Memorize Scripture – Week 42

Some of the most reassuring passages in the Bible are found in the Psalms. Written by several different authors, these passages, many of them very poetic, have a way of calming and comforting me.

They also speak of God’s grandeur and majesty, as this week’s passage does: Psalm 104:1:

Psalm 104:1

This entire Psalm speaks of the majesty of God, from the creation of the earth, to the mountains, to the rain, to the animals, like the leviathan. The psalmist seems to be in awe of God’s creative powers.

He begins and ends this psalm praising God for his majesty.

Sometimes, when I can’t seem to see the big picture of what I’m doing, this passage helps to restore my perspective to its proper place.

What is your favorite passage speaking of God’s glory and majesty? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Memorize Scripture – Week 41

This is the last passage on our journey down the Romans Road. A lot of the lists you’ll find describing the salvation process found in the book of Romans doesn’t include this verse.

But I believe that the follow through is crucial to the salvation process as well. And I believe Paul did as well. See what he wrote in Romans 12:1:

Romans 12:1

This passage is often quoted with verse two attached, which speaks about not being conformed, but being transformed, by being informed.

And while that is important, the part of the passage I want to focus on is verse 1.

After we have accepted Christ into our lives as Savior, the story doesn’t end there. On the contrary, it’s just the beginning.

In this passage, Paul gives us some instruction on how to begin to live our lives. They key is to offer all of ourselves, and to do so in worship.

Paul brings to mind images of the Old Testament sacrificial system, which was what the early Christian would have been familiar with. But he makes a key distinction: our worship sacrifice, of ourselves, isn’t to be killed, as was the norm. No, we are to be living sacrifices, continually.

It’s part of the life transformation that begins when Christ invades our lives. When he comes in, it’s impossible for us to remain the same.

And as we strive to live in a manner pleasing to him, this lifestyle becomes a part of our worship.

That’s great! But it’s also difficult.

Someone once said, the only problem with a living sacrifice is that it keeps crawling off of the altar.

That’s very true. The biggest hindrance to living with a worship nature… is my sinful nature. And that’s where verse two comes in, giving us a glimpse of just how to do that.

Do you find it easy or hard to maintain a worshipful attitude and lifestyle? What makes it difficult? What helps you out? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Memorize Scripture – Week 40

I love the Romans Road. I especially love the simplicity of the promise found in Romans 10:13. Take a look:

Romans 10:13

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? That’s because it is.

The message of the Gospel is both deeply profound and easily understood. It is both incredibly complex and surprisingly simple.

While there are layers and layers that you can dig through all your life and still never completely reveal it all, the gospel is also as easy as this verse proclaims: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

To be sure, there are complexities to the Gospel that defy our minds, but we often make things more difficult than they need to be.

At least I do.

And so, a message like the one here is refreshingly simple.

Breathtakingly so.

Do you need the occasional reminder that the message of Christ is refreshingly simple? What reminds you of this? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Memorize Scripture – Week 39

A lot of times I hear people complain that the New Testament writers seem to be at odds with one another; that James doesn’t agree with Paul.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The New Testament is extremely cohesive, and this week’s passage reinforces that idea.

Take a look at Romans 10:9-10:

Romans 10:9-10

Paul explains here that our salvation isn’t simply a matter of faith. To be sure, God justifies us by his grace, based on our faith.

But what comes next is action: we confess with our mouths.

It seems to me that this is the natural flow of things, anyway. If something as incredible as God’s intervention happens in my life, the natural inclination is to shout about it. Our next instinct is not to shut our mouths, but to open them.

So let’s speak up!

Confessing Christ can be difficult at times. When do you struggle with this/ When do you find it easy to accomplish? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Memorize Scripture – Week 38

Romans is a pretty deep letter in the New Testament. While it is perhaps Paul’s most theological writing, it is also at times some of his simplest.

This week’s destination on the Romans Road is a perfect example. You can find it in Romans 6:23:

Romans 6:23

Paul describes vividly and succinctly our spiritual bankruptcy. We are sinners. And the consequences of sin is death. But because of what God did on our behalf, through Christ’s death on the cross, we can experience eternal life instead.

That is truly an amazing gift!

Have you thanked God yet today for this incredible gift? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Memorize Scripture – Week 37

Right now, I am memorizing my way through what is called the Romans Road. While many of these passages are very familiar, and some I’ve memorized before, this experience is helpful because it puts several passages together in a cohesive sequence that helps us understand Paul’s letter a little better.

Last week, we looked at Romans 3:23-24. This week, we’ll move ahead to the fifth chapter, memorizing Romans 5:8:

Romans 5:8

Verses like this one reveal just how good the Good News is. God, who didn’t have to do anything for us, rescued us. Even in the midst of our sin, he sent his Son to die for us. That shows us just how great is his love for us.

How many of us would be willing to die for someone else? How many of us would be willing to give up one of our own children to save someone else?

I’m guessing that the answer is pitifully small. And that’s because, while we may make the sacrifice, it won’t do any good. It won’t save anyone.

But Christ’s sacrifice was different. Because of his sinlessness, he was able to take on our sin, restoring us to God’s favor.

God knew this was the only way to accomplish this. And, as hard as it had to have been, he did it… for you, for me.

That’s some pretty intense love!

How do you see God’s love for you displayed in your life daily? Are there any tangible ways that you can see it? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Memorize Scripture – Week 36

Last week, we started memorizing our way through the Romans Road.

This week, we move forward to the third chapter… Romans 3:23-24:

Romans 3:23-24

Most of the time, we simply memorize the first part of this passage, the “all have sinned” part. But that leaves us with a bad taste in our mouths. That’s bad news. We’re sinners. We fall short. Ouch.

But verse 24 gives us the good news side of the equation. We are justified through what Christ did on our behalf!

But many people, especially non-believers and new believers, may not understand what that means. After all, “justified” is a pretty churchy word. What does it mean?

Here’s how I explain it to the students in our youth ministry: Justified means that because of what Christ did for me, it’s “just as if I’d” never sinned at all.

You and I both know that I did sin. So did you.  And sadly, we still do. But God’s grace takes care of that, and presents us as holy before God, all because of Christ’s redeeming work on the cross.

That is good news!

What is (or was) your initial response to this good news? How do you share this with others? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.