Who, Me? Memorize Scripture?

Sally Ferguson is wise and practical, and is so good at zooming in on biblical solutions for everyday problems. In this Scripture Memorization UPGRADE, she provides the motivation and the know-how to help us hide God's Word in our hearts.“Memorize schmemorize. Hmpf!" Sally said. "'Don’t ask me to put Scripture to memory—I can’t even remember what I had for breakfast,' said every person, ever."

Oh, I (Dawn) do think it's much harder to memorize when we're older. Then again, I've found that I'm able to focus better now that the distractions of youth are far behind—but I know not everyone finds that true. We need some tools to help us, and Sally has some good tips!

Sally continues . . .

The reasons we don’t attempt to memorize Scripture can be as varied as the types of breakfast foods on a buffet.

• “I don’t know how.”
• “My brain doesn’t function like that.”
• “I have to keep track of too many things.”

Are our brains running at full capacity? Have we tapped out what we can emotionally tackle as a human thinking machine?

Technology, change, and busy schedules all take a toll on our emotional quotient. But rest and recuperate and those mental capacities reboot for a new round.

Maybe then, there’s room for adding a few more words to our repertoire.

Three Tips for Memorizing Scripture:

1. Add Music.

Does a song on the radio remind you of where you were when first you heard it?

Music provides access to another part of the brain and opens mental doors. Sing a little ditty and make it fun.

2. Add exercise.

Carry the verse on a 3x5 card and glance at it while going through your workout.

Even while swimming laps in college, I was able to write the words on a chalkboard and glance at every turn.

Moving your body warms up your concentration and jogs your memory.

3. Subtract words.

Use a whiteout board or computer screen to erase a word as you say the verse. Continue to recite and erase. Challenge yourself to a do over.

When you are verbal with the verse, your ears get involved.

Whether you are a visual learner or auditory processor, you can learn tricks to bring Scripture to life.

Visualize the scene.
     Hear the consonants.
          Repeat.

Repetition equips the brain to be familiar with a concept and to process its implications.

Three Reasons for Memorizing Scripture

1. Jesus did.

When Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness, He said we are to live on “every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4 ESV).

2. Moses did.

He told the Israelites to have the commands on their hearts, impress them on their kids, and talk about them when sitting, walking, lying down, and getting up (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).

A life dedicated to God’s Word will be saturated in God’s Word.

3. Paul did.

Paul told Timothy to be a wordsmith in order to correctly handle God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15). What does a wordsmith do? Weigh words, test them, and become proficient in their use.

Knowing God’s Word equips us to handle it proficiently.

When you store away God’s Word, your brain cells have something to retrieve when the Holy Spirit brings it to mind.

I assigned a memory verse to my class this week and felt the same panic I viewed in their faces.

Could I beat the recent brain fog and commit Scripture to memory?

I prayed and asked the Lord for help, and the tune to Charles W. Naylor’s hymn, “Once Again We Come” began to play in my mind. Try it and see how perfect it is for our verse:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy

        and peace as you trust in him,

    so that you may overflow with hope

        by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

 Romans 15:13 in the NIV says . . . (repeat).

The song helps the brain to remember phrases and words.

Another way to learn God’s Word is by tweeting it.

Use the current word limit of a tweet to condense the concept conveyed. It will help you grasp the message and carry it through your day. It may also equip someone else to recall what they need for encouragement at just the right moment.

If all else fails, you can do what I did today.

Write out the verse longhand and give your memory a chance to latch on.

More than typing it out, “the physical act of writing brings the information to the forefront and triggers your brain to pay close attention.” 

Yes, you can memorize Scripture with a little help from handy tools. Use the time while doing dishes or on your morning commute to commit treasures from God’s Word to memory.

You’ll gain a new confidence in your abilities and in the Lord’s power to renew your mind!

What passage will you commit to memory this week?

Sally Ferguson is a teacher of God’s Word and a student of people. Whether leading retreats or small groups, she loves to see the light shine when hope abounds. Sally lives in western New York with her husband and her dad. Her current project is a Bible study for caregivers. Catch up with her at sallyferguson.net.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Beloso & Herchen GbR at Pixabay.

