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Your Choice Matters – Study Guide for Deuteronomy 30:15

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Use this study guide to make better choices in the coming week. Choose life over death. Good over evil.

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.”
Deuteronomy 30:15

This verse is short, but it’s deep. As you memorize and study, consider the importance of not only your “big” choices, but also the “small” ones. They each matter.

God is ready and able to give us grace for each one.

Download the study guide as a PDF here: Study Guide Deuteronomy 30:15

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Deuteronomy 30:15

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.”

1. BAD DECISION

When Moses was speaking these words the first time to the Israelites in the wilderness, he was placing the choice in front of them. But God already knew what their answer would be. Read Deuteronomy 31:16-20, 26-29.

Now read Hebrews 3:7-19. What one word would you use to sum up why they made the wrong choice? How can you avoid making the same wrong choices this week?

 

2. CHOICES, CHOICES

God always give us a choice. Read more scriptures from the Old Testament where choices and results were clearly laid out. If it’s stated, write down what the good choice leads to, and what the bad choice leads to.

Genesis 2:16-17

Proverbs 10:16

Proverbs 11:19

Isaiah 55:6-7

Jeremiah 21:8-10

 

3. LIFE/DEATH

Look up the definitions of these Hebrew words. Take notes on what you find.

Life, H2416, chay –

Good, H2896, towb –

Death, H4194, maveth –

Evil, H7451, ra –

 

4. OUR HELP

Now look up these New Testament references. Use them to find help and grace from Jesus to choose life. Jot down specific words that are special to you.

John 1:12-13

Romans 6:23

1 Corinthians 10:13

Galatians 5:13, 16-18

Revelation 3:20

 

5. TALK AND PRAY

Make this verse personal. Have a conversation with someone about how they make decisions, about personal choices you’re both facing today, about struggles you have with death and evil, about how you’ve seen good or bad consequences from previous decisions.

Then take it all to God throughout your week.

  • Share your intent to choose the way of faithfulness (Psalm 119:30)
  • Ask for his readiness to help you (Psalm 119:173)
  • Praise him for your soul’s life and for his help (Psalm 119:175)

 

 

Click on the image for a downloadable PDF.
Study Guide Deuteronomy 30:15

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Your Choice Matters. Study Guide for Deuteronomy 30:15

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For memorization help, we gather at the Hide His Word Facebook group.

For more in-depth discussion on the study, share at the Do Not Depart Community Facebook group.

See the whole series here.

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Look at First Words – Tips to Memorize Deuteronomy 30:14

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Read these tips on first words to help you memorize a Bible chapter, and to specifically memorize this week’s verse, Deuteronomy 30:14.

Deuteronomy-30-14

Memorize this week

“But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.”
Deuteronomy 30:14 (ESV)

The Important First Word

When we’re memorizing a chapter, sometimes the first word of each verse is the hardest to get right, especially when it’s a small conjunction or pronoun.

But those first words are often the very ones that prompt us to recite the remainder of the verse.

Notice the first words we’ve learned so far (in ESV):

  • For (v11)
  • It (v12)
  • Neither (v13)
  • But (v14)

But . . .

We’re turning a corner this week with “But.” It signifies an orientation change.

Instead of where God’s word is NOT, this week we’re learning where God’s word IS. Once you remember to start with “But” this week, the rest may come easier than you expect. (NIV uses “No.”)

Where is the word?

The word is not only near you, it is VERY near you.

All 4 versions we’re using have the word “very” in them this week—ESV, NIV, KJV, NKJV. (See our newsletter for more on the word “very.”)

This week’s verse is also different in that it is two sentences instead of one. The second sentence begins with “It,” referring to the word.

Again, where is the word?

The word is in your mouth and in your heart.

And why is it there? So that we CAN DO it.

Keep a CAN DO spirit as you memorize and live out Deuteronomy 30 this week.

Download this week’s study guide here

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Learn that first word first. Tips for memorizing #Deuteronomy30 #HideHisWord

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Please share your thoughts here on what you’re learning or how you’re learning it.

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Notice Patterns – Memorize Deuteronomy 30:13

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Look for patterns as you memorize. Catch the pulse beneath the words in Deuteronomy 30:13.

