Week of November 1-7
"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." [2 Timothy 2:2]
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Finish Well
Two weeks from today, the goal is to cross the finish line!
As most of you know, my friend Kelly and I have been training to run a marathon on November 8th. We are down to the final two weeks of training. It has taken months of hard work, body aches, setbacks and just pure discipline. Many days I didn't even want to get out and run at all. We were hit with all sorts of hurdles along the way...sick kids, rain and more rain, sleepless nights and other physical ailments.
From the beginning, we asked the Lord to be in this effort. If He wasn't in this, we didn't want to be a part of it. Both individually and together, He affirmed our desire to run this great event and He has been at the center every since we started. We have spent our long runs with a list of prayer requests for close friends, the sick, the elderly, missionaries and many others. It has been an amazing privilege to lift His people up to him in prayer as we run. We truly feel like God has used our time running to draw us near to His throne room of grace.
This year, I also set another goal: To memorize a verse (or two) each week of the year, starting with the book of Genesis (hence, this blog). I have had the most amazing group of women take this challenge with me. We have named ourselves the "Memory Mommas."
While physical training and endurance is of great value, the reward we have from memorizing God's Word is eternal. We, too, are training ourselves....but for the purpose of godliness. This blog post is for you, my precious friends. We are close to the finish line! We have persevered. We have endured some setbacks. Some weeks have been easy and some much more challenging. I want to encourage you to FINISH WELL! Give it your best as you push toward the goal!
Press on dear friends! To God be the glory!
Tiffany
As most of you know, my friend Kelly and I have been training to run a marathon on November 8th. We are down to the final two weeks of training. It has taken months of hard work, body aches, setbacks and just pure discipline. Many days I didn't even want to get out and run at all. We were hit with all sorts of hurdles along the way...sick kids, rain and more rain, sleepless nights and other physical ailments.
From the beginning, we asked the Lord to be in this effort. If He wasn't in this, we didn't want to be a part of it. Both individually and together, He affirmed our desire to run this great event and He has been at the center every since we started. We have spent our long runs with a list of prayer requests for close friends, the sick, the elderly, missionaries and many others. It has been an amazing privilege to lift His people up to him in prayer as we run. We truly feel like God has used our time running to draw us near to His throne room of grace.
This year, I also set another goal: To memorize a verse (or two) each week of the year, starting with the book of Genesis (hence, this blog). I have had the most amazing group of women take this challenge with me. We have named ourselves the "Memory Mommas."
While physical training and endurance is of great value, the reward we have from memorizing God's Word is eternal. We, too, are training ourselves....but for the purpose of godliness. This blog post is for you, my precious friends. We are close to the finish line! We have persevered. We have endured some setbacks. Some weeks have been easy and some much more challenging. I want to encourage you to FINISH WELL! Give it your best as you push toward the goal!
Press on dear friends! To God be the glory!
Tiffany
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Week #43: 1 Timothy 6:6-7
Week of October 25-31
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. " [I Timothy 6:6-7]
NOTE: we are skipping ahead to 1 Timothy in order to stay on course to finish with Revelation the last week in December.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. " [I Timothy 6:6-7]
NOTE: we are skipping ahead to 1 Timothy in order to stay on course to finish with Revelation the last week in December.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Week #42: I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Week of October 18-24
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." [I Thessalonians 5:16-18]
NOTE 1: The church at Thessalonica was, in many ways, a model church. Paul had many things to commend the believers for: their exemplary faith, diligent service, patient steadfastness, and overflowing joy. But in the midst of his commendation, Paul voices a word of caution. Abounding in the work of the Lord is only one step removed from abandoning the work of the Lord through complacency. Thus, Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to excel in their faith, to increase in their love for one another, and to give thanks for all things. At the same time, to know Christ must always be their primary goal. In short, Paul encourages them to "stay on target" as they labor for the Lord. (Daily Walk Bible)
NOTE 2: Each of the five chapters of 1 Thessalonians ends with an exhortation based on the fact that Jesus is coming again. I encourage you to spend some time in these short chapters looking for these eschatological (end times) phrases.
This week's passage is not just a command to "be happy in all circumstances." Paul writes it with an "end-times" perspective. Put your hope in the fact that Christ is coming again! Do you believe that Christ is coming again? Do you behave as if Christ is coming again? Then, let all you do radiate that hope!
Press on friends!
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." [I Thessalonians 5:16-18]
NOTE 1: The church at Thessalonica was, in many ways, a model church. Paul had many things to commend the believers for: their exemplary faith, diligent service, patient steadfastness, and overflowing joy. But in the midst of his commendation, Paul voices a word of caution. Abounding in the work of the Lord is only one step removed from abandoning the work of the Lord through complacency. Thus, Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to excel in their faith, to increase in their love for one another, and to give thanks for all things. At the same time, to know Christ must always be their primary goal. In short, Paul encourages them to "stay on target" as they labor for the Lord. (Daily Walk Bible)
NOTE 2: Each of the five chapters of 1 Thessalonians ends with an exhortation based on the fact that Jesus is coming again. I encourage you to spend some time in these short chapters looking for these eschatological (end times) phrases.
This week's passage is not just a command to "be happy in all circumstances." Paul writes it with an "end-times" perspective. Put your hope in the fact that Christ is coming again! Do you believe that Christ is coming again? Do you behave as if Christ is coming again? Then, let all you do radiate that hope!
Press on friends!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Coffee with the "Memory Mommas"
We had a great time at coffee this morning! Always an empty seat for anyone to join us. Love you girls!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Week #41: Colossians 2:8
Week of October 11-17
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." [Colossians 2:8]
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." [Colossians 2:8]
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Week #40: Philippians 4:6-7
Week of October 4-10
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. " [Philippians 4:6-7]
NOTE: This may be a familiar verse to you, but I encourage you to take it apart phrase by phrase this week and meditate on the richness of this passage. It is chock-full of powerful truths and commands for our spiritual life. Don't miss em!
For example:
Phrase 1: Do not be anxious
Phrase 2: about ANYTHING
Phrase 3: but in EVERYTHING
Phrase 4: by PRAYER and PETITION
Phrase 5: with THANKSGIVING
and so on....
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. " [Philippians 4:6-7]
NOTE: This may be a familiar verse to you, but I encourage you to take it apart phrase by phrase this week and meditate on the richness of this passage. It is chock-full of powerful truths and commands for our spiritual life. Don't miss em!
For example:
Phrase 1: Do not be anxious
Phrase 2: about ANYTHING
Phrase 3: but in EVERYTHING
Phrase 4: by PRAYER and PETITION
Phrase 5: with THANKSGIVING
and so on....
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