And there is no creature hidden from His sight,
but all are naked and laid bare
before the eyes of Him whom is our account.
Tag: bible scriptures
Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
John 3:36
The one who believes in the Son has
eternal life; but the one who does not
obey the Son will not see life, but the
wrath of God remains on him.
John 3:36
God Will Rescue You
Verse of the Day: Psalm 18:16
He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters.
Fruit of the Spirit: If you feel like you are doing…
Luke 21:36
Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Luke 5:31,32
And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners.
Memorizing Scripture
A couple of weeks ago I decided to implement a plan to help me memorize scripture. While I love reading and studying the Bible I believe it’s extremely important to have scriptures memorized. But it can be difficult so I thought I would share my process.
A few things I’ve found helpful, is to start with scriptures which you’re drawn to, start with shorter scriptures, and memorize one scripture per week. Since the first day of the week is Sunday for me, that’s usually when I will start and try to end it on the Sabbath. Of course, there are exceptions and if for some reason you find yourself straying from the process don’t beat yourself up, just start over.
First, Pray to God asking for help memorizing scripture then I use a large spiral notebook with lined pages and write the scripture location as the heading. Example, Luke 4:8
Next, I write the actual scripture in the lined body portion of the page underneath the heading.
And Jesus answered and said to him, Get behind Me, satan! For it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God and him only you shall serve. Luke 4:8
But to actually help me memorize the scripture, after I’ve written it down the first time, I will skip one line and rewrite it. I do this process over and over for a whole week on the same page I started with, the front, the back and even the next blank page if needed.
If for some reason I’m still having difficulty with this scripture I will change things up and go to a new one. If I still have time left within the week I will go back to the one I was having difficulty with and continue the same process as before. And if I still can’t get it I completely back away from it and return at a later date.
But there are other ways to help you memorize scripture you just need to find the one which works best for you. For me it’s writing the scripture then rewriting it over and over until it’s cemented into my brain. For you it maybe;
Using index cards. Write the verse on one side and the location on the backside.
Record your voice reading the scripture than while studying, relaxing or sleeping listen to your recording.
Meditate on the scripture during your one on one time.
Turn the scripture into a song. Now you don’t have to write your own music, use a tune that sticks in your head and apply the words. Select music that is catchy or upbeat to make the process easier.
But why should we memorize scripture anyway?
One of the main reasons to memorize scripture is because Jesus Himself, the Word of God, quoted scriptures throughout His ministry. It also helps us fight temptation by putting on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20). It helps us live in obedience to God by following His word since we’re told to let the word of Christ dwell within us (Colossians 3:16). And of course, memorizing scriptures makes us a better witness to non-believers (1 Peter 3:15).
But I believe there’s another reason, because I believe a time is coming when the Bible will be a crime, Christian Churches will be closed down, and Christianity will no longer be tolerated. It will be a crime to own a Bible, a crime to mention the name Jesus and a crime to attend a Christian Church. And when you look at Bible Prophecy, specifically, the Book of Revelation it says;
When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood? Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been. Revelation 6:9-11
See what I mean? There will be more persecution, and this is another reason to memorize scriptures so that you can stand strong in your faith if and when that time comes.
Plus, memorizing scriptures reaffirms our faith, gives us peace of mind, gives us hope knowing the Lord Christ Jesus is coming again…..
James 1:19
You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God.
Jeremiah 31:33
But I will make a covenant with the House of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put MY LAW in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their GOD, and they shall be MY people.
Complaining and Arguments
I read a very interesting post this evening over on the blog Untethered entitled, You are Not Your Own. In the post Raychel, the originator of the blog, was talking with her daughter and they were discussing her daughter’s Theology class. What I found very interesting is how Raychel compares their discussion to Philippians to see if it was inline with teachings of the Bible.
