Week 23: Psalm 86:5-7

Psalm 86:5-7: For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.

• This is one of my favorite psalms to pray and think about.  The faithfulness of God is clearly shown here in David's psalm.  Like many others, this was written when people were attempting to kill David, and his fear is implied, although his trust in God trumps the fear.
• Good and forgiving.  What if God wasn't good?  What if he wasn't forgiving?  We see different cultural mythologies of malevolent gods, lording over a people scared and joyless.  They fear that a single mistake could upset their god, who then in turn would strike them down (or curse them).  Thankfully this is not how Yahweh is.  No, our God is infinitely filled with love, and He pours it out on us.
• Like the previous point, what if God didn't listen to our prayers?  What if He ignored us?  How horrible would that be, to be ignored by God?  Again, this is not who Yahweh is, even though we may sometimes feel this way.  Our God is attentive to us and hears us when we pray.  He listens to us, and not only does He listen, but He answers...

Week 22: Isaiah 40: 30-31

Isaiah 40: 30,31: Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

• These verses contrast the weaknesses of Man to the Almighty God.  From last week we saw five aspects of God in the two verses, and this week we see how God sustains the weaknesses of men.  This is a very popular promise verse from the bible, and I can see why.  We're promised renewal and strength via God!
• They who wait for the Lord.  Notice that it doesn't say that everyone will be strengthened, but only those that wait for the Lord.  This, to me, says that we must persevere through our lives, giving it all that we can, and knowing that we'll grow exhausted and fatigued.  We give everything because Jesus gave everything.  Plus, by running ourselves weary for God, we're essentially saying, "I will become weak so that His power will be perfected in my weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9)  We're putting our trust in Him to provide for us, because we know that we can't.  And God loves to come through in the clutch and use us when we're feeling useless.
• If we're living like Jesus, by the Spirit, and for God's glory, then this lifestyle should become normal to us.  Our human bodies will deteriorate and fail, but God will provide us strength to endure and spread the gospel.  He gives Living Water, which quenches our thirst and quickens our spirit, enabling us to finish the race and grow more dependent on Him.
• Humorously, in high school I would quote this verse when I was getting tired running laps in gym class.  Over and over I would recite this, using it like a mantra, taking it literally that I would run and not be weary.  While this certainly could be a literal application for the verse, I'm pretty sure that's also not what this is talking about.  Still, I think it's funny.

Week 21: Isaiah 40:28-29

Isaiah 40:28,29: Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength.

• A familiar passage, these verses begin with a declaration of how awesome God is.  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  Just thinking about God being eternal is mind boggling in itself, and when you add the fact that He is infinitely powerful (i.e., the Creator), it's even more humbling that He loves us.  I see five descriptions of God in these verses.

• An everlasting God
• God has no beginning.  He has no end.  He is "I AM," not "I-Used-To-Not-Be-But-Now-I-Am."  He has always been "I AM" and He always will be.  It's just so confusing to us because we are human and we cannot think outside the limitations of time, and yet God Himself ordained and made time, setting everything into motion at the beginning.
• A Creator God
• Not only did He create time and establish physical rules for the universe (such as gravity, speed of light, etc.), but He made all the heavenly beauties, from far off stars to our own, tiny planet called Earth.  On top of that, He made trees, grass, mountains, animals, and everything else we have on earth, and they're all witness to His glory.  And then for the apex of His design, he crafted the incredibly complex human body, starting with Adam, and making Him in the image of God.  He designed our veins, our brains, our fingers and toes, our hair, our everything, all made so we could image Him, worship Him, and give Him glory.  As Romans 11:36 says, "from Him and through Him and to Him are all things."  God is the Creator.
• An never-tiring God
• God does not faint or grow weary.  He's not a finite God, limited by work and sore muscles.  No, He's an infinite God, ever powerful.  That means that He won't suddenly grow too tired to care for us.  He won't cease acting because He's exhausted.  God is as powerful today as He was when He began, and He'll always be like this.
• An unfathomable God
• Personally, I love it that God is unfathomable.  Verses like Isaiah 55:8 and Job Chapters 40 & 41 are supremely satisfying to me.  Our humanity wants to know things, and understand things, but God is so far above us that we cannot possibly hope to truly understand Him.  Thankfully He's given us His Word and the Spirit to help us.  But for me, I'm glad God's understanding is unsearchable, knowing that He's not like Us, prone to wander and fail.  I like the New Living Translation here: "No one can measure the depths of his understanding."  His thoughts are essentially bottomless and so complex that to think we understand them is to cheapen God.  
• A giving God
• And all of this sums up to an even greater mystery.  This everlasting, never-tiring, unfathomable, creator God loves us so much that He gave us His Son so we could be reunited with Him in heaven and live eternally worshiping Him.  This is stunning love.  And even more (as if this wasn't enough), God gives us so many other blessings.  Like verse 29 here, He gives power to the faint and strength to the weak, so that when we're weak, we can trust that He'll be our strength.  And just in a practical sense, the fact that I'm typing this on a computer attests to how much God blesses.  It means that I have functioning fingers, eyes, and thoughts; I have electricity and resources to provide the system to work; I have shelter to sit and do this; I have food available, else I wouldn't waste time here but instead find food and water; and there are so many other blessings just from this one thing.  Yes, God loves to give and bless us.  Just look around.

