Hiding His Word in My Heart {August Link-up}

August 6, 2012 by Lisa Burgess 8 Comments

Have you been memorizing Bible verses?
Haven’t been, but want to?

Write a post about it and link, or leave your comments below.

Sneak Preview: New Bible Memory Challenge!

August 1, 2012 by Lisa Burgess 20 Comments

According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
1 Peter 1:2

Get ready! We are.

We’re gearing up for a new Bible memory challenge beginning this month. (Bonus: It will complement a new Bible study also beginning here this fall.)

Here’s what to do:

Pray about your possible participation as you read over 1 Peter 1.
Register here beginning Wednesday, August 8, if you’d like to join in.
Consider writing a blog post, FB status, or tweet (#HideHisWord) about scripture memorization, inviting others to walk alongside us.
Then link your blog post here on Monday, August 6, to encourage others.
Join our active Facebook group for extra support.

The quick details

Text: 1 Peter 1:1-25 (whole chapter)
Start: August 19, Sunday
Finish: November 17, Saturday
Suggested pace: ~2 verses a week

Comments or questions? Please leave a note below.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3

Hiding His Word in My Heart {July Link-up}

July 6, 2012 by Lisa Burgess 2 Comments

Memorizing Bible verses is a spiritual discipline that reaps benefits not only in the moment but over and over in days ahead.

The writer of Psalm 119:11 hid the Lord’s word in his heart so he wouldn’t sin against Him. We, too, can intentionally place God’s teachings and promises inside us, both for now and for later.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

Today let’s encourage each other with this practice. Please link a blog post you’ve written either recently or in the past about scripture memorization.

Then visit other links as your time allows, even leaving the blessing of comments when possible.

Love like Him: Love Isn’t Resentful

June 25, 2012 by Lisa Burgess 10 Comments

“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”
2 Corinthians 5:18

Ouch. What a week to be studying 2 Corinthians 5:14-21. (Do you ever wonder how God pinpoints our tender spots with each study?)

God knows I needed this one. I’ve recently signed off a chapter of my life. But remaining behind are many mixed emotions. Including some leftover resentment.

The more I think about it, the more I think I’m due payment on some outstanding debts. I deserve some apologies. Definitely more respect. And quite a few opportunities, not just for me but for many.

Oh, it sounds so ugly, yes? Yes. And rightly so. Can you imagine Christ saying those things? Nope, me neither.

On the contrary, not only did He not call in the debts owed Him (and we know He could have!), He paid off everybody else’s. Including mine.

And including the few I think are owed me. They’re no longer mine to cash in. When I became a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17), I handed them over—the few dollars’ debt owed me in exchange for the release of trillions I owed Him. And I paid no broker’s fee.

That means I’m free to travel light. I can liquidate my inventory. No resentment to hold on to. No bitterness to fester. No grudges to grow interest.

And I’m to spread that message to others.

God invites my participation in publicizing this debt-elimination plan (2 Corinthians 5:19). To let others know they, too, can live debt-free. They, too, can trade in balancing the books each month for a journey of grace and peace instead.

It’s the great exchange.

So what will I do with the supposed debts owed me? With grace from God, I’ll rip them up, then fall on my knees in praise to Him for doing the same with mine.

Easy? No. But possible? Yes. Not because I have great character or willpower, but because the love of Christ is to control me (2 Corinthians 5:14). The more amazed I am at His grace given me, the more grace I can show others.

That’s an investment I can’t resist. And the dividends will grow into eternity.

Is there a debt someone owes you? What are you waiting for before you forgive it?

Is there a verse in 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 that hits a tender spot with you?

Memory Verses: 3-Step Review to Remember

June 14, 2012 by Lisa Burgess 25 Comments

Don’t lose what you fought to gain.

Embedding words from a page to words in a brain isn’t quick or easy. If you’ve memorized one scripture or one thousand, you understand. After putting in time, energy, and prayers, you don’t want those words to fade away.

But with a little planning, you can keep them in your heart with much less work than it took to put them there in the first place.

Here are 3 steps so you can review to remember:

1. Gather verses in one place.

You may prefer a computer program like ScriptureTyper or MemVerse or a phone app. As long as you capture all your verses in one location, that’s great.

