Monday, December 22, 2014

2014 Most Searched Verses

Biblegateway.com is one of the biggest online Bible sites on the internet.  They recently released their 2014 results for what verses and topics people search for the most.  Among this write up there is a list of the top 100 verses searched for.  In America, there are three main categories people search for (according to me).  Let’s explore the top 10 them together.

Coming in at number 10, Philippians 4:7 is a fantastic verse talking about the nature of God, a promise for the believer, and security in Christ.  This is always a verse I love to teach to children because of all that is in here.  If they have trusted in Jesus as Saviour, they are able to claim God’s promise of guarding the heart and mind. This verse starts out by going into the personal security category.

Number 9, Proverbs 3:6 is also a good verse (as if there are bad verses).  This verse fits into the direction category.  People are always looking for direction in their life, and having this verse on the top 10 list certainly validates that.  Children also are looking for direction in life.  Even though it has been short, by ages 3-11, children need to develop a sense of competence.  Helping children understand they are directed by Christ gives hope.

With number 8, we have another example of direction.  Romans 12:2 has a great encouragement to not conform to the world, but to conform to God.  Interestingly with this verse, America was the only one (out of USA, Canada, Britain, Australia) to have this verse in their top 10.  God’s will is not for us, or children to match the world, but to stand out.  It is encouraging to see this verse on the list because it gives me hope that the church acknowledges how hard it is to follow this verse in American culture.

For number 7, we have Psalm 23:4 (the rest of the Psalm fills popularity spaces 11-15).  This verse, and the Psalm in general, fit the personal security category.  People and children are encouraged to know that God will be their comfort.

Proverbs 3:5 takes the 6th place slot, encouraging us to let God direct, leaning not on our own understanding.  Again, direction is important to people who are searching.

Another verse about personal security, Philippians 4:6 holds number 5.  There are wonderful truths taught in this verse, but I can’t help but to begin to wonder if the fact that all of these verses so far have fallen into direction or personal security doesn’t indicate a self serving objective when looking them up.  I’ll give us the benefit of the doubt simply because there are so many positive takeaways from this verse.

Getting the consolation prize in the Semi-finals, Romans8:28 comes in at number 4.  This verse is one of the ones that I’ve read numerous articles about and have a hard time believing everyone who searched it had the right heart attitude in approaching this text.  This verse fits both personal security (all things work together for good) and direction (called according to His purpose).  Exegete correctly and this verse truly does have a great promise.  Exegete incorrectly and you have the prosperity ‘gospel’.

Number 3 is Philippians 4:13.  It’s hard to complain about this verse because I learned it growing up and it is a great personal security passage.  Ranked so highly though, again what is the motivation behind the search?  Am I sounding like a broken record?  Let’s be careful to teach children how to correctly claim this verse for themselves making sure they know it is in God’s will we have our strength, not our own.

In the pole position, *cringe* we have *cringe* Jeremiah… do I need to go on?  Jeremiah 29:11.  Put it on a card, encourage someone with an e-mail, print it on a poster, and just don’t think about the historical context and we’ll be good.  This is likely the most misquoted verses in the Bible.  Seeing it as number 2, which is not terribly surprising (disheartening but not surprising) since it fits in the personal security category, makes me cringe inside.  That exciting hope I had in number 8 has all but evaporated.  Need I say any more about this one?


Finally, in the number 1 slot.  The most looked up verse in the Bible  Likely the most known verse among Christians and non-Christians alike.  You guessed it.  John 3:16.  That wasn’t intended to sound snarky.  I am glad to see this as the number one looked up verse.  This evangelistic verse (only one in the top 10 not in personal security [although you could argue that it does fir that too] or direction) is our opportunity of connection with so many people.  If non-Christians only know John 3:16 we have a much easier time sharing the Gospel.  The attributes of God in this verse are abundantly shown.  The plan of salvation is overviewed.  The culmination of God’s plan since Genesis is described.  John 3:16 as the number 1 verse relifts my spirit and encourages me to continue to share the Gospel.  People are searching for direction in life and for personal security.  Humanity is self centered.  Let us continue to strive and share the Gospel with others and pursuing a God centered mentality.  If that is your goal, feel free to claim Philippians 4:13 because He will be your strength to help you accomplish that. Guaranteed.

Monday, December 8, 2014

2014

Give thanks to Yahweh, call on His name; 
proclaim His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing praise to Him;
tell about all His wonderful works!
honor His holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek Yahweh rejoice.
Search for the Lord and for His strength;
seek his face always.
Remember the wonderful works He has done,
His wonders, and the judgments He has pronounced, 
you offspring of Abraham His servant,
Jacob's descendants-His chosen ones.

This is a Psalm that we can claim for the year 2014. God has done so many wonderful works this year. Our last local board meeting was a time of praise for all that God has blessed us with and here are a few things that were on that list so that you can praise Him too!

Praise God for...
-Four Salvations (this fall)
-New volunteers
-Faithful volunteers
-The children who are attending GNC
-The churches that are partnered with us for GNC
-Schools that allow us to be there
-Great turn out for the banquet
-Provision of a speaker and musician for the banquet
-All the donations that were given for the auction at our banquet
-Good Finances
-Donors
-Committee members
-Local church allowing us to use their room for storage
-Freedom to share the gospel
-His word

If you played a part this year either by praying, volunteering, or supporting financially-thank you!!!!!!