Five Ways to Speak God's Love Language

Debbie W. Wilson always has a fresh perspective on familiar Christian truth. In this Relationship with God UPGRADE, she reminds us that there are ways we can learn to "speak God's love language."

Debbie says, “My husband doesn’t show me love,” the distraught woman who sat before me complained.

I (Dawn) think that nearly every married woman has thought that from time to time. We just want more and more love—and not only from a spouse! But remember, when we "speak" someone's love language, it isn't always with words.

Debbie continues . . .

This woman’s husband provided for her financially, maintained her car without being asked, vacuumed the house, and cleaned up after supper. But she longed for quality time and deep conversations.

Because acts of service were not her love language, this woman had overlooked her husband’s demonstrations of love.

A hunger to express and experience love runs through the human DNA.

Considering this made me wonder if that need extends to our relationship with God. If so, what are some ways to enhance this love relationship? Does God have a love language?

Hebrews 11:6 says faith is God’s love language.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (NIV).

Did you catch the reciprocal nature of faith as described in this verse? Those who believe in God also believe God rewards them for seeking Him.

Loving Jesus enables us to receive His love. John 14:21 says,

“Those who love me will have my Father’s love, and I, too, will love them and show myself to them” (GW).

Let’s look at ways to enhance our love relationship with God.

5 Ways to Speak God’s Love Language

1. Pray

Prayer demonstrates a relationship with God and faith that He is good.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened… Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matt. 7:7-11 NIV).

2. Demonstrate Trust through Thanksgiving

Gratitude demonstrates faith in God’s goodness and sovereignty. It shows I believe He is bigger than my mistakes and the wrongs I’ve endured (Rom. 8:28).

Faith allows me to pray with thanksgiving before I see God’s answer (Phil. 4:6-8).

A large ministry fired an honorable young man without cause. His mother wrestled with God over this betrayal. Before the year was out, a scandal hit the press concerning those who’d mistreated her son.

“God spared my son,” she said. “And I’d thought He’d forgotten him.”

“Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this” (1 Thes. 5:18 GW).

3. Worship

Worship shows we believe He is worthy of our devotion and reminds us He’s bigger than anything clamoring for our time and attention.

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything” (Ps. 46:10 The Message).

4. Obey

Obedience demonstrates love and faith (Jn. 14:15-16).

“Whoever knows and obeys my commandments is the person who loves me” (Jn. 14:21 GW).

“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome” (1 Jn. 5:3 NIV).

5. Live Clean

Receiving and appreciating our forgiveness shows faith in Jesus and increases our love for Him (1 Jn. 1:9, Titus 2:14).

“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love” (Luke 7:47 NLT).

Through faith we express our love to God and experience His love in return.

Every step we take in faith causes God’s heart to sing. 

Does your relationship with God need a boost? Consider the list above. Which one needs your attention?

Debbie W. Wilson, Bible teacher and former biblical counselor, combines insight and encouragement to inspire people to trust Christ with their lives. Her books include Little Faith, Big God, Little Women, Big God, and Give Yourself a Break. She and her husband Larry founded Lighthouse Ministries, a nonprofit biblical counseling and Bible study ministry. Debbie enjoys dark chocolate, a good mystery, and the antics of her two standard poodles. Find free resources and connect with Debbie at RefreshingFaith.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Kalhh at Pixabay.

On Tapestries and Pots

In this Biblical Thinking UPGRADE, Dawn says Christ-followers may not understand the mysterious workings of their sovereign God, but they must remember He is also a loving Heavenly Father—and His children can trust Him.

I love this picture. Two objects in the photo above are vivid pictures to me of God's loving, sovereign rule, and of my need to rely on Him.

Look with me a few minutes at these two objects:

1. The Tapestry

Tapestries are beautiful, traditional works of art. This one pictured above is a famous one, "The Lady and the Unicorn." * Tapestries inject great touches of style, personality, texture, and color into homes.

Some are simple designs. Others are intricate. But they all have something in common.

The backsides of tapestries are often a knotted mess.

