Quiet Time: What Verses to Memorize

What Verses to Memorize; 
Part I 

One of our small group bible study members asked me what bible verses she should memorize first. I thought that was a great question and went to work the next day on developing a list of important memory verses. During this process I thought it would be a good idea to include lists of verses that other, more experienced Christ followers, found to be helpful.

Here's a list of verses from the Navigators ministry: If you want to memorize Scripture, but aren't sure what to memorize or how, this system is exactly what you need to begin hiding God's word in your heart.

LIVE THE NEW LIFE

• Christ the Center 2 Corinthians 5:17 Galatians 2:20 
• Obedience to Christ Romans 12:1 John 14:21 
• The Word 2 Timothy 3:16 Joshua 1:8 
• Prayer John 15:7 Philippians 4:6,7 
• Fellowship Matthew 18:20 Hebrews 10:24,25 
• Witnessing Matthew 4:19 Romans 1:16 

PROCLAIM CHRIST

• All Have Sinned Romans 3:23 Isaiah 53:6 
•  Sin's Penalty Romans 6:23 Hebrews 9:27 
• Christ Paid the Penalty Romans 5:8 1 Peter 3:18 
• Salvation is not by Works Ephesians 2:8,9 Titus 3:5 
• Must Receive Christ John 1:12 Revelation 3:20 
• Assurance of Salvation 1 John 5:13 John 5:24 

RELY ON GOD'S RESOURCES

• His Spirit 1 Corinthians 3:16 1 Corinthians 2:12 
• His Strength Isaiah 41:10 Philippians 4:13 
• His Faithfulness Lamentations 3:22,23 Numbers 23:19 
• His Peace Isaiah 26:3 1 Peter 5:7 
• His Provision Romans 8:32 Philippians 4:19 
• His Help in Temptation Hebrews 2:18 Psalms 119:9,11 

BE CHRIST'S DISCIPLE

• Put Christ First Matthew 6:33 Luke 9:23 
• Separate From the World 1 John 2:15,16 Romans 12:2 
• Be Steadfast 1 Corinthians 15:58 Hebrews 12:3 
• Serve Others Mark 10:45 2 Corinthians 4:5 
• Give Generously Proverbs 3:9,10 2 Corinthians 9:6,7 
• Develop World Vision Acts 1:8 Matthew 28:19,20 

GROW IN CHRIST-LIKENESS

•  Love John 13:34,35 1 John 3:18 
• Humility Philippians 2:3,4 1 Peter 5:5,6 
• Purity Ephesians 5:3 1 Peter 2:11 
• Honesty Leviticus 19:11 Acts 24:16 
• Faith Hebrews 11:6 Romans 4:20,21 
• Good Works Galatians 6:9,10 Matthew 5:16 

Well this should be enough to keep us all busy for quite a while, don't you think?

Quiet Time: Scripture Memory Card File

How to Build a Scripture Memory Card File

I told everyone in my last blog that I'd share a very simple method that will not only get you memorizing scripture but will guarantee your ability to recall what you’ve committed to memory weeks, months, and even years later.So, here it is:

1. Get some 3 x 5 index cards with a  file box
   
2. Label the divider tabs as follows: 
• New
• Sunday
• Monday
• Tuesday....etc
  
  
  
3. Write down your first memory verse on a 3 x 5 index card
   
4.  Place it behind "New" tab. (see picture at number 2 above)
   
5. Review it every day until you have it memorized. 
• Actually I carry it around in my pocket and review it all day. That's why my cards look so frumpy!
6. On the day you memorize it, place it behind the divider tab for that day. 
• In other words, if you begin working on a verse Monday and finally get it memorized by Thursday, you'd stick the verse behind the Thursday tab. (again see #2 above)
7. Now, here's how you guarantee that you'll never forget it. 
• Each day of the week you'll pull the verse out from behind the divider for that day and see if you can still recall it without messing up the words or address. (no cheating)
• If you don't remember it, place it back behind the "New" tab and begin at step 5 again.

OK, time for a personal confession. I've not reviewed some of my old cards lately; therefore, I've forgotten many of the verse addresses. Looks like there are going to be quite a few cards behind the "Now" tab again!

Other things to do with your card:

• Use the back of the card as a journal, noting why the verse is important to you and how God is is working in your life through it at that moment.

