Good morning, dear ones!
I am so excited that some of you have joined in memorizing the Word of God with me! We are going to have so much fun doing this together! And think of how built up our faith will be after memorizing the Word! In these uncertain times, I am so thankful to be spending time reading and memorizing Truth. There is no better source to be connected to right now than the Word of God.
If we are only connected to the media and only feed on the news, it would be so easy to become fearful. I want my faith to increase and my fears to decrease. Faith over fear. I want to balance out the reality of the problems of this current day and age, with the Age Old Truth.
I need Truth.
I need to read Truth.
I need to speak Truth out loud.
I need to rehearse the Truth.
I need to meditate on the Truth.
I need to focus on memorizing Truth so that I am not overwhelmed.
I want to walk in the peace that The Lord gives.
Just two days ago at the bank, I witnessed two grown men respond in loud and expressive frustration to some of the changes that we all are experiencing in our community. There was no peace in their responses; but for the grace of God, there go I. I understand their frustration. Life as we have known it, and done it, has changed. We didn’t attend a meeting to discuss the changes, we didn’t have time to process it and have a committee meeting and take notes and hand them out at another meeting and review them, we didn’t vote on them. We are following instructions from leaders to do as they think is best for everyone. We are in uncharted territory for our day and time.
Our bank lobbies are closed, the restaurants where we gathered with family and friends are available by drive through, the church family we gathered with is streaming services and we watch from a distance, nursing home residents don’t have visitors coming to help pass their days, charities are needing funds, schools and businesses and routines are paused. Families that may have spent little time together are getting more than a stay-cation. They are living, working, schooling, cleaning, caring, cooking, eating, and crying in the same place. Life has changed. Nerves are rattled. Tempers flare. Frustrations arise. Plans are cancelled. Trips are delayed. Income decreases. Healthcare workers aren’t getting a break. We are hearing stories of abuse, stories of heartache, of sadness, and of sorrow.
Our outward expressions overflow from our heart. I know what it feels like to be frustrated and to show that frustration. I know what it feels like to battle feelings of anger, bitterness, and rage. I don’t cast stones. I am an extravagant recipient of God’s grace. But, I want you to know, I feel your pain. I feel your frustration. Times are not easy: but, I feel such hope though. I feel peace. I feel release. I want you to experience that, too. I want to be so full of the Word that when times, and people, and situations, and heartaches shake us, that the Word, The Truth comes out.
The only answer I have is Jesus. He has changed the mess that was, and sometimes still bubbles up, in me. And that is why I am back to memorizing Scripture and I would love for you to join me. In His Word, we find answers for everything we face. We, our Scripture Memory Team (or referred to as SMT), are memorizing 2 verses a month, on the 1st and the 15th. Focusing on the Truth of the Word is going to help us through these times. If you want to read the kick-off post, Click here to see all the information about the Scripture Memory Team.
I am going to be memorizing a section from Philippians 4:4-8; but, I’m only memorizing one verse at a time! I memorized this verse as a child from the KJV; but I love how the GNT states it, so this week I am learning:
Lora, Morristown, Philippians 4:4 “May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice!” Good News Translation
I just love that I can be joyful in my union with the Lord – what a great way to phrase that – a great word for me today – that in my always of today, I can be joyful in my union with the Lord.
I can be in union with the Lord!
That is good news.
That is the good news I am going to focus on.
Are you ready to share your SMT verse 2? I’m so looking forward to reading the verse that you are going to memorize! And when you share, please share your Name, Town, Verse Reference and Translation/Version. And while I’ve shared my verse with you, I will also share, or suggest, an alternative verse if you don’t have one in mind. I memorized this one a few years ago, and it is so encouraging:
Psalm 46:5 “God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.” NASB
Alrighty! Share you Verse!