October 1st. The leaves are turning. The air is brisk. Pumpkins sit on front porches next to cornstalks and scarecrows. Wouldn't that be nice? If only. Good news for those of us in the desert: it is actually a tad bit cooler. It is getting light a little bit later. And, the feel in the air is definitely autumn, even if it is a desert sort of autumn.
What I'm reminded of the most in writing this post is we only have three months left to complete our first year of memorizing scripture together. I have some pretty lofty memorizing goals to reach before the end of December. To be perfectly honest, I'm growing more and more skeptical that I will actually reach my goal, but I'm pressing in none the less. Do you have a goal you're hoping to reach? A specific number of verses you were hoping to learn this year? A passage you're really hoping to complete by January? If not, set a goal or two for the next three months. Challenge yourself beyond what you think you can do and go for it!
One of the reasons I'm concerned about my own personal goal reaching is my focus on Retreat de Moxie stole time away from truly memorizing my September verses. I reviewed on a regular basis and tried to memorize, but if I'm honest I don't quite have the new verses down. However, I'm going to go ahead and add two new verses into the mix. If I don't have them all by October 15th I won't add anything new. Sound good? It works for me.
Romans 12:7-8
If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure I can do it. Self-discipline will be a must, but I will take the challenge to heart.
Please share what you will be memorizing. Feel free to share your goal reaching status. If you haven't thought through goals, take some time to consider what you could do, what would push you a little, what would require steadfast discipline to accomplish.
Ready....POST!
10 important comments so far. What are your thoughts?
My goal is to memorize Isaiah 55
I'm on vs. 4-5
See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a ruler and commander of the peoples.
Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor.”
I haven't forgotten about Philippians, and still fairly often run through what I've memorized so far in my head. The next part is a new section with a new topic, so it's been hard for whatever reason to continue as fervently.
But in the meantime, I've been focusing these last two weeks on Romans 12:1
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship."
I like this verse because it is a reminder for every instance in which I want to listen to my flesh, want to be lazy, want to be irresponsible, want to be apathetic. I find strength to persevere in thinking of worshiping God by resisting those moments.
Also, I haven't memorized this one, but I found it yesterday and it was strengthening:
Galatians 5:16-17
"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want."
Again, strength in those moments where I just want to fall back into comfortable sin habits rather than stand firm as a redeemed daughter of the King. When I remember this verse, I remember in my heart that I truly desire what the Spirit desires, and am renewed to stand strong.
I've been putting off memorizing this verse for a little while because I get nervous asking God to show me my sin. This definitely needs to be a part of my daily communion with him though.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my thoughts ad see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, he has become my salvation." Isaiah 12:2
There are many topics whizzing around my head, but this verse seems to reign them in. It reminds me that God chose me for His glory, and that is my banner before people's approval/my reputation/my pride. It reminds me that in all seasons God is my strength and source of joy. Finally, that I can wrestle victoriously over my sins, the ones that were my "salvations" in the past, and know that He conquered them is truly is my salvation.
So last month I fibbed- I memorized Isaiah 52:11-12 instead of the psalm verse. Sorry :) Holy Spirit changed my plans, and continues to. Maybe one day He will move me out of Isaiah haha
I'm starting a new passage that I'm really excited about. I'm going to try all three verses, but if it's too much i'll break it up for the second half of October.
Romans 11:33-36
"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?" For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen."
I have been convicted about how I take for granted and "overlook" the Holiness of our Lord, ....The truth HE is LORD, Holy is HE!
This truth I will not only etch on my heart this month but also allow God to manifest in my footsteps...
Psalm 99:5
Exalt the Lord our God, And worship at His footstool; Holy is He.
I am going through a time of wanting more and more and more of Jesus. God has been showing me in various ways what it might be like to actually live in His fullness. I feel like a small child in my understanding but it is mind blowing the possibilities that await us if we decide to trust him and accept his fullness.
I've been studying the journey of the disciple John and my verses reflect that:
"And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." -John 1:16
"If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come and make our home in him." -John 14:23
Since I didn't post any last time I'm going to tackle two this time!
God has a lot He's teaching me lately. But just when I think I'm getting it, my own flesh and the enemy are working VERY hard to keep me from truly living in freedom. I will not have any of that! I have been called to live in freedom!
"For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” -Galatian5:13-14
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." -John 15:5
P.S. The verses you other ladies posted... Gonna have to do some of those! :)
Phil. 2:5-11
"Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus: Who being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. That at the name of Jesus ever knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord."
My prayer is that I would bow my knee to Jesus' story and not lift "my" story above his.
Kelly
I had planned to memorize a verse out of 1 Timothy, but true confessions: I saw this one on Pinterest and it seems to fit with what God has been teaching me lately about His kindness to me. So I'm now working on this one instead. :)
"You have granted me life and steadfast love,
and your care has preserved my spirit." -- Job 10:12
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