Our Pastor 

Our pastor, Jeff Moorehead, sends out an encouraging church-wide email every Thursday. This Thursday, his header was My Top Ten Life Centering Truths. He introduced his thoughts like this:

“What truths center and guide your life the most? For me, there are many, but if I had to reduce it to the ten most dynamic passages of scriptural truths, it would be these. They keep me motivated and focused.”

After providing his ten passages and principles/centering thoughts (which you can read at the end of today’s post), he concluded with this question:

“How about you? What truths has the Lord used in your life to keep you living for Him?”

What About Bob? 

That got me thinking about my current way of answering that. I worded my question a tad differently from Pastor Jeff, though both questions are important. My wording:

“Right now, with my current life situation, what biblical passages and scriptural principles am I seeing the Lord using in my life to keep me basking in His grace-love, loving Him, and loving others?”

My Current Top 10 Soul-Capturing Passages and Principles 

1. Isaiah 40:10-11: “Here is your God! See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (The most important fact about us is our view of God—the Bible beautifully presents God as the infinite, perfect blending of holiness and love, as our Affectionate Sovereign, as our Sovereign Shepherd, as our Shepherd King.)

2. Romans 8:1: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (We are reconciled to and at peace with God through our union with Christ in His life, death, burial, and resurrection.)

3. Luke 15:20-24: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. (Salvation is justification: “Forgiven!” Salvation is reconciliation: “Welcome home, son! Welcome home, daughter!”) 

4. Ephesians 3:18-19: Paul prays that we “may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (The most important knowledge we can have is the personal awareness and experience of God’s infinite love for us revealed in and through Christ.)

5. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (I cling to the biblical image of God the Father as our Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.)

6. Hebrews 4:14-16: “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (I cling to the biblical image of God the Son as our sympathetic High Priest through Whom we find grace to help in our time of need.)

7. Romans 8:26-28: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (I cling to the biblical image of God the Spirit as the One Who groans with me and grows Christlikeness in me.)

8. Romans 8:37-39: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For 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, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (I cling to the eternal biblical reality that I am forever secure in and will never be separated from the love of God in Christ.)

9. Matthew 22:36-40: “‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” (Life is about relationships—worshipful, loving relationship with God and sacrificial, mutual ministry relationships with one another.) 

10. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8: “Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives—our very souls—as well.” (Christ’s love motivates me to share both Scripture and soul, both truth and love, with everyone He puts in my path.).

Given how I worded the question (“…right now with my current situation…”) ask me again in a week, and I may share different passages and principles with you. These are the passages and principles that God is currently keeping at the forefront of my mind.

Pastor Jeff’s Top Ten Centering Truths 

Here are 10 amazing, life-changing biblical truths that Pastor Jeff is building his life upon.

1. Isaiah 45:22: “Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God and there is no other.” (God exists as the only true and living God.)

2. Romans 11:36: “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (God is the Maker of everything and deserves all worship and honor.)

3. Psalm 103:19: “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.” (God reigns over all and has everything under control.)

4. Romans 3:10–12: “There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one.” (I am a guilty sinner who is unable to do any good.)

5. 2 Corinthians 5:21: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (Jesus Christ took my sin, which He didn’t deserve, so I could take His righteousness which I didn’t deserve.)

6. Ephesians 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” (Christ gave me every resource I need to live a life pleasing to Him.)

7. Romans 8:28–29: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son.” (I am reassured that God is orchestrating every detail of my life for my greater good in becoming more like His Son, Jesus Christ.)

8. 1 Thessalonians 5:24: “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” (God can be trusted in every aspect of life because He is trustworthy.)

9. 1 Corinthians 15:57–58: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore…be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (God has already won the victory, so I can serve Him with all my heart and know it will make an eternal difference.)

10. Revelation 22:13: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.” (The Lord is coming again, so I can live a life of readiness.)

Join the Conversation 

How about you?

What truths has the Lord used in your life to keep you living for Him?

Right now, with your current life situation, what biblical passages and scriptural principles are you seeing the Lord using in your life to keep you basking in His grace-love, loving Him, and loving others?