Hiding God's Word in your heart

Scripture memorization is a vital part of any believer's life. If we do not know what God's Word says, we do not know how we should believe, how we should view culture, how we should submit to authority, how we should raise our children, honor our spouses ... without knowing God's Word, we do not know how to live.

More importantly, however, we need to SATURATE our minds with Scripture so we can honor the Lord in our actions words and deeds as we daily seek His face and choose to follow Him. As we strive to "love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, soul, mind and strength."

I started memorizing Scripture as a child in Sunday school and I still know those verses to this day. But it was not until I was in college that I PURPOSEFULLY began this discipline ... it takes planning, commitment and consistency.

One of the best methods for me has been to study verses based on what I am struggling with or what I am trying to work through or grow in. I look up every single verse on the particular subject and hand write them onto cards that are bound with a ring. Then I am able to carry them with me wherever I go to glance at them when I have time. I usually have one ring in my purse with me, one in the car and several around the house. I just flip through and read them to myself or out loud whenever I have spare minutes.

It is AMAZING how easy it is to retain Scriptures that are applicable to your life at the moment. And, as we all know, repetition is the key to memory!

I challenge you to try it! I have people tell me all the time that they wish they knew more Scripture, that it is so hard to remember etc. But if we can remember jingles to products, our favorite movie lines and countless other fodder then we can certainly make a sincere effort to "hide God's Word in our hearts so we might not sin against Him".

And the most rewarding part is when you are experiencing something difficult or you need to encourage another believer, the Lord is ALWAYS faithful to bring the perfect Scripture to mind because it is dwelling in your heart.

Thank You, Lord, for such a beautiful and life-sustaining gift!

"She praises her husband in the gates"

Do you ever have one of those moments when, though you know your life is fabulous, your spouse is amazing, you have wonderful friends and delightful children, something happens that makes it jump out at you and say "Wow! I am blessed!"?

This morning at 5:30 a.m. was one of those moments.

As I stood there watching him, my mind was filled with a thousand examples of why I am privileged to call him mine.

Dennis is a man who:

* is willing to work 3 jobs so I can stay home to raise our children
* diligently pursued higher education, while sacrificing personal wants, in order to pursue his goal of having a PhD by age 40
* has an amazing work ethic
* will clean up a child's horrible accident before work, in shirt and tie, without complaining or asking me to help
* is loyal
* is quick to repent after making a mistake
* willingly helps with household chores, even without being asked
* has compassion for those who are hurting, even when he does not understand
* loves his children
* serves others regardless of personal sacrifice or "liking it"
* supports me and encourages me in my ministry pursuits
* loves me unconditionally and proves such in my ugliest moments
* gives all of himself to his profession
* desires to truly know God

Scripture says that "a man who finds a wife finds a good thing" and I think the same can be said of a husband ... a woman who finds a man who is willing to give his life for her will live a long and fulfilling life because of the love, adoration and respect she finds in him.

Thank you, Dennis, for choosing to be my groom and for making that choice again each day. It is a privilege to be your wife. I love you, Michelle