“No … oh yeah I
can. I just remembered that I forgot
your Pepsi.”
Putting the bags on the table he turned around grabbed his hat and
started to head out the door.
“Hon … aren’t
you forgetting something?” I said laughingly.
“What?” He glanced
over his shoulders to where I was looking and picked up the forgotten item.
Later when he returned home I asked my husband why he forgot a little
fifty cent can of soda. He simply said, “I didn’t write it down.” In my ears I heard what he said, but in my
heart I thought, “It wasn’t important
enough to remember.”
Welcome new friends this week from:
See if your city/state/country made the list.
New on DFB – Kikinda, Serbia; Fiorano
Canavese, Piedmont, Italy; Liloy, Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines; Port
Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria; East Tamaki, Auckland Region, New Zealand;
Winnipeg, MB, Canada; Haiti; Japan; Afghanistan; Cambodia; Romania;
Switzerland; Taiwan; Jamaica; Bahamas; Russia.
USA
– Truckee, CA; Fort Myers, Ocala & Winter
Haven, FL; Cumberland Center, ME; Hart, Kentwood, Montague & Ottawa Center,
MI; Pocola, OK; Concord, Jaars, Raleigh, Roxboro, Richlands & Scuffleton,
NC; Greenland & Hollis, NH; Media, PA; Folly Beach, SC; Elmina & Sherman,
TX; Farmington, UT; Bluefield & Mayfair Estates, VA; Sequim, WA; Genoa, WV;
Wausau, WI.
I am so thankful for your visit and hope that you come
back each week to participate in the weekly challenges. Join us in our new series as we spend time in
the study of Daily Favor Prayers.
You are welcome to leave comments or prayer requests below. All are private. I would love to hear from
you and how Daily Favor has worked in your life. Contact me by leaving a message in the box at
the bottom of this week’s post.
Don't miss out on this week's challenge
(below).
Camp Favor
It’s funny … the things we remember, isn’t it? The older we get the more excuses we use as
to why there was a memory lapse. People accept our apologies and look on the deficiency
comically. My question is if age has to
do with forgetting, why does it happen to people no matter their stage in life?
A few years back (okay stay focused, this is about memory)
when I began teaching, some of my students were on church Bible Quiz teams. During study hall or lunch periods they tested
one another on large passages of scripture.
It reminded me of the times I did the same pumping oodles of verses into
my brain using flashcards I had made out of hundreds of index cards.
My motivation for memorizing scripture wasn’t based on studying
to show myself approved to gain favor from God. I wanted to gain favor from my
parents by earning enough points so I could go to summer camp for free.
Come to find out I was pretty good at memorizing what was
required for several summers, but things began slipping my mind once school
rolled around in the fall. Sadly by the
time I finished high school I had forgotten that memorizing scripture did as it
promised, giving me success and finding favor with the Lord.
Mirror, Mirror
on the Wall
Over the years I've learned to study the Bible for different reasons, but mainly because I really like doing research into God's world.
When I’m diving into the Word of God I go about it with the purpose of
gaining understanding about what I’m supposed to do with what I’ve
learned. If I listen to a message I
don’t just listen and move on to something else. I listen to it over and over,
taking notes, soaking in what God is trying to show me through that particular
speaker.
At times in my Bible studies I’ll read a passage and break it down word-by-word
gathering insight into what and why that scripture was so important for God to put
it in His Word. I look intently at it
and meditate on what I’ve read.
Sometimes I stay on a passage or even one verse for days, because I know
there’s more to what God is trying to convey to the reader.
There is another really important reason why believer’s need to put
scripture into our memory banks. The
Apostle and brother of Jesus gives five things that link our memorization of
scripture to the success we’ll need in fulfilling our life vision and journey
here on Earth. He spells it out in the
first chapter of the book of James.
“Do not merely listen to the word,
and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the
word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a
mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and
immediately forgets what he looks like.