Even if all the knots are neatly clipped, it's still can be challenging to distinguish the creator's design from the backside.

Unfortunately, we only see the backside of our lives.

God always knows the design He is creating in and through us—the Creator makes no mistakes, and His plan for us will be accomplished. But we may not understand all the whys of His working.

We are not omniscient—all-knowing like our God.

Besides that, His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways—they are far above and beyond our own thoughts and ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Because He is God and we are not, we need to trust Him in the processes and outcomes of our lives.

2. The Pot

The second object in the photo that reminds me I need to rely on God is the pot next to the couch.

Pottery reminds me of God's sovereign rule. In the story of the Potter and the Clay (Romans 9:19-24) we're reminded that God can do with us as He wills. (See also these scriptures.)

It's a simple but profound concept.

God is the potter; we are the clay. God is the Creator; we are the created.

In a broad sense, God is the Potter and humanity is a lump of clay; and from this lump God makes various vessels.

It is His right to do with the clay whatever He desires, and He makes sovereign choices.

The giant lump of clay is dirty and flawed, but God pulls from the lump to create beautiful vessels of honor fit for His service.

And He makes vessels of dishonor that also serve His holy purposes.

(I know this scripture passage is controversial, and I won't go into all the ramifications of Paul's words here—but clearly he says God has the right to do with us as He wills.)

Paul makes the case: Who are we to "talk back to God"? Who are we to say that God is not just and fair? We're lumps of clay!

The point I want to make here is:

We humans have so much pride, tremendous arrogance, when it comes to God's sovereign rule. 

It's foolish that fallen, flawed creatures think they have a right to question and pass judgement on their Creator's actions. We have no right to demand explanations from the sovereign ruler of the universe! He owes us no apologies.

In an attempt to understand, we can ask questions of God as His creation and His children—David did; Mary did.

But we must not question God as judges.

Biblical Christians realize their desperate need for a savior, and that the Savior is Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, an irreverent attitude toward our Creator and our Savior can manifest itself even after we have received God's salvation. (That's why believers through the ages were told to fear God—to reverence and obey Him.)

Some Christians believe that once we are Christ-followers, we deserve "special treatment" from God. In other words, we have a right to never suffer, to never face tough circumstances, etc.

That is not biblical thinking.

We should expect trials and suffering, and in them, God calls us to cooperate with Him as He purifies us to make us vessels for "nobel use, consecrated and useful to the master of the house, ready for any good work" (2 Timothy 2:20-21 RSV).

God has bigger plans for us than we can imagine.

And so, just like the potter smashes and reworks clay, the Heavenly Potter may purify us by:

• smashing some of our dreams,
• crushing some of our plans,
• and reworking the "clay" of our lives to better fit His purposes.

Becoming a smashed pot is painful, but it is necessary, because the Father who loves us wants to conform us to the image of His dear Son (Romans 8:29-30.).

I love to address God by the phrase "Father God," because it reminds me of who He is—not that it encompasses all He is, but that it helps me understand His working in my life.

1. He is my loving Heavenly Father. His purposes in and through me are for my growth and good, and for His glory.
2. He is the sovereign God of the universe—powerful and majestic, all-knowing, just and wise. Nothing takes Him by surprise, and nothing is outside His control.

Knowing these two great truths brings me peace, no matter my circumstances!

In a book promo for Heaven Rules by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, I read these words:

"Heaven is ruling, always ruling. That doesn't mean that we won't experience distress, but it does mean we can find a refuge by looking upward and letting His peace rule in our hearts." **

Though He owes me no explanations, I believe my Father God will someday help me make sense of the messy knots on the backside of my life tapestry—the abuse, the struggles with sin, the cancer. And I believe my Father God will use me for His purposes, as the Potter designs and uses the clay.

My Father God does this to make known the abundance of His mercy and the riches of His glory. And His gracious providence leads me to worship Him.

It also leads me to trust Him. As I look at the photo above, I imagine sitting down on that couch and relaxing in the midst of my tough circumstances. How can I do this?

My God is in control—and He loves me!

Do you flinch at God's workings in your life? How does knowing God loves His children and is powerfully designing their lives for their good and growth, and for His glory, help you trust Him more today?