• I can't help but think of Chris Tomlin's "Everlasting God"* when I read this passage.  There are many songs based on these verses, as well as the following two (which are next week's memory verses), but I really dig the Tomlin song.

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*"Everlasting God" was written by Brenton Brown, but it's been covered by many artists, including Chris Tomlin, Lincoln Brewster, and others.

Week 20: Ephesians 4:26

Ephesians 4:26: Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.

1. Be angry and do not sin.  Not all anger is sin, as evidenced by Jesus' righteous fury with those making a mockery of the temple, as well as the times when God's anger was kindled in the Old Testament.  So there is a justified precedent for being angry, but we must make sure that when we are angry that we do not sin.  Because anger is an emotion, it must be tamed and admonished and treated carefully.  Often, anger leads to impatience (and patience is a part of the fruit of the Spirit) and a harsh tongue.  These things must be avoided.
2. Do not let the sun go down on your anger.  For some, this means reconcile your differences literally before the sun goes down.  While this can be good, it can also create problems.  For me, it's more metaphor.  Problems and enmity between people should be resolved, and in an acceptable time frame, but I'm of the opinion of letting things set for a while to let the anger die down.  This allows one to pray and collect one's thoughts so as not to say or do anything rash.  Whatever your opinion is on this, whether literal or not, Paul makes it clear that you cannot allow anger to stay pent up and unresolved.  This is especially true among church members, as it can fester and tear apart the body.

I find this verse interesting.  No doubt we all get angry, but it's how we react to that anger that's important.  

Week 19: Colossians 3:1-3

Colossians 3:1-3: If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

1. A standard if...then statement, positively crucial for a Christian.  If you have been raised with Christ--that is if your blood has been cleansed by the Perfect Lamb's blood and your once damned soul has been born again--then this is what you must do.  Or at least that's how I read this verse.  What must I do?  Seek the things that are above.
• Why do we do this?  Because that's where Jesus is, seated at the right hand of God.  He's there, resurrected and alive, at the right hand of God the Creator.  And this God-Man, this being of such power and importance, loves us.  He loves us so much that He died for us so we could be born again with Him.  That's why we seek the things that are above, because our Savior is there.
• It's interesting to note that the right hand seat symbolizes power.  Whoever sits near a king, especially at his right hand, represents power and influence.  Here, God the King and Sovereign Lord, orchestrates His power through His Son Jesus Christ.  How cool is that?  And oh how humbling.
• How do we do this?  We set our minds on things that are above and not on things that are on earth.  I cannot help but think of 1 John 2:15 or Romans 12:2.  How vital it is that we have our minds renewed!  How absolutely crucial it is that we must not love the world but God!  This theme is so common throughout the bible that it's almost like we're daft and lack comprehension...  When something is repeated, that means it's important.  Well if this theme is repeated time and time again, then through the Spirit of God this is important!
  
  If we're looking for a handbook for Christian living, this is one of its key directions.  Set your minds on things that are above, because what's above?  Jesus.  And if we're focused on Him, we'll not be swayed by the world as easily or as much.
2. You have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  Reiterating the fact that we're no longer doomed to hell, that part of us is forever changed.  The old soul is dead and buried, crucified and forsaken.  The new one has been washed in Jesus' blood, clearing away our sins, and giving us eternal life with Christ in God.  Wow.

Week 18: Psalm 1: 5-6

Psalm 1: 5,6: Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

1. What's the therefore there for?  Taking everything that's been said from verses 1-4, contrasting a blessed and righteous man with a wicked one, we come to the final verses of this psalm.  What does it mean that the wicked won't stand in the judgment?  Aren't the wicked supposed to be judged?  I don't believe that this psalm is saying that the wicked won't be judged, but that 1) they won't be standing in the same Judgment Line with the righteous, 2) they literally won't be standing (see Philippians 2:10) at all, and/or 3) their sentencing will render them wicked, doomed to hell and, poetically, not standing.
   
   To me, these three possibilities can work together and all be true, or any single one of them.  In light of the latter part of the verse, sinners [won't stand] in the congregation of the righteous, it seems likely that these two sentences support one another and that the wicked will be separated from the righteous.
   
