Motivated to Memorize

What helps you stay close to Jesus?

What helps your heart to be captivated by Jesus?
What helps you walk with Jesus invisibly in every area of your life and every waking moment of your life?

The Psalmist says, "How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word." Ps 119:9-16

How to stay on the path of Jesus?
I have hidden Your Word...
With my lips I recount...
I meditate on...
I delight in...
I will not neglect...

Memorizing Scripture... how helpful is this spiritual exercise?

How does praying through a passage of memorizes Scripture deepen your connection with Jesus?
How does a memorized verse help in the heat of losing control of your tongue?
How does memorized Scripture help you as you encourage a brother or sister in Christ as they share a difficult life situation?
How does memorized Jesus' teaching help you as you are interacting with some one far from Jesus (one of your Fab 5)?
How does a memorized gem of a verse help you with your attitude about someone or something?

"Take hold of My Words with all your heart; keep My Commands, and you will live." Pr 4:4

God wants us to "live," really live. How?
"Take hold" - Hebrew is tamak, meaning "to grasp, to seize, to lay hold of."
 
Memorizing Scripture gives you a firm grasp on the Word and most importantly the Word to have a firm grasp on you. 

Don't we need Jesus to grasp us when we are about to gossip, display a bad attitude, disobey authority, impulse eat, buy, say, do?

When was the last time you memorized Scripture?
Maybe its time to jump back in one of the most life changing spiritual exercises all of us can do.

Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your wisdom will be in demand. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective.  Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change.  Your faith will be solidified.

Have you memorized the Memory Verse for the current series on Wrestling with God yet? It's helped me experience Jesus' High Priestly duties on me.

Memorizing Jesus together,
Pastor Chris