Listen Now

Ancient Jewish Wisdom Doesn’t really have much to do with I.Q. or being “smart” Has everything to do with “orientation towards God” Being “Wise” is less about “being” wise and more about “getting” wise Gaining in Wisdom is merging right-thinking with right-action It’s about making Godly Choices and learning to apply God’s truths to life’s circumstances Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.   This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. – Proverbs 3:5-8 “Fear of the LORD” – What’s that? This is a loving “reverence” that includes submission to God’s Lordship and an understanding that all knowledge starts with this submission to God. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…”  Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of Wisdom…” Proverbs 9:10 Compact, Practical Statements that stick in the mind. The Proverbs are short and compact statements that help keep us oriented towards God.  They are great to memorize and take with us throughout the week so that we can put them into action.  Wisdom is learned over time through application and implementation.  We’ll make mistakes, but over time and with God’s help, we can learn to make Godly choices.  Remember, the highest “good” a person can achieve is to do God’s will. Question: Do you have a favorite proverb?  Let us know by posting it below. Just click the Comment link below and let us know. Also, if you have a suggestion for a memory verse to use in the future, feel free to leave your idea as a comment at the bottom of this post or send me an email at Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Thanks and have a great week! Dan Subscription Links If you have enjoyed this Podcast, please subscribe using these links:   Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (R). Copyright (C) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

God’s gift requires a response Paul wrote a letter to the group of believers who lived in Rome during the first century.  He spent the first half of that letter explaining that humanity was separated from God by their sin. He presented the details demonstrating that there was no way to bridge the gap between a sinful human race and a Holy God.  With sadness, he acknowledges that all are guilty.  (Romans 3:9-20) Put then Paul explains God’s Mercy, Grace and Forgiveness and explains that by Faith in Jesus we are made right before God and are free from bondage to our sin natures. This is such wonderful news that it requires a response. Paul declares this when he turns a corner in Chapter 12 issues the following plea to his readers: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices…” – Romans 12:1a (emphasis added) He wants to transform our lives! And that happens when out of gratitude, we yield our entire person to His will. Remember Episode 005 – The New Has Come?   We learned that when we turn and follow Christ, we are changed through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! – 2 Corinthians 5:17 Living Sacrifices and Renewed Minds Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:1-2 Question: Jesus made it clear on several occasions that obedience from the heart was far more important than rituals.  How is being a “…living sacrifice…” aligned with obedience from the heart? Just click the Comment link below and let us know. Also, if you have a suggestion for a memory verse to use in the future, feel free to leave your idea as a comment at the bottom of this post or drop me an email at Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Thanks and have a great week! Dan Subscription Links If you have enjoyed this Podcast, please subscribe using these links:   Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (R). Copyright (C) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Thanks for the Suggestion! A big “Thank You” to Christopher Cummings @chriscummings01 for this week’s verse suggestion.  I’m more than happy to receive suggestions for verses you’d like to memorize and then work them into the production schedule.  Feel free to connect with me and send suggestions via Twitter, Facebook or even through the comments on this blog post. I thoroughly enjoy when I receive messages letting me know that you are enjoying the podcast. This Week:  All Things Work Together For Good  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. – Romans 8:28-30 Some really important points: Some verses are deep and therefore perfect for memorization.  This helps us extract their full meaning over time. Some verses are difficult (like this set) so I decided to use the New King James Version since this translation leans towards an essentially “literal approach” as opposed to a “thought for thought” approach. For more information on Bible Translations, read my article on Choosing A Bible Translation. These verses do not mean that all things that happen to us are good…   Far from it.  It’s a fallen world and there are things we will never be able to understand.  (See Episode 040 Job Asks:  Where is God? and Episode 006 When Troubles Come.) However, this set of verses does tell us that God incorporated us into his plan from the very beginning of time and he is working towards his purpose – redeeming the human race. This plan, put into action through time, is the proof that God is causing all things to work together for good.  Notice how there is a progression from “Called” to “Justified” and finally “Glorified”!  