But whoever looks intently into the perfect
law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not
forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” (James
1:22-25 NIV)
Every one of us (with some exceptions) looks in a mirror each day for
a number of reasons. The first thing in the
morning we stretch and yawn dragging ourselves out of bed.
With sleepy eyes we saunter down the hallway
making our way to the bathroom. Leaning
over the sink we stare into the mirror to see what’s happened overnight, as if
by some miracle we’d look twenty years younger.
We do a quick review to see what we have to adjust and get about the
business of cleaning up before putting on a face and running a comb through our
hair. One last glance before awarding
our appearance a medal of approval, we leave the “essentials” room and go about
the rest of our morning not giving thought to what we’ve just witnessed in the
mirror. Maybe that’s a good thing!
Fly By Reading
James uses the analogy of a mirror to reflect on what we’ve just seen,
but instead of doing a once over with the Word of God, he says we are to really
focus on what is before us. How many
times have you read a verse and within minutes forgotten it? If you can’t remember what you read how can
you possibly act on it or pull it out of your memory bank in times of distress,
difficulty or need?
When we were kids my mother would always open the Bible to a specific
passage and lay it on the kitchen table for us to read before we left for
school. I was always in a hurry so I did
a quick glance and flew out the door.
Those “fly by readings” did nothing for me, because seconds later I
couldn’t even tell you what I read, let alone share it with someone else that
day.
Now when I read
the Bible I get caught up in the research finding out information of the time
period, asking who is the message being directed to and why it’s important to
me as a believer. When mom placed the
Bible in front of me I simply read it but didn’t study what it meant. Not knowing what it meant prevented me from
being a doer of the Word. You can’t do what
you don’t understand or know.
Review, Remember,
Do What You Learned
James 1:25 makes it plain that the man who reads (looks intently) into
the Bible (law) and continues to do it (reviews it in his mind), not forgetting
what he’s heard (remembering) the person will be blessed in order to succeed.
If Christians want to be blessed by God we have to remember to do these
things. This is where memorizing the
Bible is so important. Seriously, if we’re
in the middle of a crisis who has the time to look for a Bible to research what
God has to say about a situation.
Having the
passages already in your head and heart will cause the Holy Spirit to bring it to your remembrance so you
won’t sin against God, but also He will teach you what to do in every instance.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the
Father will send in My name, He will
teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance
all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26
NKJV)
“Thy (Your) word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin
against Thee (You).” (Psalm 119:11 NLKV)
Studies Show
Recent studies revealed that men do forget things more than women, but only
because women generally have more on their “self-appointed” daily to-do lists. I’d imagine that bit of knowledge depends on the
group they’re asking right?
Today somewhere in this universe fifteen million people will
unintentionally leave a cup of java or tea sitting while they tend to other
things they’ve forgotten, like where they placed the car keys. Even more will go shopping not remembering
why they went, they’ll forget passcodes, misplace items, get distracted from
doing something and make calls to their spouse for information on particulars
they needed to recall.
This activity sounds normal and all valid when it comes to putting things
to memory? Surely if we can’t remember
the little things that we do on a regular basis, taking on the challenge of
memorizing the Bible is definitely out of our thinking abilities. To be quite honest and truthful, that kind of
philosophy is contrary to how we were designed by God.
Committed to Memorizing
Believing people can’t remember long passages of scripture isn’t
true. He’s referred to as “The Walking
Bible” in religious circles. Eighty-five
year old television evangelist Jack Van Impe has memorized over 14,000 verses
in the Bible including the entire New Testament. My husband and I even bought his book on how
to do it … since then the book has vanished!
Frankly, we generally do remember what’s important or things that we
like. It’s actually somewhat selective
memory if you will. As soon as an old
song comes on the radio we instantly sing along knowing all the words (and even
add a few more). How many of us can
practically retell a movie story line for line?
You know it’s true.
My husband is the smartest person I know.
