scriptures

Early in July, I had the opportunity to work at my local church’s Vacation Bible School (VBS). The setting was a campground. The church and sanctuary were transformed into a wilderness. My assignment was to work with the associate pastor in a large tent and to teach the children that week’s memory verse. We enforced the verse through a series of activities to help the kids learn it.

“A new commandment I give to you: Love one another. You must love one another just as I have loved you.” John 13:34

I felt it was fitting that we were inside a tent. To me, it was a parody of “hiding” the word of God in our hearts. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Ps. 119:11 (NIV)

I can’t always remember the location of a scripture verse, but I tend to remember the verse. Some may take issue with that, but I would debate that at least I know “what” is in the word of God. For example, I could remember the above verse, but I could not remember “where” in the Bible it was located but I did an internet search to learn it was in Psalms.

In Matthew chapter 4, Jesus was tempted by the devil three times. The devil even used some scripture but twisted it. And three times Jesus said, “It is written…” He resisted the devil’s temptation by knowing the words of God. (And I point out; he didn’t give the reference, but what was written.)

In the past, church goers were told that the Bible was too complicated or confusing for them to understand on their own, so they should leave the reading and the studying of the Bible to those who had been professionally trained. Knowing what the Bible says for yourself is important! And with today’s easy-to-read translations, the gist of God’s words can be understood.

I feel there are days coming when knowing what is in the Bible for yourself may be key to you not being misled, deceived, sinning, and led astray. Take time to read the word of God and hide its words in your heart. Wrongdoers may be able to take a lot away from you, but they will never be able to take away what is in your heart.

Post-it notes are great! I depend on them and use them all the time for several different things. Not only are they good for jogging your memory, which I need a lot, but I have also used them as bookmarks amongst other things.

Another thing they are good for is to post a message in front of you that you see every day! I know some will post messages to encourage themselves every morning, or to help them remember just how important they are to God, and if He loves them, then they should love themselves as well. Others might write out scriptures to memorize.

Lately, as I have mentioned before, I am trying to renew my mind so it will change how I react to people with one or more of the fruits of the Spirit. A Post-it wasn’t going to be big enough, so I used the magnetic letters on our refrigerator. Messages to ourselves should be posted where we go often, hence the refrigerator! We only have two sets of letters, so April and I had to get creative on how to list most of the 9 fruits. The last one in the list is “patience”.

It’s working. I see and am reminded of the different fruits and I do think of them when I have the occasion to operate in them, which when dealing with people is often. So let me encourage you to take the time to post in front of you the words, the message you need to see as much as it takes until they become a part of you, and live within you. Words, written or spoken are powerful, even the ones on Post-its!

brady, mark a.

Words to inspire you

“It Is Written”

Post-it

Words kill, words give life;
they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. Prov. 18:21 (MSG)

Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. Prov. 18:21 (MSG)

Words kill, words give life;
they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. Prov. 18:21 (MSG)