Now that’s “good.” In case you’re wondering, here are some definitions for some of the more difficult words in this passage: Foreknew – reaches back to the Old Testament when God “chose” his people Predestined – predetermined Called – an effective call that results in faith in the gospel Justified – declared to be right in Gods sight Glorified – receive resurrection bodies, the ultimate state when we are like Christ Last Thought You should know that some believe these verses mean that before the beginning of the world, God chose [predestined] certain people to receive his gift of salvation.  Others believe that God foreknew those who would respond to him – who would choose him. Classically one interpretation emphasizes the Sovereignty of God while the other emphasizes the Responsibility of Man.  From a human standpoint these viewpoints appear to be mutually exclusive.  However, there are strong indications in scripture that both of these statements are true and we can believe both of them through faith. For a good primer on these two interpretations, I found a great article on About.com that you can find here.  The article isn’t going to try and convince you towards either position, instead it simply explains the view points.  I like that.  The Bible can certainly stand on its own. Thanks once again for joining me on this journey to memorize key verses out of the Bible. Remember, just take it slow, you can do this and Memorize the Bible with Me. If you have a suggestion for a verse to use in the future, feel free to leave your idea as a comment at the bottom of this post or drop me an email at Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Thanks and have a great week! Dan Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Subscription Links If you have enjoyed this Podcast, please subscribe using these links:   Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Problem of Suffering I find the Book of Job a very difficult book to read.  It’s one of the ancient pieces of Wisdom Literature in the Bible so it’s structure can be a bit difficult to navigate. What makes maters worse is that much of what is written in Job is actually WRONG and I always have to keep in mind whose words I’m reading at the moment so that I don’t get confused. Here is what I mean by “Wrong Theology” Job is suffering and has no clue as to why.  (Hmm, not much has changed in a couple of thousand years has it?) Now, his companions are “trying” to explain to him why he is suffering.  They believe they have “figured God out” and take measures to correct Job and the way he lives. Here is what his initial three friends (Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar) believe they have “figured out” about the way God operates in the world: Good things happen to good people Bad things happen to bad people Therefore: If life is “good” it’s because I am “good” and proves God loves me If life is “bad” it’s because I am “bad” and proves I have dissatisfied God in some way Job’s friends take their simple “understanding” and apply it to Job’s life like this: “Job, since your life is a disaster right now, you have done something very bad.  C’mon, what is it?  Admit it.  You’ve obviously really ticked God off in some way.  We can prove it.  God is obviously punishing you.  That should be proof enough. Straighten up.” Their understanding of God, is oversimplified… Job sees right through their oversimplification of how God works in this world when he says: “How then will you comfort me with empty nothings?” Job 21:34 I love it:  “Empty Nothings!”  Have you noticed that we do the same thing today?  We assume “blessing” equals God’s favor and “difficulties” equal God’s curse. The conundrum surrounding this whole topic is that sometimes “blessings” can be a result of God’s favor and “difficulties” can be a result of sin and falling short of God’s standards. That’s where we mess up and fail to take into consideration God’s Omnipotence.  We, being human, seize on “can be” and want to make it read “are always” and that is where we oversimplify our theology. The Book of Job reminds us, just as it reminded readers 3000 years ago, that God is beyond our comprehension (read Job 38 – 40:6) and that “suffering” is not so simple to explain. One thing is universal, when we suffer we wonder where God is in all of the pain.  Job asked the same question. Where Is God? “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there,     and backward, but I do not perceive him; on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him;     he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him. But he knows the way that I take;     when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” – Job 23:8-10 So what’s the point? Suffering is Universal and Timeless and we may never know the cause because, for now, we have a fragmentary view. However, God is in control.  This is independent of whether or not, at this moment, we can “see” him working. This singular understanding equips believers to trust and obey even when caught in the swirl of life’s perplexities. I find remembering and applying these truths to be very difficult at times.  