2. The LORD knows the way of the righteous.  This is another one of those verses that supports that God knows us and our every step, that He's there with us, and that His way does not lead to death, but to life.
1. God knows the wicked man's steps, too, but He doesn't know him intimately as He does His children.  These are the poor men and women that will die and go to hell.  
2. These types of verses serve as rallying calls to me.  Be vigilant and spread the Gospel.  May the love of Jesus Christ drive us to keep the numbers of the perishing down and the troops of the Kingdom high.

That concludes all of Psalm 1.  Sweet.  Pretty simple.

Week 17: Psalm 1:3-4

Psalm 1:3,4:  He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.  In all that he does, he prospers.  The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

1. The Blessed Man, the one that spends all day and night meditating on the Word, is solid and prosperous.  A tree by water grows strong and lives long, which is worth noting; in fact, fact its leaf doesn't wither indicates the tree lives eternally.  How does one live forever?  He follows Jesus Christ, washing in His blood and submitting his life solely to Him.
2. Contrasting the Blessed Man is the Wicked Man.  Where the blessed have eternal life, the wicked are like chaff that the wind drives away.  Chaff is lightweight trash, discarded husks from corn or other crops.  This is not what we want to be, especially knowing that we can drink from the Spring of Life and live forever.  Even so, there are wicked--I'm thinking those that don't meditate on the Word and scoff at Christ--and they have a determined fate: eternity without God.

This has me thinking about how we even define a wicked person in modern times.  With David it was obvious.  He had enemies.  People that wanted to kill him and take his throne.  We, for the most part, don't have enemies, at least not people that want to harm us.  So who are our wicked?  Who are our enemies?  I suppose it's those that are not in Christ, even though we typically don't think this way.  And Jesus told us to love our enemies and to pray for them.  Interesting stuff.

Week 16: Psalm 1:1-2

Psalm 1:1,2: Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seats of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD and on His law he meditates day and night.

1. David opens the Psalms with a blessing.  It can be re-read as "If you don't walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand with the sinners or count yourself among the scoffers, and your joy is in the LORD and meditating on Him, then you'll be blessed."  It seems simple enough.  One can imagine that if one takes delight in Yahweh and spends his time meditating on the Law of the LORD then they won't be found among the wicked, sinners, or scoffers.
1. This reminds me of 1 John 2:15-17.  We are to show the love of Jesus to the world--to the wicked, to the sinners, and to the scoffers--but we are not to count ourselves among their ranks.  We're to shine the light of the gospel to everyone, but warned against becoming ensnared by the world.
2. The counsel of the wicked.  The only counsel we need is the Counsel of God, found in his Word.
3. In the seats of scoffers.  A scoffer is someone who mocks or treats something/someone with contempt.  
2. Having just finished John Piper's Desiring God, it's easy to apply the term "Christian Hedonism" here.  The Lord promises blessings to those that delight in the law of the LORD.  Like the snowball effect, if we delight in God's Law, then we'll desire Him more and therefore be more blessed.  We'll want to read our bibles more.  We'll want to pray more.  We'll want to point all of our actions to God's glory.  Whether this blessing is temporal or eternal is irrelevant.  It could be either or both.
1. Blessed, if I am thinking correctly, can also be translated as "Happy."  In this case, that would make sense, but I'm not certain on this.
2. he meditates day and night.  Can you imagine this lifestyle?  All day and all night pondering over the Word of God.  Couple this with a lifestyle of constant prayer (1 Thes. 5:17) and it's no wonder that one would be happy.

Week 15: James 1:4-5

James 1:4,5: And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask God, who gives generously to all and without reproach, and it will be given him.

1. From last week we learned that the testing of our faith produces steadfastness.  What do we do with this steadfastness?  We let it have its full effect, let it work in our lives to become more loyal to God, more devoted, more clingy.  For if we hold fast to God, then we will become perfect and complete.
1. Perfect.  James is telling us (via the Spirit, of course) that we'll become perfect.  This is staggering.  Jesus was the only perfect man to have ever lived, and yet here we see that we can become perfect through our trials.  Sanctification, that is, becoming more like Christ, is one of the purposes of our lives, so that we may give God the glory, and this passage (along with last week's verses) tells us exactly what to expect and how to achieve perfection.  Enduring trials by holding to faith in Jesus yields perfection.
2. Complete.  Alongside our perfection, we'll become complete.  Our longings will be satisfied.  Our hunger will be filled.  Our desires will be met.  Completion comes from God, by God, through God, and in God.  Indeed, we will drink from the Well of Living Water and never thirst again (and truly we already have).
3. Still, while we yet live on earth, we will not ever be perfect or complete.  Nevertheless, God promises to bless us along the way, and time and time again throughout Scripture this blessing comes in the form of Godly wisdom.  James tells us that God gives wisdom generously and without reproach.  Thank God that's He's not a stingy god, but a generous one.  Wisdom is vital to the Christian walk, and I believe we become wiser through the Word and Godly blessing, and James affirms that if we ask for wisdom, the Father will give.