He remembers every phone number of friends, family and foe since he was
a kid. Without hesitation he can spout off his driver’s license number (who
remembers that?), all my personal info involving numbers and every license
plate of anyone he briefly knew. He even
remembers the numbers of those no-call telemarketers!
I can’t tell you how many times he’s quoted the labels of toothpaste
tubes to me, and “who needs to know this” trivia from every walk of life. It’s really freaky the weird stuff he
remembers, but this same scholarly man leaves frozen food on top of the
refrigerator.
As for me … I can’t get his cell phone number right for beans, and he’s
had the same one for years and years.
What’s the problem? We remember
what we like or what we want to remember with no problem at all. When I’m asked his number I turn to him and
say, “Honey, what is it?” Yet I can tell him exactly word-for-word conversations
we had. (Go ahead … laugh!)
So why do we have such difficulty remembering scripture? Basically, we don’t think it’s a priority or aren’t
interested in recalling things that take work.
A pastor of ours realized this about his spiritually sleeping flock and challenged
the entire congregation to commit to memorizing the book of James.
He didn’t rush any of us but every week had all those who committed
scripture to memory rise and recite it together. When anyone came to a point
where they couldn’t continue they just sat down. Those remaining kept quoting
chapter by chapter.
I finished chapter one and sat down, but I was so proud of my sister who
surpassed me and remained standing a little longer. I put entire chapters to memory before,
mainly in Psalms but I did it. My
commitment would have to be more focused if I were to gain God’s blessings for
success.
A Wrinkled Brain
Through research I learned that there is a bright side to this and have
taken up the activity of memorizing verses once more. Every time your brain remembers something it
creates a wrinkle, the good kind … you know the hidden lines.
Memorizing is a skill that actually can
increase as we put more knowledge into our brain. When we memorize scripture our brain muscles stretch causing us to be
able to remember things in all areas of life, not just the Bible.
The Holy Spirit can only bring to our remembrance what we have put into
our mind, so if it’s not in there don’t expect Him to miraculously give it to
you. It’s like asking God to help you
pass a test when you haven’t even cracked open the book to study.
In order for us to remember something we have to spend time thinking
about it. Understanding Mary’s thoughts, she pondered in her heart the news about the birth of
God’s Son Jesus. Her obedience led God to
grant her great favor for her life vision and journey.
Meditate and Succeed
To scripturally meditate doesn’t mean that one needs to sit in the lotus
position with closed eyes, breathing deeply while making groaning noises. Biblical meditation is to review in your mind,
mull over, ponder and think continually on what you’ve already learned. There is a spiritual purpose for this kind of
meditation that brings earthly success and favor from God.
In the Old Testament we read where God gave Joshua (1:8) clear directions
on what he needed to do to receive any favor from the Lord. We are to follow the same procedure in order
to fulfill our life vision.
Christians are told to meditate, talk about and act on what we’ve learned day and
night. Our success depends on doing what
God says according to His Will and plan.
It will keep us focused and on the path of the vision.
Just reading the Bible won’t bring success. God instructs Joshua that he has to do
something; take action on what he’s learned.
We deceive ourselves if we think not acting on what we’ve been told to
do will give us a prosperous and successful life. It’s not going to happen.
God knows what we truly believe in His word, because we only believe the
parts we literally do. Everything else
is up for bartering and questioning in our minds.
This Week’s Challenge:
Memorization for Success
Each week we
have a challenge for a reason. I don’t only want you to hear or read about what
God says on a subject, it's my hope that you act on it believing success and favor will happen in your
own life.
Challenges help us
to not only be a hearer of the word but also a doer, which will result in being
blessed with God’s favor for life’s vision and journey.
“Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
(Psalm 119:105)
Having God’s Word in our head and heart will shed light on each situation
we encounter along our path. It will surround us with Daily Favor and strengthen
our relationship with Him.