Perhaps you are the same. Thanks once again for joining me on this journey to memorize key verses out of the Bible. If you have a suggestion for a verse to use in the future, feel free to leave your idea as a comment at the bottom of this post or drop me an email at Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Thanks and have a great week! Dan Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Subscription Links If you have enjoyed this Podcast, please subscribe using these links:   Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Paul Draws Attention to the Unseen World When Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians he covered a lot of ground. He explains God’s Eternal Plan at work in the world and the mystery of God’s extension of the Gospel to the non-Jew. He talks about Unity in Christ He challenges us to be Spirit-Led and Children of Light He even talks about our relationships under God as Husbands and Wives, Children and Parents and how to be an authority as well as live under authority (Master and Servant) But how does he end his letter? As Paul is wrapping up his letter in Ephesians chapter 6, his final thoughts may surprise you: Don’t try to accomplish any of what you just read through your own efforts.  You need God’s Strength. Why? Because our struggle is not against flesh and blood. The Whole Armor of God Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. – Ephesians 6:10-12 If it bleeds, it is not our enemy! There is so much to learn from this verse and I’ll let you mull over it’s meaning as you spend time memorizing it. When I read the phrase “…our struggle is not against flesh and  blood…” (vs. 12a) I instantly thought about one of the pastor’s at the church I attend, Phillip Kelley, who often says:  “If it bleeds, it’s not your enemy!” Paul challenges all of us to open our eyes and realize that we do not struggle against those around us.  Instead we are in a spiritual struggle.  So take aim at the unseen through God’s power and then, regarding the people that surround us:  tell them about the good news of Jesus. What a clear reminder of who we struggle against – and it’s not our neighbor. Question: How does understanding “… our struggle is not against flesh and blood…” change the way you view and interact with the people surrounding you each day?” Just click the Comment link below and let us know. Also, if you have a suggestion for a memory verse to use in the future, feel free to leave your idea as a comment at the bottom of this post or drop me an email at Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Thanks and have a great week! Dan Subscription Links If you have enjoyed this Podcast, please subscribe using these links:   Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (R). Copyright (C) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Friend of God Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business.  Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. – John 15:13-15 “Greater love has no one than this…”  The Apostle John gives a very detailed account of the events leading right up to Jesus’ arrest in his gospel.  The account is found in John chapters 13 through 17. During this time Jesus’ disciples are completely confused.  They thought Jesus was going to build and army and push the Romans out from Israel.  Yet Jesus is talking about betrayal, being killed, rising from the dead and leaving.   This makes no sense to them. “… to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” These chapters are very tender and full of understanding towards the disciples.  Jesus, facing death by crucifixion, is focusing all his energy on the confused men around him.  He is reminding them to: Love each other Abide in Him Keep His Commands Be as One “You are my friends…” Jesus actually says this to his followers!  Why is this such a big deal? Jesus is the Son of God and co-equal with God the Father and the Holy Spirit and he is calling his disciples “friends”? Realize that in the entire Old Testament only Abraham (2 Chronicles 20:7) and Moses (Exodus 33:11 by inference) were called “friends of God.” This is huge! “… if you do what I command.” This is weird. I’m not trying to be disrespectful but when is the last time you ever said to one of your friends: “You are my friend if you do everything I say” Frankly, if I heard one of my kids say this to one of their friends I’d take them aside and correct them.  I’d explain how friendship really works.  You know:  doing for others, etc.  I’d certainly explain that you can’t go around saying “you have to do what I say in order to show that we are friends.” But Jesus did say this.  What is going on? It’s really not too difficult to understand.  There is a duality to our relationship with Jesus. Jesus is LORD and master (Therefore we rely on Him for everything and do what he says.  The term “bond-servant” used throughout the New Testament points to this “Jesus is LORD” relationship.) However, at the same time He elevates us to “friend” (The master is not obligated to reveal his business to servants, but he chooses to reveal himself to us.  This elevates us to friend at the masters choosing.) We exist in both of these realities:  Jesus is LORD and at the same time he calls us friend.  Our friendship flows through our obedience. This duality exhibits itself through complete reverence and obedience to Jesus our LORD while at the same time there is an incredible freedom for comfortable personal interaction with creator God.  Unbelievable! This is the highest possible relationship between a human being and God.  And Jesus extends this to us! Isn’t this awesome?  