Week 14: James 1:2-3

James 1:2,3:  Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

1. James is telling us that whenever we encounter trials and problems we're supposed to rejoice.  Rejoice!?  Rejoice is often the thing we least want to do, and yet there it is, sitting right alongside the rest of the holy Words of God.  If we've read much of the bible, especially when it comes to Jesus' words and teachings, then this passage shouldn't come as a surprise.  God has a way of turning things on their heads and making us cling to Him.
2. Why should we count it as joy?  Because our trials produce steadfastness.  Steadfastness means to "resolutely or dutifully hold to something; to stay loyal."  If trials yield this attitude, an attitude where we become more loyal to God, then why would we not rejoice at this?
• We don't rejoice because we're finite and mortal, unable to see beyond our own minds and ideas of how the world should work.  God is sovereign, all powerful, and all knowing, and He knows exactly what He's doing.  We struggle to accept this mindset with everything, and the same goes here.  We expect to be treated better because we love and serve God, when that idea is unbiblical and wrong (see Matthew 5:45).  We need to understand that God loves us and that we endure trials to get closer to Him.

I am thankful to God that the trials in my life have been nominal compared to many others.  For me, it is easy to see God is in control.  For others, I understand, this may not be so.  And so while I am probably unqualified to opine on certain situations, in the end, all situations are under God's sovereign control and we have to just trust in Him.  These verses are tough to chew on, but it's so rewarding to know that we draw closer to God through pain and troubles.

Week 13: Philippians 2:12-13

Philippians 2:12,13:  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

1. We start with a therefore.  Rule of thumb, when you read "therefore," ask yourself "what's it there for?"  Typically, it's a culminating thought of the previous passage, leading up to something concluding and transitory.  In this case, Paul is urging the Philippians to work out their salvation with fear and trembling.  Sadly, I think many people fail to do this today.  We each must work out our own salvation.  This means that if we're relying on the faith of our parents, or the company of church-goers, or even our own half-convinced minds, then we're missing the point.  Salvation is much more than just an act, though many would cry otherwise.  Salvation is a way of life, allowing the redemptive blood of Jesus to permeate and work through us each and every moment.
   
   I think this also implies that we're all responsible for coming to terms with our own salvation.  For me, that came while I was in college.  I understood what it meant to be independent, and I independently sought out Jesus.  How does one work out their salvation, though?  With fear and trembling.  "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7), and time and time again throughout scripture we're shown instances of people fearing God.  This is respectful fear, yes, but it's much more.  It's an understanding fear, knowing that God is sovereign, omnipotent, and all-knowing, and that He can do what He wishes.  If men fell before angels terrified and trembling, how much more so will we before the Creator?  And yet, it's a loving fear, for God loves us so much, and those that are in His hands should take comfort in that. 
2. it is God who works in you.  How awesome it is that we have the Holy Spirit within us, working in according to God's plan!  This is foundational and freeing, for we have God Himself dwelling in us and working for His good pleasure.  While all our acts are not necessarily pleasing to God, in the Great Plan, they all give God glory, which gives Him pleasure.

As I mentioned last week, this section of Philippians has been excellent for memorization.  It seems like a lot of verses, but it's not difficult in the least.  I strongly urge you all to commit these verses, 5-13,  to memory and dwell on the mystery of God's love.

Week 12: Philippians 2:10-11

Philippians 2:10,11: so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1. Continuing with last week's passage, these two verses launch straight into the heart of everything.  Jesus the Christ the Son is exalted up so high that every knee should--and will--bow.  This encompasses the full meaning of the word every.  All of the angels in heaven.  All of the demons in hell.  Every man, woman, and child.  Possibly (and probable, I'd guess) even the animals with knees, too.  Every single thing will bow down to Jesus to give Him honor and praise.
1. This makes me wonder why so many people put off praising the Son.  Denial, I suppose.  Unbelief.
2. Not only will we all bow down to the Christ, but we'll all confess that He is Lord.  What does this mean?  It means that whether or not one believed on earth is nullified, because all will believe (and realize) that He is Lord.  As Lord, He reigns.
3. All of this action points glory back to the Father.  This relationship between the two is hard to understand, how they both point glory and exaltation to one another.  I simply acknowledge that both are worthy of praise (and the Spirit, too) and that's enough for me.

These verses, 5-11, are beautiful verses that point to the glory of God through the Son.  This has been one of my favorite passages so far.  The conclusion comes next week with a "Therefore..."

