Memorizing God's Letters To Me

 Honoring God with my life has become increasingly important to me.  I have come to understand that doing this through all areas of my life will enable me to become the person God wants me to be.

            Now that said, I think the next focus area is especially difficult and I have yet to master a sure fire way to accomplish the task!  I need to honor God by memorizing His word.  We are commanded again and again to do so.

It’s a frightful thought, but persecution of Christians is becoming more and more prevalent.  It’s not out of the realm of possibility that even each of us in one way or another deal with some sort of persecution every day.  What would you do if the government decided Bibles are illegal?  Could you resort to your memory to quote or recall scripture if things got especially tough? 

            I have read several accounts of pastors in foreign countries, who while imprisoned, relied heavily on their memory of the Scriptures for strength.  One pastor said, “I kept my sanity only by repeating Bible verses over and over.”  

            Not only is memorizing scripture from this perspective important; it’s also essential when we are sharing the gospel with someone else.  We need to show the person with whom we are sharing, the Scripture, as proof of what we are saying.  

            While ashamed to admit it, scripture memory seems to elude me!  I write them down, read and re-read them, say them over and over and while the gist is there, the actual verse seems clouded and fuzzy!  I get so frustrated!  That’s not to say I haven’t been at all successful, but it just doesn’t “stick” the way I’d like!

            I need to remember, “I have to begin with the end in mind.”  It’s critical to remembering anything!  If I can focus on the idea of persecution being before me, in essence, “the end” then I can, hopefully, understand the urgency and significant ramifications if I don’t memorize Scripture!

            If I can imagine the benefits of knowing God’s Word, then I should be able to tap into the potential within me to accomplish this goal.  When I center my life on correct principles, and use the wisdom and guidance that comes from God's Word, then I should naturally retain the information better which I have gleaned.

            The bottom line is focus.  I need to stand back and ask myself (and The Lord) “How can I best accomplish what is before me?”  Knowing the Bible in overview might be the way to begin.  If I can understand book by book the general content, then tie the books together, memorizing Scripture and “connecting the dots” with all I am learning, I stand a better chance of putting the words concretely in my mind.  

When I am imbedding His Word within my head and heart, I can align my values, principles and direction with my Creator.  Accomplishing this task is critical in my growth of becoming the person He wants me to be.  If God is my center then the letters written to me between the covers of the book we know as “The Holy Bible” should be ingrained within the very fibers of my being.  Scripture memory: It puts the God of the Universe in the center of all I do, say, think and respond.  It puts me in harmony with my Lord.  And when I do this, I am honoring Him.  What a gift!

Time In The Word

            As I continue to consider ways to honor God I know along with prayer, Bible study is also extremely important.  It is the ultimate guidebook for life, yet I wonder how many Bibles which are opened in church Sunday morning do nothing more than collect dust the rest of the week?   We are commanded in scripture to read and study so we know how to live our lives in a godly matter.  It is also our responsibility.  I was interested when it was pointed out recently that when you break down the word, “responsibility” you can see “response – ability.” From this view it’s easy to see the word means we have the ability to choose our response.

            The Bible sitting on the night stand or book shelf, unless a person is actively interested and focused on reading it, has truth nuggets of the faith and direction which remain unknown.  The happiness and peace held securely between the book covers, remains there.  We must be pro active, and choose to sacrifice time now, so we can be prepared for what is to come.  Our behavior of “follow through,” with the specific action of Bible study, is a decision.  

            When we are pro-active about knowing God’s word we are less likely to become “reactive” when our physical environment closes in.  When we know God’s message on the situation and Satan starts smooth talking or sending tornado whirlwinds, rather than saying, “There is nothing I can do;” we can say, “Lord, show me some alternatives.”  Or rather than responding with, “I am so mad, I can barely stand it!” we can say, “God, you know my feelings, help me to respond in a manner pleasing to you.”

            Rather than reacting and focusing on what we see as weaknesses in other people, or in circumstances or conditions over which we have no control, being pro-active in Christ by knowing the word of God, enables us to focus on working things out in a positive way, instead of behaving negatively and in a way that opens the door for Satan to move in.

            Our behaviors and reactions not only affect our personal and spiritual lives, it can also affect people we don’t know or someone close to us who doesn’t know Christ.  As a child of God, everything we do has the potential to be scrutinized by a new Christian or a non-believer.  Our ability to look at the weaknesses of others with compassion rather than accusation is the difference between being a model for Christ or being hypocritical!  

            We can’t know how to be a model for Christ unless we are in the Word every single day.  I read recently in one of my Bible studies about a missionary who grew up in a household where three times a day the scripture was read.  Each place setting at the table held a Bible.  Before breakfast was served each person shared in reading a chapter of the Bible.  This process was repeated at lunch and dinner.  What a wonderful idea!  Can you imagine learning the scriptures this way?

            While we don’t do this in our own home, I try earnestly to start my day with Bible study, (and prayer) and read a chapter (at least I attempt the whole chapter!) in the Old Testament at night.  The one thing I’ve added recently, is reading the scriptures at lunch time.  I have found I cherish these moments with the Lord!  

            Honoring God, as I have said before is a greater challenge than I expected.  When done with my whole life, the spectrum is much broader than I originally thought!  What a wonderful test of faithfulness!  I hope my thoughts ignite your desire to find ways in your life to honor God, on a daily basis, as well.  Personally, I find the intimacy with my heavenly Father completely rewarding!   I trust you will, too.

