Tuesday, October 18, 2011

I shall not live by bread alone

Happy Tuesday, friends!

I haven't shared this yet, but I've been feeling compelled to memorize scripture lately. I haven't really memorized ANY since I was in high school, when I was basically required to memorize a lot. I don't know why I suddenly feel compelled. I can't explain it. Memorizing anything, really, used to sound like such a chore, as if I were cramming for a Bio test in college. But for whatever reason, I have a new and somewhat urgent desire in me to make it happen. It has a bit to do with the time I have, now that the kids are in school all day and I am reading the Bible a lot more and realizing that I want to know where things are, and want to be able to easily recall things for the sake of both equipping myself and teaching my children.

SO without further ado, I'm going to type out the first thing I've memorized straight from my own head! You'll just have to believe me on that one. Also, I can't guarantee proper punctuation. Why did I start with Psalm 63? Well, it was a spontaneous choice that, while I happened to be reading it, went something like, "Hey, I'm already pretty familiar with this passage. I think I'll start with this."

Psalm 63:1-8

God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you.
My soul thirsts for you,
My flesh faints for you,
As in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
Beholding your glory and power.
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
I will bless you as long as I live.
In your name, I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
My mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
When I remember you on my bed,
And meditate on you in the watches of the night,
For you have been my help.
In the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
My soul clings to you.
Your right hand upholds me.

Isn't that so beautiful!? I'm feeling good about this. I've memorized two other passages since, and I can't tell you how many times I've already recited them in my brain or written them out on scratch paper when I've needed some encouragement on the spot.

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matt 4:4)

 It is good to hide God's word in your heart. For so many reasons, it's good.

Do you have a special saying or verse memorized that you like to recall in times of need? Please share! I'd love to add it to my repertoire. Have a great day.


{linking up with my pals Amy & Jami}


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11 comments:

  1. i love this! hiding God's Word in our hearts is so important, but i find myself not doing enough of it. in home school, the kids have to memorize and 2 years ago when i was teaching jack in kindergarten, we memorized psalm 100.
    here goes...

    make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
    serve the Lord with gladness.
    come before His presence with singing.
    know ye, that the Lord, He is God.
    it is He that hath made us.
    and not we ourselves.
    we are His people.
    and the sheep of His pasture.
    enter into His gates with thanksgiving
    and into His courts with praise
    be thankful unto Him and bless His name.
    for the Lord is good.
    His mercy is everlasting
    and His truth endureth to all generations.

    i was so happy that by teaching him this verse, i learned it, and so did our 3 year old!
    thank you so much for the great reminder, leslie. the kids and i have some work to do!

    :)
    mary

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  2. god for you, leslie. i have always felt kinda the same way about memorizing....i was always doing it for a test, speech, etc never because i wanted to and once i didn't need to know it anymore i just forgot it. thanks for sharing with us!

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  3. I love, love, love this! Beth Moore has her scripture memory team that I thought about joining, but it was so huge, so I started one on my blog with my friends called Moxie Memorizers. Check it out if you are interested. I love memorizing scripture because when one pops into my head at just the right time, I know it His voice and I love hearing from Him. :)

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  4. I'm doing this, too, Leslie. Last week I decided I wanted to try and memorize Romans 8. I have never tried to memorize a chapter before, but I am loving it. I find it comes to mind a lot during the day, and it is a big blessing. I don't know if I'll make it through the whole chapter, but I really want to try. I love the passage you picked. Beautiful! :)

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  5. Wanna know whats compelling me to do this too?: the fact that my third grade students have already learned and memorized the first 17 verses of Hebrews 11(the Faith Chapter) and I have to grade them on it.
    Im amazed at how these young minds can just soak it all in and remember it. K is doing the same in 1st grade and in Kindergarten memorized 26 verses(1 for each letter of the alphabet).
    I feel that scripture will one day carry us when we've been stripped of all other hope. That and songs...we're big on those too.
    Im proud of you for doing this. Its not easy and Ive never been good at it. Guess its time we get to work huh?:)
    Miss you!

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  6. I have recently started learning scripture too... and it has been so good for me.

    I've been using Scripture Typer to help, and it's fun to see how many verses I've learnt.

    And because it involves the computer, my seven year old son is keen to try it out too. :)

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  7. I want to get back to doing this as well. I grew up in a Christian school, going to Sunday school and Wednesday nights Bible study. I used to know that book front to back!

    One I always pull out in a time of need is this:

    Do not be anxious about anything; but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7

    It's a fave.

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  8. 1 Corinthians 15:10

    "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect."

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  9. Still love Romans 8:28
    "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

    It's not the scripture as much as it is the reference I have trouble memorizing. You have inspired me to work harder at it.
    Miss you.

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  10. i've been thinking i NEED to memorize scripture too. i use to. i need to.

    you picked my FAVORITE. my life verses are psalm 63:3-4
    "because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You as long as i live."

    that's what i want to be said of me... that i lived in His love, and because of that my life glorified Him. oh, and then imagine what it will be like to finally be home, in the fullness of His love! better than my wedding day, holding my babies... better than life here. looking forward to the day.


    finally, thank you for your email. thank you for the encouragement, the nudging to move.
    i intend to get back to you.

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  11. I have also recently returned to memorizing scripture, and it has been such a blessing. It's one way that I'm learning to "pray continually." I don't have a favorite right now, but the verse I'm focusing on today is "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Mat. 5:3)

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