Week of March 1-7
"I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." [2 Samuel 24:24b]
NOTE: The context of this passage is what makes this verse so significant. King David arrived to worship God at the farmland of Araunah, the Jebusite. The native was so thrilled that royalty came to his home that he urged David to freely use whatever land, wood and livestock he wanted for his sacrifice. However, David knew that a sacrifice that costs nothing wasn't a sacrifice at all. True worship always requires something from us. True worship is costly.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Week #8: 1 Samuel 16:7
Week of February 22-28
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." [1 Samuel 16:7]
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." [1 Samuel 16:7]
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Pressing on!
Hi all!
We had a great time yesterday at Starbucks! We will plan on doing this at least once a month.
Susan, Laura, Sara and I shared some tips that help us when we memorize scripture. We also talked about where we put our memory cards so that they are always on our mind and just shared some neat things about what we are learning.
Here are a couple things that work for us:
Write your memory verse in your daily planner so that you see it every day.
Keep a copy of your verse near your kitchen sink (we are never far from there!)
Keep note cards with verses in your car (not to be reviewed while driving, please!)
We also shared some silly ways that we remember the "address" of the verse!
I hope that you can join us next time.
This is a great journey to share!
Blessings!
Tiffany
We had a great time yesterday at Starbucks! We will plan on doing this at least once a month.
Susan, Laura, Sara and I shared some tips that help us when we memorize scripture. We also talked about where we put our memory cards so that they are always on our mind and just shared some neat things about what we are learning.
Here are a couple things that work for us:
Write your memory verse in your daily planner so that you see it every day.
Keep a copy of your verse near your kitchen sink (we are never far from there!)
Keep note cards with verses in your car (not to be reviewed while driving, please!)
We also shared some silly ways that we remember the "address" of the verse!
I hope that you can join us next time.
This is a great journey to share!
Blessings!
Tiffany
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Help! I'm getting behind!
Scripture memory is a discipline, requiring hard work. Like all disciplines, you can expect to enjoy varying degrees of success. By now, you are working on your 7th entry. And, like running any race, you're probably starting to feel the burn. A couple of things to keep in mind to help you stay the course:
1. You're in a marathon, not a sprint. Try to keep a steady pace. In this race, it's better that you finish well than to finish first.
2. Make up the distance on the downhills. You may lose some momentum when life is busy or you are wrestling with any number of other challenges. Don't get discouraged. When you get some margin [a vacation, a road trip, a weekend retreat], focus on one or two extra verses.
3. Take a shortcut if you must. Marathon courses are carefully monitored to make sure runners don't slip down alleys to the finish. In the Spiritual disciplines, you're permitted to take a shorter route. Some of the entries posted here may have two- or three-verse selections. Feel free to simply memorize a portion of what is provided. Similarly, if you prefer to memorize a different text, do so! This is about how you are personally connecting with God.
4. Cherish the experience. I've had the opportunity to run in several races with a view that, one day, I may run a marathon. When I do, I won't care so much that I've kept up with all the other runners, or that I make the top list of finishers. I will embrace the whole experience: the gratitude of being challenged, the satisfaction of aiming high, the joy of doing it with my running companions. These same big picture principles are important to remember as you press on to memorize God's Word.
So, stay in the race! I'm cheering for you!
1. You're in a marathon, not a sprint. Try to keep a steady pace. In this race, it's better that you finish well than to finish first.
2. Make up the distance on the downhills. You may lose some momentum when life is busy or you are wrestling with any number of other challenges. Don't get discouraged. When you get some margin [a vacation, a road trip, a weekend retreat], focus on one or two extra verses.
3. Take a shortcut if you must. Marathon courses are carefully monitored to make sure runners don't slip down alleys to the finish. In the Spiritual disciplines, you're permitted to take a shorter route. Some of the entries posted here may have two- or three-verse selections. Feel free to simply memorize a portion of what is provided. Similarly, if you prefer to memorize a different text, do so! This is about how you are personally connecting with God.
4. Cherish the experience. I've had the opportunity to run in several races with a view that, one day, I may run a marathon. When I do, I won't care so much that I've kept up with all the other runners, or that I make the top list of finishers. I will embrace the whole experience: the gratitude of being challenged, the satisfaction of aiming high, the joy of doing it with my running companions. These same big picture principles are important to remember as you press on to memorize God's Word.
So, stay in the race! I'm cheering for you!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Week #7: Ruth 1:16
Week of February 15-21
But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. "[Ruth 1:16]
But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. "[Ruth 1:16]
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Coffee Time!
Hi everyone!
Let's get together for a little refreshment and encouragement!
I will be at the Starbucks at Park Row and Bowen next Wednesday, Feb. 18th from 12:00 noon til 1:00.
We will be reviewing our verses up to this point and encouraging each other with all that we are learning.
Leave a comment on this post if you plan to come. Hope to see you then!
Tiffany
Let's get together for a little refreshment and encouragement!
I will be at the Starbucks at Park Row and Bowen next Wednesday, Feb. 18th from 12:00 noon til 1:00.
We will be reviewing our verses up to this point and encouraging each other with all that we are learning.
Leave a comment on this post if you plan to come. Hope to see you then!
Tiffany
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Week #6: Judges 21:25
Week of February 8-14
In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit. [Judges 21:25]
NOTE: The significance of this verse is that it is considered by many as the theme verse of the book of Judges. The people experienced an ongoing cycle of disobedience, discipline, despair and deliverance--a cycle that was the result of doing what they wanted, not what God desired. With each cycle, God sent deliverers (judges) to rescue His people.
In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit. [Judges 21:25]
NOTE: The significance of this verse is that it is considered by many as the theme verse of the book of Judges. The people experienced an ongoing cycle of disobedience, discipline, despair and deliverance--a cycle that was the result of doing what they wanted, not what God desired. With each cycle, God sent deliverers (judges) to rescue His people.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
War and Peace
We seem to be bombarded these days with news of wars and conflict around the world. I happened upon this commentary in my Daily Walk Bible this week (NLT):
"The book of Joshua is a tale of war and peace. In the first twelve chapters, the people of Israel conquer the land of Canaan. Through three military campaigns involving more than thirty enemy armies, they learn a valuable lesson under Joshua's capable leadership: Victory comes through faith in God and obedience to His WORD rather than by military might or numerical superiority. "
In chapter one of Joshua, God is providing Joshua with the assurance he needs to face the towering giants and strongholds in Canaan. What is one situation in your life today in which you too can draw courage from the promises in the book of Joshua?
Be strong and courageous my friends!
"The book of Joshua is a tale of war and peace. In the first twelve chapters, the people of Israel conquer the land of Canaan. Through three military campaigns involving more than thirty enemy armies, they learn a valuable lesson under Joshua's capable leadership: Victory comes through faith in God and obedience to His WORD rather than by military might or numerical superiority. "
In chapter one of Joshua, God is providing Joshua with the assurance he needs to face the towering giants and strongholds in Canaan. What is one situation in your life today in which you too can draw courage from the promises in the book of Joshua?
Be strong and courageous my friends!
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