focus on scripture
About four years ago my husband attended a weekend called Encounter God. These weekends have been influential in many lives and we now host them in our immediate area. When my husband came back from that weekend I feel he was a different person. While he had always been a person focused on the Lord and God's holy power he was challenged to spend more time with the Lord then he had been. My husband began to awake earlier every morning and read portions of scripture daily. As I saw the changes within him by simply reading his bible more than he had been a fire started within me. I wanted to change. I wanted to desire. I wanted to grow.
I began by taking on a challenge from Beth Moore to memorize one bible verse each month. This was powerful and I still hold these verses close and deep within my heart. I want to grow more in this area!
This past year (2013) I felt God prompting me to read through the bible in a year. I never thought I would accomplish this daunting challenge. I used a scripture guide that directed you to three different portions of scripture each day. With the prompting and strength of the Lord I read through the entire bible and it changed my life!
-Begin by simply opening your bible and praying before you read scripture. Pray that God would speak to you, that you would focus, and that you would have an open heart and mind. If you are new to scripture try reading a Psalm or Proverb each day and then either Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. Take a look into the New Testament as well!
- Have scripture around your house. I have two verses on my fridge right now that I printed off. They
are daily reminders of how God wants us to live and how He loves us!
-Write bible verses you hear places or read in a notebook or on note cards. It is amazing what God can do when you go back to those verses. A great source of encouragement and accountability.
-If the Lord is speaking a verse to you share it with a friend or family member. Often times when we share the love of the Lord, He not only works in the one to whom we are sharing, He works deeply within us.
-If you have children at home read a children's bible to them. I love the bond that comes from sharing scripture with my children. Learning together. Growing together. Praying together.
-Read different translations of the bible. I have spent a lot of time in the New Living Translation, The Message, New International Version, and the Voice
-Pray scripture out loud. There have been times when I have sat in the Psalms and prayed scripture aloud. These are anointed times and ones I treasure.
-Psalm 23 from the Voice-
I began by taking on a challenge from Beth Moore to memorize one bible verse each month. This was powerful and I still hold these verses close and deep within my heart. I want to grow more in this area!
This past year (2013) I felt God prompting me to read through the bible in a year. I never thought I would accomplish this daunting challenge. I used a scripture guide that directed you to three different portions of scripture each day. With the prompting and strength of the Lord I read through the entire bible and it changed my life!
I want to share with you some different avenues that have helped me discover scripture and the power it has to bring us closer to the Lord!
-Begin by simply opening your bible and praying before you read scripture. Pray that God would speak to you, that you would focus, and that you would have an open heart and mind. If you are new to scripture try reading a Psalm or Proverb each day and then either Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. Take a look into the New Testament as well!
- Have scripture around your house. I have two verses on my fridge right now that I printed off. They
-Write bible verses you hear places or read in a notebook or on note cards. It is amazing what God can do when you go back to those verses. A great source of encouragement and accountability.
-If the Lord is speaking a verse to you share it with a friend or family member. Often times when we share the love of the Lord, He not only works in the one to whom we are sharing, He works deeply within us.
-If you have children at home read a children's bible to them. I love the bond that comes from sharing scripture with my children. Learning together. Growing together. Praying together.
-Read different translations of the bible. I have spent a lot of time in the New Living Translation, The Message, New International Version, and the Voice
-Pray scripture out loud. There have been times when I have sat in the Psalms and prayed scripture aloud. These are anointed times and ones I treasure.
There are many ways to discover scripture. These are just a few ways the Lord has worked within me and I know He will work within you if you allow Him!
Here are some verses that Lord has used to challenge me and grow me...
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you."
-Deuteronomy 31:6-
"Fear not, for I am with you. I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
-Isaiah 41:10-
"Stay firmly planted, be unshakable. Do many good works in the name of God, and know that all your labor is not for nothing when it is for God."
-1 Corinthians 15:58-
"The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save! He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing!
-Zephaniah 3:17-
-Psalm 23 from the Voice-
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