Deuteronomy-30-13

Memorize this week

“Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?'”
Deuteronomy 30:13 (ESV)

Similarities

If you learned Deuteronomy 30:12, you’ve almost learned Deuteronomy 30:13, too.

The structure and most of the wording is the same: “that you should say, ‘Who will…for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it’?”

Also notice this order remains the same: “should…will…may.” (I’ve been tripping over which of these three words to use; hopefully now I’ll remember their order.)

Differences

The main differences are that verse 12 says “in heaven” and “ascend to heaven,” whereas verse 13 says “beyond the sea,” and “go over the sea.”

Patterns

Another tidbit to notice is that verse 13 is also our third verse in a row with negatives.

  • Verse 11: Not, neither
  • Verse 12: Not
  • Verse 13: Neither

Continue looking for patterns as you memorize. It will not only help you memorize, but also help you catch the rhythm of meaning underneath the words.

In these verses, there are many things that God’s word is NOT. And these are all things we can be grateful for.

Stay tuned for next week, when we turn the corner to what the word IS.

Download this week’s study guide here: “Neither is it Beyond the Sea, Deuteronomy 30:13 Study Sheet”

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Helping You Memorize #Deuteronomy30 v13. Notice patterns. #HideHisWord

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Please share your thoughts here.

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Tips for Memorizing Deuteronomy 30:12

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Memorize this week

“It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?'”
Deuteronomy 30:12 (ESV)

This is week 2 for memorizing Deuteronomy 30:11-20.

Each Monday we will share memory tips specific to each verse. Use these if they help; discard them if they don’t. We want to help you memorize these words.

But not so you’ll have a set of words in your mind, rather that you’ll have a collection of truths in your heart.

Notice the Similarities

In week 1, verse 11, we learned that God’s commandment isn’t too hard or too far off. This week in verse 12 we’ll learn that neither is it too high.

If you’re like me, the transitions between verses can be difficult to remember. Once you get going on a verse, you can keep going. But beginning a fresh verse can be difficult.

In Deuteronomy 30:12, the verse begins with “It,” which is a natural carryover from verse 11.

What is “It”? It is God’s commandment.

Also carrying over from verse 11 is the use of negatives (NOT too hard, NEITHER far off). Verse 12 says it is NOT in heaven. Verse 13 next week will also be a negative (NEITHER).

Who? You or Us?

Verse 11 was Moses (I) speaking to them (YOU).

In verse 12, he continues with YOU, but then he puts himself in the listener’s position. He asks a question by switching to US. This pattern will also be repeated in verse 13.

The Questions

Notice the doubles here. Who will ascend to heaven (1) FOR US and bring it (2) TO US? That we may (2) HEAR IT and (2) DO IT.

Also notice there are 4 IT’s in this verse.

Do Not

As you memorize these week, let these words develop gratitude in your heart for what we do NOT have to do. We don’t have to do the impossible to hear from God. God brings it down to us.

Easy Tips for Memorizing #Deuteronomy30 verse 12. #HideHisWord

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Want to dig deeper into this verse? Use our study guide, answering one question each day.

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Did you memorize Deuteronomy 30:11? Are you memorizing verse 12? What helps you memorize? Please share in the comments.

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Who Will Get It for Us? Study Guide for Deuteronomy 30:12

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I’m glad I live on this side of the cross.

On this side, Jesus has already come down in the flesh. He’s already finished the work God wanted Him to do.

And we can know all about it.

But when Moses was speaking to the Israelites as we read in Deuteronomy 30, they didn’t yet know about Jesus like we do. When Moses asked the question, “Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us?” they likely remembered seeing Moses ascend to Mount Sinai to meet God. And seeing him come back down with the tablets of stone, the 10 Commandments, etched with God’s signature.

“It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?'”
Deuteronomy 30:12

As we memorize and study this verse next week, put yourself in their shoes as they were listening about the law.

And then thank God for the shoes you’re in now, recipients of the gospel of grace.

Grace has come down to us.

