I do a weekly interview of Christian authors on my website. I didn’t come up with the interview questions — I asked readers in several different forums what they’d ask their favorite author if they had the chance. Then, I compiled all of the questions and hand them to each of my guests and let them pick several to answer. It is a very fun experience – both seeing what questions the authors answer and reading the responses.
A friend told me the other day that she’d been thinking about that question and it suddenly dawned on her what she’d want to ask.
What is your favorite Bible verse as it pertains to your writing.
MOST of us have favorite Bible verses. Something will resonate within our souls and that verse will stick. But, that is for our lives, for our hearts, for our souls. When it comes to career, to art, to inspiration, does the verse change?
My life verse is Ephesians 5:2:
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
I have it condensed on my business cards to say, “Live a life of love.”
Everything I do, every interaction and action I have, I want to make sure I’m living a life of LOVE.
That does filter into my work and my writing. But it doesn’t resonate through my writing and my art and my craft. So, I prayed about it, thought about it, and discovered a verse that is so exactly what I want to have as my verse that pertains to my writing:
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
I know, with assurance, that God designed me a very specific way, and part of that design is this gift of writing He placed in my soul to be used for His glory and for His purposes. My husband and I have said that our publishing company will not define success by the world’s yardstick (money, fame, etc.) but by the world’s Ruler (Jehovah God). If I release a book and it sells exactly one copy and twenty years after I die someone reads that book and comes to know Christ through the words, or has a relationship with God that changes for the better through the truths in the modern-day parable, then I will have been a successful author for God’s kingdom.
Every word I write is poured over with prayer. Every gift I have, I thank God for and pray that He’ll continue to use it to His glory.
My challenge to you, if you have not already done so, is to pray about a verse that resonates through your work and your life. Do you have one already? What is it?
One commenter will receive an ebook of one of my recent releases, Courting Calla.
With over half a million sales, Hallee Bridgeman is a best-selling Christian author who writes action-packed romantic suspense focusing on realistic characters who face real-world problems. Her work has been described as everything from refreshing to heart-stopping exciting and edgy. Hallee loves coffee, campy action movies, and regular date nights with her husband. Above all else, she loves God with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength; has been redeemed by the blood of Christ; and relies on the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide her. Subscribers to Hallee's newsletter get her bestselling contemporary romance COURTING CALLA for free! Sign up by clicking the newsletter icon below or going here: http://www.halleebridgeman.com/newsletter
Hi Hallee, thank you for sharing your thoughts. So many of my friends think that reading fiction is silly, a waste of time or that it is not educational/nothing to learn. They are so far from the truth and reading your post has highlighted and reinforced how Christian authors use their gifts to share who God is- thank you:)
Blessings:)
Hi Hallee! Thanks for the challenge and thought provoking blog. The Golden Rule has resonated through my life and work as a daughter, wife, mom, pastor’s wife, teacher, and grandmother. Do unto others as you would want others to do unto you. This rule is based in Jesus’ words in Matthew 22: 37 – 39: Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. While may seem simple and easy I am than always challenged by the great Love Chapter (I Corinthians 13) or the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5) – love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Best wishes and enjoy your weekend.
I am not a writer, except for reviewing Christian fiction, but I appropriated a verse several years ago. Romans 8:38 & 39. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ our Lord. It seems to anchor me!
My verse is John 5:24: Verily, verily, I say unto you, anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment. But has passed from death to life. (I’m writing this from memory. Please forgive me if I didn’t get it verbatim) :)
Love this! My verse is Ecclesiastes 3:1: To everything there is a season A time for every purpose under heaven. Of course, even as I typed it, I was basically singing it in my head, as I LOVE Turn, Turn, Turn!! I had to point out to a friend that it’s Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8. This fits in all areas of life!!
My verse is Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for God Is With You Wherever You Go.
In a world where success is defined by doing big things that people can see and applaud, my verse is 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12: Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (NIV)
Matthew 7:1-2
7 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
I don’t work but when dealing with others I try to not judge. I fail daily but I try again each day. If the world could stop judging and start accepting that everyone is different and just worry about their own lives and choices the world would be such a better place.
What a wonderful Post My favorite is John3:16 For God So Loved The World That He gave his Only Begotten Son I Thank Jesus everyday for letting me see another Day Thank you Hallee for Your wonderful post it touched my heart today!
Loved this. Thanks for sharing. For a long time the Bible verse I’ve relied on is from Psalm 139.5 (NIV quoted below)
“You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.”
I think your friend shouldn’t criticize Christ’s teaching style in such a way. ;-)
The love chapter is one of my favorites!
Love it!
Great verse!
I always end up singing when I read that verse!
Love that!
It would indeed. Thank you!
That is wonderful Sarah! God is very good. :)
Oooh. That’s a great verse!
I love this verse!
“Be still and know that I am GOD.”
Resonates with me every time.
Like MJSH, “Be still and know that I am God” is my personal life verse, because I have so much trouble doing it. :-) My writing verse is Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
Hello!
I loved the article and loved the challenge :) So this one isn’t mine, but from a favorite author (and I certainly love the reminder): “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 (NASB)
I really like the idea you and your husband have about your publishing.
I’ve had this verse with me ever since I was a child and it still speaks to me from time to time:
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”Revelation 3:20
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.
—Philippians 2:14-15
So hard sometimes ;)
A verse that I like is Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.”
My verse is Micah 6:8
Hallee, I love your definition of success. It is so true that God’s sees success so differently from us. It’s easy to fall into the trap of measuring ourselves with the world. I really enjoyed your blog article and felt very encouraged by it. God bless
Hi Hallee! My favorite Bible verse is: Phillipians 4:13 :)