My Favorite Bible Verses

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KATHY HOWARD

TO

MY FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE

SPECIAL EDITION

When I was a kid growing up in Shreveport, Louisiana, I wanted to believe in Big Foot. My hometown was less than an hour’s drive from Fouke, the Bigfoot capital of Arkansas, and the inspiration behind the 1972 movie “The Legend of Boggy Creek.” The first documented “sighting” of the Fouke monster occurred in 1908 with dozens more since.

Bigfoot legend ran thick in our neck of the woods. When I was a teenager, once or twice some friends and I drove around the Fouke area after dark hoping to spot this famous, but elusive creature for ourselves. But we never got a glimpse of Bigfoot. And I never believed.

Some people view the resurrection of Jesus a little like the legend of Bigfoot – an overgrown myth that captured a following. But unlike Bigfoot, overwhelming evidence exists that Jesus Christ rose from the grave.

In the twentieth chapter of his Gospel, John contrasted belief and doubt. He recorded how Jesus Himself provided undeniable proof of His resurrection.

On the night after He rose from the grave, Jesus appeared to His fearful disciples. His sudden presence inside a locked room demonstrated He was no longer bound by physical limitations. He invited them to touch His wounds to relieve their doubts. Jesus even made a repeat appearance just for Thomas, the only disciple not present the first time. (See John 20:19-29.)

Jesus knew that like Thomas many would struggle to believe in the resurrection. So during the forty days between His resurrection and ascension, Jesus also appeared to others (Acts 1:3). In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul specifically cited Peter, the disciples, a group of more than 500 at the same time, Jesus’s half-brother James, and Paul himself (1 Corinthians 15:5-8). All of these had firsthand knowledge that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead.

I think the strongest proofs of the resurrection are the martyrdoms of the eyewitnesses who chose to die for Christ rather than change their testimony. Six of the eleven original disciples died a martyr’s death, as did Jesus’s half-brother James, Paul who saw the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, and many others. They all willingly gave their lives because they knew Jesus was alive.

Near the end of his Gospel John includes a call for his readers to believe:

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30-31 (ESV)

Throughout John’s account, he presented overwhelming evidence that Jesus is the risen Messiah sent by God. Those who believe in Him will receive the eternal life He gives.

What about you, do you believe?

This post was adapted from Kathy’s new devotional book Deep Rooted: Growing Through the Gospel of John.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Long to experience a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with Jesus? Begin by getting to know Him better. The more we know about Jesus the more we will love Him. In his Gospel, the apostle John uniquely and beautifully introduces us to the friend and Lord he knew and deeply loved. Rich theological truths about Jesus’ character, nature, and mission pack John’s account of Jesus’ life. Dig into John and fall in love with Jesus all over again.

Like the rest of the Deep Rooted devotional series, the John volume uses the 4-R Bible study framework to help you learn how to interact with and respond to Scripture, not simply read it. These meaty, daily devotions will increase your hunger for God’s Word, encourage spiritual growth and stability, and lay the groundwork for a life-long, spiritually healthy habit.

ABOUT KATHY HOWARD

Kathy Howard is a treasure hunter. She hunts for the creamiest chocolate, richest coffee, and cherished stories of faith. She also digs deep into Scripture, mining God’s eternal truths. Kathy has a Masters in Christian Education and has taught the Bible for more than 30 years in a wide variety of venues. Kathy is the author of 15 books, including “Heirloom: Living and Leaving a Legacy of Faith” and the “meaty” devotional series “Deep Rooted.” Kathy and her husband live in North Texas. They have three married children and six grandchildren. Find free discipleship resources at www.KathyHoward.org.