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator the blog, Upgrade with Dawn. She is a contracted researcher/reviewer for women's teacher and revivalist, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth at Revive Our Hearts, and is a regular columnist at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in sunny Southern California, and Dawn has traveled with Him in Pacesetter Global Outreach. They have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

* The traditional woven tapestry in the meme, "The Lady & the Unicorn" is available at Art & Home.

** Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, Heaven Rules: Take Courage. Take Comfort. Our God Is in Control, Moody Publishers, 2022. (Quote is here.) 

Don't. Look. Back.

Susan Stewart writes practical, often humorous encouragement to the family of God, written from a biblical perspective. In this New Year's UPGRADE, she says we need a God-focused, forward point of view in the new year.

"Many of us experienced drought conditions in 2022. Central Texas was no different," Susan says.

"We knew the situation was worsening when coyotes began moving closer to the ranches. During that time, our hen Louise learned the perils of a coyote on her tail . . . literally." (Louise is the black hen, pictured above.)

I (Dawn) don't like it when wildlife moves closer to homes. I live in a part of California where coyotes get too close for our comfort. I'm glad I don't have chickens to protect! I love it that Susan created this teachable moment.

Susan continues . . .

Louise and her pal Thelma didn’t like to stay in the yard with the other chickens. They were ever stretching their boundaries.

One hot afternoon, I heard a chicken warning squabble. I looked out to see Louise running as fast as her legs could take her with a coyote right behind her. Apparently, she forgot she fly back into the safety of the yard.

Once the hungry predator heard our dogs, it turned from Louise and darted into the trees.

I noticed it didn’t have a chicken in its mouth. I found a pile of feathers at the back of the house, but no Louise.

She returned to the coop in the evening, as chickens will do.

Louise returned without tail feathers.

How did this feisty hen managed to outrun the wiley coyote? She followed the advice of track coaches everywhere: “Don’t look back.”

Each time a runner turns her head to see where the competition is, she slows her pace. Louise just kept looking and running forward for a way of escape.

For our family, and maybe yours, the year 2022 was a “terrible, horrible, no-good, bad” year.

The coyote was behind us.

Even though 2023 has just begun, it’s easy to look over our shoulder to see what happened in the past and not move forward. We can get stuck watching for another attack.

But like Louise, we mustn’t look back at the pursuing enemy.

I’ve adopted the words “Don’t. Look. Back.” as my theme this year. I’ve made it my goal not to relive the terrible,the horrible, the no-good, the bad. 

God has given us three ways to look forward.

1. Put our hand to the plow.

When 2022 began, we had no idea it would be a forgettable year. I don’t know about 2023.

Jesus tells us we're to plow forward without looking back (Luke 9:62).

There it is in God’s word—Don’t. Look. Back.

2. Look to Jesus.

No matter the circumstances, our focal point is Jesus. Why? He is the founder and perfector of our faith; he gives us joy (Hebrews 12:2).

As we look to Jesus, as the old hymn says, “things of earth grow strangely dim.”

3. Understand God’s plan.

No matter what has happened in the past, God has established plans for our good to give us a future with hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

We can look forward with our eye on Jesus—to God’s good even in the “terrible, horrible, no-good, bad” circumstances.

Oh, how is Louise doing?

Her tail feathers have grown back, and she still leaves the safe enclosure of the yard now and then. Sadly, her friend Thelma didn’t return from one of her trips to the “wild.”

I think Louise learned a lesson from the coyote encounter.

I also learned from my encounter with the “coyote” year.

God is our safe enclosure—if we only look to Him.

Did you have a “terrible, horrible, no-good, bad” experience? How has looking to Jesus without looking back carried you through?

Susan K. Stewart is Managing Editor with Elk Lake Publishing. When she’s not tending chickens, peacocks, and donkeys, Susan teaches, writes, and edits non-fiction. Her passion is to inspire readers with practical, real-world solutions. Her books include Science in the Kitchen, Preschool: At What Cost?, Harried Homeschoolers Handbook, and the award-winning Formatting e-Books for Writers. Susan's latest book, Donkey Devos: Listening When God Speaks, is a devotional based on life with her donkeys. You can learn more about Susan at her website www.susankstewart.com.

