The key to this castle is in that little blue box.
I’ve been feeling a great burden on my heart for quite some time to begin memorizing scripture and their references. That book has endless treasures for me only shackled until I open its pages and allow the spirit to penetrate my soul. I know that the WORD in me can keep me from stumbling, or just down right sitting down in a heap and feeling hopeless and afraid. So, this past summer the kids and I memorized Psalm 23. Brendan and I made up a few signs that reminded us of certain phrases and together we learned it over about two weeks. It was so refreshing to commit something to memory and have success! He was memorizing with me and I was teaching it to him so it became something fun to do together and not a chore. It was ACTIVE and alive, just like God’s word. Even Gabriella got in on the action and began to learn just through the passivity of being around it.
Fast forward to a challenge from Beth Moore on her blog to memorize two scriptures a month for the entire year of 2009. The first and fifteenth club. I knew that Cubbie and Sparky verses weren’t cutting it around here, and that I needed to be memorizing verses that I needed.
So, the journey began.
January 1- Isaiah 33:6- “He is the firm foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge, the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.”
Praise Him. Praise Him for being the firm foundation for my times. This verse has popped up literally DOZENS of times in the last two months, as I have been teaching of and on in the ladies Sunday School at church. What are we studying? Isaiah. Amazing.
January 15-Verse two
Joshua 1:9- “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go.”
As the month unfolded, so did a trip to Arkansas to visit my mom. She told me she’d been memorizing some scripture and shared it with me. I told her about the First and Fifteenth club and she wanted to memorize along with ME. So, in those five days she committed the first two verses to memory. I can’t begin to explain the cement that is between the two of us, that while we were already tight, now we are just glued together. These are OUR verses and they have all been the right ones.
February 1- Psalm 62:1-2
“My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”
Talk about a balm to my soul. He is my fortress. I am the princess in the castle. The castle of God. I will not be shaken.
February 15- 1 Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
AND 1 Timothy 6:11-12 “But you (wo)man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith.”
For whatever reason, this last one has been harder for me to commit to memory. I NEED it, but the recall has been more difficult. But now it is locked in there and ready for recall.
And now, March 1- Ephesians 4:29-“Do not let ANY unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to THEIR needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
This one is familiar to me, but it is time I lay it down in cement with its reference for once and for all.
God is doing a new work within me and I’m growing again. I praise God for the wonder of his LIVING and BREATHING scripture that can transform even a wretch like me.
Want to come along? First and Fifteen? Need one of mine-they are completely free for the taking.
Thank you so much for this Lee. This is an exclamation point at the end of God’s words to me lately. Love you, Lisa
What a great post! I commend you for committing so much Scripture to memory! The kids and I are memorizing the book of James (it’s slow going…:)) and I am loving it.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Blessings,
Joy
ok, i’ve been searching for your blog 4-EVER! now i found it, and it’s awesome! gotta find out how you designed it! love the content, too 🙂 thanks for coming over today. You spur me on towards good deeds, being a good mother and thinking through issues. I need your email too.