Estes Echo
Ready Access to the Most Important Words
You probably have a Bible that you have read, reread, and loved. It might be falling apart with passages underlined, notes in the margins, and wrinkled pages from being transported from place to place with you. If you are too young to have already had this experience with a specific Bible, maybe you have a parent or grandparent or maybe even a beloved brother or sister in Christ who has one of these cherished artifacts. Whether you pick up a family heirloom or log onto one of the many online ways to access the Bible–or even turn to multiple versions that you have downloaded to your mobile device, surely you have a list of favorite verses that you go to when you need them. One of the wonderful features of our connected world is that we can easily access the Lord’s Word, even when we can’t get our hands on our favorite Bible. Another exciting thing about access to the Word online is that you can connect to the many other people who love the same words that you do, that people all around the world who are accessing these words of hope, inspiration, and salvation!
Biblegateway.com uses its digital records to track the verses that people look up on its site. Here is a countdown of the top 10 accessed verses:
10. Matt 28:19: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
9. Phil 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
8. Rom 12:2: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
7. Prov 3:6: in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
6. Prov 3:5: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
5. Gen 1:1: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
4. Phil 4:13: I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
3. Rom 8:28: 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.
2. Jer 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
1. John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Did your favorite verse make the list? Tell us in the comments.
