Memory Verse Challenge: Week 42

Hi everyone.  This week's verse is frightening.  No - it's not about Halloween. It's about fear.  For many of us fear is something that is sort of a nemesis.  I'm not talking about the fear of the boogie man.  I'm referring to the everyday standard stress.  Stresses having to do with money, parenting, marriage, faith, self-worth, etc. are all in reality fear. When we fear (or stress) we aren't living in the truth of God's love and faithfulness.  We aren't trusting His love to cover our problems.

Some of you may find it hard to connect the dots between love and fear.  Maybe this will help: Imagine being in a dark and scary underground tunnel with the all-powerful God.  If we were with anybody else, we might have cause to be alarmed.  After all - who knows what we will come up against.  But since we're there with the God of the universe who loves us beyond words are we really going to doubt He's going to take care of us, protect us against approaching evils, and lead us through the passageway?  I think it's fair to say we all think God can handle anything.

The very nature of God's love dictates that He will cover us with, not only those feel-good emotions, but also with His protection and oversight.  If we truly immerse ourselves in His love, we will drive out fear.  Memorize this verse so it will serve as a reminder that you have no reason to fear.  God is with you always!


See more about the Memory Verse Challenge here.
See the complete list of Challenge verses here.

Sunday Blogvotional: Godly Priorities

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? Luke 9:25

Our world places so much emphasis on having money, power, and lots of possessions. It's so easy to fall into the trap of chasing these things. We justify the hunt because we like nice things, or everyone else is doing it, or we are entitled to have the “good life”.

When we chase these worldly things our devotion to the God of heaven switches to earthly “gods”. It is true - our awesomely wonderful God is a jealous god. He wants us for himself. He knows if our hearts are divided then we can't serve him with all our strength. He also knows that Satan will tempt us just as he tempted Jesus. And what if we're not as prepared to fight him off?  God's warnings to us should not be taken lightly.

Our faith in God's goodness and a godly perspective on what’s important should always be on our mind to safeguard ourselves from falling into the devil's trap.  We have a choice.  The question is...what are we going to value most?  The things (and relationships) of this earth that fade away or the One that lasts forever?

Encouragement for the week: Spend time looking at your priorities in life. If your priorities are not on God or God focused, then there needs to be some realignment.  Pray for God’s enlightenment and help in refocusing your life on Him.  He knows our struggles and will gently help us get our hearts where they need to be.  We just have to let Him.

Memory Verse Challenge: Week 41

This week's verse is a gem I found in the Old Testament.  I really like it because it's such a visual depiction of the effort God goes through on our behalf - to search us out, to find us and then to strengthen us.

He never leaves us to muddle through life on our own.  He will search the ends of the earth for us.  Even when we think we can't be seen because of all the muck and chaos burying us, He will find us and nurture us.

All He asks from us in our full commitment (our whole heart and soul). He is the only One who has the power to bring us out of the depths and into a place where we can soar.  And He is the only One dedicated enough to never stop looking.

See more about the Memory Verse Challenge here.
See the complete list of Challenge verses here.

Memory Verse Challenge: Week 40

This week's verse speaks to me on a couple of different levels.  One) it reiterates the kindness and love God has for us and two) reminds me that I'm saved by His mercy and not the things I've done.

The verse says that God saved us because of His mercy.  This stirs something in me.  It's the realization that I need His mercy.  I make mistakes all the time.  This verse reminds me that despite my deeds (my righteous deeds not being good enough...my unrighteous deeds not being bad enough) He's willing to cover me with His mercy....over and over again.

There's a love there I'm not sure I can fathom.  But I accept it - thankfully.

See more about the Memory Verse Challenge here.
See the complete list of Challenge verses here.

Sunday Blogvotional: Passing God Along

After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what He had done for Israel.  

Judges 2:10

If ever there was a verse that clearly indicates the importance of sharing our faith, it is Judges 2:10.  This verse is astounding.  How is it possible that the generation who had made it through the desert, crossed the Jordan River, and regained the Promised Land would not have shared these things with their children?

