I heard a sermon by Dr. Charles Swindoll at the beginning of 2010. In that sermon, he asked his congregation how much of the Word they had memorized, and then he proceeded to tell a story of a handful of religious prisoners who had no bibles. Together, they were able to piece together a large portion of the bible because they had taken it upon themselves throughout life to memorize.
So here we are, mid-june, and I am still on track with my scripture memorization. I pledged to memorize 12 passages (one per each month) from sections of the bible I (and others) don't normally memorize. By "longer", I mean longer than a mere verse like I've been accustomed to doing in the past. A few years ago I memorized the book of James and various Psalms, but for some reason got away from it. I can still remember some of those passages, which is still beneficial. But much of it has slipped away.
Nevertheless, here's where I am so far:
Deuteronomy 32:39-42
1 Kings 9:4-9
1 Samuel 2:1-10
1 Samuel 12:20-25
Lamentations 3:19-33
Jonah 2:1-9
Benefits I see in scripture memorization:
1) The Word accompanies me wherever I go, even when I don't have a bible in hand.
2) The Word committed to memory aides in building my overall memory recollection.
3) The Word ingrained in my head and heart helps me remain guarded against sin's temptations.
4) The Word memorized in large chunks as an accomplishable goal over a full year causes me to be diligent in staying out of the "funk" whenever it comes my way.
5) The Word reminds me of God's faithfulness to His children and to me.
6) The Word in my mind has enhanced my prayer life -- BIG TIME! I can pray the Word at any time.
7) The Word, in order to always stay fresh in my memory, must regularly/frequently be recited and recalled. This constant recall fits hand-in-glove with #3.
8) The Word, when memorized, allows for more effective preaching of the word to myself.
There are certainly more, but that's what's on my mind for now. Maybe you have additional reasons you like memorizing the Word. Would you care to share your thoughts or hints?
6.15.2010
6.05.2010
GOD SAVE ME, A SINNER:
A close friend is dying rapidly in his battle with cancer. Yesterday I got a call from my wife that Berry was back in the hospital. As God would sovereignly design it, I was investigating a traffic crash and was sent to one particular hospital in the area. When I was finished with the investigation, I returned to my patrol car and found a message from my wife on my cell phone telling me Berry was in the very same hospital I just exited.
I turned back and began the long walk around the halls of the hospital to Berry's room. All the while, I prayed that the Holy Spirit would convict Berry of his need for a Savior, and that He would empower and use me in this private time with Berry.
Berry is a retired police officer (but only in his early 60's), and he and I grew close due our similar backgrounds. So he's been a pretty gruff guy most of his life. But when I arrived at his hospital room, he was in so much agony and was crying. He's broken, and I could see it. When he saw me, the first thing he asked was for me to pray for him.
Before praying for his physical needs, I told Berry that his spiritual need was much more grave than his cancer. I asked him that if he was to die if he'd be ready to face God in judgement. He explained that he had "done his best" throughout his life, but I helped him understand it's not how hard we try that matters. Instead, we are sin-sick and in need of God's forgiveness only through Jesus Christ because our sin separates us from Him.
I prayed for just a couple minutes...until he took over. He begged Jesus Christ to forgive him, to save him, and to take him home. In all my years of practicing prayer and hearing prayer growing up in the church, I can honestly say I've rarely heard such godly prayers as this one. For almost 5 minutes he begged God for mercy and forgiveness. It was truly beautiful. I didn't interrupt or close off the prayer. I simply let him pour his heart out to God in his own words.
I enjoyed basquing in God's goodness to him as I imagined his sin being permanently removed from him only by God's amazing grace.
I turned back and began the long walk around the halls of the hospital to Berry's room. All the while, I prayed that the Holy Spirit would convict Berry of his need for a Savior, and that He would empower and use me in this private time with Berry.
Berry is a retired police officer (but only in his early 60's), and he and I grew close due our similar backgrounds. So he's been a pretty gruff guy most of his life. But when I arrived at his hospital room, he was in so much agony and was crying. He's broken, and I could see it. When he saw me, the first thing he asked was for me to pray for him.
Before praying for his physical needs, I told Berry that his spiritual need was much more grave than his cancer. I asked him that if he was to die if he'd be ready to face God in judgement. He explained that he had "done his best" throughout his life, but I helped him understand it's not how hard we try that matters. Instead, we are sin-sick and in need of God's forgiveness only through Jesus Christ because our sin separates us from Him.
I prayed for just a couple minutes...until he took over. He begged Jesus Christ to forgive him, to save him, and to take him home. In all my years of practicing prayer and hearing prayer growing up in the church, I can honestly say I've rarely heard such godly prayers as this one. For almost 5 minutes he begged God for mercy and forgiveness. It was truly beautiful. I didn't interrupt or close off the prayer. I simply let him pour his heart out to God in his own words.
I enjoyed basquing in God's goodness to him as I imagined his sin being permanently removed from him only by God's amazing grace.
6.04.2010
IF MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU (John Piper):
This video message is long, but just watch the first 15 minutes. I commend, actually, the first 15 minutes to you. Listen to the passion of John Piper's scripturally-centered, memorized prayer. You will be encouraged to memorize scripture if you don't already. If you do, you'll be encouraged to memorize even more. I was!
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