Courage for Resisting the 'Fear of Man'

Kathy Collard Miller's focus on the believer's identity in Christ has helped her navigate many issues in life, and she encourages others in that journey as well. In this Biblical Thinking UPGRADE, she encourages trust in God's love and concern for us rather than getting caught up in what others think—the "fear of man.""I suffer from the 'fear of man,' Kathy says. "Proverbs 29:25 says, 'The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe' (ESV)."

I (Dawn) am sure every one of us has been caught in that snare at some time in life, and some people have a greater tendency to get caught. It takes courage and intentionality to fight against the destructive fear of man.

Kathy continues . . .

I was recently surprised to find some powerful wisdom in Isaiah 51:12-13 (ESV) for fighting the fear of man.

Those verses say:

   I, I am he who comforts you;
       who are you that you are afraid of man who dies,
       of the son of man who is made like grass,
    and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker,
       who stretched out the heavens
       and laid the foundations of the earth,
    and you fear continually all the day
       because of the wrath of the oppressor,
    when he sets himself to destroy?
       And where is the wrath of the oppressor?

The fear of man—who may feel like an “oppressor”—comes from thinking other people are the best source of what we need.

In verse 12, God says He offers comfort to us. The Hebrew word “comfort” has the idea of expressing sympathy.

Quite often when we fear the opinions of "man," we are looking for understanding, approval, and affirmation from others.

When people seem to come through for us, we feel “comforted” in knowing we are a person of value.

How can we resist that snare and trust God instead based on Isaiah 51:12-13?

Truths to Consider

1. The comfort from other people is temporary, but God’s is eternal.

Someone may offer us what we want, but the next time she may fail us. Only God’s opinion of us never changes.

2. Only God is wise enough to truly know what we need.

If God wisely and powerfully created us, He knows our real, valid needs. He provided the demonstration of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins when we don’t deserve it. No one else can do that for us.

Ephesians 1:3-14 offers the fullest, most concise identifiers of believers in the Bible. God says because of our inheritance through Christ, we are identified as blameless, forgiven, blessed, holy, redeemed, loved, chosen, predestined, conformed, secure and other declarations of who we are in His view of us.

3. Recognize how the fear of man creates stress.

Living in God’s love brings love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

4. What we fear usually isn’t as bad as we anticipate.

In effect, God says through Isaiah, “Is it really as bad as you anticipated?” Sometimes it does feel as horrible, but when we see how God wants to affirm our worth and value, we can also see how we grow from the challenge.

Early in my marriage to Larry, I was afraid of his displeasure. I carefully tried to evaluate his every reaction and then change my behavior based on what I assumed he was “telling me.”

In time, I read about the “fear of man” and was convicted of putting Larry’s opinion of me higher than God’s.

One day, Larry seemed irritated. I boldly asked, “Larry, you look angry. Are you mad at me?”

He looked surprised and replied, “Do I? No, I’m not mad at you. I was thinking about work.”

From that day on, I learned to ask instead of assume.

Here are some practical suggestions for diminishing the fear of man.

• Memorize and meditate on Isaiah 51:12-13.
• Ask yourself exactly what it is you fear.
• Make a list of your inheritance in Christ as Ephesians 1:3-14 defines you. Put it in several prominent places in your home and work space.
• Forgive others who respond to you out of their own hurt and pain. Their reaction says nothing about how valuable you are and how loved you are by God.

How can you more effectively allow God to comfort you instead of a person’s opinion of you?

Kathy Collard Miller has long depended on her identity in Christ to grow in resisting the snare of the fear of man. God has used His journey for her through His opportunities to write over 60 books, speak in 9 countries and over 30 US states. One of her newer books is Pure Hearted: The Blessings of Living Out God’s Glory where she expands on knowing our identity in Christ. Kathy and her husband, Larry, of 52 years, are parents, grandparents, lay counselors, and live in Boise, Idaho. Visit her at KathyCollardMiller.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Pexels at Pixabay.