Not just Abraham and Moses, but now any of us can choose to be a friend of God Thanks again for joining me on this journey to memorize key verses out of the Bible. If you have a suggestion for a memory verse to use in the future, feel free to leave your idea as a comment at the bottom of this post or drop me an email at Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Thanks and have a great week! Dan Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Subscription Links If you have enjoyed this Podcast, please subscribe using these links:   Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (R). Copyright (C) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Can you imagine dining with Jesus and having him look at you and say:  “Go and learn what this means”? I think I would have scrambled for any scrap of paper I could find in order to write down whatever he said next.  (I’m a “write it down” person otherwise I tend to forget.)  Well this is exactly what happened at a dinner gathering at Matthew’s home just after Jesus called him to be one of his disciples. Go and Learn What This Means And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.   And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13 Jesus is quoting from Hosea 6:6 where the prophet says: “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” What in the world is causing Jesus to say this? To the First-Century Jew, eating with someone was tantamount to friendship.  And Jesus was eating with some people who were not exactly honoring God. The Jewish Religious Leaders (Pharisees) taught that you had to keep yourself “clean” by separation from those who were not devoted to The Mosaic Law. Tax Collectors were hated.  They were considered traitors to their own people because they joined the Roman system and partnered in oppressing people by extracting the Roman Tax.  And remember, whatever they extorted above the Roman Tax was theirs to keep!  (By the way, Matthew was a Tax Collector.) This elaborate “keep yourself away from people who don’t honor God” system had drifted far from what God intended and Jesus confronts them and shines light on their wrong belief. Jesus is describing the heart of the gospel.  He points out that: He is not as interested in religious rituals as you may think.  (i.e. “sacrifice”) He actually desires that we notice, take interest in and care for those “sinners” who are far from knowing Him.  (i.e. “mercy”) He basically says there’s something special about someone who needs Him and knows it, versus someone who needs Him but doesn’t acknowledge it.  Ouch! This is why He says:  “For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” v. 13. So why memorize this verse? Because it is very easy for anyone who has been choosing to follow Jesus and put his teachings into practice, to forget who they once were and start to think they have God all figured out. When this happens we naturally, if we are not very careful, get prideful and begin to pull away from people who don’t know God.  Before long we forget who we once were, and ignore who it was that Jesus came to seek and to save. We risk forgetting that Jesus:  “… came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” So when Jesus said:  “Go and learn what this means.” It just seemed like a set of verses I wanted to memorize. I hope you think so too. Thanks once again for joining me on this journey to memorize key verses out of the Bible. If you have a suggestion for a verse to use in the future, feel free to leave your idea as a comment at the bottom of this post or drop me an email at Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Thanks and have a great week! Dan Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Subscription Links If you have enjoyed this Podcast, please subscribe using these links:   Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Have you ever heard of the Sermon on the Mount? When Matthew wrote his Gospel he spent a great deal of time recounting what he heard Jesus teach.  One of these long discourses is found in Matthew chapters 5 through 7. In fact, if you have a Red-Letter Edition of the Bible you’ll notice there is a lot of “Red” throughout these three chapters.  Traditionally we call this section of scripture:  The Sermon on the Mount. Why is it so well known?  What’s did Jesus talk about during the Sermon on the Mount? There are many well known topics covered during Matthew’s recounting of Jesus’ teachings in this section of scripture.  Here are some examples: The Beatitudes – Matthew 5:3-12 Love for Enemies – Matthew 5: 43-47 Giving to the Needy – Matthew 6:1-4 The Lord’s Prayer – Matthew 6:9-13 Do Not Judge – Matthew 7:1-5 Ask, Seek and Knock – Matthew 7:7-8 Plus 13 Others! I find it significant that at the end of all this teaching, Jesus ends with a parable meant to spur his listeners to Take Action!  Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house;  yet it did not fall, because I had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25 It’s as if Jesus is saying:  “You’ve heard my words, but do you love me enough to put them into practice?” This struck me so much this week that I wanted to take the time to record this podcast and make this my memory verse for the week:  The Wise and Foolish Builders. Thanks once again for joining me on this journey to memorize sections of the Bible. If you have a suggestion for a verse to use in the future, feel free to leave your idea as a comment at the bottom of this post or drop me an email at Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Thanks and have a great week! Dan Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Subscription Links If you have enjoyed this Podcast, please subscribe using these links:   Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (R). Copyright (C) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.  

