Embracing Him

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

On Sunday evenings, the girlies attend an AWANA program at a local church. The acronym AWANA is derived from 2 Timothy 2:15 and stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed. The girlies look forward to going each Sunday night because they enjoy the weekly games, crafts, and stories. JT and I love taking them to AWANA because we know they’re learning more about our wonderful Savior in a fun environment.

A few minutes before we leave for AWANA, the girlies slip into their adorable and purposeful AWANA vests. Scripture memorization is a major component of the AWANA program and the girls are eager to memorize scriptures so they can earn pins and patches to display on their vests.

Right now, Sweet Pea is working to memorize eight verses so she can earn a Hang Glider pin for her vest. The other week as we were standing in front of the refrigerator and studying the memory verses posted there, she posed a challenging question to me. “Mommy, how many Bible verses have you memorized?”

Thankfully, I was able to recite a few of the Bible verses I have memorized over the years, but at that moment I realized I needed to do a better job of committing God’s Word to my memory. Right then and there the Holy Spirit showed me that it would be wrong of me to insist that my daughters memorize several verses when I hadn’t or wasn’t doing the same! Isn’t it just like God to teach us a lesson via our children?

After that little encounter, I decided to make scripture memorization a priority. I headed over to Chrysalis where I knew my friend e-Mom had written an informative post about scripture memorization. There I discovered a link to the Scripture Memory Challenge taking place at Beth Moore’s Living Proof Ministries blog.

If you’d like to begin or brush up on scripture memorization, I highly recommend visiting the Living Proof blog. To help you get started, Beth Moore has posted three scripture memory tutorials full of terrific information you’ll need to memorize scripture effectively.

Why memorize scripture?

• You can use what you’ve memorized to provide an encouraging or comforting word to someone in need, including yourself (Proverbs 25:11).
• You can use what you’ve memorized to help defeat the sin in your life (Psalm 119:9).
• You can use what you’ve memorized to defeat Satan (Ephesians 6:17).
• You can use what you’ve memorized to keep your mind focused on what is holy and pure (Philippians 4:8).
• You can use what you’ve memorized to share the Gospel with others (Isaiah 55:11).
• And…you can use what you’ve memorized to show a curious child that you’re hiding God’s Word in your heart too (Psalm 119:11 )!

Moses summoned all Israel and said: Hear, O Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them. (Deuteronomy 5:1)

Normally, I’m not a fan of late night television. However, I’ve been up late for the past week or so, eagerly awaiting the next broadcast of ABC’s Nightline. The late night program recently launched a new series called The Ten Commandments, which is intended to explore the commandments and facilitate discussion about whether they are relevant today.

During the series, viewers have been introduced to a self professed shopaholic whose covetous attitude and wild spending have caused her to file for bankruptcy twice. The series has also highlighted Chick Fil-A’s well known Sabbath honoring Sunday closures. On yet another night, proponents of traditional marriage and advocates of open marriage squared off in a discussion about adultery and delved into whether or not we’re born to cheat. More recently, Nightline explored the popularity of the words Oh my God! and questioned whether speaking or texting those words is blasphemous.

Though this modern exploration of the Ten Commandments has featured some sensational stories perhaps better suited for tabloids and gossip magazines, it still provides good food for thought. How should Christians respond to this series?

If we think we’re doing a stellar job of following The Ten Commandments, we might be tempted to shake our heads in disbelief, wag a finger of criticism, or berate others who disregard the commandments. However, we would be better served to examine ourselves more closely. Remember that passage of scripture about the plank in one’s own eye?

When we wrap ourselves in a cloak of self righteousness, we first deceive ourselves by thinking we’ve done no wrong. This faulty thinking is always a dangerous prospect because it allows us not to take responsibility for the things we have done.  In addition, we miss an opportunity to grow closer to God through His loving instruction. The Ten Commandments weren’t intended to stifle us, but rather to guide us so that we could experience a more joyful life.

This series has caused me to rethink my commitment to the Ten Commandments. Do I know them? Have I truly embraced them? Better yet, am I working to live according to them?

What about  you?

Photo: Courtesy of robeena (Flickr)

Your compassion is great, O Lord; preserve my life according to your laws. (Psalm 119:156)

It’s only Wednesday but it’s already been a been a long and busy week. Whenever I’m struggling to get over the midweek hump, I like to refuel with some praise and worship music!

One of my favorite praise and worship leaders is Israel Houghton. He certainly knows how to do praise and worship! A few years ago some friends and I had the privilege of seeing him in concert. As I recall, we spent very little time in our seats because we were too busy jumping up and down and singing praises to the Lord! It was one of the best praise and worship experiences I have ever enjoyed.

Today, the girlies and I will be singing along to Israel Houghton’s Still Standing. Wanna sing with us? The lyrics are listed below. Sing loud so we can hear you!

Verse One:
You gave me courage to believe
That all Your goodness I will see
And if it had not been for You
Standing on my side
Where would I be?

Chorus:
If not for Your goodness, if not for Your grace
I don’t know where I would be today!
If not for Your kindness I never could say I’m still standing!

If not for Your mercy,  if not for Your love
I most likely would have given up
If not for your favor I never could say I’m still standing
But by the grace of God!

Verse Two:
To You I lift my offering
And set my heart on higher things
For if it had not been for You
Standing on my side
Where would I be?

Chorus:
If not for Your goodness, if not for Your grace
I don’t know where I would be today!
If not for Your kindness I never could say I’m still standing!

Vamp:
I’m still standing
I’m still standing
I’m still standing
But by the grace of God!

Chorus:
If not for Your goodness, if not for Your grace
I don’t know where I would be today!
If not for Your kindness I never could say I’m still standing!