  

  I add a few words of the verse to get me started when first trying to memorize it/
• List any cross references that help shed light on the verse.
• Note the day and date that you memorize the verse. You'll be amazed to see several years later the things God was revealing to you through scripture at that particular time in your life.
  
• Draw a picture that helps you recall the scripture especially if it's part of a larger idea. (Once I drew a picture of a lighthouse with the foundation representing one verse, the structure another verse, and the light as the third part of a three part idea of the Word being my foundation, strong tower, and light. Hey, don't laugh, it worked for me!

• I have a pastor friend who says that he took it one step further. First, he makes another set of dividers for prayer requests. Next, he writes down the request and places it behind the "New" tab. Finally, he moves the card to the day the request was answered. Now, that's a man of faith!

On a side note:  I'd suggest moving your verses to a monthly review file once you feel that you've gotten them well in hand and can recall them at will.


By the way, there are many variations on this idea. Google "Scripture Memory Index Cards".

Here are a couple of links to home school moms with ideas that may be helpful. (much more detailed than my version) Go moms!:

Scripture Memory Box by Kendra on http://www.thecurriculumchoice.com/2012/06/scripture-memory-box/

You've gotta love a mom who's tech savvy.  

Check out this YouTube video:

 

Don't forget to comment back with how you're doing, as well as, any other ideas you may have that will help us all memorize more scripture.

Quiet Time: What's In Your Heart

What’s In Your Wallet Heart

The law of his God is in his heart; His steps do not slip. – Psalm 37:31

We’ve all seen the credit card commercial with the tag line “What’s in your wallet?” insinuating their company’s ability to keep people safe and confident. The truth is security can’t be found in a card.

Talk really is cheap, isn’t it? But when God speaks we can have full confidence in what He says.

His words are tried and true. That’s why we must cultivate the habit of memorizing scripture. We need to have the truth deep within our mind, will, and emotion – our soul, as well as, ready on our lips.

When we allow His word to dig deep within our heart we find confidence and strength beyond what we ever thought possible. We find a ready answer to doubts and fears. We find definitive direction and firm footing for life’s myriad questions and quandaries. We find that God really is with us, a very present help in time of trouble.

God wants His followers to memorize bible verses. He wants His word to be fixed in our hearts and minds (Deut. 11:18) and His laws always passing before our eyes (2 Sam. 22:23). God wants us living in line with what we learn and memorize (Deut. 6:6) because He knows that He is our best hope for a bright future and only true security.

Furthermore, and practically speaking, memorizing scripture is the only way to have a biblical world view. A right resolution to the world's wrong solutions.

Now I know, that most of us believe that scripture is worth memorizing; however, we’ve not developed a systematic way of doing it.

In my next blog, I will share a very simple method that will not only get you memorizing scripture but will guarantee your ability to recall what you’ve committed to memory weeks, months, and even years later.

Stayed tuned (I'll include pictures)

Quiet Time: Not Just Any Day

Not Just Any Day

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. - Exodus 20:8

How will I guard against this day becoming the same as any other?

I will begin the day by:

1.       Listening to God speak (Psalm 143:10)

2.       Repenting of my sins (Acts 3:19)

3.       Rejoicing in the Lord (Phil. 4:4)

I will continue the day by:

1.       Gathering with other believers as the first church did (Acts 20:7)

2.       Encouraging others with song (Ephesians 5:19; Col. 3:16)

3.       Listening to what is taught by His preacher (Col. 3:16)

I will complete this Lord’s Day by:

1.       Remembering (Phil. 4:8) and applying its truth to all I do today

2.       Relaxing and refraining from labor (Lev. 23:3)

3.       Returning to an evening worship service (1 Chron. 23:30)

Lord, grant that your servant my relish this day with You and be revived, refreshed, and renewed in spirit and in truth; all to glory of Your name. Amen.

 

 

Quiet Time: Be Noble Minded

Be Noble Minded

Using The Straightedge of Scripture

Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. – Acts 17:11

“Douglas, don’t check your brain at the door”, my dad would say when he thought I was being a little too gullible. He taught me to check everything against the straightedge of Scripture. (Knowledge is an obvious “must have” while journeying with Jesus).