This week – You Have A Gift, Use It – 1 Peter 4:10-11 The Apostle Peter wrote a letter that we call 1st Peter.  It appears he wrote the letter while in Rome near the end of his life.  Somewhere in the late 50’s to early 60’s A.D. He wrote to hurting people.  People who were suffering. He talks about very practical things – such as Living for God. Now, to be clear, he is not talking about DOING in order to get saved, that’s a free gift.  We learned all about this in Episode 003 – Salvation Is Not A Reward when we memorized the Bible Verses from Ephesians 2:8-10. But once we have accepted this free gift – what???  Well, we serve Him.  He uses the Holy Spirit to change our lives so that the results bring honor to God. One area of change is that He provides a gifting.  And to put it bluntly – we should use it. And the Good news? As we are faithful to operate in our gifting, the results lay squarely on God’s shoulders, not ours! As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies — in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11 Have you been afraid to step out?  Don’t be.  Use the strength that God supplies – start there. And if you’ve already done this, post an encouraging comment below so that others will step out and use their gifts to bring honor to Jesus. Thanks and have a great week! Dan Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Subscription Links If you have enjoyed this Podcast, please subscribe using these links:   Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 A Tree Is Known By Its Fruit A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.  A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:43-45 What we take-in as treasure will determine what will emerge from our lives. So, let’s get real practical.  How do we build up the treasury of a good heart? Is it by right attitudes? Is it through right actions? How does this look in our every day lives? You can let me know by posting a comment below or sending me an email at dan@memorizethebiblewithme.com Thanks for listening and have a great week!   Subscription Links If you have enjoyed this Podcast, please subscribe using these links:   Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Draw Near To God – This is the Language of Friendship James, Jesus’ brother writes:  “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:7-8 I think sometimes we over complicate what it means to turn from our old lives and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. We worry about praying with the right words We worry about doing the right things We obsess about wearing the right clothes or eliminating the right things from our lives Problem is:  we do these things in our own strength and define what is “right” using our own common sense.  This is misguided. So what should we do? James gives us a very practical answer.  Set God as Lord in your life.  Live under his Leadership, Guidance and Protection. Resist the Devil.  He will flee from you.  Draw near.  Spend time with God in Prayer and reading the Bible. Can you think of any relationship you have which actually gets better even if you don’t spend time building your understanding of each other?  I can’t.  So why should our relationship with God be any different?  A mark of health is a longing to spend time with Him.  In fact,  love for His Word,  love for His people and a desire to spend time with Him in prayer are all marks of someone who is growing in their relationship with Jesus. If we expect to grow, we need to move towards Him. Works every time! If you want to memorize other Bible verses that will remind you of the daily nature of our walk with Jesus, check out each of these previous sessions of Memorize The Bible With Me.  029 Run With Endurance 030 Run To Win 031 Walk As Children Of The Light 032 Walk In Him  Thanks and have a great week! Dan Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com   Subscription Links If you have enjoyed this Podcast, please subscribe using these links:     Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

I believe in Jesus.  Now what? Walk In Him As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7 Living for Jesus is a Daily Activity Walking implies action Movement implies you can steer and manuver towards where Jesus wants you to be Notice:  first we receive, then we walk Walking does not give us eternal life Walking is our response to receiving Christ Jesus the Lord Thanks again for joining me this week! Dan Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com   Subscription Links If you have enjoyed this Podcast, please subscribe using these links:     Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