Take Time To Pray

Gethsemane

            The more I search and read about honoring God in every area of my life, the more challenging it seems to become!  The list of areas I need to turn over, seems to morph, and I am constantly surprised when another pops up!  This week the area of “time” appeared out of nowhere!  And while I mention it now, it will be dealt with more fully later.  But it made me realize how much I want God to be honored in every facet of my life; and how many areas I really have vulnerable!  

            The one consistent element which appears in every category is overwhelmingly, to pray!    There are a variety of places the Bible tells us Jesus prayed.  He went to the mountain alone to pray, or to the wilderness or even to a lonely place.  In Bethany when Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb, he prayed to the Father first.  I am reminded of our recent journey to Jerusalem when we entered the Garden of Gethsemane.  It was in this area Jesus prayed to the Father in agony as he faced death on the cross, giving his life for mine, requiring separation from the Father.

          This leads me to believe the single most important element in honoring God comes in the form of daily prayer.  Certainly, Jesus found it necessary and important to pray, and He is our perfect role model.  What a person labels as important will define the result. If prayer becomes an essential part of the daily habit or routine, it tends to change vision or perspective, yet it requires discipline, control and desire while being balanced with the rest of the daily schedule.  Yet adding daily prayer to our lifestyle makes a positive spiritual difference in our life.  
 

            It is in an attitude of prayer where we can listen for God’s voice and guidance for our lives.  It is here we can ask for the ability to follow through on commitments and focus on developing and perfecting our relationship with the Father.  Prayer allows our personal fruit to grow through His nurturing.  We can offer Him his rightful place in our lives as "First" and give him the “wheel” allowing him to be in control of the day.  It is here we can thank Him and praise him for all his blessings.   I have discovered if I neglect to stop and have time with God in the morning, the rest of the day seems somehow disjointed.  It’s like the day is spent trying to find my focus.  I feel the need to be re-calibrated!

            I’m the first to admit time is always a factor with a commitment like this.  To pray first thing in the morning, especially for those still in the job sector, means waking early on already too early mornings!  Yet what we put into it directly affects our perspective.  On the surface it may not seem like time in prayer can make a difference.  But I am here to affirm prayer not only makes a difference but can create unimaginable, positive results.  It affects attitude, thought processes, responses to adverse situations, the “heart” when someone needs help, even temperament when everything seems to go all wrong.  It’s putting Jesus first that matters.  I know when I take time to pray, especially in the morning; the day doesn’t seem to seem so gray and tangled no matter what I deal with.  I know, because of communion with God during my quiet time, He is in control.

A Philosophy For Life

         

With the journey to Jerusalem comes the renewed desire to be all God wants me to be.  It also convicts me to look at my life to see just “how” I honor him.   Perhaps you remember the 2006 movie, “Facing The Giants.”  It is at the top of my favorite movie list.  I remember the scene where the coach, after diligently searching God’s word, created a new philosophy for the team.  Showing his wife his findings, she responded.  “So this is your new football philosophy?  It applies to all of life, not just football."  Yet, I was perplexed when I wanted to find his “philosophy” that changed the perspective and heart of the coach’s entire team.  Unlike the “The Love Dare” book that followed the movie “Fireproof” in 2008, the philosophy was not printed, so I set out to find, and even “create” my personal Biblical philosophy.  I’ve been working on it for a while and over the next weeks will share what I have come up with.  I hope you will share the journey, and by all means your thoughts!  

            All that said, I will begin with the very idea of “honoring God.”  In what areas of my life could I honor God?  God’s word tells me in Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”  So first I must look at my work.  Personally that would be my writing.  Does what I do honor God?  Does my message honor Him?  How do I respond to my work load, my “projects,” my discouragements, encouragement, criticism, or goals?

            Secondly I find in 1Corinthians 6:20:  “You were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body.”  So, very clearly I am instructed to care for body, which for me includes diet and exercise, (I’m not good at this one!)   Our cultural tendencies are to maintain a lifestyle well above our means, eat foods that are sweet to our taste buds, but offensive to the rest of our body; medicating everything with pills; from pills to wake and pills to sleep along with everything in between. How can I change what has become acceptable?  Does what I eat provide harmony to my lifestyle and overall health habits?

And then there is the mind.  A Biblical perspective on this idea can be found in Philippians 4:8.  “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”  So am I responsible in my reading material, viewing habits and what I say? Our culture thrives on entertainment of any kind, even on the evil and immoral. Does what I read, view and say honor God?

Not only are there the mind, spirit, body and work to consider, there is also my behavior, my heart and spirit.  According to Hebrews 10:26: “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left.”   Are my actions and behaviors honoring God?

            Spiritually I know I must honor God.  2 Timothy 2:15 says: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved.  A workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”   Again our culture has tendencies to “do what feels good with the belief God no longer exists and even if he does, I certainly don’t want Him running my life!”  Yet I know He is alive and provides the very basic needs and meaning for my life, giving me positive and good principals to live by.  Is my heart looking to Him, rather than selfish interests?  What is my “personal fruit?”   Do I use my imagination, conscience, independent will and self-awareness in a desire to know God; to grow spiritually?

As I see it, there are a lot of areas in which I am to honor God.  In fact all I do should honor God.  Each of these areas over lap and have direct ramifications in my relationships.  Over the next weeks, I will address these areas individually and hopefully when I am completely finished I will have a fairly comprehensive philosophy which can in essence be a guideline to the way I can best honor God with my life.  I hope you will join me on the journey!