a new plan (well...it's new for me)

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I've decided that I need to learn more Bible texts. I remember Gen 1:1, most of the 23rd Psalm, parts of the 10 commandments, and John 3:16....but other than those, my memory of verses is pretty pathetic. <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> And I want not just to memorize the verses, but to understand them - to *live* in them. (Does that make sense to anyone??)

So, my first venture is going to be Psalm 19. I like that chapter because it talks about the glory and majesty of God revealed in nature. <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Please tell me some of your favorite texts and why they're your favorites...

[cricket]

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heard and lean not on your own understanding.

Pam,

This is my favorite verse because it was given to me as my own by my pastor when I was 12 years old. I

n his wisdom, he saw that I would be a questioner--one who wouldn't take a simple answer and would forever search out the truth. Also, he saw that I would want to know the reasons behind the Lord's words/actions and would try to understand the Lord from my own human standpoint.

It is wisdom to me because it reminds me that I do not have a mind equal to God's. It reminds me that I am only human and that there are things that I really should leave in God's hands and to not question Him. But rather, to trust in Him and to lean on His wisdom (not my faulty wisdom).

Chrys

[Yong T Tay]

Pam,

The 23rd Psalm and John 3:16 are very comforting and are among my favorites, but John 3:17-18 assured me that the condemnation had been taken away from me by understanding, believing and accepting the gospel in Jesus Christ.

Yongttay

[Nan]

The 19th psalm was one we had to memorise for JMVs (OK that dates me) and it still comes back at times.

For sheer majesty of language and imagery, I like Isaiah 40, I did memorise it once after a challenge from a SS teacher to the class, unfortunately only some of it still sticks. Probably you would want to start with something shorter, but it remains one of my favourite Bible passages.

[olger]

Ezekiel 18. Psalm 25. John 17.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Gee, thanks guys!!! This is great!!! <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Amelia]

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Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heard and lean not on your own understanding.

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Chrys, this is my fav too. I stitched this one in a sampler not to long ago.

[cricket]

LOL! I hope you didn't write "heard"!!

/me shuffles off in embarassment

[LifeHiscost]

rudywoofs said:

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to understand them - to *live* in them. (Does that make sense to anyone??)

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My first touch with the Word is one that was written in the heart of a Sunday school teacher, not the exact written word, but the principle. She made this statement,

"If you ever have a need, just ask Jesus and He will give it to you." This was given to a five year old who didn't attend church with his parents but was sent to Sunday school. My whole future life with Christ has been a result of a Sunday school teacher's faithful giving of the principle of God's care for His little ones.

Much happened in between, much away from His closeness. But He never left me, even when I didn't know He was there. Today I know where my home is, and I know who my family are.

Maybe if you stay on the forum long enough (and me too) I'll be able to share some of the reasons why He has become the Love of my life.

I encourage you to read Isaiah 53 and 58, asking for the Holy Spirit to reveal Him to you, and if you can finish it without a tear I will be surprised.

[:"red"] "'Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God

I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' " [/] Isaiah 41:10 NASB

<img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/DOVE.gif" alt="" />

Blessings!!

[Robert]

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rudywoofs said: Please tell me some of your favorite texts and why they're your favorites...

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"God IS love"

Love is not something God has, but it is who He is!!! This says everything about God in 3 words.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

LHC and Robert - Thanks for the additions!!! I'm getting a nice little collection here. <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I've found that I have a difficult time with memorization and internalizing what I read...so I've come up with a way to make myself really *think* about what I'm learning. I have two sets of index cards...one set with the full text on it; the other has blanks where I need to remember and fill in the key words. Kinda like a spiritual gestalt. <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[aldona]

My favorites...

John 8:32 - "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free."

(Thus: If it isn't setting you free...if it is binding your heart and soul in a prison...it ain't the truth.)

Proverbs 16:3 - "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."

Psalm 37:4 - "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."

The whole story of the widow and the two mites is very encouraging to me (Luke 21:1-4), especially at times when I feel I cannot accomplish much for God because the needs are so great and my resources are so small. It is similar to a saying that I have heard attributed to the late Mother Teresa: "We cannot do great things for God - only small things with great love."

And the peacenik in me loves Proverbs 16:7 - "When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him."

aldona

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Thanks Aldona.

[Gail]

Pam, another way I've seen to learn Bible verses is to write down just the first letters of the words in the verse. Then using them as your cue, you can memorize them more easily

[Gail]

Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee

(somewhere in the Psalms)

[Clio]

In the times of darkest sorrow, hopelessness, and loss, I would cling to Romans 8:28, you know... the all things work together for good... verse.

And then one day, as I prayed and wept, my eyes were lifted up just a few verses, and I found Romans 8:26-27, and the verses after 28.... and I was comforted.

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.

31-34 What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? [it is] God that justifieth. Who [is] he that condemneth? [it is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

And finally, most glorious of all,

38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I carry this around with me on an index card. Over the years I have memorized verses 26-28, but can only recall the "sense" of the rest. I need to look at it more.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

<img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Thanks Clio!!