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Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you.

Leviticus 20:7-8

Questions for the week:
     What does this verse say about you?
     What does this verse say about God?
     What can I learn from this verse?
Comment and answer one or more of these questions!

My answers:
    As a child of God, I have a responsibility to live my life uprightly, clean, holy, and obedient - in other words, to strive to be more and more like Christ. It is a daily choice that I must make. The end of this verse brings comfort: I can trust in God to work in my heart as I strive to live for Him.

--34 of 52--

 

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"But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil." 2 Thessalonians 3:3

This week, I decided to do another word study of my verse. (definitions taken from Strong's Greek Dictionary)

Faithful - "trustworthy, trustful"
Stablish - "to set fast, i.e. (literally) to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or (figuratively) to confirm"
Keep - "to watch, i.e. be on guard, preserve"
Evil - "evil, i.e. derelict, vicious, mischief, malice, guilt, the devil"

This verse gives me such peace. The very first phrase continually encourages me "But the Lord is faithful." It does not matter what I am going through, God is always, always, faithful!!! Not only that, but He is continually watching over me, watching where my feet go and if I seek Him, He will guide my steps in the way that they should go.

~~~
What is your 34th verse and how has it spoken to you this week?

--33 of 52--

 

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Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. John 6:27

What am I doing in this life? Am I busy with clothes, parties, making friends, having a "good time," trying not to stress out, finding a husband, etc.? OR am I studying my Bible, praying, hiding God's Word in my heart, sharing the Gospel, loving others as Christ loves, and doing my all for His glory? This verse really helped me to put some serious thought into the life that I live and what I am doing. Will my works today "burn" or will they last eternally?

~~~
Did your verse for this week make you think? Or was it just a special verse of comfort or encouragement? Share it with us along with your thoughts!

--32 of 52--

 

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“And He said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15

This is a concept that I so often forget: it doesn’t matter what people think about me – it matters what GOD sees. Others can only see the outside of me, but God sees my heart. Outwardly, others see me cheerfully serving; inwardly, God sees the pride of my heart. Outwardly, others may think that I am whole-heartedly following God; inwardly, God sees that I am just acting. It does not matter if men approve of what I do, it matters that God approves.

~~~
How is your verse ministering to you this week?

--31 of 52--

 

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“And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

Luke 12:15

Covetousness (one definition: a wrongful desire to possess what God has not ordained you to have; this desire is usually directed at what belongs to another). This is a quality that a believer should not have – and yet, how often do we unconsciously sin against, “Thou shalt not covet?” Covetousness can be a slippery monster that oozes in unconsciously. Whether it is coveting another’s car, house, financial status, figure, style, or even husband, many of us struggle with this sin.

The latter part of this verse challenged me, “a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” That is an interesting thought. It does not matter how much or how little we have – the things that matter are deeper-rooted: our heart, our faith, our trust. Let us not be worried about the outward things that will one day be destroyed. Rather, let our focus be on things of Eternity!! What life really consists of!

~~~

How has your verse challenged you this week?

Are you faithfully reviewing your other thirty verses? It is very easy to memorize a verse for a week, but remember: we are trying to keep all fifty-two verses memorized this year!!!

--30 of 52--

 

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The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

Isaiah 40:8

The one truth that I have heard since birth is that God's Word is eternal. It is unchanging. Nothing in life is as certain as God and His Word. What a blessing it is to cling to such truths!!!

~~~

What is your thirtieth verse?

How has God used it to encourage, strengthen, or challenge you?

--29 of 52--

 

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Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 1 Peter 3:16

This week: Look up at least three words in your verse. Does it help you to understand your verse better?

My answer:
   Conscience – co-perception, moral consciousness
   Speak evil – be a traducer, slander
   Evil-doers – a bad-doer, criminal
   Ashamed – to shame down, disgrace, or put to blush
   Conversation – behavior
(all definitions from Strong’s concordance)

This verse gives an idea of how we should live our lives. As I reread it, I was reminded of a similar command for young women in 1 Timothy 5:14, “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” If we live our lives uprightly, then the enemy will be unable to successfully find a target for his darts.

~~~
What have you been memorizing this summer?

What has the Lord been teaching you through your verses?

--28 of 52--

 

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But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1 Peter 3:15

Question for this week:
~What is one (or more!) lesson you’ve learned from this verse?

