Those who know me probably knew I'd get around to this subject at some point. :)
I love memorizing the Bible! It comes easily for me, and I think it is important to put this ability to use and actually continue to memorize... throughout my life!
It is also good for everyone to memorize. It is not going to be as "easy" for some as it is for me, and there will be others who find it much "easier" than I do, but each of us should be using the talents God has given us and putting them to good use in "Kingdom Work"!
I was working on John 12:23-28 this morning. This is a passage I have been working on for a few weeks. I work on multiple passages at the same time... they are on what I call my "daily" list, my goal being to get through it every day. I find I can learn many more verses by working on multiple passages concurrently than I can by working on one at a time.
As I went through my list today, and came to this passage in John, these words of Jesus before his death jumped off the page at me, "Now is my soul troubled, and what shall I say? Father save me from this hour; but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name."
Wow. What a beautiful example of what our attitude should be! What an amazing glimpse of a "right view" of the world and its inherent troubles! How wonderful it is to be able to see into the heart of our Savior, and find that when He was troubled, His big goal was still to glorify the Father!
This is just one example. Right now I have 183 verses on my "daily" list, and I am not getting through it every day. But from what I do hit, God's uses His Word to minister mightily to my soul. How can I not be encouraged when I read of how Jesus overcame the difficulties of this world, when He was still living on this earth? Even if it is the same verse I have been working on for some weeks, it is GOD'S WORD and it is EFFECTIVE.
Why would I not want to have His Word hidden in my heart? What a good way this is to start my day!
I would encourage every one of you to memorize the Bible too. You do not have to start with a *bang* and try to hit 183 verses a day. Even 1 verse a week, or one a month, is a very healthy practice. As you meditate on the same words, day after day (and for the rest of your life... as you continue to review the verses you learn!), you will find tremendous blessing.
Please, if you do not already, start memorizing... today!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Hope
I have a little reminder to myself on my cell phone. The screen has across the top, in bold black letters, "Hope in God". This was not a "planned" thing. When I was setting up my phone, I came across the option to put text on the screen, along with whatever picture I had there. At the time the reminder to "Hope in God" was very important to me, so I quickly put those words in so that I would be reminded where my hope is (and should, practically, be) every time I looked at my phone and saw those words.
I am glad that I put that there.
It is a very concise, direct reminder to spiritual reality. (II Corinthians 4:16-18) If we stop to think about it, spiritual realities are even MORE REAL than what we can see and touch around us! No matter what is going on in life, we can hope (and rest) in God because He has it all taken care of, clear through to the end of time and into eternity!
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear,
though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
There is a river,
the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God,
the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
God is in the midst of her;
she shall not be moved;
God shall help her,
and that right early.
The heathen raged,
the kingdoms were moved:
he uttered his voice,
the earth melted.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
desolations he hath made in the earth.
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth;
he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder;
he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
(Psalm 46)
I am glad that I put that there.
It is a very concise, direct reminder to spiritual reality. (II Corinthians 4:16-18) If we stop to think about it, spiritual realities are even MORE REAL than what we can see and touch around us! No matter what is going on in life, we can hope (and rest) in God because He has it all taken care of, clear through to the end of time and into eternity!
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear,
though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
There is a river,
the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God,
the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
God is in the midst of her;
she shall not be moved;
God shall help her,
and that right early.
The heathen raged,
the kingdoms were moved:
he uttered his voice,
the earth melted.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
desolations he hath made in the earth.
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth;
he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder;
he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
(Psalm 46)
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