Did you know that it is natural through times of training to have highs and lows? Times of smooth sailing and times it feels like the boat is sinking? Times of great strength and times of real weakness?
I don't know about you, but these things are definitely true of my discipline of memorizing scripture. A few weeks ago I was just struggling. I was unmotivated, undisciplined, and uncaring. The good news is that when you press through the hard times and don't give up, a wonderful surge of motivation and consistency sets in. This is what I'm currently enjoying.
Galation 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good for in the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
How are you doing? Are you pushing through memorizing scripture even in your unmotivated times? Do you let your emotions lead you or do you allow the Holy Spirit to bring you to deeper places in your relationship with Him?
Don't give up!!
Why do we fill our minds with His word anyway? Can you share a situation where God brought a verse or passage to mind that you had memorized that was perfect for the situation? I hope you will post a brief summary in your comment along with your verse for this second half of the month.
Here is my story:
Last Sunday during the gathering we took communion corporately. I had waited until the last minute to walk to the front to take the bread and cup to spend as much time as I could searching my heart in order to confess anything I may be harboring. Before Chad read out of John 15 and prayed, he had us stand. Immediately a verse I memorized last month popped into my head. "If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, therefore, you are feared." (Ps 130:3-4) Instantly, there was a lump in my throat and tears filled my eyes. He beautifully reminded me that he keeps no record of what I've done wrong. Looking across the room to see every single person standing was absolutely beautiful. He is so good to us.
Moments like this with God keep me motivated to memorize His word. I want to give him every way possible to speak to my soul.
Here are my verses for the next two weeks:
Proverbs 31:8-9 Speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
I'm looking forward to reading how God is using His word in your life! Keep posting those verses! If you need help in staying the course, enlist some face to face accountability. Do not give up---He is so worth it!
18 important comments so far. What are your thoughts?
I'm reading through "So Long Insecurity" and have been overwhelmed with how many things in my life that have caused insecurity that I've not given thought to for years! I'm finding so much freedom in acknowledging them and giving them up to Jesus! This was one of the verses in the book:
"I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God." -Isaiah 41: 9-10
Sarah I am reading that too! God is doing some awesome things. I am learning a lot about giving it to Jesus and receiving dignity. So good :)
One that has been on my heart lately:
When you give it to them,
they gather it up;
when you open your hand,
they are satisfied with good things.
Psalm 104:28
As the months have gone on it has been much harder for me to be disciplined in memorizing my verses. Many times I'm memorizing them on the 1st and the 15th. I'm working on creating a little bit of margin in my life in order to help with this.
God has brought to my mind the verses that I have memorized quite a few times this year. I went through a period at work where I was really anxious every time I had to work. The first time it happened God reminded me of Philippians 4:6-7. I was reminded that He can give us a peace that goes beyond our understanding. I started praying this verse every time I worked and the anxiousness went away. I agree that moments like this are huge motivators to keep memorizing scripture.
I haven't fully memorized my verse from the last two weeks so I'm still working on that one. I'm also going to move on to Colossians 3:13.
"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
I have been having a lot of high times in memorizing since January, but the past few weeks have been low. So I'm going to stick with the two I picked last time and try to be ready for May.
Psalm 27:5 ESV
For he will hide me in his shelter int he day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
Carol
PS - I know I'm a slacker but I'll catch up :)
I am reading Crazy Love and every chapter is amazing it's so awesome to see how God is working in my personal life and through our community. It truly gives me goosebumps.
I'm going to be honest I thought I had noted the verses I wanted to memorize at the beginning of Moxie Memorizers but these last few days it has become clear that is not so! I have been really processing what it looks like to extend grace and mercy to those difficult relationships in your life.
I chose this verse for it's truth about being weak.
Jen Griffith
2 Cornithians 12:9 (ESV)
But he said to me ''My grace is suffeicent
for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness Theerfore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weakeess so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV)
"Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
I love that phrase, "...our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep..."
I have been slacking on my memorizing. For the second half of this month I am extending myself some grace (super hard for me to do!) by adding a verse to my memory packet that I memorized a few years ago. No matter how long ago I read it, this verse continues to be my "life verse" No matter where I am in my life or walk with Jesus it still rings true and new.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
I must admit I have been struggling. I am going to try to hit the ground running with this verse.
Psalm 34:12-14
Whoever of you loves life and desired to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Hey Everyone!
Sorry for my late response, I was working the past couple of days. Anywho, here's my verse for the month:
Galatians 2:18-20 (NASB) ~
""For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me".
I'm going to spend the next two weeks reviewing/solidifying the verses I've already been working on. I don't want to just coast by on my weirdo memory, I want to dig in and really let them sink in. Among the ones I'm more intentionally reviewing are...
1 Peter 2:9-10 - But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy.
Psalm 141:3-4 - Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.
Colossians 3:12-15
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
still memorizing in spite of some slow down. Sorry for not posting them. These are for April
Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Both of these verses/passages have brought me a lot of strength and comfort as I face some difficult conversations with friends lately. Eternal perspective is what I believe God is trying to solidify in my life lately.
I have also been struggling with memorizing verses this month. But i'm excited to get back into it because the things I have been memorizing throughout this semester has really met me where I was at and the Lord used them to teach me. One example is when I have made a mistake or hurt someone within this year instead of putting on a spirit of fear that makes me a slave, the HS has reminded me that my spirit testifies with Him that I am a child of God. And in that there is grace, mercy and love.
I'll work on:
James 1:27 (NIV)
I absolutely love reading through these responses before I post mine. It's so wonderful to feel like I have a community of women who may be reading the same books I'm reading, struggling with the same things I'm struggling, and just willing to be as vulnerable as I'm wanting to be. Literally, it's bringing me to tears as I write.
But as I resonate with all you beautiful women, I can honestly say that although this past month has and still is a rough time for me. I can flock to God's wisdom and find enormous strength and hope from his unending love. I have definitely been struggling with memorizing. So I found a shorter verse for this past half of the month so I can help myself be filled with the word without being too overwhelmed because of length. And what I've definitely found is that sometimes the smaller verses pack the biggest punch!
Romans 12:12 (ESV): "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
I'm going to review Romans 12:2 as well. I've already memorized it but I want to refresh my memory. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind so by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (ESV)
Interestingly enough, I was approached by two Mormon missionaries in the middle of my comment. It was an interesting conversation of what seemed to be rehearsed lines and what I knew as truth. What an awesome way to share what God's been teaching me and my faith!!
Galations 5:1-2
In this freedom Christ has made me free. I am completely liberated! I will stand fast and will not be traped, held down or submit myself to a yoke of slavery-those things that I have already thrown away! For if I distrust the Lord, I will gain nothing!
At the moment I feel pretty tied down with a ton of insecurity and what others think about me. Gaining approval and things like that. It's controlling! And just like Jesus died for all the junk in my past, he died for this stuff too. Resurection is coming. Jesus will prevail in my life. He lives in me, and i no longer have to live in slavery to approval! Praise Him who is able!
-Kelly
Had to consult my to-memorize list this month :) Last verse, Acts 1:8 was easy because I hear people say it so much.
Joshua 1:9, ESV
9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Thank you for keeping us accountable... I've been meaning to post these... and memorize them. ;)
Romans 8:5-6
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds according to the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Ephesians 6: 10-11
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Post a Comment