Download as a PDF here: Study Guide Deuteronomy 30:12

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Deuteronomy 30:12

“It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’”

Study

  1. When we think about someone bringing God’s truths to us from heaven, we think of Jesus. But what would Moses’s audience have thought in Deuteronomy 30? Get the context by reading about Moses going up to Mount Sinai and bringing down the commandments in Exodus 24:1-18. Write down what stands out to you.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus+24&version=ESV

 

  1. Use a Hebrew lexicon or interlinear Bible like BlueLetterBible to dig deeper into an original word from Deuteronomy 30:12. What did Moses mean by “heaven”? What was the Hebrew word for “hear”? “Do”? Write down what you learn.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/deu/30/11/t_conc_183012

 

  1. Read Deuteronomy 30:12 in multiple translations. Do different words give you a broader picture into the meaning of the verse?

https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/deu/30/11/t_bibles_183012

 

  1. There are three common cross-references used with Deuteronomy 30:12. Look these up (and read a couple verses before and after each reference). What similarities do you see with the message Moses is giving? Differences?

Proverbs 30:4. John 3:13. Romans 10:6-7

 

  1. Moses’s question ends with hearing and doing. Pray about what you have heard from God this week. What is He wanting you to do? Write this in your journal. Continue to pray about it over the coming weeks.

Click on the image for a downloadable PDF.
Study Guide Deuteronomy 30:12

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Who brings it now? Study Guide for Deuteronomy 30:12

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See the whole series here.

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Three Memory Tips for Deuteronomy 30:11

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Deuteronomy-30-11

Memorize This Week

For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off.
Deuteronomy 30:11 (ESV)

Today we begin memorizing!

And even if you’re not participating in the scripture memory challenge, these words can still benefit your week as you read them here and think about them.

Three Memorizing Tips

For the nitty-gritty of memorizing, take a closer look at each word.

(1) Are there any words that are repeated?

In Deuteronomy 30:11, we see both “commandment” and “command.” One is a noun and the other is a verb, making it easy to remember them as a pair.

(2) Also look for patterns or groupings. This verse contains two things that God’s commands are NOT:

  • Too hard
  • Far off

(Exact wording will vary according to the translation you use; we’ll refer here to ESV.)

Noting that there is a group or an order to the words will often help you remember them more clearly.

(3) Look it up. Another way to memorize more accurately is to dig into the original language, not to necessarily memorize the Hebrew or Greek words themselves, but to enhance your knowledge of the English word. Bible Hub is one of the many resources you can access online for word derivations.

For instance, when you look at “hard”, Hebrew pala, you see it also means “beyond one’s power.” Moses was telling them that God’s commands weren’t beyond their power. (I’m using it to also remind me that memorizing these words aren’t beyond my power.)

One Word

I like to highlight one word or phrase in my mind (and on paper) from each verse that stands out to me personally.

What stands out to you in Deuteronomy 30:11?

One special word to me is “today.” While Moses was using “today” to signify the very day he was in, it reminds me that I also am in “today.” The deep truth in this verse—that God won’t ask too much from me—continues to apply to me right now.

Remember the Goal

Let’s always remember that while one of our intentions is to memorize these words, our greater goal is to live them.

Memorizing is only a means to an end. Our real purpose is to use these words to help us love God and love others. That is the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-40).

3 Memory Tips for Bible Verses #Deuteronomy30 #HideHisWord

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See the study guide for verse 11 here, “God’s Commandment Is Not Too Hard.”

For those who registered, check your email for additional encouragement. God’s commandments aren’t burdensome (1 John 5:3).

What are your memory tips? What stands out to you in this week’s verse? Please share in the comments.

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Why It’s Your Choice to Memorize

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It's-Your-Choice-Memorize

Determine Your Choices

We’re going to be talking about choices a lot in the upcoming weeks.

Once we make the big decision to follow Jesus, we still have smaller decisions to make our entire lives.

Some of those decisions are strongly determined by:

  • Where we are (such as, choice of available churches)
  • What we’re called to do (such as, choice of jobs)
  • Who we’re with (such as, choice of relationships).

But other decisions are determined by:

  • How God made us (such as, choice of spiritual disciplines).

God designed some of us to love a crowd, while others prefer a table for two. Some prefer quiet times at 5am; others burn the midnight oil with young seekers.

Some grow through the spiritual discipline of fasting. And some grow by memorizing holy words.