I like what a pastor said, “Beloved, the key to adequate living is not the Bible plus a lot of stuff, it is the Word of God pursued with readiness and eagerness and searched out every day of one's life. It's a daily diet...a daily diet.”

I’m so encouraged that many of the visitors to Brother Doug’s Devotions use the blog as a daily quiet time. However, I sincerely pray that the devotions generate a hunger in each of us to dig deeper; to be fearless explorers.

Like the Berean Jews, may we be noble-minded and ready to receive the message God brings with great eagerness while examining the Scriptures to see if what we are taught is true.

In other words, “Don’t check your brain at the door - see if it's so.”

PRAYER POINT: Perhaps, a terrific daily prayer would be to ask the Lord to revive us (Psalm 119:25) and to purify our hearts renewing a steadfast spirit with us (Psalm 51:10). To build in us a desire for the Word like a bottle to a baby (1 Peter 2:2). To cause us to hunger and thirst after righteousness as we never have before (Matthew 5:6). 

Confidence In Prayer

Read: 1 John 5:13-17

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15 NASB

How can we know that we are praying in accordance with God’s will? By praying according to God’s word.

So, what about the times we pray in accordance with God’s word but what we’re praying for doesn’t happen? Well, then I suppose we simply trust God’s timing.

But, what if our prayer never comes to fruition? (Like the time I prayed for years for a grandfather to come to know Christ, but as far as I know, he never did) That’s when we trust God’s sovereignty and His willingness to allow men and women to choose something other than His best. (God will not force us to accept salvation through His Son).

The bible is not a book of incantations that we can use to bend God to do our bidding. However, it is a way for us to better understand God’s purpose and plans for prayer.

The bible bends my heart to pray in accordance with God’s heart.

Quiet Time: Dig Deeper

Dig Deeper

Job 26:13-14


13 “By His breath the heavens are cleared;

His hand has pierced the fleeing serpent.

14 “Behold, these are the fringes of His ways;

And how faint a word we hear of Him!

But His mighty thunder, who can understand?”



I had a professor in college who insisted we study nothing but poetry in his class. No classic novels, no inspiring biographies, and certainly nothing written prior to the nineteenth century! My first essay garnered a low “C” grade and I soon discovered from fellow classmates that my grade was high.

So, I decided to find out what the prof wanted since obviously none of us students knew. I began by first keeping copious notes listing everything that he thought was important with the piece of poetry we were studying. Next, I highlighted every passage that he chose to camp on and wrote his key words and phrases regarding these passages in the margins. Finally, when the day came for the class to write another essay, I made sure to include the professor’s thoughts, I parroted his key words and phrases, and quoted the highlighted passages within the body of my essay. The result? I never received a grade lower than a “B” for the remainder of the class.

Of course my fellow students wanted to know how I turned things around. So, during one of our mid-class bathroom breaks I called them all together. “Listen”, I said, “This guy doesn’t care what you think. He wants you to know what he thinks. And, he wants to know, that you know. So give him what he wants and you’ll get what you need to pass the class.”

Like poetry, the bible can be tough to understand. But, that fact shouldn’t keep us from digging deeper. And it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to find out what others have discovered when we’re not sure about a passage. There are so many commentaries and bible helps available these days that there is no excuse for any of us being tripped up or confused. And, sometimes, we may find that it’s OK to simply say, “I don’t know what that means.”

The point is this: Dig deeper. Your Professor wants you to know what He knows.

Quiet Time: Loving God Out Loud

Loving God Out Loud


In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. - Matthew 5:16 (NLT)

So, you love God and naturally you want to please Him. This desire leads you to read the bible regularly. Before long you begin to notice verses like “do your work heartily as unto the Lord” (Col. 3:23), “be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” (James 1:19-20) or “let no unwholesome word proceed from out of your mouth” (Eph. 4:29). You’re struck by the practicality of it all and think, “Here’s something constructive that I can begin to do. It’s in the bible, so, I know it’s what God wants me to do, and something God will actually like.” Next, you pray asking God to help you walk in the light of this scripture. God being Who He is “Faithful and True” strengthens you through the Holy Spirit to actually do what the word says to do. That’s what I mean by loving God out loud. Your love is seen not just heard.

