This week, we asked The Bucket Ministry employees and board members to share one of their favorite verses and why it is special to them. Read below to find encouragement and inspiration in the Word of God.
Walt Davis – Board Secretary
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. -Psalms 3:5-6
“I like this verse because it helps me take my focus off me and on to God. In order for God to direct one’s path, a person must know what is right, and by doing what is right, our obedience activates God’s promises to us.”
Jeff Watters – Board Member
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. -Psalm 23
“My favorite passage is Psalm 23. This was the first scripture that I ever memorized. It is also a passage that gave me great encouragement and comfort as I battled cancer 18 years ago. It still gives me that same encouragement and comfort today.”
Lisa Johnson – Board Treasurer
Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. -Isaiah 49:16
“I love this scripture, Isaiah 49:16. It reminds me [that] God knows me personally and calls me by name. This also means each one of His children are also known by Him. Every number we serve has a name and every name has a story! We cannot know their story without knowing their name.”
Dominic Onofre – Board Member
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. -Mark 10:45
“Mark 10:45 is a perfect example of what Christ did for us and what we should do for others. Even in all His glory and power, He still wanted to serve us despite all our sin and ultimately give His life for us. I feel that if we can live out this scripture the Eternal impact will be one of great delight to our Father.”
Vernon Goodman – Board Member
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:13-14.
“I am a very proud (too proud) person. I have to keep reminding myself that God gave me the talents and abilities I have. I must forget what I’ve done, and then do what He wants me to do in the future, giving Him the glory and thanks for it, and knowing I will have the prize of eternal life in Him.”
Kristi Brown – Board Member
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 4:6-7
“I love this verse because it reminds us that even in hard times, if we have a relationship with Christ, we can have an unexplainable peace. There have been so many times in situations with our autistic son, on mission trips, etc. that God has given me an overwhelming peace that left no doubt that it was from God. We can’t have that on our own, it’s only through Christ. What an amazing God we serve that He wants that for us.”
Karen Brown – Operations Missions Coordinator
Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! -Psalm 46:10.
“I love this verse because it’s simple. “Be still and Know that I am God.” In any situation and any emotion I feel, I remember this verse, which then helps me remember other truths about God and what He has said throughout the Bible. When I feel unloved or messed up, “be still and know that I am Love”. When I feel alone, “be still and know that I will never leave you nor forsake you.” When I feel scared, “be still and know that I did not give you a spirit of timidity but one of power, love, and self discipline.” When I am happy, “be still and know that I am the resurrection and the life.” In any situation, I can remember Psalm 46:10 and know God is with me.”
Christopher Beth – Director and Founder
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. -Acts 1:8
“I love this verse because it was the mission statement of the early church and should be the mission statement of the modern church, ministries, missionaries, and believers alike. At The Bucket Ministry, we see this as our clear objective, and we use a water filter to be able to bear witness to Him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth!”
Grace Dowling – Graphic Design Intern
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. -Jeremiah 29:12-13
“The 29th chapter of Jeremiah is about exile, but when I read it, I see God’s love and mercy. These specific verses show how faithful God is to His children. It also is a command to His people that we need to be pursuing a relationship with Christ. I love those verses because of the character of God I see when I read it.
Emma Aly – Social Media Intern
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. -Isaiah 43:1-2
“Ever since I was very little, I have been very fearful. Whether it was of monsters in the dark, the first day of school, or the future, I was filled with fear and worry. This tendency hasn’t gone away, but I find comfort in this passage. It reminds me that God claims me as His own. He accompanies me through any challenge, small or large. I am grateful for God’s everlasting and steadfast love.”