I’m not saying we wouldn’t all benefit by having more of God’s words memorized in our hearts. His words bless whoever holds them.

But certain spiritual disciplines reach us more than others do.

Discipline of Scripture Memorization

Is scripture memorization a discipline that reaches you? It does me.

That doesn’t mean it comes easily to me. I don’t have a great memory. I don’t have a lot of patience to recite the same thing over and over.

But I’ve discovered this:

If I spend just a few minutes today reminding myself of the same truths I rehearsed yesterday, I am blessed.

  • Blessed in the moment:
    Jesus is the Living Word and His presence is with us as we’re learning words with Him, being trained by Him, and soaking in His love.
  • Blessed in the future:
    God’s word never returns void. Verses we memorize today will come back to us tomorrow at times when we need them most.

Maybe you’ve tried scripture memorization in the past. It wasn’t your thing. That’s okay. There are many spiritual disciplines that can nurture our relationships with the Lord.

Your Invitation to Memorize

But if it’s been awhile since you’ve tried memorizing—or if you’ve never tried at all—we invite you to join us for a simple, no-pressure challenge. Registration is open now; memorization begins September 25.

The ten verses we’ll be repeating to ourselves and each other are reminders that we have choices.

And that our choices matter.

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As we said here, you’re not a good person if you choose to memorize and a bad one if you don’t. God doesn’t work that way.

But if you’ve been looking for an opportunity to memorize again, or to try it as something new in your Christian walk, give this a try.

Bible Study – The Context

Bible study (another spiritual discipline) is a beneficial addition to scripture memorization.

Fill out Ali’s downloadable worksheet this week on context. Answer one question per day for five days.

Deuteronomy 30 Bible Study Context

It will provide a great foundation for your season in Deuteronomy 30.

The time it takes is short, but the rewards will be long.

You choose.

Sign Up to Memorize

Is scripture memorization one of your spiritual disciplines? Choose with us. #HideHisWord

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What stands out to you in Deuteronomy 30?
Where do you see Jesus in Deuteronomy 30 via the apostle Paul’s words in Romans 10:6-10?
Which spiritual disciplines come naturally to you? Which don’t?

Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Your Invitation – Register to Memorize Deuteronomy 30

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Deuteronomy? Really?

It may sound painful and old. But it’s not!

It’s Your Choice

God is still speaking today—to us—through these 10 verses (Deuteronomy 30:11-20).

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.”
Deuteronomy 30:19

Our choices are now.

And our choices affect not only today, but they also affect tomorrow (which will one day be our past).

As Moses invited the Israelites to choose—life or death, good or evil—so God also invites us to choose.

Sign Up to Memorize

If you choose to memorize with us, just one verse a week for ten weeks, you’ll discover this:

  • The command to love God is not too hard for you, and neither is it far off (Deut 30:11).
  • The word is as near as your own mouth and heart (Deut 30:14).
  • You can do this (Deut 30:14).
  • If you love the Lord your God, you will be blessed (Deut 30:16).
  • And more.

Your Invitation

God doesn’t command us to memorize. You’re not better if you do. You’re not worse if you don’t.

But if you’re looking for a way to follow God more intentionally, to be more aware of the blessings He sends, and to make better choices in your everyday life, this invitation is your opportunity to join us.

When you sign up, we’ll send you our Frequently Asked Questions email and links to our free downloadable resources. You can print the ones you like and get started memorizing!

We’ll then send you one email each Monday morning, reminding you of the verse to memorize that week, as well as post it here on the blog.

And new for this Fall 2017 challenge, you can also download a free five-day Bible study on the Friday before each new verse begins. Get it here at the blog beginning September 22.

Here is our official schedule. We’ll start on September 25, take a week off for Thanksgiving, and be finished several weeks before Christmas.

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Registration has expired. 

Resources to Memorize Deuteronomy 30 {Printables}

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Download and print any or all of the following resources to help you memorize Deuteronomy 30:11-20.

The more you prepare now, the easier it will be to memorize later.

For extra community, join our Hide His Word Facebook group.

Post pictures on Instagram with #Deuteronomy30 and #HideHisWord. Share tweets using #Deuteronomy30 and #HideHisWord.

Join us here at the blog on Fridays beginning September 22 to download the free five-day Bible study for the upcoming week.

