15 Jan 2013 Scripture Memory “Clinical Trial”: Verse #2
Hi Friends-
Part 2 of my blog posts today includes the second installment of our Scripture Memory “Clinical Trial.” It’s not too late to join in with our group and make 2013 the year of victory over the tough issues in our life. God’s Word, liberally applied and truly believed is powerful “medicine”!
2013 Scripture Memory “Clinical Trial”: VERSE #2
Wow! Have 15 days already passed? I sure hope the first 15 days of this new year have been good ones for you and that you are already feeling the side-effects of our Scripture Memory “Clinical Trial”. I know I have. It’s amazing how even just a little bit of focused time and effort meditating on a verse can start to do a big work in your head and your heart. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m determined to form this habit for several reasons- not the least of which is that it creates greater intimacy between Jesus and me.
I want to share with you a great piece from my devotional reading this morning, “Days of Heaven on Earth.” Author and evangelist, A. B. Simpson writes:
“It takes much less effort to maintain a good habit than to form it. A true spiritual habit once formed becomes a spontaneous tendency of our being , and we grow into delightful freedom in following it. Every spiritual habit begins with difficulty and effort and watchfulness. But if we will only let it get thoroughly established, it will become a channel along which the currents of life will flow with divine spontaneous freedom.”
If I can try to paraphrase what Mr. Simpson is saying I believe it is that every spiritual discipline or habit takes effort at first, and lots of it. But if we persevere, after a while it becomes effortless and we find that our heart is free, excited, eager and even spontaneous in continuing the habit.
Just this morning I was telling the Lord that I am so grateful that He has helped me to develop the habit of waking up early to spend time with Him because it’s drawn me so much closer to His heart. It’s a habit that was horribly difficult at first, and I will admit- is still a struggle on some days. My flesh can spontaneously reach for the snooze button in the middle of the deepest REM sleep. But over the years of forming this habit I have experienced God like no other time in my life. There’s just something about the morning… with Him. It’s quiet outside and I’m quiet enough within myself to hear Him speak. There are things He wants to say to me and show me that are only available at those wee hours. This morning it happened to have just started snowing as I made my way downstairs. For a good five minutes or more I stared out the window with Him marveling at the miracle of snowfall. I don’t want to ever lose a child-like wonder and awe of His awesome wonders. I don’t want to every get too cool or big for my britches that I don’t say, “WOW!” even at a slight one inch of snow accumulated on the ground.
So what does all that have to do with the Scripture Memory Clinical Trial? It’s another worthy and life-changing discipline that will draw you deeper into an intimate and loving relationship with your Creator.
A verse I had been meditating and memorizing a while back is Psalm 73:25, “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You.” As I began thinking that verse through and talking with God about it, I realized that I had some deep desires that might be making a play for the “besides” position in my heart. You know what I mean? Jesus plus something else = my happiness, contentment, joy, identity… etc. So I began praying, daily- “Lord, I want to love You above all else. Please help me to love You more than any thing or anyone and to desire nothing on this earth more than You. Be now and always the greatest love of my life!”
Please understand that I don’t I walk around ecstatically in love and covered in goosebumps over Jesus 24-7, but there has been a change- one that I can feel. Through this prayer that began with Scripture memorization, God has begun doing a “new thing” in me and I can feel that my heart is much more tender to Him and the things that really matter to Him. I’m committed to praying that prayer daily for 2013 and can’t wait to see how He continues to work through it. You’re welcome to pray it with me!!
Sorry to be so long-winded. OK, it’s time for verse #2! Here’s mine-
The Sovereign Lord has given me the capacity to be His spokesman, so that I may know how to help the weary. He wakes me up every morning; He makes me alert so I can listen attentively as disciples do~ (Isaiah 50:4).
Feel free to share yours if you’d like- and any feedback you have on your first 15 days of Scripture Memory. I’d love to hear from you! Even if you’re struggling with memorizing… keep at it. YOU CAN DO THIS!! YOU CAN!! And if you need further encouragement, Beth Moore has written a terrific piece on her blog: http://blog.lproof.org/2013/01/2013-siesta-scripture-memory-team-verse-2.html/comment-page-39#comment-393955
I love you all dearly and so proud of you for committing to this holy habit! I’m praying for each you as you continue in this “Clinical Trial” to renewing your mind in God’s Word!
You are greatly and dearly loved by The King… oh, yes you are!