I prefer a binder as home base for all my verses. I print out the chapter I’m learning with margins wide enough to write notes on the side or in between lines. There I jot down meanings of Greek words or alternate translations or special insights as I memorize. I also add a starting and ending date (when I remember, ironically).

Then I file all the chapters together in the binder in the books-of-the-Bible order.

For individual verses, I print out a running list on continuous pages, also in Bible order. I reprint the whole document periodically to include the newest verses I’ve learned.

Once you’ve gathered your verses all in one location, you’re ready to move on to scheduling.

2. Make a review schedule.

This step is crucial. Without a plan, you may find your verses disappearing from your brain.

There are many approaches to scheduling review, and if you use an online system, they’ll likely have a review plan for previous verses. But the simplest approach for me (and thus the one I’m most likely to use), is to work through the pages in my binder in the order I’ve filed them.

I review one chapter and one sheet of individual verses per day, four days a week (give or take), for about 5-15 minutes.

Sometimes my review is nothing more than a quick read-over. That’s not ideal, but it’s better than nothing, and I’ll come back around to each page soon enough.

What works better is reviewing each verse of the chapter or page a minimum of five times. What you don’t remember the first time or two, you’ll likely remember by the fifth.

3. Use the heart.

The most important place to keep your verses active is your heart. Without sinking them deeply here, they’ll remain only words.

The heart is where Spirit-work takes place. On you. Through you. Here you realize word-for-word accuracy isn’t as important as the meaning behind those words. Here is where you let the heart of God change your heart for God.

This is the review-on-demand, as needed, anytime, anywhere. Middle of the night awakenings are a common time for me to mentally recite a chapter. Also in waiting rooms. In conversations with friends. In hard times. And in happy times. Let your heart use these words to express itself.

But remember…

Don’t be discouraged when you do forget some. Because you will. While we all desire word-for-word retention of everything we’ve learned, heart transformation is what God is after.

Consider your review time as an invitation for the Lord to change your thoughts through His thoughts. That’s the goal.

In reviewing His words, you’re valuing what He values. And with that, He is honored.

I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Psalm 119:15-16

How do you retain verses you’ve memorized?
Please share what works (and even what doesn’t) for you.

Hiding his word in my heart {June link-up}

June 6, 2012 by Lisa Burgess 19 Comments

Do you memorize scripture? What’s been your experience with it?

Please link a written post or video about scripture memory from your own blog to share with our readers here. Then visit other links as time allows so you can receive and give blessings to many. We’ll keep the list open the entire month of June, so add more as you write more.

We’ll highlight a link a day on our Facebook page. Your words are too strengthening for us not to spread them around.

Memorizing Bible verses isn’t easy, but the rewards are lasting and rich both for you and for the people God puts in your life!

We’re using June and July to review verses previously learned, then will start with a new memory chapter in August. Please leave a comment below sharing what you are reviewing this summer.

Memory link-up is coming June 6

May 30, 2012 by Lisa Burgess 2 Comments

Only a few more days!

Then you can link your latest blog post or video about scripture memory with us. Our monthly link-up will be Wednesday, June 6.

If you memorized (or are still memorizing) Romans 8 or John 1 or any other passages, what have you learned? About the scriptures? Or about the process of memorization itself?

I’ll be adding a link to my family’s video of John 1, if you promise not to laugh. It took us a few more takes than I anticipated, but we had so much fun trying!

We look forward to reading or watching soon what you’ve been memorizing.

Here I Raise My Ebenezer: When God’s Timing Seems Off

May 10, 2012 by Lisa Burgess 21 Comments

Time runs out

She came too early. And left too soon. And where was God?

A difficult pregnancy left me sleepless and aching and worried. I wanted my baby girl to stay inside me as long as she could because she was safe there. But time would soon run out.

Sooner than I knew. I went into premature labor with Kali at 32 weeks. Outside of my body, she only lived 1 hour and 17 minutes.

Even though I knew she lived on, I wondered how I would. All I had of her was a clipping of her soft black hair, a copy of her handprints and footprints, and a few pictures that a nurse had taken after she died.

Pictures of a face that my memory would fade into the past.
Pictures of a body that would never see the future.

God says now

I received the pictures a few days after her death. I was afraid to look. Her body had retained so much fluid during the pregnancy that I knew it would be distorted. But who wouldn’t find her own baby beautiful, regardless of the disfigurements?