Week 11: Philippians 2:8-9

Philippians 2:8,9: And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

1. Don't you just love how this passage abruptly ends at a climax?  Most of us know what's coming (and indeed, it's next week's section of memorization), but the Fighter Verse program chooses to cut off this week at verse 9.  How... peculiar.
2. Building on last week's sections, we now turn to Jesus being human.  He gave up his Godhood for a while to become 100% Man.  As I mentioned last week, this was an enormous act of humility, and now verse 8 points out truly how humble Jesus became, insomuch that he willingly died.  Not only was His obedience to the point of death, but it was death on a cross.  This put Jesus in the curse of God (see Deut 21:23), though He was blameless and without sin.
1. I marvel at His love for us.  He is an amazing God.
3. God has highly exalted him.  Because of Jesus' obedience and sacrifice--voluntary actions born of love--God has highly exalted him.  Jesus, in turn, takes this honor and glorifies the Father.  This is somewhat a confusing relationship, since Jesus is part of the Trinity, and thus God and part of our worship.  Even so, Jesus takes this exaltation and points it to the Father.
4. and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name.  Is this simply the name "Jesus," or is it something new that we will not know until we're in heaven?  I suppose it could be both, but I'm unsure.

This passage is exciting and awesome and wonderful and it just makes me want to post up next week's now, but I shall restrain myself.  If you can't wait, though, go on and read verses 10 and 11 and praise God when you're finished.

Week 10: Philippians 2:5-7

Philippians 2:5-7:  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

1. This is one of those great verses that reiterates the fact that Jesus gave up his Godness to become fully man.  Yes, he was still 100% God, but he did not utilize that.  He did not even count equality with God a thing to be grasped.  Instead, Jesus became "nothing" by taking the form of a servant, one born of Man.  He suffered and loved everyone, counting himself lowly so God would be glorified.
1. This passage again serves to remind us of how we should act if we are trying to be Christ-like.  Jesus was the ultimate servant and his humbleness is amazing.  We're expected to live with a humble attitude if we're going to be like the Savior.  This whole passage points to Jesus' humility (as do the next two memory verses), and we should keep this lifestyle in mind always.

Being humble is something many of us have problems with.  It goes completely against ourselves.  Too often we're willing to help others or be humble, but we have limits to how "low" we'll go.  Jesus had no limits.  He loved everyone, and took the ultimate shame by dying on the cross.  It's also interesting to see the dichotomy between Jesus and Satan here.  The devil is proud and exalts himself, while Jesus is humble and points all glory back to the Father. 

Week 9: 1 John 2:15-17

1 John 2:15-17: Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions - is not from the Father but is from the world.  And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of the Father abides forever.

1. A stern and solid warning to not love the world or the things in it.  If we do, the love of the Father is not in us.  This is sobering and an excellent fighter verse, providing the clear and obvious truths we often seek in Scripture.  How much plainer can it get?
1. What are the things that are in the world?  The desires of the flesh and eyes, as well as pride in possessions.  This tells us to not be selfish, but to deny ourselves.  By being selfless and giving--loving God and others, as it were--we will not yield to these desires.
2. This is not talking about the people that are in the world, for we are to love them wholeheartedly.  Jesus didn't look at the woman at the well and turn her away, but He loved on her and gave her Living Water.  Likewise, we should be loving on the people of this world.  As Jesus said, He didn't come to save the righteous, but sinners.
2. It's also a motivating set of verses, point blank saying that the world is passing away, with those that are lost in it.  This should fan the flame within us to go and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ around to all we can. 
3. Whoever does the will of the Father abides forever.  This is such a simple tag at the end of these verses, yet it is profound.  In it we have the very key to eternal life.  How?  By doing the will of the Father.  How do we do that?  By following the two commandments Jesus called the greatest: love God with all our heart, soul, body, and mind, and love our neighbor as ourselves.  How do we love?  By professing Jesus as our Savior and walking in His ways.  What are His ways?  Seeking first the kingdom of God all for God's glory.  And that's the trump card.  Whatever we do, do it for the glory of God.

Week 8: Romans 8:1

Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.

