how we are influencing others. Carve within our hearts the verse by which we are to live and witness to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

YOU’RE INVITED!

If you live in the TX hill country, please join me at the KROC Center for a 10 week community Bible study on “The Plan A Christian in a Plan B World.” We’ll meet at noon beginning January 24. You can sit and listen; or after I teach, stay and enjoy round table discussion. Call 830-315-5762 and register.