When teaching or preaching, I often talk about Core Scriptures. In this article, I will explain what Core Scriptures are and why it is important for you to develop Core Scriptures. You may know them by another name, but I call them Core Scriptures because they are the center of my life.
What are Core Scriptures? Core Scriptures are a set of scriptures I have memorized for use whenever I face a situation or circumstance that requires a choice. Their purpose is to lead me into making godly choices.
King David wrote, “I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11 CSB)
God’s Word Brings Balance to Your Life
Every one of us must make choices in life. These choices determine the direction of our life. The reason bad things happen to good people is they have made bad choices.
When you look back on your life, you quickly realize the life you live now is the result of choices you made in the past. Core Scriptures allow me to make good choices based on God’s Word.
When satan tempted Jesus to make the wrong choice, Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy 8:3:
“He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4 CSB)
Jesus is our example of how to make choices based on what God has said in His Word. We are to live our life based on what God’s Word says.
Earlier this week they held the midterm elections. There was a discussion among some of my fellow workers about why they vote Democrat or Republican. Finally, they turned to me and asked if I was Democrat or Republican and how I voted. I responded with, “I am Christian, and I vote the Bible.”
I explained to them I use the Bible and what God says to determine which candidate I will vote for. Why do I choose whom to vote for, using God’s Word as my guide? Because of the first Core Scripture I ever developed:
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. (Matthew 6:33 CSB)
I compared the candidate’s beliefs to what God’s Word says. Those who were closest aligned with the Word of God are the ones I voted for.
This is a prime example of how I use God’s Word to make godly choices. I bring balance to my life by making choices based on God’s Word. My Core Scriptures allow me to make choices that are the correct and godly choices.
If you need help in your Bible study, here are some of my articles that will help you:
Bible Study for Beginners: The Simple Method for Young and Old
How to Develop Core Scriptures
You are probably wondering by now how I developed my Core Scriptures. I chose the Core Scriptures I use because they were the constant answers to my questions about how to live.
Early in my Christian walk, I chose to live by God’s Word, no matter what. It was a quality decision I never backed off from. As I would search God’s Word for answers, I realized I was using some of the same verses over and over. Those are the verses that became my Core Scriptures.
I memorized my Core Scriptures and use them regularly. My Core Scriptures are the very center of my Christian walk.
5 Steps to Developing Core Scriptures
- Read God’s Word daily
- Meditate on what you have read each day
- Daily spend time in your prayer closet
- Make the quality decision to live by God’s Word, no matter what
- Turn to the Word for every decision
Do these five steps and you will develop the Core Scriptures you need for your life. It is a process that takes time and is worth every effort. Allow your Core Scriptures to naturally develop over time. This will happen because you find certain scriptures will consistently answer your question, “What do I do?”
Here are two articles of mine that may help you:
Meditate Scripture | The Next Essential Step to Your Successful Life
When to Use Core Scriptures
Use Core Scriptures whenever you face a decision on what to do. Very often, it is a hard decision. Let me give you an example.
I was working for a company and managed a team of twelve people. One afternoon, we had a conference call with the head office that included all the management. The company partnered with another company to take our company public. To accomplish this goal, all the managers will need to lie and mislead all the employees under them.
I was making $60k plus with this company. If I would cooperate in doing this, I would make an additional $100k that year. Now I have a choice. Do I stand by my Christian principles and lose the money and a job, or do I go along because I am simply following orders?
I turned to Matthew 6:33 to make my decision. My choice was to seek the Kingdom of God first and I walked away from the job. The hardest call I ever made was to tell my wife I just walked away from the best-paying job I ever had.
A month later, I started working for another company that became even more lucrative than my previous job. God blessed me because I put Him first.
This is an example of how I use my Core Scriptures.
Develop Core Scriptures to Use Daily
Jesus told us we are to live by the Word of God. For us to accomplish this, we need to have God’s Word planted in our hearts.
With the Word planted in our hearts, we can allow that Word to guide every aspect of our life. Our instinct should be to do whatever the Word says. My Core Scriptures don’t answer every situation that arises in my life. There are many times I need to fast and pray over decisions.
Yet, Core Scriptures provide a framework upon which you live. They guide you to live according to the principles found in God’s Word.
They allow you to make tough decisions based on God’s Word instead of what the world says is right. Every one of us will face hard decisions throughout our life. The choices we make will affect the life we live.
I developed Core Scriptures so that I can make eternal choices based on God’s Word. My Core Scriptures are a constant reminder that I am an eternal being and this life is but a wisp or vapor compared to eternity.
Here is another article I wrote that will help you:
My Core Scriptures
Here are my ten Core Scriptures. I use them to guide my life and remind me of who I am in Christ.
- But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. (Matthew 6:33 CSB) This was my first Core Scripture. I use it constantly as a guide for life-affecting choices. Anything from job choices to whether I work on a Sunday. I will use it this year to decide if I will attend church on Christmas Day because that is also the holiday. Yes, I will attend church. This verse tells me not to put the holiday celebration before worshiping the One we are celebrating.
- Above all, be strong and very courageous to observe carefully the whole instruction my servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so you will succeed wherever you go. This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. (Joshua 1:7-8 CSB) This is God’s proven plan for prosperity and success.
- I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11 CSB) This is how I keep sin out of my life.
- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 CSB) This is my answer to the devil when he brings up past sins.
- But the righteous one will live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4 CSB) Now without faith it is impossible to please God… (Hebrews 11:, CSB) This is my constant reminder I must live by faith.
- Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes. (James 4:14 CSB) This reminds me my life is eternal and our life on earth is so short. When trying times come, I use this verse.
- I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6 CSB) This verse is my constant reminder God is not done with my life. He is still working in and through me.
- Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:7 CSB) I use this verse to keep me humble. It is God’s power working through me and not because of me.
- I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 CSB) My constant reminder that nothing is impossible with God.
- And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 CSB) My constant reminder that God is my provider. I am not dependent on my job. The purpose of a job is to provide seed to sow.
Develop Core Scriptures For Your Life
Take the time to develop Core Scriptures. They provide stability for your Christian walk. You can then be sure the choices you make are godly choices.
Life on earth is too short to waste. We need to make the biggest impact for Jesus we can. This means living as God intended us to live.
The life we live is our witness to others about the difference God makes in our life. Core Scriptures keep our focus on God, allowing us to live a life of faith in God.
People around us notice this. They begin to admire the stability God brings to our life. This admiration leads to questions that lead to evangelism: the actual sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Along with stability, Core Scriptures bring peace and confidence to the believer who takes the time to develop Core Scriptures.
Start today to develop Core Scriptures and bring balance to your spiritual life.
Here are other articles of mine that will help you:
Your Purpose in Life: The Reason You are Alive Today
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