So I looked. And I saw beauty. But I was still afraid to share her picture with others. What would they think? Would they be repulsed? My mother instinct said protect her, don’t share. Lord, help me.

A week went by. And another. And another. The time still wasn’t right. But with December 25th around the corner, God pointed at the calendar. It was time. Give the gift of trust. Have faith that family would love Kali regardless of how she looked.

So on Christmas Eve, packaged with tears, I nestled a picture of Kali in a Christmas card for each of my siblings, parents, and in-laws. It was an act of faith, a gift of love, a mercy of God’s timing.

I watched as they opened. Everyone was grateful. Including this mom.

Perfect timing

God had shown me He’d walk with me one step at a time, with just the right stride. Never too slow (even when I lunge forward to speed Him up), and never too fast (even when I fight to hold Him back).

His pace is perfect. I can trust Him not only with the situation itself, but also with the timing around it.

Nineteen years later, I can still walk into my mother-in-law’s bedroom and see a picture of Kali on her nightstand. I can pull out a card my mom had given me saying she often sat and looked at Kali’s picture. I now display Kali’s picture on my living room wall, eager to share her story with anybody curious enough to ask.

And when I begin to doubt God’s timing of help in a new circumstance, I can look at Kali’s face and remember how the Lord always has, and always will, bring all things together at just the right time.

May you also trust His mercy to encircle you behind and ahead, and trust His grace to show up exactly when you need it.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace,
that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16

Do you struggle with God’s timing, too? Do you wish he’d speed up or slow down? Leave a comment or prayer request and we’ll talk to Him about it together.

If you know of a family losing a little one, gently point them toward Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, a ministry of professional photographers who donate their time to preserve precious memories.

Hiding His Word in My Heart {May Link-up}

May 2, 2012 by Lisa Burgess 6 Comments

How’s your memory?

Are there any Bible verses you’re trying to store there? We’d love to hear about your experience!

Please link your blog posts or videos here. To our John 1 memorizers, now would be a great time to do a vlog, hint, hint.

If you’re not currently memorizing anything, please consider visiting a link or two to encourage those who are. We’ll be here all month. Thanks!

Ready, set…write that post

April 26, 2012 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

It’s time to pull out your keyboard or video camera.

Write a post on your blog about scripture memory or film yourself reciting verses you’ve been learning.

Then join us back here on Wednesday, May 2, to link your post and encourage others.

We’ll look forward to what YOU have to share about memorizing the Bible!

Make a difference—it’s your ministry

April 11, 2012 by Lisa Burgess 15 Comments

Hurt happens

If you haven’t already experienced this today, it’s coming soon…

Somebody says something that grieves somebody else. Maybe intentionally, maybe not. Maybe it was by you, maybe it was to you. Either way, feelings are hurt or anger is stirred or withdrawal has happened.

What now? God wants you to make the first move toward healing, regardless of who made the first cut. As you tell your kids, “Kiss and make up.” Or in grown-up lingo, be a “minister of reconciliation.”

Whatever you call it, it’s your calling.

God went first

God actually started it. He made the first move first.

Before we ever dreamed of being at peace with Him, He paved the path for it (Romans 5:10; Ephesians 2:12-13). Through Christ’s death and resurrection, He reconciled us to himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).

What does “reconciled” actually mean? It’s derived from the Greek word katallasso, which comes from allasso, meaning to make different; to change; to exchange one thing for another. So when God reconciled with you, He made your relationship with Him different; it was changed. Enmity was exchanged for friendship. Death for life (Romans 11:15).

Your turn

But don’t stop between God and you. Once you’re reconciled to Him, He wants you to keep it going. Your ministry of reconciliation means you help others connect to God, and help others connect to each other (2 Corinthians 5:18).

Don’t take this ministry lightly. Even if you don’t want to do it. Even if you’re the innocent one. Even if the one who hurt you doesn’t even care. Follow God’s example to step in first. Give grace as you’ve been given.

As far as it depends on you, seek to make peace with others (Romans 12:18), in situations when you’re the perpetrator and also when you’re the victim. Settle matters quickly with the one who hurt you (Matthew 5:23-24).

But not just so you will feel better (although you usually will). There’s an even larger reason: so the other person can be reconciled to God. Is there any greater act of love than connecting someone back to God (Galatians 6:1)?