As I read the scriptures she had written, one in particular caught my attention which speaks of complaining or arguments. While I’m not a complainer sometimes I do feel the need to “explain” why I said what I did or for taking a certain action. Unfortunately, this can lead to a full blown argument if I’m not careful and since I loathe disagreements, drama and arguments I try to do everything within my power to get the situation under control, to calm things down and that usually means holding my tongue and praying to the Lord. But after reading Raychel’s post I decided to look up the scripture for myself and memorize it, at least, part of it. But the scripture I’m referring to says;
Do all things without complaining or arguments; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, Philippians 2:14,15
This is a wonderful scripture for those who find themselves among those who complain, argue, or like me, the need to explain yourself. Cause when I think about it there’s no reason I need to explain myself for what I say, believe or the actions I take. Jesus is my King, He knows my heart so no explanation is needed between me and my Lord.
Revelation 22:12,13
And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.
Adultery
When I first started reading the Bible I was surprised to read the scriptures on adultery and how Jesus viewed it. By His standards, probably, majority of us have already committed adultery without the actual physical act. Let’s look at Jesus teaching to understand;
You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away.
Matthew 5:27,28
The act of adultery tears at the very fabric of families, but, to look at someone in a lustful manner, isn’t what the average person views as adultery. Yet, this is the very issue which Jesus is speaking of. Why? Maybe because lust comes from what our eyes see which can lead to shameful thoughts, shameful desires, shameful deeds and a loss of control over the body, heart and mind. When this happens we’re no longer walking in the Spirit, instead, we’re walking in the flesh. But look what else is said;
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, acts of adultery, other immoral sexual acts, thefts, false testimonies, and slanderous statments. These are the things that defile the person; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the person.
Matthew 15:19,20
For those who claim to be Christians, but tend to live in the flesh, their hearts will reflect issues such as adultery, sexual immorality along with a host of other sins. Adultery destroys the character of a person and I believe this is one of the reasons the Bible teaches we are to guard ourselves, our eyes, our thoughts, our speech and our hearts.
If we don’t our relationship with God is at risk, and, before you know it our hearts become rebellious, hardened, unrepentative and we find ourselves living a life far from God.
I Never Knew You
Out of all the scriptures in the Bible there’s only a handful which really scare me. Why? Because by those scriptures our future will be determined. Probably the one which I have really thought the most about says;
Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!
Matthew 7:21-23
If our Lord Jesus says not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven how can we ensure we want meet the same fate?
Jesus gives us the answer in the very same verse, He says, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven are the ones which will enter the kingdom of heaven.
What is the will of God?
It’s repenting of our sin, accepting and believing in Christ Jesus as the Son of God who came in the flesh, born of a virgin, was sacrificed for our sins and was raised on the third day. It’s loving the Lord God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, doing good, loving others, helping those in need, speaking truth, avoiding sexual immorality, following Christ example, in fact, it’s following God’s commandments which are written on our hearts.
In fact, I believe the entire New Testament is a dedication of following God’s will through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and our example.
The Season of Giving
Around the Christmas holiday seems to be the biggest season of the year when people tend to go out of their way to give to others. It makes us feel good when we can give to someone less fortunate than ourselves.
But shouldn’t it be this way all year round?
Because as a Christian I believe this is something the Church should be practicing. Whether it’s by furnishing food to the needy, clothes or money to the poor, taking someone to the grocery store or to a doctor’s appointment, furnishing Christmas gifts to Children, if I truly love and believe in the Lord than I’ll do this happily. Look what the Bible says;
Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:1-4
Christ tells us when we give to do in secret, don’t announce it, don’t talk about it, just do it. And, when we give we shouldn’t do it out of obligation we do it out of love for our fellow man that is less fortunate than ourselves. So we should always give willing because we have compassion for others. But look what else the Bible says;
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have fath but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, Go in peace; keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
James 2:-17
See what I mean?
It’s our faith that spurs us into action because faith without action is dead. As Christians, we give because we have compassion for the less fortunate, because it’s within our hearts to do so. Just as God gave His only Son, the Lord Jesus, for us. But look what 2 Corinthians says;
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
We’re to give generously and cheerfully, not out of obligation or duty, but, out of love for our fellow man and out of faith in our Lord Jesus the Christ.
Jesus the Righteous Path 