 

New Scripture Memory Challenge Coming Soon

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New Scripture Memory Challenge

Monkey Brain?

Are you familiar with “monkey brain”? It’s when you’re not thinking clearly, but you can’t seem to stop it.

You might have monkey brain syndrome if . . .

  • You’re constantly checking email and Facebook
  • Your mind flits from one thought to another non-stop
  • You can’t stay on-task longer than 10 minutes
  • You barely remember what you did yesterday
  • You never complete one project before you start another

We experience this more often than we’d like. We can’t think of words when we need them; our brains feel tired; we don’t think we can add in one more thing to our schedules.

Capture Your Thoughts

But there is an activity to help us take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Memorizing chunks of scripture can align your thoughts with God’s thoughts.

Earlier this year we memorized Psalm 121 together. Then last spring we memorized Colossians 3:1-17.

Now we’re getting ready to memorize a new section of scripture.

If you can squeeze in a 5-minute spiritual exercise a day, several days a week, this memory challenge will work for you.

Will You Pray?

We’re not asking you to decide yet. But we are asking you to pray about it.

Ask God if the benefits would be worth your investment of time and energy.

If you get a “yes,” come back Monday, September 11, and sign up to join us.

We’ll announce the section of scripture then (it may surprise you, so be prepared!). We’ll also give you a collection of free resources to download and print.

Better Together, Never Alone

We will be here with you to walk together on this journey.

But more importantly, the Lord will also walk with us. As I’ve said before, even if we don’t actually retain any of the words we attempt to memorize (but trust me, you will retain many!), the time spent with God is still worth it.

No time in God’s presence is ever wasted.

Why should we settle for a monkey brain when there’s a rich treasure of God’s truths to focus on instead?

Now is the time to pray about it. New Scripture Memory Challenge #HideHisWord

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Any questions or thoughts? Please share in the comments.

Join our Facebook group, HideHisWord, to meet our community of memorizers.

Is It Dangerous to Know God? Yada, Yada, Yada

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Our deepest freedom rests not in our freedom to do what we want to do but rather in our freedom to become who God wills us to be.

Yada, Yada, Yada

What does “yada” mean to you?

Certain generations of us remember the 1997 “The Yada” episode of the Seinfeld sitcom. “Yada, yada, yada” was the replacement for an explanation. Instead of giving details, just skip over them by saying yada, yada, yada.

Seinfeld Yada Video

But the real meaning of yada?

It’s actually the exact opposite.

Instead of keeping someone in the dark with skimpy details, the Hebrew word yada used in the Old Testament primarily means “to know.”

  • yada = to know

H3045 - Yada - Hebrew word

Yada first appears in the Bible in a quote from the serpent in Genesis 3:5, “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Does this real definition of yada (knowing) make us anxious?

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God Knows You

Are you comfortable with God knowing every detail about you? We know it can be ugly in there.

  • Do I really want anyone to know the bad parenting decisions I’ve made?
  • To know the judgmental thoughts I’ve had of friends?
  • To know the words I’d like to say in an argument (even if I won’t say them)?

Like it or not, God knows us. We’re to feel good about that?

And You Know God?

And when we think about us knowing God, that, too, can feel troublesome.

(1) We may grow arrogant, proud that we “know” God because we know facts about Him. We’ve all seen (and perhaps been) that person who has much head knowledge about God but who isn’t godly.

Or (2) we may be fearful of knowing God better. Relationships are hard enough with people, but with God? Wouldn’t it be easier to keep Him at arms’ length so we won’t be called on to do anything challenging or uncertain? His standards are so high.

A Healthy View of Yada

But here’s a different way to think about yada.

(1) Being known by God is a gift of grace.

On a busy Saturday last weekend, I was feeling overwhelmed between events, wondering how I would have the energy for the last appearance of the night. But because my husband knows me, he encouraged me to take a break on the final drive, even from talking with him, and just read a book and recharge. It worked.

Being known is a blessing.

“O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.”
Psalm 139:1-2

Because God knows our every strength AND our every weakness, He knows how to work best in our lives. Just as we benefit when our doctor understands our bodies and illnesses, so we also benefit when God knows all about us. He never takes advantage of our vulnerabilities.