Minister today

So about that disagreement you’ve been in or seen today—will you be the first to intercede for restoration? Through you, God is calling others. Make his appeal for peace. You are an ambassador, you know. A minister of reconciliation. Glorify the Father by making a difference!

We’re talking about theology terms this month. What does “reconciliation” mean to you? Need to reconcile with anyone? Practiced the ministry of reconciliation already this week? How do you know when to give up?

Hiding His Word in My Heart {April Link-Up}

April 3, 2012 by Lisa Burgess 3 Comments

It’s time to share!

Have you been memorizing scripture this past month? Tell us about it. As with any spiritual discipline, Bible memorization can be filled with ups and downs, but as fellow travelers on this journey, we never walk alone.

Please link any blog post(s) you’ve written or videoed the past month about ANY verses you’ve worked on. Buttons are here. As time allows, also visit others on the list. Then come back throughout April to add more and read more.

If you’re NOT memorizing anything, or want to add to your current memory work, join us for a special 50-day challenge between Easter and Pentecost to meditate on and memorize John 1:1-14. Resources and details here.

Resources – Hiding John 1 in My Heart

March 27, 2012 by Lisa Burgess 17 Comments

Are you ready to grow more of God’s Word in your heart?

One way to ensure a better harvest is to prepare before you plant. Download any or all of these free resources and get ready to memorize.

But whether you’ll be memorizing with us or not, would you consider leaving a short prayer or message of encouragement in the comments for all who will be memorizing John 1:1-14 during the 50 days between Easter and Pentecost Sunday? Thanks!

Schedule

Week 1   April 8-14 John 1:1-2
Week 2   April 15-21 John 1:3-4
Week 3   April 22-28 John 1:5-6
Week 4   April 29-May5 John 1:7-8
Week 5   May 6-May 12 John 1:9-10
Week 6   May 13-May 19 John 1:11-12
Week 7   May 20-May 27 John 1:13-14

Memory Cards

The entire text on one sheet. Use as is, or cut into 3×5 cards and place them anywhere your eyes frequent.

John 1 Cards

First Letter Cards

Some studies suggest recalling data from a minimal amount of cues can boost retention. Use this sheet (or cut into cards) as an additional way to practice the verses from the first letter of each word.

John 1 Letter Cards

Audio

In your car or iPod or headphones, listen to this mp3 clip of verses 1-14 from Bible Gateway, read by Max McLean. (If you’d like, you can receive free audio of the entire gospel of John.)

John 1:1-14.mp3

Note: This recording does not include the verse numbers. If you make or find a recording that does, please tell us about it in the comments. It’s helpful to learn the numbers with the words.

Groups

Join our Facebook page for more memorization tips and accountability.
Use #HideHisWord on Twitter.
Link up on April 3 with posts and comments about memorizing Romans 8 or any other scriptures.

Wallpaper

Click on the small picture that best matches your screen size. In the new window, right click on the enlarged image to either “Save Image As…” or “Set as Desktop Background.”

Hiding John 1 in My Heart

March 22, 2012 by Lisa Burgess 23 Comments

Congratulations if you memorized all or even part of Romans 8 with us! I pray you were blessed by your time in the Word. Link up here on April 3 with a post on your blog or comments about your experience.

And now…

New Bible Memory Challenge

Want to connect more with Jesus during the 50 days between Easter and Pentecost Sunday?

Join us for a short, low-pressure memory challenge. For seven weeks, we’ll learn two new verses a week, getting to the heart of who Jesus is and what He came to do.

We’ll provide resources, starting next week, from the English Standard Version–printable sheets for the schedule, text, first letters, and more. But of course you’re free to memorize in your own favorite version. Check out these general memory resources available now.

Quick Details

Text: John 1:1-14
Start date: Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012
Finish date: Pentecost Sunday, May 27, 2012
Suggested pace: 2 verses a week

If you’re on Facebook, join our NEW Hide His Word group. It’s open to anyone memorizing ANY scripture at any time. We’ll provide tools and ongoing support for all who are on a lifelong journey of hiding God’s Word in their hearts.

Spread the Word

Invite your friends to join us, too. If you tweet, use the hashtag #HideHisWord. I’ll be tweeting this:

I’m memorizing 14 verses in John 1 with @DoNotDepart. Join me? http://bit.ly/GItFXK #HideHisWord

May God be glorified through His Word in us!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

Next Week

Full schedule and resources…coming soon!

