In 2011, I memorized the Sermon on the Mount. It went pretty well, although there were weeks where I struggled a bit.

However, I know Matthew 5, 6, and 7 better than I ever have before. And portions of those chapters come to mind all the time now, exactly when I need them.

That’s one of the benefits of memorizing Scripture.

This year, I’m going to do it again. And I’d love to have you join me as well.

I went through my Bible and listed many of the key passages I underlined or highlighted last year. Most of these have made it onto the list of what I’d like to memorize this year.

It’s a pretty eclectic list, scattered all over the Bible, but there are some very meaningful passages in that list.

Here’s the idea: Grab an index card and a pen. Write the verse down on the card and stick in in your pocket, or in the car, or on your bathroom mirror, anyplace where you will see it often. Read it several times a day. By the end of the week, it will be memorized! Simple!

I will begin next week, on Sunday, with a verse from Proverbs that goes well with a new year’s effort .  Join me!

Do you regularly memorize Scripture? What benefits have you seen from it in your life? You can share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Today, we finish the Sermon on the Mount.

This week is simply the wrap up, testifying to the authority of Christ’s teachings.

Here’s the passage: Matthew 7:28-29.

Congratulations!

Join me next year for more memorization.

Did you make it? Let me know in the comments.

This week’s passage concludes the section we started last week on the wise and foolish builders.

Jesus has equated wisdom with listening to and obeying his words.

Take a look at the passage in Matthew 7:26-27.

Last week, we looked at the positive side of the equation, the wise homeowner. This week, we are memorizing the opposite side of the coin, the foolish man.

I’ve had moments where I know I’ve made decisions that fall into this negative category. My goal is to make this happen less and less.

And the key is to be listening to and applying the words of Christ into my life.

Simple.

What areas do you find yourself struggling to listen to Christ? Let me know in the comments.

December is a busy month. Last week was so full that I didn’t even realize that I’d forgotten to schedule this post!

This passage, along with next week, is probably my favorite part of the Sermon on the Mount.

I’m a student. I desire to learn continually. That’s why I read. And that’s why I write. So this passage really speaks to me.

Take a look at the passage in Matthew 7:24-25.

As one who is striving to continually learn, when passages speak of wisdom, I tend to perk up.

Like Psalm 111:10:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

Jesus makes a similar statement here. He equates wisdom with obedience to his words.

Knowing this helps to keep exposing my life to his Word a top priority. How about you?

How’s your foundation? Let me know in the comments.

Wrapping up his discourse on false teachers, Jesus confronts us with a scary thought.

Check out the passage in Matthew 7:21-23.

Frankly, this passage scares me.

There will be many people who will claim to be serving Christ, but the reality is this: they are serving their own motives instead.

God, who sees straight to the heart, will discern this, and Christ will deny that he knows them.

What scares me most is the fact that I know my own motivations. I try, but I know just how much I fail to serve Christ rather than my own selfish interests.

Thank God for his grace and strength, because there’s no way I could do this on my own.

Do you ever feel a sense of trepidation, like you might not be doing all you can for God? What do you do about that? Let me know in the comments.

This week’s passage continues the discussion about false teachers.

Take a look at the passage in Matthew 7:18-20.

Jesus was a master at creating vivid imagery in his teachings. He has an incredible way of painting a picture with words that is perfectly displayed in the mind’s eye.

This example is no different.

Tagging onto last week’s passage about false teachers and the way that you can recognize them, this example explains just what will happen to those teachers.

Jesus talks about fruit. Just like trees, if we bear good fruit, that’s great. But if we bear bad fruit… Well, bad trees are destroyed.

“Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”

Are you bearing good fruit, or bad fruit? Let me know in the comments.

“Watch out for false prophets.”

That’s how Jesus starts out this week’s passage.

Check it out: Matthew 7:15-17.

Jesus goes on to talk about good fruit versus bad fruit, and how we can know people by their fruit. But this fruit discussion follows immediately after the false prophets statement.

I’ve heard people refer to the fruit in a lot of different circumstances. Most of them fit, sort of. At least they make logical sense. But very rarely do I ever hear this discussion with it referring to false teachers.

I wonder if we take this too far out of context sometimes.

But, now that I’ve noticed this distinction, I bet I don’t misuse Jesus’ idea here any longer.

And I bet I pay closer attention to the fruit I display, too.

What passages of Scripture have you heard taken out of context, however well-intentioned it might have been? Let me know in the comments.