I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4
Each of my kids are so very different. Some are math and science whizzes, empathetic problem solvers, story tellers, funny jokers, loud, emotional, logical, gift givers, performers, hand holders, attentive to the needs of others, art creators and mess makers. I could go on and on.
Please know that I'm under no delusion that they are perfect, but I'm not about to air their short comings to you. That's not my job. We have wonderful discussions about their growth and maturity in our home. They do not need me chopping away at their security by proclaiming their junk to others. How absolutely horrible would it be if our Father did that with our junk? It would be devastatingly mortifying. I choose to model His love to my kids as much as I humanly can.
Today you get to read the words of my son, Kyle. You will notice right away that he's a word guy. Both of his parents value words, so I'm not surprised. I want you to know that these are his words, his thoughts, what he is learning. I pray it challenges and inspires you.
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Within my own life, I often find that I personally avoid the task of memorizing scripture, not for a purposeful detachment of myself from God's word, but out of a lazy mind set in which my humanity ultimately deems such a task pointless. This is most certainly and undeniably false, as I also find that when I struggle into a place of spiritual depth that includes reading and memorizing scripture, I am entirely fulfilled. Not with the sort of fulfillment you gain when you win a championship, or finish a good book, but an entire fulfillment that lifts my whole being into a new purpose, a purpose that calls me to glorify God's greatness. It is in this realization that I find a certain irony that applies itself to my situation, mostly because if I truly dive into scripture I find specific verses that speak of our human interests and of a redemption that we can obtain through walking with Jesus.
When I say these things, one verse specifically comes to mind: 1 Peter 1:14-15 which says: “Do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all of your conduct.” This is one of my favorite verses because it applies so exactly to our current society and my personal situation. It not only tells us to leave behind our evil but also that we have a great God that urges us to be like him and we can leave behind our evil so in that we can be more like him.
I also am incredibly thankful that the word of God is so relevant to not just our situations but also our life stages. I am 13, coming up on the prime of my youth, and the problems and hardships I face most certainly differ from a grown and working adult. It is in this that I find yet another incredible verse, Psalm 71:5 which states: “For you have been my hope, sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.” What this reveals to me is that no matter where you are in your life, whether it refers to your age, job, or social standing, you can hold a secure confidence in God that will stay with you even from your youth. In short, when I memorize scripture I marvel in God's relevancy, which is apparent in all of our day-to-day lives.
As we advance in our relationships with God I urge not only myself but all of us to push forward with scripture memorization because if we truly strive to involve ourselves in God's word, we must know God's word, and keep it with us in every situation we are presented with as our lives progress.
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Yes! We must "keep [God's word] with us in every situation we are presented with as our lives progress." That's what memorizing scripture is all about! We don't puff our heads up with a bunch of sentences. We ask God to search our hearts and lead us through this life in a way that honors Him and makes us more like Christ! I pray without ceasing that my kids know this truth deep in their bellies. I'm beginning to see some fruit to my prayers.
I'm happy to report that my brain is getting stronger. I've been able to review and actually remember scripture. I used to be able to multi-task in many ways, especially scripture memory. I could review pretty much anytime I wanted. Now I have to sit in the quiet, keep my eyes closed, and say the verses out loud. It's kind of funny, but hey! I'll take what I can get!
This month I'm solidifying Proverbs 17:22 in my heart and mind.
Proverbs 17:22
A joyful heart is good medicine. A crushed spirit dries up the bones.
What are you learning? Do you keep God's word active in your life in every situation you are presented with? Are you going to "push forward with scripture memorization?"
Please comment with your verse. Leave some encouragement for Kyle. As you do, please pray that his heart will continue to be captivated by God and that his mind will grow in depth of understanding and insight. This happy and hopeful mom thanks you for praying for him!
11 important comments so far. What are your thoughts?
Anyone who thinks they can't learn from someone younger than them should read this post. Totally humbling! Thank you for sharing your heart, your thoughts and wisdom with us Kyle!
I didn't get very far in my Ephesians passage last month on vacation, so I'm continuing on with the same verses with new resolve. :)
Anyone who thinks they can't learn from someone younger than them should read this post. Totally humbling! Thank you for sharing your heart, your thoughts and wisdom with us Kyle!
I didn't get very far in my Ephesians passage last month on vacation, so I'm continuing on with the same verses with new resolve. :)
wow. amen, sir!! excellent reflection, perhaps more posts from him soon :) y'all are a powerhouse family! glory to god.
i will take the verse my dad just sent to me:
and you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security. job 11:18
i "know" it,but haven't purposed to memorize it before. thanks so much for your constant spurring me to jesus and his word.
love you,angel!
I am blown away, both by Kyle's writing abilities and by the purity of his heart. His words are super effective in inspiring me to push forward and memorize Scripture, even when life gets crazy or I get distracted. When he said he was 13, I was like, "What???? Who writes like this at 13??" Such a blessing, Angel. Thank you for sharing the heart of a young man seeking God.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." --Romans 15:13
Very well stated Kyle, this is a good remeinder to me because I often look at scripture memory as a competition or task to achieve rathrr than asking God to use it to teach me in the stage I am in in life. I have been encouraged of late bcuz my husband Matt has been wanting to memorize, so we are working on Galatians 6:9-10 and reviewing Jeremiah17:7-8
I loved the post! Great job Kyle!
"She does him good and not harm al lthe days of her life. She seeks wool and flax and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant and she brings her food from afar".
Proverbs 31:12-14
I already thought you were a pretty cool kid, but it is truly awesome to see the work you put into your faith and the understanding that God has given you. Way to go Kyle!
"Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?" Romans 2:4
This was incredible! What a post from such a mature young man!
My verse:
"Is this not the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness; to untie the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh and blood?
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call and the Lord will answer; you shall cry and He will say, 'Here I am." If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
If you pour yourself out for the sake of the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light shine out of the darkness and your gloom be as noonday.
And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."
Isaiah 58:6-11
This is so encouraging and full of insight + wisdom. Kyle, you are a gem. Thank God for your parents! :)
Words of wisdom, Kyle! I am sure there are people in your school that really listen to what you have to say and respect you for that, even if you never find out who they are. It's good that your words are infused with Truth!
My verse for this month:
Philippians 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Please tell Kyle, "Great stuff...keep marinating on those truths!"
Proverbs 31:25, "She is clothed with strength and dignity. She can laugh at the days to come."
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