Glenn Gohr's Bible Favorites


My favorite Scripture verse:

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31 KJV).


My favorite Bible story


My favorite parable is the story of the Prodigal Son,

although many times I identify more with the older brother than with the one who squandered his inheritance. There is a lesson to be learned from both perspectives of the story.

Luke 15:11-32:


11: And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13: And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14: And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15: And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16: And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17: And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18: I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19: And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20: And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21: And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22: But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25: Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26: And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27: And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28: And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29: And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31: And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32: It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.


The 23rd Psalm:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.


The Lord's Prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)


The Golden Rule:

"Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You" (Matthew 7:12).


The Pledge to the Christian Flag:

I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands; one brotherhood, uniting all true Christians in service and in love.


The Pledge to the American Flag:

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.


The Pledge to the Holy Bible:

I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God's Holy Word. I will make it a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path, and will hide its words in my heart that I may not sin against God.


The Gospel in a nutshell:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16 KJV).


The Gospel Explained More Fully:


*If you have questions, if you would like to know more about making Jesus the Lord of your life, of if these Scriptures have impacted you in some way, please send me an e-mail.



G R A C E equals:

G od's

R iches

A t

C hrist's

E xpense


My favorite gospel songwriter is Ira Stanphill.

Each one of his songs has a message of hope to help in living the Christian life. Not only are the words meaningful, but the tunes are lively and catchy also. One of his songs that means a lot to me is Jesus and Me. Others I like include Mansion Over the Hilltop, Supper Time, and I Know Who Holds Tomorrow.

All of his songs are still copyrighted, so I can't share the words with you here without permission, but I did write another verse to his song, Supper Time, so if you know the song, here is what I've added for the last stanza:

Now time is short and fleeting like a vapor,

We know not when we'll hear the judgment call.

The harvest waits while souls of men are dying,

So bid them to the Master's banquet hall!

(Then sing the chorus)



My favorite hymn of the church

as found in most hymnals is that blessed hymn with words penned by Isaac Watts called When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. It contains the gospel message so clearly and with such feeling and commitment. I could sing this song every day as a prayer of commitment to God.

When I survey the wondrous cross, On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.


Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ, my God;

All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.


See, from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down;

Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?


Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.



Another meaningful hymn that speaks of the mission of the Church or the job of every Christian is Hark! The Voice of Jesus Crying. Here is the first and last verse:

Hark! The voice of Jesus crying, "Who will go and work today?

Fields are white and harvests waiting, Who will bear the sheaves away?"

Loud and long the Master calleth, Rich reward He offers thee;

Who will answer, gladly saying, "Here am I, send me, send me"?

Let none hear you idly saying, "There is nothing I can do,"

Fields are white and harvests waiting, Who will bear the sheaves away?"

Loud and long the Master calleth, Rich reward He offers thee;

Who will answer, gladly saying, "Here am I, send me, send me"?





My favorite Christmas song is O Little Town of Bethlehem,

a popular hymn written by Phillips Brooks around 1868 and which was inspired by the prophecy found in Micah 5:2. The message and the music are both very powerful. Here are the first and last verses:

O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie!

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by;

Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting Light;

The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight.

O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray;

Cast out our sin and enter in, Be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell;

O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel.



My favorite hymn about Jesus' passion and dying is Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted,

a Lutheran hymn written by Thomas Kelly in 1804 which relates the scene depicted in Isaiah 53:3-5. I like the words and also the music which is written in a minor key. Here are the first and last verses:

Stricken, smitten, and afflicted, See Him dying on the tree!

'Tis the Christ by man rejected; Yes, my soul, 'tis He, 'tis He!

'Tis the long expected Prophet, David's Son, yet David's Lord;

Proofs I see sufficient of it; "Tis the true and faithful Word.

Here we have a firm foundation, Here the refuge of the lost;

Christ's the Rock of our salvation, His the name of which we boast.

Lamb of God, for sinners wounded, Sacrifice to cancel guilt!

None shall ever be confounded Who on Him their hope have built.



My favorite Easter hymn is Christ the Lord is Risen Today,

a well-known hymn of the church with lyrics by Charles Wesley. The words of this song have great meaning, and the alleluias really make the song come alive as we remember and relive the joy of Christ's resurrection. Here are the first and last verses:

Christ the Lord is risen today, Al-le-lu-ia!

Sons of men and angels say, Al-le-lu-ia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Al-le-lu-ia!

Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Al-le-lu-ia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Al-le-lu-ia!

Following our exalted Head, Al-le-lu-ia!

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Al-le-lu-ia!

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Al-le-lu-ia!



Copyright 1998-2004 by Glenn Gohr.

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Last updated June 1, 2004.

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