Saturday, May 2, 2009

2009 - Hiding God's Word Verse # 9



As I continue with the LPM Scripture Memory Challenge -- to memorize 2 verses (or passages) of Scripture each month - I am now up to verse # 9  in 2009 and what a blessing it has been to have 8 new verses in my "arsenal"! God has brought these messages to my mind so many times over these past months and He has also given me opportunities to share these verses with others.

My verses for the month of April were 2 Corinthians 5:9-11:

Therefore, we make it our aim, 
whether present or absent,
 to be well pleasing to Him.
For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, 
that each one may receive the things done in the body, 
according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 
Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.

What an awesome reminder and challenge these verses have been to me, not only of the need to share my faith with others, but to also live a life that is well pleasing to God, because we will ALL stand before the judgement seat of Christ. Unbelievers will be judged for their rejection of Christ and believers will be judged for our works.

Simply put -- how I live my life here on this earth is going to determine what I experience at my appointment with God. 

This week my Target group began an in-depth discussion of how do we go about living our lives so that we will be well pleasing to God. The first way that we discussed is by living a life of prayer. As a result, I selected the following verse as memory verse # 9.


But you, when you pray, go into your room, 
and when you have shut your door, 
pray to your Father who is in the secret place; 
and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Matthew 6:6

I know that the enemy likes nothing better than to get me so "busy" that I don't have time --- or rather, that I don't MAKE time - to spend alone with God.  

Isn't it ironic that the thing that usually gets neglected is the ONE thing that is the MOST important - my relationship with the Lord. 

It is so important to my relationship with Christ (and with others) that I have a "quiet place" where I meet God on a daily basis. The older I have gotten, the more difficult this has seemed to be.  There are so many "things" that are constantly competing for my attention - some of which are very "good" things. It seems harder and harder to cut out all the  busyness, noise and confusion so that I can actually hear God's voice. Many times I feel as though God would have to yell over all the "noise" in my life before I could hear Him. 


When I fail to spend time in this "quiet place", not only does my relationship with God suffer, but all of my relationships suffer.

O Lord, help me as I desire to set myself apart from all the distractions this world has to offer and spend time in my "quiet place" with you. I want to be able to hear Your still, small voice. I know that if I will do this, that You will reward me for pursuing You,  for you promise in Your Word, that You are the rewarder of those who diligently seek You!


13 comments:

Denise said...

I love my quiet times with God, bless you sweetie.

Rebecca Jo said...

I love in that verse that it says that He is "in the secret place"... like he's waiting for you to come sit & talk with him!!!

petrii said...

Em,
I always love your verses, and I love the SMT. It has so strengthened my walk with the Lord.

Have a Blessed weekend friend,
Dawn

Unknown said...

I love these verses and how it puts the emphasis back on us to find time for our God.

JenB said...

Love that verse. Thanks for the reminder.

Jacquie said...

I think we all struggle with the same thing. You're so right, it seems so easy to let our time with the Lord take a backseat to lots of other things. But, we press on!

Have a great weekend!

LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE...GOD'S GRACE said...

Great choice of scripture...and I reread your April scriptures...I think I will choose that in the upcoming month because it speaks volumes!!

While I've chosen 2 verses these last times that I am familiar with, I chose them to really concentrate on what those verses say, and how I need to "take them to heart".

Great post....thank you!

~Beth

Mulchy Mama said...

Love that verse too....

And you are right, ashamedly way too often my quiet time is what takes the back burner. But memorizing Scripture is a great way for me to have it in car line, getting ready in the morning, etc.

Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

I love that verse! Why is it that making quiet time is so hard? But the busy days and nights make it hard to sit and be quiet. You have inspired me so much over the past months with the verses that you choose! I hope that you had some "quiet time" this weekend too and were able to relax :)

Jenna said...

Emilie, you are such an encouragement to me! I always LOVE the verses you pick!

Faith said...

Wonderful verses, Mom. I have felt very convicted lately about all the things I put before my time with Him and change is needed and is coming. Praying you made time with Him this morning or some time today. He is waiting on us!

I love you very much!

Beth Herring said...

I am doing this also and I just love the Word of God. I like your verses - may have to "borrow" one for next time!

I love a fellow grandmother. Grandbabies are just the absolute best!

Enjoy your blog.
Beth

LisaShaw said...

I must have missed this message and SO sorry that I did but glad I found it now. Your words leaped off the page and grabbed my heart especially this:

"Simply put -- how I live my life here on this earth is going to determine what I experience at my appointment with God."

Thank you for pouring into me at this moment.

Love you.