Before you know it, someone may notice your attitude at work is different. You’re actually happy to work hard at the stuff co-workers avoid. Or, your family members begin to recognize that you’re a better listener. You don’t interrupt them as much and you are able to hear them say stuff that you don’t agree with, without getting angry or saying something you later regret. That’s walking with God and that opens a door for you to share the practical side of your walk with Christ.

Doesn’t this sound feasible? For example; someone may ask, “Man, what’s gotten into you? Why are working so hard lately”? To which you can reply, “I read something in the bible the other day about working as unto the Lord. It motivated me to do my job as if it matters to God; as if God gets a kick out of watching me work for Him. So, I figure, if He likes it, then it must be a good thing to do, right?”

Who knows, this “loving God out loud” thing may even give you an opportunity to share how Jesus is a personal and integral part of your everyday living. If nothing else, it’ll offer you a chance to give the glory back to God; and that’s a good thing!

Quiet Time: Jogging With Jesus (How to have a quiet time)

Jogging With Jesus

(How to have a quiet time)

Read: Luke 21:37-38


And all the people would get up early in the morning to come to Him (Jesus) in the temple to listen to Him. – Luke 21:38

I like to jog. Honestly, I’m not very fast, but I do keep my heart rate up in the 150s for at least thirty minutes; that’s what the experts say to do in order to receive maximum benefit from the run. But, you know what? I didn’t like to jog before I got a heart rate monitor. That’s something else I learned from the “experts”. They suggested novice runners purchase a monitor to help them establish a sustainable speed. (Sustainable being a speed that they could maintain for at least 30 minutes) You see, most new runners push themselves too hard and soon stop trying before they’ve established a sustainable routine. I think that’s kind of what happens to us when we first feel the need to establish a daily quiet time. We dig in with vim and vigor, but no plan. So, we overdo it, only to find ourselves discouraged and our bibles back on the book shelf.

A daily quiet time is more than a good routine or a box to check on a list of things to do. I like to think of it as simply a moment to sit down and have a cup of coffee with Christ. Now, I know that doesn’t sound very “spiritual” but that’s really how I look at it. Every morning I try to start my day by sitting quietly at the kitchen table with the Word to see what God has to say to me. It’s really not that hard. Sometimes I get a lot out of it and sometimes I can barely keep my eyes open, but I’ve been doing it for so long that it’s become a very meaningful part of my daily routine; kind of like jogging with Jesus.

There’s been a lot written on how to have daily devotions so I doubt that I’ve got much to add, but, here’s some stuff I’ve learned from Christ followers who’ve enjoyed a long walk with Christ:

1. Establish a place for your quiet time. (I like the kitchen table)
2. Establish a time. (I like early mornings before anyone else in the house is up)
3. Establish a method. (“Our Daily Bread Devotional” is what I use when I’m not studying for a specific reason like my church’s small group get together)
4. Make it personal. (tell God what’s on your heart, ask Him to open your eyes to what He has to say that day, and listen…really listen – this takes time)
5. Write it down. (Capture what God’s speaking to you. Keep a journal. You’ll be amazed how God has worked in your life when you go back and read what you’ve written several years later)

Here are some websites that may help:

Our Daily Bread: http://odb.org/
Bible Gateway, online bible: http://www.biblegateway.com/
One Year Bible; I like to use the “Living Standard Version Bible” for a read through the bible experience to kind of get an overview of what it’s all about and how it all ties together from Old Testament to New Testament. I often use it as a good read before going to bed at night. It usually takes from 15-20 minutes to read the selected sections. http://oneyearbibleonline.com/index.html

When I first started out, the longest I could run without slowing down to a walk was about 10 minutes. It took a while, but after several weeks of pounding pavement I finally reached the coveted 30 minute mark and have been able to maintain a sustainable and “enjoyable” routine ever since.

So, don’t get discouraged. To coin a phrase, “Just Do It”.

In all labor there is profit,

But mere talk leads only to poverty (Proverbs 14:23).

Song Series: Song Related Devotions

Beginning today, I'll start posting my personal devotions as they relate to the songs our worship team are working through. The first song will be "Sing Sing Sing" by Chris Tomlin. Feel free to share these song stories and bible studies with your teams or use them as a catalyst to get your own quiet time moving.