This past week Chad and I have been writing the content for Second Mile’s week of prayer and fasting booklet. Several times throughout last year’s book Hosea 10:12 is referenced. At the beginning of last year, many of you memorized the verse. Do you remember it? If you review consistently I’m sure you do. Many of you learned it in the ESV translation, but I learned it many moons ago in the NIV. Quote it with me if you know it:
Hosea 10:12 Sow for yourselves righteousness. Reap the fruit of His unfailing love. Break up your unplowed ground, for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes and showers His righteousness upon you.
Last year during the week of prayer, we prayed this for ourselves and our church. Review it for a minute and ask yourself how you’ve actually applied it over the last year.
Have you sown righteousness or have you continued to live by your flesh?
Doesn’t the “fruit of His unfailing love” sound sweet? What has it looked like for you to reap this precious fruit? What new ways have you discovered His love for you never fails?
Have you surrendered your unplowed or fallow ground to Him? What have you done to break up the rocky soil in your life?
In what ways have you been seeking Jesus? How have you experienced a showering of His righteousness? Are you willing to continue seeking Him as He pours our His unfailing love and righteousness on you? What if it means there will continue to be unplowed ground in your life that needs to be broken up?
My heart was so encouraged and heavy (in a good way) as I’ve pondered these things in preparation for the coming week of prayer. He has been faithful to work in the ways we asked Him to work. The stories of your lives bare witness to the fact that Jesus is in fact breaking up our fallow ground. I have personally seen people put their heads down to do the hard work of seeking Him and His righteousness.
Through a season of sowing into Him, a season of rich harvest is sure to come. As I considered these things over the last week, I was humbled, amazed, and excited to realize how beautifully the passage He led me to start the year goes hand in hand with Hosea 10:12.
Please read it again as a prayer for yourself, Jesus’ church, and the nations.
Psalm 67
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make His face shine upon us,
Selah
that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples justly
and guide the nations of the earth.
Selah
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.
Then the land will yield its harvest,
and God, our God, will bless us.
God will bless us,
and all the ends of the earth will fear Him
I’m praying this year will be a year of people choosing to follow Jesus for the first time; a year of harvest in ministry, personal triumph, and relational unity. I’m asking Jesus to use Second Mile as a light to our city and a light to the world. I’m asking God to show us what it truly means for Him to bless us so that the ends of the earth will fear Him.
Post your verses, friends! I can't wait to read which ones you're learning!
Post your verses, friends! I can't wait to read which ones you're learning!
24 important comments so far. What are your thoughts?
I am praying that these words would be true to my life. That I would be BOLD for Christ.
"For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better."
Philippians 1:20-21
I am still struggling with memorizing my first one since I got into the game a little late...so I am going to focus on just one verse this month and then do two next month! Thanks Angel for your constant encouragement and for holding us accountable :)
That verse in Hosea has become such a rich and meaningful one in my life. And you're right, it's awesome to see the way it connects to Psalm 67. I'm eager to see what this year will bring!
Continuing on with Psalm 23:3-4
"He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
Have 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.
Joshua 1:9
Wow the 15th came up so fast! I'm still reviewing Philippians 1. The more I add, the more slowly I have to go through it. But I think I'll get to start chapter 2 soon!!
Philippians 1:
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
Grace and peace to you from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christy Jesus.
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart. For whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Jesus Christ.
And this is my prayer, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best, and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Christ Jesus, to the glory and praise of God.
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
It's true, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former do so in selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether by false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of that, I will rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice because I know that through your prayers and through the help given by the spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in this body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel, without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved - and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf o Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
----
This chapter has been so timely in every piece, as I've memorized different portions that coincided with what God needed to be teaching me at the time. And often the Scripture will come back in hit me in a new light. It has challenged some of the things that I don't want to think, or challenged some of the views I hold, and it has been humbling. I look forward to continuing to write it deeper on my heart, as well as adding more of Philippians!
Micah 6:8 -
"He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God"
"You are my witnesses," declares the Lord, "And my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am He. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me."
Isaiah 43:10
I like verses that explain our purpose in life--to know and believe God!
"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated." (Isaiah 54:2,4)
And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?"
Luke 9:23-25
Adding one more verse to this this time around:
2 Tim 3:12-14
In fact, anyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it.
I am continuing on with Isaiah 40 and working on verse 26:
"Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."
Starting next month I will be challenging myself with the remaining verses in chapter 40 as well as start memorizing verses that teach about worship. I'm excited about that!
I am really, really excited about these verses because they are so powerful and packed with meaning. Isaiah 43 continues to speak a lot of truth, give direction, and cause repentance in my life.
"You are my witnesses," declares the Lord, "and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior."
Isaiah 43:10-11
Many years ago I started memorizing 1 Peter 1. I have verses 3-7 down pat and have been reviewing them. But it's time to continue on. I will be working on v 8-9.
1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
If this comes back to me quickly, I may add more. At one time I had through verse 16 memorized.
I have been inspired by Emily with choosing a word to live by for the year and after putting some thought and prayer in it I have chosen the word 'boldness'. And with this I am hoping God will place the perfect passage on my heart that will go along with this word for me to memorize this year. Until then I'm finding great joy in finding verses that prepare me :)
Philippians 1: 19-20 (ESV)
for I know that through your prayers and the help of the spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
Jen
I am going to dig in and begin to memorize Isaiah 55 a verse or two at a time. For this time, Isaiah 55:1 "Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price."
As we head into the week of prayer and fasting, I am glad I will be reminded of where my sustenance comes from-- the Bread of Life and the Living Water!
--Tia
oh, angel. we have been thinking on these things too. we are in the midst of having our ground broken up. already we have had showers of his righteousness, love and divine hand. he is truly here with us, in the pain, in the unknown. praise him! we are seeking him still!
Isaiah 55:1-3 ESV
Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
Last year Hosea 10:12 became a pillar for me beginning with the week of prayer and fasting. So I want to prepare for this year's by making it my next verse.
Hosea 10:12
"Sow for yourselves righteousness. Reap the fruit of His unfailing love. Break up your unplowed ground, for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes and showers righteousness upon you."
My word for the year is commit/commitment.
1 Peter 4:19 (NIV)
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
In keeping with choosing a word for the year, I choose "patience" for 2012.
Jesus said in Luke 8:15 (NIV), "But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."
-Carol
I'm memorizing this itsy bitsy heart-convicting, home-challenging chunk. I have a hard time remembering to review daily, so i've started to do little phrases with the kids which is actually pretty cool. Jordyn's version of 'patient' makes me giggle. '
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[a] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
glad i just found your blog through my dear friend hannah singer! looking forward to reading more and connecting through jesus! blessings..
For the next few months, I will be memorizing Colossians 3: 1-5 & 12-17.
Colossians 3: 1-2
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set you minds on the things that are above, not on things that are on the earth.
Colossians 3: 3-4
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who IS your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Sorry this is very late for these past two weeks. I'm posting this verse that I want to begin to memorize now, but it's a few verses long so I will probably still be working on it by February 1st. However, it was on my mind to post and I figured I should do it before I forgot.
Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV)
Now that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
As a side note, I memorized Phil 4:13 a long time ago, but never realized or had a reason to apply the verses preceding it. Now they are unbelievably relevant.
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