Why Use a Bible Dictionary?

March 14, 2012 by Lisa Burgess 8 Comments

Little time, Big results

You barely have time to just read your Bible. Why would you add reference books on top of that?

Would you if the rewards outweighed your effort?

While there’s no guarantee that acquiring more knowledge will translate to greater insights or to spiritual transformation (it takes a work of the Spirit to do that), you can position yourself to be more open to growth.

That’s one reason I love Bible dictionaries. For a small investment of time, you can reap big benefits.

What is a Bible dictionary?

Bible dictionaries are concise reference tools that, at a minimum, provide a short definition of an English word. But they can also give definitions of the original Hebrew or Greek words. Some add scripture references, pronunciation guides, parts of speech, word derivations, synonyms, and brief contexts. There are also dictionaries for Bible names, subjects, places, backgrounds, and themes.

While a few are written specifically for scholars, the most popular ones are easily understood by those of us with no formal theological training.

Some well-established dictionaries include Strong’s Bible Dictionary, Smith’s Bible Dictionary, The Complete Word Study Dictionary, Vine’s Expository Dictionary, and Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon.

Many dictionaries are free online from a direct site (ex: Easton’s Bible Dictionary) or embedded in broader Bible study sites (such as Bible Gateway or Bible Study Tools). [See resource list below]

My favorite source is the free Bible software from e-Sword.net. They offer fourteen free dictionaries and three paid ones, plus multiple other resources.

How to use

Here’s a simple example. I saw an interesting post here on “came” (translated “rushed” in ESV) in Judges 14:19. I wanted to know more.

So I looked up the verse in e-Sword and clicked on the Hebrew word tsalach, which is Strong’s number 6743 (each Hebrew and Greek word is assigned a number). Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary showed me the Hebrew spelling (okay, useless to me but maybe helpful to you?) and several definitions.

I then typed in 6743 in my favorite online Hebrew dictionary to hear the pronunciation, learn more definitions, see other words translated from this one, and get a quick glance at other verses where it’s used.

Faith-building

So what? Well, understanding more fully how the Spirit didn’t just “come” upon Samson in a passive way, but “pushed forward; rushed; advanced; broke out” teaches me I can be more confident in how He’s capable of working in me, too—all from a small piece of information easily accessed in a Bible dictionary.

While a dictionary won’t provide an all-encompassing study and won’t give you much context (other resources are available for that), it is a great starting point and is often all the extra information you need.

Understanding God’s message more clearly can help you see God Himself more clearly. The more you see, the more you’ll love and want to share His love with others.

So the next time you see an interesting word in your Bible reading (maybe one of these?), I encourage you to go look it up. See what new treasures you will find to build your faith to ultimately honor the Father!

Quick Links for Bible Dictionaries

Bible Gateway – Easton’s Bible Dictionary, Hitchcock’s Bible Names Dictionary, Smith’s Bible Names Dictionary
Bible Study Tools—Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, King James Dictionary, more
Blue Letter Bible—multiple search tools
E-Sword – free downloadable software with 14 dictionaries
Katie’s Top 10 Online Bible Study Tools
Study Light—Hebrew and Greek lexicons based on Thayer’s Bible Dictionary and others

Do you have a favorite Bible dictionary? How do you use it? Please share comments and questions below.

Hiding His Word in My Heart {March Link-Up}

March 1, 2012 by Lisa Burgess 10 Comments

What have you been memorizing?

We’d love to hear about it. Your journey in scripture, one heart verse at a time, will encourage both those new to memorization as well as seasoned veterans who still love hearing the joys of Hiding His Word in our hearts.

I was spurred on to memorize more when I heard a lady at my church quoting scripture in a Bible class. I knew preachers did that, but hearing it from another woman fascinated me.

If she could do it, why couldn’t I? Why can’t you? It’s not easy, but it’s a blessing. The more you learn, the more you want to learn.

Now I’m decorating with it. In my Sunday class, we each embellish a portion of the wall with what defines us. I’ve bordered my area with first letters from Romans 8.

Link-up

So will you link up below? Share a blog post or a video about YOUR memorizations, either current or from the past. Grab a button here. Then visit a few other links. Come back anytime in March to add more.

You might also leave a comment about your successes or struggles with memorizing. Let’s proclaim together that we value God’s written words about the living Word.