Why would they not have told them about their great and powerful God?  And yet the next generation “knew neither the Lord nor what He had done”?  They went on to do evil in the eyes of the Lord.  Either the previous generation didn’t want to talk about God or they assumed they didn’t have to – that maybe God would reveal Himself (much like He did to them). 

We must talk about God.  We must share our faith (in particular with our children).  Not just what our faith is but why we have it.  We must talk about God’s love because without love there can be no relationship.  We can’t assume our children (or others) will somehow “pick up on it” by simply watching us.  We talk about so many things.  And yet sometimes we forget the most important topic of all.

Encouragement for the week:  Talk about God with your children, with loved ones, and others you know.  Let them see you pray.  Talk about how God blesses you and why it is you try to please Him.  Let them see your relationship with God.  And nurture them into their own relationship with God.

Memory Verse Challenge: Week 39

This week's verse is a gentle reminder to us on how to handle bad work situations.  In our lives sometimes the work we do seems under-appreciated or maybe irrelevant.  Sometimes the people we work for seem undeserving or over-bearing. 

We should remember that even the most menial task can have a big impact (it's called a ripple effect).  Some of the things God asked His people to do in the Bible seem insignificant.  But in reality those tasks played an important role.  Trust God that what you're doing has a purpose (even if no one seems to notice).

Remember, also, that every boss's boss is our boss.  We all answer to the one true King (whether we recognize it or not).  What our heavenly Boss wants from us is to be obedient to those in authority (except when that means being disobedient to Him).  And He wants and expects us to give our best.
Trust in Him.  He sees your difficult situation and is strengthening you (maybe for your own role as a leader.)

Whatever you do work as for the Lord. Then next verse says you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward.  And what a reward that will be.

See more about the Memory Verse Challenge here.
See the complete list of Challenge verses here.

Sunday Blogvotional: What Goes In...

Have you ever heard the phrase "What goes in must come out."? Usually we hear this phrase when we're talking about food.  But what if we're not talking about food?  What if we're talking about foul language, violent movies, dirty jokes, gossiping friends, or overt sexual scenes on TV?

When we surround ourselves with this stuff we absorb it all in.  Just because we're Christians doesn't mean the "bad stuff" bounces off of us (never doing any harm).  Our minds are computers and it all gets assimilated in one fashion or another.  Whether we want to admit it or not, it has an affect on us.

Can we expect good thoughts, good words, scripture, prayers, etc to come out of our mouths when we haven't put them in our minds to begin with? 

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.  Philippians 4:8

Encouragement for the week:  Pray for God to help you to be aware of the harmful things you are putting into your mind.  Once you've identified something - replace it with something good. 

Memory Verse Challenge: Week 38

We're at week 38.  Can you believe we have come this far already?  Admittedly - I need to do a little better on the "memory" part of this challenge but I know we're nurturing ourselves with God's truths!  I love that.  I hope you do too.

This week's verse is a little bit of tough love for most and one I, personally, need to plant firmly in my heart.  It centers around being kind and forgiving to others.  The kind part is much easier than the forgiving part.  But here's the hard truth:  It doesn't matter if we "know" we're completely justified in our anger and unforgiveness.  God requires obedience to Him not obedience to our emotions. The hard thing for us to remember is that forgiving is a requirement in order to be "right" with God.  Without it - there is always a barrier between us and Him.

The last part of this small, powerful verse reminds us that God forgave us.  Think about it.  If anyone has a right to be justified in his anger and unforgiving, it would be God.  We, His children, constantly sin.  Sure - we may not be stealing from the poor or cheating on our spouse.  But what about the sin in our hearts?  God has released us from His anger and forgiven us through the blood of Christ.  It wasn't a one-time thing.  It's a daily (or constant) renewal of His love and grace.

See more about the Memory Verse Challenge here.
See the complete list of Challenge verses here.