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.