One of my favorite book in the Old Testament is Jeremiah. Some people think I’m crazy for that.

God makes some incredible promises to the Israelites through Jeremiah.

I understand that these promises were made to the ancient Israelites contextually. But God is a God who does not change. And many of the promises found here apply, or at least relate, to us today.

This week’s verse is no exception. You can find it in Jeremiah 24:7:

Just like last week, the Bible continually tells us that the heart is key.

And I love the reference, which is completely cooincidental… or is it?  We are to love God 24/7.  I love it!

My prayer for myself and my family in 2012, at least in part, is that we may have a heart to know God more fully, more completely.

May you know Him this way as well.

How’s your heart for God? You can share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Last year, I worked to memorize the entire Sermon on the Mount. The continuity was really amazing, and I was able to watch to see how each week built upon the previous ones.

This year, I want to take a different approach. I’ve identified several different passages that stand out to me and seem to be directed to my life. I want to memorize these in 2012.

The first one seems best suited to be a New Year’s verse. Take a look, it’s in Proverbs 4:23:

The heart is key. The Bible tells us over and over again that the state of the heart describes the state of our being.

It’s too easy in our media-saturated culture to allow the heart to be flooded with unnecessary and unhealthy junk.

The need to guard our heart is imperative.

For my family, that means we will reevaluate everything we watch and read, as a start. I know I need to watch out for my heart, but my kids don’t understand that fully yet. So Heather and I have to do that for them, teaching them the reason for it in the process. That may be somewhat of a challenge at first, but I’m convinced it will work out.

What do you do to guard your heart? You can share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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.