Me, my, I

Have you ever personalized the Bible?

This is where you insert "me" or "my" or "I" or your name into a Scripture.

When we do this, the promises and their benefits can become more alive to us. Psalm 119:40

When we don't personalize Bible verses, sometimes we may skip over them, Hebrews 2:1 particularly when they want us to change our behavior. James 4:8

How about some examples?

SALVATION

For God so loved the world [me] that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone [I] who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

For God did not send His Son into the world [to me] to condemn the world [me], but to save the world [me] through Him. John 3:16-17

But what does it say? "The word is near you [me]; it is in your [my] mouth and in your [my] heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:

that if you [I] confess with your [my] mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your [my] heart that God raised Him from the dead, you [I] will be saved.

For with your [my] heart you [I] believe and are justified, and with your [my] mouth you [I] confess and are saved. Romans 10:8-10

HEALING

When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Jesus, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all [me] the sick.

This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

"He took on our [my] infirmities and carried our [my] diseases." Matthew 8:16-17

He Himself [Jesus] bore our [my] sins in His body on the tree,

so that we [I] might die to sin and live to righteousness.

"By His stripes you [I am also] are healed." 1 Peter 2:24

PRAYER

Jesus said, "If you [I] believe, you [I] will receive whatever you [I] ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22

And I [Jesus] will do whatever you [insert your name] ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13

PROTECTION

He [I] who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

And lead us [me] not into temptation, but deliver us [me] from the evil one. Matthew 6:13

PROSPERITY

For you [I] know the grace of our [my] Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your [my] sakes He became poor, so that you [I] through His poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

The elder, to the beloved Gaius [insert your name], whom I love in the truth:

Beloved, I pray that in every way you [I] may prosper and enjoy good health, as your [my] soul also prospers. 3 John vs.1-2

COMFORT

Blessed be the God and Father of our [my] Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

Who comforts us [me] in all our [my] troubles, so that we [I] can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we [I myself] ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Now may our [my] Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our [my] Father,

Who by grace has loved us [me] and given us [me] eternal comfort and good hope,

encourage your [my] hearts and strengthen you [me] in every good word and deed. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

PEACE

Peace I leave with you; [insert your name]

My peace I [Jesus] give to you. [me]

I do not give to you [me] as the world gives.

Do not let your [my] hearts be troubled; do not be afraid. [I won't be afraid] John 14:27

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your [my] hearts and your [my] minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

JOY

I [Jesus] have told you [me] these things so that My joy may be in you [me] and your [my] joy may be complete. John 15:11

Until now you [I] have not asked for anything in My name. [Jesus']

Ask and you [I] will receive, so that your [my] joy may be complete. John 16:24

GUIDANCE

The Lord will always guide you; [me]

He will satisfy you [me] in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your [my] frame.

You [I] will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11

However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you [me] into all truth.

For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you [me] what is to come. John 16:13

These are some of the potential ways to do this when you read or listen to the Bible.

Why not try it today?

FAMILY or GROUP COVERAGE

For those who want to include your family or other group important to you, insert "us" or "our" into the appropriate Scriptures.

"I've prayed and believed for our family [or group]. 

I've put our name into some Bible verses.

Let's look forward to what God our Father will do." Matthew 6:6; Ephesians 3:20-21

… for this reason I [insert your name] bow my knees before the Father, from Whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. Ephesians 3:14-15

Your thoughts?

R. Jason