We all set goals with the turn of a new year, and this year, mine is to memorize more scripture. I find this spiritual discipline to be the hardest one for me. I don't always get the warm-fuzzies like I do when I worship, pray, or read through Biblical teachings. However, I know full well the value of memorizing God's word.
You can read through the beginning of Matthew 4 and see that it was also important to Jesus (and our ultimate goal is to be more like Him each day, right? Right.). He used it to overcome temptation in the wilderness. He also used it to teach and comfort in His daily ministry. From a purely scientific stand-point, memorization is vital for maintaining higher cognitive function as we age. Researchers from the National Institute on Health and Aging have found that memorization can stave off cognitive decline in elderly adults by 7-14 years. That's huge, y'all!
So how am I doing it? I have recently found the most amazing app ever for iOS devices (sorry android users, I can only speak Apple). It's called "Verses" and can be found here. The app is free if you want to memorize from the King James Version, but I went ahead and spent $5.99 to memorize from the New Living Translation.
I love my Bible, y'all. Don't get me wrong. I love the way it smells. I love the way the pages sound when I turn them. I love underlining and jotting down little notes in margins. However, my phone is always with me. I would assume yours is, too. When waiting in the carpool line, pull out your phone and memorize some scripture. While waiting on your number to be called at the Joann's cutting counter (can I get an amen?), pull out your phone and memorize some scripture. When you have a quiet moment to yourself on your lunch break, pull out your phone and memorize some scripture.
The app uses techniques such as repetition, word banks, and re-ordering to make memorization simple. You can also create your own plans if you have specific verses you want to work through and share the plan with friends and family to they can memorize them alongside you.
I'm issuing a challenge to you to implement this spiritual discipline into your daily life if you don't already. Your closeness to God will grow tremendously. I promise.
Who's in?
xoxo -Molly
I LOVE THIS!! I want to memorize more scripure too! and more than that receive it. :) Thanks girl for sharing. Praying is also something I want to do more. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is so great! Thanks for the tip!!
ReplyDeleteGreat great tip!!! I think I have always failed at memorizing scripture. It has never been something I am strong in... but I want to change that
ReplyDeleteWhat a great challenge! I admit that I am really bad in the memorizing department. I always end up paraphrasing, but I know it is so useful and powerful to know God's word... in your heart and mind and be able to speak it. I have though read verses so many time that I know them by heart but would like to know more by heart. Thanks for the tips and encouragement!
ReplyDeleteAwesome idea!! I have been wanting to memorize more too and lack the discipline to actually get it done. Will look this up!
ReplyDeleteAwesome idea!! I have been wanting to memorize more too and lack the discipline to actually get it done. Will look this up!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I'm not the only one who struggles with this discipline! Haha!
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