1. We are free from the chains of sin and this world and no longer guilty of our iniquities.  Why?  Because Jesus, God’s only son, took on the weight of our sins and was sacrificed to atone for them.  Where we once were condemned to death, Jesus instead took our places.
1. How many of us live though as if we are free?  Too often we live in chains and in bondage, as if we are still condemned.  Condemned means "to be sentenced to a particular punishment, especially death."  We fail to see the liberty that Jesus has given us.  Without His sacrifice, God would be just in condemning us each to hell for our sins (Romans 3:23) for eternity.  Instead, the perfect, spotless Lamb of God willingly took on our sins and died so that we could have everlasting life.  This is staggering.  And those of us that live our lives as if we are condemned might as well be smacking Jesus in the face, saying yeah, your sacrifice was great, but really it's not enough for me.  We should all wake up and bow down to God, thanking Him for His love and mercy, for lifting our condemnation, for giving us life and reason and joy.
2. I read a very poignant passage in Job over the weekend.  Job's friend Elihu shows up and eloquently praises God.  In Job 36:8-12, he talks about people being bound in chains and ultimately dying by the sword and without knowledge.  Jesus has broken all chains that bind us, freeing us (Galatians 5:1,13), giving us liberty so that we can live a life that glorifies Him.  We're not to be bound to anything, and we have this freedom because of what Jesus did.  There is no condemnation for us.  Let's live like that and see how the world changes.
2. to those who are in Christ Jesus.  There is still condemnation for those without the blood of Jesus.  While He died for the sins of all, many do not accept His sacrifice, tragically, and condemn themselves to an eternity outside of God’s presence.

I really, really like the book of Romans a lot.  If you've not read it in a while, I encourage you to do so and be blown away by the love of God.  Also, if you're living life in bondage, floundering around in fear or indecisiveness, I encourage you to pick up Kevin DeYoung's Just Do Something (my review is here).  This short and potent book is a game-changer that I wish many American churchgoers would read.

Week 7: Psalm 62:5-8

Psalm 62:5-8: For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him.  He only is my rock and salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.  On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock.  My refuge is God.  Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.  Selah.

1. Wait in silence.  How often do we miss the whisper in the wind where the Spirit speaks to us?  We’re so caught up in “noise” that our minds are filled with a static that blocks what God is saying to us, either through His Word or through the gentle prompting of the Spirit.  We must wait in silence sometimes in order to listen.
2. He only is my rock and salvation, my fortress.  There is none other but God who is our firm foundation, built solidly on the rock and unmovable.  This fortress will not shake when the world rumbles around it, for God is my hope, my fortress, my rock, my salvation, my glory.  What can cause Him to quake?  What can move His foundation?  He is my refuge and the only certainty in life’s uncertainties.
3. Always trust in God, when life is rosy and wonderful, and even more so when it’s difficult and rough.  He will never fail us.  More so, He wants us to pour our hearts out before Him, confessing our fears, our aspirations, our deepest desires.  He listens to us, and when we have no words, the Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26) on our behalf!  How awesome is it that the Creator of the Universe wants us to pour our hearts out before Him!
4. Selah.  Unsure exactly of this words meaning, I like the interpretation of “pause and reflect.”  Think about this psalm.  Think about the promises made by God's constant refuge.  Take comfort in God’s constant provision and stronghold.  Praise Him for His love for us. 

 This passage was particularly difficult for me to memorize because I kept singing the "Psalm 62" song by Shane & Shane in my head as I did.  While the song is pretty much the same words, it's a different translation and some additional stuff.  Check it out, if you've never heard the song.  And if you like, listen to the rest of their catalog.  Great stuff all around.

Week 6: Psalm 56:4,5

Psalm 56:4,5: When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.  What can flesh do to me?

1. We have no reason to ever be afraid of anything other than God.  He alone is worthy of fear.  Everything else is as nothing compared to the Creator, especially flesh.  As long as we serve God through following His Son, then the Spirit dwells within us and God sees us as His children.  From this, God is a loving God who no doubt loves His children, and there is nothing that can be done to separate us from God’s love.  Thus, there is no reason to fear.
1. Of course, we're human, and we cannot truly rid ourselves of fear.  Even the disciples were plagued by their humanity, calling out "It's a ghost!" when they saw Jesus walking on water.  Still, if we accept the fact that God is the only thing to fear, this will help us.
2. Honestly, even if we endured 80 years of torture and excruciating agony, isolation, and abuse but we still had Jesus, what is 80 years?  It’s nothing compared to the glory of eternity with God.  So what can flesh do to us?  Nothing.  In the eternal view, this life is not even a dot on the infinite timeline of God's Will.

Humorously, I memorized this passage by creating a simple little rap in my head.  It seems to break down perfectly for rhyme/rhythm.

