Week #5 of memorizing scriptures leads us to Matthew 5:3-7 – the well-know beatitudes from Jesus’ sermon on the mount.
Which line is your favorite? I agree with my mom, that it really depends on where I am in my life, but right now, my favorite is “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” I long to see Him. Being pure in heart is a big deal – no small feat. I feel challenged to purify my heart so that one day I can see God. Oh happy day.
Week #4 of memorizing scripture.
This was my pick, and I can’t recite this one without out having to stop after “For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross.” It makes me cry every time. I can’t help but to pause and say, “THANK YOU, GOD!” I mean really, consider that. Enduring the cross. Scorning its shame. That was joy to Christ. Joy. Do we really get it? How can I not have joy if Jesus, who was beaten beyond recognition – you couldn’t even tell who he was – found joy dying for me. Dying for you. Really, what can I face that’s worse than that. And even if I’m facing the lowest of lows, the very bottom of the pit, I can still find joy because He found joy in the cross. His death, His resurrection – that’s how I get to have joy in everything, no matter how low or how bad it may be.
“Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” God cares how you feel, and His son reminds you that there is always a reason for joy. Always a reason to not grow weary and lose heart. Ah, so amazing.
Week #3 of memorizing is Hebrews 4:12-13. This was my mom’s pick, and it was a familiar one – well, at least the first half of it. I appreciate the repetitiveness of some of the scriptures: nothing is hidden; everything is uncovered. It’s nice of God to really hit us over the head with important things. I’m sounding slightly sarcastic, but I’m being completely honest. I really do appreciate when God is overtly clear…helps my stubborn, sometimes-blind self.
I love that the Word of God is so sharp it can divide bones and marrow. This scripture – as well as the Bible on the whole - challenges me to check my thoughts and attitudes.
On the whole, this scripture wasn’t the hardest one for me to memorize, but it is the most challenging spiritually though. To see the previous verses we’re memorizing, check here & here.
Week #2 of memorizing. This one was my pick…
I love so much about this one. He guides me {mind}, satisfies my desires {heart}, makes my bones strong {body}, and my ruins can be rebuilt. With Him, I can be the one to raise up foundations of many generations. With Him, I can repair the backwards and restore the places we dwell.
{So much hope for so much broken.}
My mom decided to begin picking a passage out of the Bible and memorizing one each week. I asked if I could join along, so the past two weeks we’ve been challenging ourselves together. I thought it might be nice to share each week’s passage on my blog – for others to join along or just so I can look back at all the passages we picked.
Here’s the first week, my mom’s pick:
I especially liked that before it says His mercies are new every morning {the part I’ve always remembered and heard repeated}, it says that His mercies never come to an end. Not only does God give us new mercies each morning, but they never come to an end! I just picture blessing upon blessing multiplied each day as new ones begin with the sunrise. The Lord is my portion, and I will hope in Him.<3
