Personalizing Scripture

Growing up I have heard many pastors and teachers advise inserting your own name into Scripture to personalize it, to help make yourself realize that the Bible is indeed a love letter to us.  One of the most common ways I have heard this done is John 3:16...

For God so loved [Jennifer] that He gave His only begotten Son; that [if Jennifer] believes in Him, [she] will not perish, but have everlasting life.

When reading Ruth Bell Graham's books, she talked about how doing this made Scripture real and dear to her, and helped carry her through very dark times in her life.  I specifically remember her talking about Lamentations 3:22-23.  She wrote how she would quote that passage saying,

Through the Lord's mercies [Ruth is] not consumed, because His compassions [to Ruth] fail not.  They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness [to Ruth]. 

I agree that this a good practice because for some reason, we can have a misunderstanding of the Bible as an ancient, hard to understand and irrelevant book when in reality,  God's Word is alive - living and active in our hearts and lives today (Hebrews 4:12)!  

I recently completed another Women of Faith study, this one titled Imagine: God Can Do More Than You Ever Dreamed.  In the 12th chapter, I read a passage from the Psalms and instantly found myself inserting my own name, making this beautiful promise come alive in my heart.

Psalm 91:14-16

Because [Jennifer] has set [her] love upon Me, therefore I will deliver [her];

I will set [her] on high, because [she] has known My name.

[Jennifer] shall call upon Me, and I will answer [her];

I will be with [Jennifer] in trouble;

I will deliver [Jennifer] and honor [her].

With long life I will satsify [her],

And show [her] My salvation.

What a promise to claim! God will deliver me and set me on high.  He will be with me.  He will deliver and honor me.  He will satisfy me and show me His salvation.  Put your own name in there.  Know He will deliver you, set you on high, answer you; be with you; deliver and honor you; satisfy you; and show you His salvation - if you set your love upon Him; know His name; and call upon Him.

I hope you read and claim God's Word in 2012...study it...let it come alive in your heart and life...let it change you from the inside out.  Know it applies to you personally just as much today as it did when it was written!

Let's set our love upon Him together this year,

Jennifer