My answer:
The starting point is sanctification (make holy, purify, or consecrate – Strong’s definition). Next, we are to be ready – a phrase that gives the idea of action: studied up, waiting. Then, if you notice, we are not simply to give our answer, but to do it with meekness (mildness, humility – Strong’s definition) and fear. This is a challenge for us, as God’s children, to be a testimony – a verbal testimony – of what He has done in our lives!!

~~~
Please share your thoughts with your verse!!

I know that summer is generally a busy time for all of you, but I urge you to continue with your memory. Let us not allow the busyness of life distract us from something that will last a life-time!

--27 of 52--

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"I, even I, am the Lord; 

and beside Me there is no Savior."

Isaiah 43:11

This simple, unchanging truth struck me the other day as I was reading my Bible. In the day and age that we live in, what a wonderful Scripture this is to hide in my heart!

Today, we have confused the simplicity of salvation. Instead of trusting in the only One Way (“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6), many have been deceived into following lies. No one can gain eternal life through Ala, Mohammed, Buddha, Mary, works, good morals, strict convictions, sincerity, or other avenues. There is no other Savior besides Jesus Christ our Lord! There is no other way to have salvation except to repent from our sins and accept Him into our hearts!

I beg you: let no one sway you from this simple truth.

~~~

How has your verse spoken to you this week? Please comment and let us know! We are not merely memorizing God’s Word to rattle off like robots, but we are learning and gleaning. :)

--26 of 52--

Guess what? We are half-way there!! Keep pressing on!!!!

 

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For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

~~~

Take the time and consider the following questions for your verse:
     ~What does this verse say about God?
     ~What does this verse say about me?
     ~What is a lesson that I can learn from this verse?
If you would like, choose one (or more!) of the questions and share your answer with us, or simply share whatever God lays on your heart.

Here are my questions:
What does this verse say about God/man?
When I actually stop to consider the difference between God and man, it is incomparable!! Another verse that explains this is 1 Corinthians 1:25: "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." No matter how "wise" our thoughts are, they are still foolish in God's eyes. No matter how "right" our ways are, they are still lower than God's ways.

What lesson can I learn?
If God's ways are SO much higher than mine, and His thoughts SO far above mine, how can I know His thoughts?? Praise the Lord for His Word!!!! By reading His Word I will know His thoughts, by studying His Word, I will know His ways! What a blessing that is!!

--25 of 52--

 

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"Let the wicked forsake his ways and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."

Isaiah 55:7

Questions for your memory verse this week:

1) What is one aspect of God that is brought out to you by your memory verse?

The two specific characteristics of God mentioned here is His mercy and forgiveness. Where would I be without His abundant mercy and never-ending forgiveness?

2) What is one thought that specifically applies to you?

According to my verse, there is action that must take place. The wicked must forsake his ways and the unrighteous must forsake his thoughts. God's mercy and forgiveness doesn't come to me simply because I say, "I'm sorry," but if I turn around and forsake my former behavior!!

How has your verse ministered to you this week?

--24 of 52--

O love the LORD, all ye His saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Psalm 31:23-24

 

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A few questions for this week:

    1) Why did you memorize this verse?

    2) What is one phrase that really sticks out to you?

    3) What are some lessons that you have learned from this verse this week?

My answers:

1) Why did you memorize this verse?

One day while doing my devotions, Psalm 31:23 popped out to me and challenged me. Instead of simply jotting it down in my Scripture journal, I decided to memorize it.

2) What is one phrase that really sticks out to you?

The last phrase of the first verse really struck me: "the Lord . . . plentifully rewardeth the proud doer." Recently, James 1:22 has been a verse that has resounded through my mind, "But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." In reading Psalm 31:23, I realized that there are two sides of the doing - we can be a proud doer, or a humble doer.

3) What are some lessons that you have learned from this verse this week?

I admit that I got a little discouraged after pondering this verse. Then, I continued reading, "Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart." What an encouragement!!! In my own strength, I cannot be faithful, I cannot be a humble doer - but, through Christ, I can do all things!!

We would love to hear your answers to these questions!

--23 of 52--

 

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“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever, Amen.”

1 Peter 4:11

As believers, we are all enlisted in God’s army. However, God gives us different callings and places us in different ministries (“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7). There are some things that you can do, that I cannot. Likewise, there are some things that I can do that you cannot.

The key element that I found in this verse is the middle phrase, “that GOD in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” It does not matter what ministry God places us in, or what abilities God gives us, what matters is that we are using our time and talents for His glory!

~~~

What is your verse this week?

Have you been faithfully reviewing your other verses? Try to review all verses this week!

--22 of 52--

 

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As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

1 Peter 4:10

~~~
What is your verse this week?
Remember to be reviewing your other verses throughout the week!!