Inhale and Exhale Part 2
Explanations for the Importance of these Verses
JOHN 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life .
This verse explains salvation quickly and easily! With this verse in your arsenal you can quote it to explain salvation to a buddy.
PSALM 101:3
I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them.
This is a verse for today’s computer/iPad/cellphone owning generation— you are constantly bombarded by the media. Since some TV shows, movies, and internet content can be harmful for young minds, this verse will remind you to stay away from anything that doesn’t please God.
LUKE 6:31
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Known even in non-Christian circles as “the golden rule”, this little verse is easy to memorize. Sibling rivalry is often a big problem we face in childhood, and this verse can help you think twice before walloping your brother or sister on the head.
COLOSSIANS 3:20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord (NIV).
Ha! That’s Mom and Dad’s favorite verse! You may not be too keen on it, but remember Exodus 20:12 as well, it reminds you that God promises long life to those who honor their parents.
PHILIPPIANS 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (NKJV).
If you are going through rough times at school and at home you can be comforted by this verse. If you learn to find strength and a “can do” attitude in God at an early age, there’s no telling what you can accomplish as adults.
ECCLESIASTES 7:22
For you know how often you yourself have curses others. (NLV)
This verse is perfect for when you are dealing with gossip. The Bible hits the nail on the head when it reminds us that we are good at dishing out the criticism, but we don’t like to take it.
1 JOHN 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (NIV).
Humans can be so unforgiving, but we need to know that
God will ALWAYS forgive us when we mess up!
PSALM 118:6
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? (ESV).
God is with us all the time! When you are afraid, remember this verse and be confident that God will take care of you and help you.
EPHESIANS 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (NIV).
If you are tempted to get into squabbles and arguments remember this scripture passage and learn to forgive others, since God has forgiven you.
PSALM 107:1
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good! His loving-kindness lasts forever! (NLV).
A thankful person is a happy person. If you learn to be grateful while you are young, you will live a much fuller, joy-filled life.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (NKJV)
Out with the old, in with the new! This verse is fabulous for reminding us that following Jesus isn’t just about getting a “free ticket to heaven”. It’s a super-cool transformation that changes the way we think and act.
PROVERBS 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (NASB)
You have a long journey ahead of you. If you learn to trust God and not your own “hunches” or “instincts”, you will make better decisions along the way.
I CORINTHIANS 15:3-4
I passed on to you what I received. And this was the most important: that Christ died for our sins, as the Scriptures say; that he was buried and was raised to life on the third day as the Scriptures say.
It’s the Gospel in a nutshell! This verse helps us remember the three major Gospel events: Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
COLOSSIANS 3:2
Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. (NASB)
Life is filled with material distractions. We need to know that “stuff” can make us happy only for a moment. But God can give us true joy that lasts forever.
HEBREWS 18:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (NKJV)
Our world is constantly changing. Is there anything or anyone we can count on forever? Yep! His name is Jesus, and he won’t let us down.
MATTHEW 5:14
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. (NIV)
When someone asks, “What’s my purpose in life?” This is the answer. We were made to be lights in this dark world.
2 TIMOTHY 3:16
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (NIV)
It’s important for us to know that God’s Word, the Bible, can be trusted. It was written down by man, but the words were inspired by God himself.
PSALM 119:9
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. (NIV)
Today’s culture definitely doesn’t encourage purity in people. But we can still follow that path by reading God’s Word and applying it to our lives.
GENESIS 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (NIV)
The question of where we come from is crucial. It affects our whole identity. When we know that God created all things it helps us understand that he created us, too, and has a purpose for our lives.
ROMANS 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us. (NIV)
Do you wonder, “Does God love me?” you will find the answer in this verse. God showed us he loves us by dying for us.
GALATIANS 5:22
But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law that says these things are wrong. (NCV)
If you allow the Holy Spirit to guide your decisions, you’ll get love, joy, peace and more in you life. Now that’s some yummy “fruit” that money can’t buy!
PHILIPPIANS 4:8
Brothers, continue to think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. (ICB)
If you have trouble with negative or impure thoughts you can add this verse to your arsenal. The mind is a battlefield, so let’s fight off bad thoughts with good ones!
JAMES 4:2b-3
You do not get what you want because you do not ask God. Or when you ask, you do not receive because the reason you ask is wrong. You want things only so that you can use them for your own pleasures. (ICB)
This verse helps understand that prayer works! But we need to take the time to ask God for what we want, and our motives must be right.
ROMANS 8:35
Can anything separate us from the love Christ has for us? Can troubles or problems or sufferings or hunger or nakedness or danger or violent death? (NCV)
If there ever was a “security blanket” in a verse, this is it. You can find comfort knowing that NOTHING can come between them and God’s love.
I CORINTHIANS 10:31
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God. (NASB)
“Gray areas” (issues the Bible doesn’t talk about much or at all) can be confusing. You may wonder, “Should I… (insert questionable activity)?” This verse can help with that. If you can’t do it “for the glory of God”, it’s better not to do it at all.
1 JOHN 5:3
Loving God means obeying his commands. And God’s commands are not too hard for us.
Just love God! That’s what you will hear over and over in church. But how can we love God? This verse has the answer.
ACTS 5:29
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! (NIV)
Uh-oh. Mom says to tell a lie. God says not to. Both are authorities, but this verse helps you sort out who to obey.
PSALM 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. (NIV)
The world’s beauty standards are so unattainable. But kids can feel pressure from all around to look a certain way. This verse gives them confidence that God made them wonderful, just the way they are.