Week 5: Romans 12:1,2

Romans 12:1,2:  “I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

1. In light of the previous verses, that everything is from, through, and to God, Paul urges the recipients of this letter to present their bodies to God.  Why?  Because it is the ultimate act of worshiping to completely surrender to the Creator.
1. living sacrifice is an interesting choice of words.  It seems oxymoronic, but considering Jesus’s command to “take up the cross and follow Him,” it makes sense.  He was the final sacrifice to atone for our sins, appeasing God’s wrath.  We’re called to emulate Jesus and thus live sacrificially, willing to give up everything God asks of us, completely submitting our being to Him.
2. spiritual worship also is intriguing.  I don’t understand how there could be any other type of worship other than spiritual.  Physical worship makes sense, with raising hands and singing songs, but I would call this an act born from spiritual worship.  I suppose some can “physically worship” without “spiritually worshiping” as hypocrites.
3. Is using “by the mercies of God” the same as Paul saying, “for the love of God, do this!  It’s serious!”?  Perhaps.  If so, and I suspect it is, then I find this funny.  It brings a smile to my face when I read Scripture and I bust out laughing (cf Leviticus 13:41).
2. Do not be conformed to this world.  We’re to be in the world but not of the world.  We’re to love others, but we’re citizens of a different kingdom, where God reigns.  Also, this world implies that there is another world or home, which will be the New Heaven and New Earth created in the future.
3. Being transformed by the renewal of your mind is such an important part of walking with Jesus.  We cannot serve two masters, and if we’re not completely submitted to a master’s rule then we’re serving with less than full commitment.  Jesus wants us to completely surrender to Him, forsaking our loyalty to ourselves and our pride.  Doing this, keeping our eyes on Him, is how we renew our minds.
1. Why?  So we can know the will of God and how to act.  If our minds are renewed and transformed, they will be set on God, and if they’re set on Him, then the Spirit within us is obvious, and our actions and thoughts will be guided by Him.
1. Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
2. How?  Complete and utter surrender.  We have to wholly submit ourselves to God, shirking our identities and becoming new in Jesus.  Practically, emulate Jesus as best as possible, praying for mercy & guidance; read the bible to ingest God’s Word; pray to God to speak to the Father.

These two verses, along with the previous week's memory verses, are ones I constantly go back to.  It's not a daily thing to have transformation, but it's a moment-by-moment, thought-by-thought thing.  A paradigm shift, if you will.  I pray often for my mind to transform and conform to the image of Jesus, that I may be more and more like Him.

I also love the sacrificial language of these verses.  The entire OT is littered with it, as the Israelites had to sacrifice in order to have forgiveness.  Interestingly, God didn't abolish the sacrificial system completely (though, thankfully He did get rid of what we typically think of as a sacrifice), but He switched from using animals and grains to His People.  We are now living sacrifices to God Almighty, not for forgiveness of sin (that was Jesus Christ's sacrifice), but as an act of worship.  And that's awesome.

Week 4: Romans 11:33-36

Romans 11:33-36: “Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways! ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has given Him counsel? Or who has given a gift to Him that he might be repaid?’ For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”

1. How deep are the riches, wisdom, and knowledge of God!  They are bottomless things that never dry up, wells from the depths of creation and from God Himself.  He is infinitely rich, having at His disposal and use anything He desires and owning all there is.  He is infinitely wise, able to make the best possible choice and options available for His will, never making a wrong choice even when we cannot see the reasons.  He is infinitely knowledgeable, filled with the understanding of everything.  This is our God.
2. His judgments are unsearchable.  God’s thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8), they are so infinitely higher than ours that it’s impossible for us to search out understanding from His choices.  Who are we to question why God made the sky blue?  His reasoning is sound and seems odd because we’re so far below Him that it’s pathetic.  
3. His ways are inscrutable.  Inscrutable means unable to understand or comprehend.  Just as His thoughts are well above ours, we cannot hope to understand Him.  We can only trust in His promises and His Word.
1. No one has known the mind of the Lord and no one can give Him counsel.  This refrain echoes the depth of God’s knowledge & wisdom.  It is comforting to think that there is no one above our God.
2. God is indebted to no one (evidenced by the next verse).  He does not owe us anything, and every breath we have is a gift of His creation.  The chief gift is salvation and the cross, the ultimate gift of His only Son, and it’s a gift so that no one can boast but instead thank God for His providence.  
4. From Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  God created everything, and it was all made by His hands or by His direction.  He set the mechanics of the universe in order.  He placed the sun in our sky.  He put the breath in our lungs.  He is the only Creator, and everyone owes their worship and praise to Him alone forever.

These verses are Paul's declaration of how awesome God.  I like to incorporate them into my prayers, for God is still bottomless, limitless, insurmountable, inscrutable, and mind-blowing.  Just when we think we understand something about God, a whole new facet opens up and astounds us all over again.


To God be the glory forever, indeed!

Week 3: John 1:12,13

John 1:12,13: “But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

1. To me this implies that some can receive Jesus but not believe in His name.  These people have heard the gospel and have received the good news, but they chose not to believe it.  Because of this they are not adopted into the family of God.
2. Those that do receive and accept become children of God.  This is a gift from salvation, that we become joint-heirs with Jesus.  These children are born of God and nothing else, so we’re not tainted by blood or flesh or anything of this world, but pure and removed from sin when it comes to judgment.  Also, because of this, we are brothers and sisters with Jesus, sharing the privileges with Him for eternity.