This week – Walk As Children Of Light – Ephesians 5:8-10 I don’t know about you, but in my life I wonder things like:  “What does it look like to follow Jesus?” “How can I make living for Jesus practical?” The Apostle Paul used a metaphor in his letter to the Ephesians that helps describe how we live as people who love and follow Jesus.  It’s a simple metaphor and it really captures the daily and intimate nature of our relationship with Jesus.  Walking Yep, that’s it.  Walking. It’s daily It implies constant contact It means there is relationship I use it to make progress daily I use it to learn You can do it for a very long time Here is what Paul wrote: “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8-10 There is one thing more… Through daily contact (walking) we watch so we can imitate Jesus This leads to doing This leads to doing what pleases Him This results in our lives being an accurate reflection of the light that is Christ Jesus What can you do today to shift from just mental knowledge about God to Walking with Him? Dan Subscription Links If you have enjoyed this Podcast, please subscribe using these links:   Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

These verses come at the end of a section of the first Corinthian Letter where Paul explains that he is compelled by God to let people know the Good News about Jesus. He explains that: “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” (vs. 22b) The Apostle Paul would often use Sporting Events to illustrate his thoughts He definitely was focused on making a difference in what truly matters in life.  Notice how many times he uses the word “Win” in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23: “…made myself a servant of all, that I might win more…” “…I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews.” “…I became as one under the law…that I might win those under the law.” “…I became as one outside the law…that I might win those outside the law.” “…I became weak, that I might win the weak.” Is it any wonder that Paul drives his point home by asking us to relate this to a race? Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize?  So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.  They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly;  I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Winning at things that truly matter takes the focus, intensity and training of an athlete. So if we really want to make a difference, we run with the effort it takes to win! God Bless and Have a Great Week! Dan Subscription Links If you have enjoyed this Podcast, please subscibe using these links:   Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Run With Endurance Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 There is a danger with this verse If you are not careful you may be tempted to “…lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely…” using your own will power. And then, if that works, you’ll feel pretty proud of your efforts.  Or worse, if you fail, you’ll feel like somehow you let God down. Either way, you’d be trying to make spiritual gains without letting God do the work – never a good idea. Instead, don’t forget verse 2:  “…looking to Jesus…” This is the key to success in the race of life – staying as close to Jesus as possible.  “Looking” to Jesus contains the idea that we are so focused on Jesus as our example of how we run the race of life that other distractions are left far behind. And this is exactly what we want because all those distractions and sins just weigh us down. Have you found this to be true? Use the comments section to let me know and encourage others. I’d love to learn from you. God Bless and Have a Great Week! Dan Subscription Links If you have enjoyed this Podcast, please subscibe using these links:   Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Whoever Has The Son Has Life The Bible memory verse this week is known as an “Assurance Verse.” This is the type of verse you draw strength from when you doubt your salvation. It’ll help you encourage others through their times of doubt too. Why memorize a verse like this? Inevitably, when a person says: Yes: I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God Yes: I know I am hopelessly separated from God by my sin So:   I take hold of God’s offer to cancel my sin-debt because Jesus wiped it out by dying in my place Now: I turn and run hard towards new life in Christ… The Devil will attack them with doubt and say: “you aren’t really saved…” “you can’t really know you have eternal life…” “you were just emotional…” These attacks really mess with your head.  So we need to get back to “base” and know what scripture says: And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. 1 John 5:11-13 Still having doubts?  Check out these Memory Verses: 013 Memorize The Bible With Me – If We Confess Our Sins – 1 John 1:8-10 010 Memorize The Bible With Me – Good News, Christ Died For Our Sins – 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 004 Memorize The Bible With Me – I Am The Resurrection and The Life – John 11:25-27 003 Memorize The Bible With Me – Salvation is not a Reward! – Ephesians 2:8-10 God Bless and Have a Great Week! Dan Subscription Links If you have enjoyed this Podcast, please subscibe using these links:   Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Never Waste Pain For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 Can you believe the Apostle Paul ever felt this way? This second letter to the Corinthians is the most auto-biographical of Paul’s letters.  And before the first chapter is even complete, he explains that he and the team had been: “…burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.” verse 8  Wow!  Sometimes we forget Paul had struggles too. But Paul doesn’t waste his pain. Instead, through his honesty, he is letting this church know that when God brings you to the end of yourself, that’s when we learn to rely on Him. When you read the letter you can see the passion he has for the spiritual health of this group of people who followed Jesus.  That same passion is there for us today. Do you have a story when God drew near and gave you strength in a tough situation? Use the comments section to encourage others who are overwhelmed in their difficulty! I’d love to learn from you. God Bless and Have a Great Week! Dan Subscription Links If you have enjoyed this Podcast, please subscibe using these links:   Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