  • It’s good that God knows what we can bear and what we can’t.
  • It’s good that He knows when we need a gentle push and when we need a restful break.
  • It’s good that He knows the gifts we need and those we couldn’t handle.

Because He knows us inside and out—and loves us anyway—we can rest in His provision and His healing.

“By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me.”
Psalm 41:11

We need to be known by God. Be grateful for it. Discover peace through it.

(2) Our knowing God brings freedom.

What advantages come from our knowing God?

The more we know God, the more we can trust and love God. Knowing God opens us up to an improved relationship with Him.

“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
Psalm 9:10

Often we learn more about God through study. We think, then feel, then do.

But knowing God doesn’t come only through head knowledge (although we definitely need that). Often the most profound ways we know other people are by doing things with them. We also need to do with God. Live life together, not just study Him from a distance.

So occasionally reverse the process. Do, feel, think.

  • Do something fresh and daring with God.
  • Discover that it makes you feel more trustful.
  • Then think about and thank God that you are knowing Him more fully as a result.

“[King Josiah] judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Is not this to know me? declares the LORD.”
Jeremiah 22:16

Take a step of faith.
Engage in an unfamiliar situation.
Love someone different from you.

Open Invitation to Know

Being known by God and knowing God are what we are made for, how we are designed. It opens us up to receiving all the grace He longs to give us.

Instead of being dangerous, knowing God allows us to live with more security, more satisfaction, more hope.

Truly knowing and experiencing God is our open invitation to the greatest freedom imaginable.

Unlike George Costanza in Seinfeld, let’s not use yada, yada, yada to skim over our lives. Instead, let’s yada God to go deeper.

Should we fear being known by God? Or of knowing God better? Look at yada. #OTHebrewWords

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Are you comfortable with God knowing everything about you? How do you get to know God better? We want to hear your thoughts.

See all the words in our Hebrew series here.

Notable Hebrew Words of the Old Testament - a month long series at DoNotDepart.com

Are You Here Today?

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Do you spend too much time thinking about the past?

  • Mistakes you made.
  • Things you could have done differently.
  • He said/she said stuff.

Or do you worry more about the future?

  • What if this happens?
  • What if it doesn’t?
  • How would you manage that?

We’re all tempted to live before and behind.

But God’s solution is for us to stay in today. That’s why I love this timeless post from Caroline. She reminds us to switch to gratitude for this day, this moment.

Enjoy this repost from 2012 that is just as fresh today as it will be tomorrow.

Thankful for Today - baby foot, musical instrument, books, pajamas - all part of a normal day

Thankful for Today

by Caroline

Each day is a gift.

We know this, right? But how often do we have to remind ourselves when we’re exhausted, weary, feeling beaten, or stressed?

Some days are tougher than others, and some days reach the “toughest” category. Can we be thankful even in the middle of those days?

Switching to Gratitude

I’ve often experienced the effects of switching my mindset to one of gratitude for that day, that moment.

I might feel frustrated with my lack of sleep or overloaded with “to-dos” and “want-to-dos.” My shoulders hunch with the burden of frustration with myself, my stomach churns nervously, and my heart quickens at the mere thought of failing my children or my husband or, worse, my God.

In these moments, when I shift to a focus on gratitude, the response is drastic.

My shoulders soften, my stomach eases, and my heart calms.

Gratitude changes my psychological and physiological responses. The effect is measurable. (As Ann Voskamp has said on her blog, research and science only support scriptural truth.) Being thankful for today in turn keeps me in the current moment and better able to see the joy He has placed right in front of me.

Even in the middle of my son’s hospital stays, I can find something to be thankful for each day.

What’s in a Day

What if you’re experiencing terrifying circumstances or depressed thoughts or general weariness? How can you see gratitude in those moments?

No matter what today brings, I try to remember:

  • God is here (Psalm 118:7) and active (Psalm 118:15-16).
  • God created today (Genesis 1:3-5).
  • God protects and is trustworthy (Psalm 118:8).
  • God saves (Psalm 118:21).
  • God loves—forever!

Look back at how Psalm 118 begins:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.”

His love endures forever.