I really like these verses, and I find their promises very encouraging.  It's amazing that God allows us to take the sacrifice of the Son and become His children through adoption.  Awesome.

Week 2: Deuteronomy 10:12,13

Deut. 10:12,13: “Israel, what does the LORD* your God require of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your strength, and to keep the commandments of the Lord, which I am commanding you today, for your good?”

God requires five things of Israel, and also any who believe in Him.

1. To fear the LORD.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 1:7), and God is worthy of fear.  He is the Creator of the universe and everything in it.  If men feared angels in the bible, literally falling on their faces and cowering in fear, how much greater should the fear of God be!  It is right to fear God, and we should always keep this is mind.
2. To walk in all His ways.  How do we walk in His ways?  We emulate Jesus, who walked in God’s will every day of His life.  We abstain from sin.  We abhor evil.  We love others with unending love.  We show grace and compassion to all.  We forgive.  We strive with everything we possess to live like Him.
3. To love Him.  How do you show love to someone?  You spend time with them and develop a relationship.  The same goes with God.  How can we develop a relationship if we don’t speak to Him?  We must pray to God, to lift up praises and petitions with an honest and open heart.  In turn, we hear from God through the Holy Spirit by the reading of His Word.  We also delight ourselves in His presence, taking joy in worshiping Him and submitting to His authority.  Through it all, we form a relationship, and love is a natural reaction from it.
4. To serve the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul.  How do we serve?  We serve by walking in His ways.  We obey His Word and the commandments within.  When someone is down, we help them up.  When someone is hungry, we feed them.  To serve with all our heart and soul is to hurt when others hurt and to praise when others praise.  Our hearts, nor our souls, belong to us, but are given to God to be used however He wills.
5. To keep the commandments and statutes.  By doing this we are showing our love to God, our fear of God, our service to God, and our willingness to walk in the path He’s established.  The two greatest commandments are to love God with everything we are, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matt. 22:36-40).  By loving God and loving people, we will follow all five of these stipulations that the LORD requires of us.

This is a great mantra to live by, especially for people looking for rules and stipulations to live by.  God lays it out to the Israelites in the wilderness on what they need to do.  Why?  Because it's for their own good.  The Israelites, like all of us, were all created for a purpose, and that purpose was to glorify God.  Deuteronomy 10:12,13 show us exactly how to do this.


*Note:  In keeping with the ESV translation, anytime the word LORD appears in all caps, the translation is for the personal name of God, Yahweh, as opposed to the more general names used for God, adonai and elohim.  See also the Preface for more information.

Week One: Deuteronomy 7:9

Deut 7:9: “Know, therefore, that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations.”

1. God keeps His constant love on us and keeps His promises for a thousand generations (forever), as long as we keep His commandments and love Him.  If we don't, then He is not obligated to keep His love on us or His promises to us.  How awesome is it that He still chooses to love us, though!
2. The LORD your God is God, the faithful God.  There is only one God, and the God of Israel, Yahweh, I AM, is the ONLY God.
3. The LORD your God is God, the faithful God.  How is He faithful?  He keeps His promises and loves us with a ever present love. 

This is such a fantastic verse to begin with, reminding us of God's constant faithfulness and love to us.  It's baffling that the Son would willingly take on our sins and die for us, and yet He did, and because of that God keeps His love on us forever.  The same is true for the Israelites here, as they wandered from God off and on so many times in the Old Testament.  It's crazy that God still cherished them as His people.

Purpose

Memorizing Scripture is something I've never really practiced until a few months ago.  After some personal conviction plus a few timely sermons, I began a memorization regimen in early February, following the Fighter Verses program designed by Desiring God ministries.

I'm not sure if it's the memorization or the time I'm devoting to the Word, but since I've started, my heart has been growing fonder and fonder of God.  My thoughts have been on His Word, reflecting on the weekly memory verse or whatever other passage I'm reading.

This blog is a way for me to share my thoughts and reflections on the current memory verse.  It's also an open forum for any reader to discuss and opine with me.  It is my hope that some may even begin memorizing Scripture themselves, or at least think more on the Creator of the Universe and His unfathomable love for us.

I have no formal education in theology or the Bible, only a passion to learn of God and to grow closer to Him.  Thus, all opinions offered here should be scrutinized and considered, and I admit up front that I am prone to err and make wrong decisions.  Please feel free to correct me (using Scripture preferably, not opinion) if you see me wandering.

All scripture memorized is in my preferred reading translation, the English Standard Version.  The ESV is a literal, word for word translation that I feel is easy to understand and more true to the original language than some other versions.  You can read it free here.