My Power, My Strength, My Wealth!  Really? 3400 years ago Moses was about to hand over the leadership of a new generation of Israelites to Joshua and he made an empassioned restatement of the Law and God’s Covenenant with Israel. We call this book:  Deuteronomy In fact, if you have a chance one day, read the book of Deuteronomy and note how many times that Moses emphasizes “Remember…and never forget” The Israelites were in danger of “forgetting God” when they became prosperous and Moses knew this. The same is true for each of us today. When times are good it is so easy to forget God. You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:17-18 Are you like me and find it easy to “forget God” when things are going well?  How do you stay gounded? Let me know by leaving a comment below.   I’d love to learn from you. God Bless and Have a Great Week! Dan Subscription Links If you have enjoyed this Podcast, please subscibe using these links:   Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Be Prepared To Give An Answer The Bible Verse this week is from 1 Peter chapter 3, verses 15 and 16.  This chapter contains a very familiar section (verse 15) which tells people who follow Jesus Christ that they must be prepared to give an answer.  We must be prepared to share our story. But why would anyone ask about our faith? I think this is the part we forget to ask ourselves?  Am I approachable when it comes to having an honest conversation about Jesus?  What, if anything, would cause someone to think of me when they have doubts and questions about God? The key is at the very beginning of verse 15:  “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.”  This means that Jesus Christ is in control of our lives.  If I set Jesus as Lord of my life, that means that I therefore am His servant.  Paul calls this a “Bond-Servant.” Now this is certaining a different way to live and people, experiencing this, will ask questions. We should be prepared to answer. “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” 1 Peter 3:15-16  Then Peter gives us his experienced  advice “…Do this with gentleness and respect,…”  Bottom line: God loves people and sent His Son to earth to pay the ultimate price for them It’s His perspective that says we need to be ready to explain the hope that we have We may not agree with the person who is asking, we don’t have to But we certainly can gently tell our stories and respecfully introduce searching people to what the Bible says We don’t need to alter the message, what’s found in the Bible can stand for itself Can you remember a time when someone shared with you using “gentleness and respect”? Let us know by leaving a comment below.  I’ll be sure to respond. You can also email me at Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com God Bless and Have a Great Week! Dan Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.    

All Sripture is God-Breathed This is what the Apostle Paul explained to Timothy.  We call this letter “2 Timothy” and it is most likely Paul’s final letter. Paul is in a Roman Prison… Paul is giving a lot of advice to this Pastor he has mentored.  He is reinforcing what he has taught Timothy over the years.  Saying things like: Continue in what you have learned…    … you have known the holy scriptures…. … they make you wise for Salvation… (2 Tim. 3:14,15) Then, at this point in the letter, it’s as if Paul puts his around Timothy’s shoulders and asks: “You know why  I point you to the scriptures, don’t you?” “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 These two Bible Verses are not long, but the words used are full of meaning: God-Breathed – The Bible is Inspired by God, through an author, but God is responsible for the content Teaching – Scripture will teach us what is true Rebuking – Reading the Bible helps us realize what is wrong in our lives Correcting – The Word of God corrects us when we are wrong Training in Righteousness – Bible study teaches us to do what is right Thoroughly equiped – Prepares each of us for good work By the way – this is not just for “other people” – this is for us. In fact, Paul explains to Timothy that he needs to PREACH the word. However this must be done: …. with great patience and careful instruction… (2 Tim. 4:2) Thank you again for joining me this week. How has regular exposure to the Bible changed your life? Share it with all of us by posting a Comment below. I’ll be sure to respond! You can also email me at Dan@MemorizeTheBibleWithMe.com Take care and have a great week! Dan Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.