Listen – Look/Read – Continue/Meditate
Don’t Forget/Remember – Act/Do
Following the five step biblical procedure
our challenge this week is to write
our own memorization cards to help us remember to be diligent doers of the Word.
Supplies Needed:
Bible, two rubber bands, a package of regular or large lined index cards,
pen, highlighter
Instructions:
1 - Cut the index cards in half making two cards for each.
2 - On the lined side write out ten specific verses you have selected
from your vision board. Put one verse per card. Don’t print them
out on your computer; write them, it increases brain activity for memorization.
3 - Highlight key words that will trigger the verse in your mind when you
see or hear them.
4 - On the reverse blank side, write the scripture reference to that
passage.
5 - Secure memory verse cards with a rubber band and the blank cards in
their own packet for the future. Take
these cards with you everywhere you go, drilling yourself on them throughout
the day and before retiring to bed at night. Having them
this size makes it easy to carry in a pocket for a man, woman or child.
Write out as many additional verses you think you can memorize for the
first week, adding to the scripture packet each week. Include verses you already know to help boost
your faith.
Invite a friend, your spouse and/or family to take this challenge with
you having them writing out their own memory verse cards. Quiz one another during the week and
be an encourager along the way.
Before you know it, you’ll be quoting verses off the top of your head
revealing that God’s Word is important enough to remember.
Listen – Look/Read – Continue – Don’t Forget – Act
on what you’ve learned and be blessed with favor for success!
Thy Word (Is a Lamp unto My Feet)
If this article has encouraged or helped you, please
consider sharing it by using the social media icons provided at the end of this
post.
Until next time, God’s Word shines light on
favor!
Additional Strategies:
Using your memory verse cards try
playing a memory game these four ways.
1 - Place stacked cards scripture side down and quote the
verse from the reference. Place incorrect
answers in a separate pile. This will
help you to know which ones you need to work on the most.
2 - Place stacked cards reference side down and quote the
verse. Place incorrect answers in a separate pile like the mentioned above.
3 - Place stacked cards verse side down. Have an additional player pick the card and
only tell you the highlighted key words.
See if you can quote it and do the same as above with incorrect answers.
4 - Lay out cards side by side on a table or floor. (Just
like a children’s memory board game.) Do
the same with another player’s cards with each having the same amount of cards
turned verse side down. If players are
learning the same verses only one stack is needed.
Taking turns have each person quote a verse. If they do it correctly the card is removed
from the pile and placed on their side allowing them to take another turn. If
incorrect it is returned to the position verse side down. The one who quotes all their verses first or
has the highest number of cards on their side wins the game.
“My light shines favor for success.”
Jesus Christ
*Unless
noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s) privacy.
Note: Emphasis
is given in some scriptures to show clarity or understanding and is not to take
away from the inspirited Word of God.
When used,
the words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because we give him
no place in our lives.
Disclaimer:
Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical
issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.
What’s New This Week: Click
on the photo or link.
Memorizing
Scripture for a Closer Walk with God
by
Janet Pope
Available
in eBook but I wouldn’t recommend it due to formatting issues for the outline
charts.
Maybe you don’t know the Living God that I
know, but would like to have this kind of favor in your life also. Click on the above tab “Tell Me” for more
information on becoming a child of the Savior.
Content
and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy.
Scripture
references are from the New King James Bible Version or as noted provided by Gateway Bible.
Image
credit: Google Images or Dreamstime
Creative Common License if not specified.
Image: Man with Groceries NLI Camp Make-up Lady Miracle on 34th Street Jack Van Impe Pinky and the Brain Bible Verse Challenge
Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due
to lack of belief.
How to memorize scripture, Jack Van Impe, 5 Things that Produce Success, Success, Meditate, Daily Favor Blog, Daily Favor Prayer, Testing, The Blessing of Favor, God's Favor, Scripture Memorization, Janet Pope, Thy Word Song. His Word in My Heart, Christian Camp, Bible Verse Challenge, Weekly Challenge, Life Vision.