Stop and Praise

When I’m feeling foul, sometimes I need to go through the physical act of thankfulness to pull me out of a deepening pit. As soon as I realize I’m about to bark about a disturbance, if I pause and speak two or three things I thank God for out loud, I begin to feel those relieving effects.

Gratitude inspires praise. Praise focuses beyond me.

“The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.” (Psalm 118:24)

And what else were we made for than to see Him, receive Him, praise Him, and share His love?

What are you thankful for today? Please share in the comments.

Whatever You Do {Memorizing Colossians 3:17}

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Colossians-3-17

Memorize this week:

Group A and Group B
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

What a fitting verse to end on!

This is our last official week to memorize Colossians 3:1-17 together. And as we close, we hear Paul telling us to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Whatever we do, whether . . .

  • Memorizing scripture with others
  • Cleaning toilets in our home
  • Reviewing math with our kids
  • Walking the dog
  • Eating with friends

. . . whatever we do (also see 1 Corinthians 10:31), and not just in “religious” things, may we do it all for the glory and in the name of our Lord Jesus. He inspires our work; he sustains our bodies; he loves our souls.

“If words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!”
1 Peter 4:11 (The Message)

Thanks for journeying with us in Colossians these past few weeks. We appreciate your presence and your prayers.

For more resources and chapters to memorize, read here.

Memory-Resources-Hiding-His-Word_DoNotDepart

What did you learn from our time in Colossians 3?

Please share your thoughts here.

Colossians-3-Memory_DoNotDepart

Do It; Receive It {Memorizing Colossians 3:16}

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Colossians-3-16

Memorize This Week

Group A
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Group B
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Do It and Receive It

As we add Colossians 3:16 to our memory work this week, notice the themes we are to let happen.

  • Let love bind (Colossians 3:14)
  • Let peace rule (Colossians 3:15)
  • Let words sing (Colossians 3:16)

Although each of these are things we can and should actively do and participate in, they also are things that we receive as gifts from Christ.

Christ IS love and peace and the word.

Let us be thankful to Jesus this week as we dwell in the beautiful Word and as we sing about and to Him.

Only one week left! Even if you’ve not been memorizing with us, please join us this week and next week as we meditate on and are blessed by these truths about our Christ.

Please share your thoughts here.

 

Wear Love as Your Top Layer {Memorizing Colossians 3:14-15}

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Colossians-3-14-15

Memorize This Week

Group A
14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Group B
14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Do you hear echos of the love chapter (1 Corinthians 13) in this week’s memory verses?

“If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:3

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
1 Corinthians 13:7

All the previous good things that Paul mentioned we put on—compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience (Colossians 3:12)—they still need one more thing to cover them all, to unite them all.

That thing is love.

As the Message puts it:

“And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”
Colossians 3:14

As you memorize this week, memorize with love.
As you work this week, work by love.
As you help others this week, help through love.

Let love be your glue that holds everything together, for God is love (1 John 4:8).

Next Week – Break

Work hard this week, then take a break next week!

We won’t memorize anything new the week of July 4. Then we’ll be back July 10 with only two weeks and two verses left to memorize. You’ve got this!

Please share your thoughts here.

Do I Have to Put Up with This? {Memorizing Colossians 3:12-13}

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Colossians-3-12-13

Memorize this week:

Group A
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Group B
14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

When you think of “bearing with” someone, do you think of the verse about bearing each other’s burdens?

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

When our friends are going through tough times, we want to bear with them, hold them up. The word “bear” in Galatians 6:2 is G941 bastazō, to carry,  and “burden” is G922 baros, weight. Bear the weight for your brother.

That’s one thing.

But what if their burden is in reality their weakness, not just a bad break?

Is it easier or harder to bear if it’s something they’ve brought on themselves?

In Colossians 3:13, Paul says we are to bear with one another and forgive each other. The word “bear” is different here; it is G430 anechomai, to hold oneself up against; to put up with.

Put up with them. It’s not easy. Forgive (G5483 charizomai, to grant a favor; deliver) them. That’s hard. That doesn’t mean we don’t correct or encourage change.

But it does mean that we treat others as Christ has treated us.

As you allow these words to sink into your soul this week and put into practice, remember how Christ has put up with you.

And go and do likewise with others.

Please share your thoughts here.

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