Week 1: Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1
Week 2: John 1:14 and John 3:16
The first four verses lay the foundation of all biblical truth. Now that those foundational truths are covered, the next five verses give us an outline for God's plan to save us all...which, (if you're anything like me), you desperately need!
Here are our next two for this week...
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Out of the twelve words in this verse, I think my favorite is the word all. There isn't a day I live that I don't feel the weight and burden of my sin in some way. The enemy loves it when, in our sin...we get stuck there. Stuck and even feel like we're sinking in the black water of our sin like the photo at the top. And all we can think, is "There's no way out of the mess I'm in." Then I read God's Word to me and remember that I'm not alone in my sin. ALL have sinned and no matter how much enemy would like us to think that the "girl, mom, kids or marriage-next-door" appear to have escaped the "sin" plague and actually have it all together...they don't. They can't. God said so. Everyone of us has fallen short of His glory...we all need hope.
That what I LOVE about my God! He NEVER leaves me alone. He never sees my mess and decides it's just been one too many times. He always makes a way.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We deserve death, but God decided to give us a gift. One we wouldn't have ever known to write on a wish list, or entered the wildest thoughts of our imagination. If God had chosen to be a God only of justice and not of grace, life would end with our physical death. There would be no hope beyond this life, because our sin...greed, lust, idolatry, doubt, etc...qualifies us for death. I love that my creator loved me so deeply that He just had to make a way for me to be in eternal communion with him. When we thought we may drown in whatever sin weighs us down...even depression over our circumstances that seem completely overwhelming...God built a bridge, like the one pictured above. That, my friends...is true love.
Jesus is that gift. He made a way. He IS the bridge. The Bible says that if you believe that Jesus Christ is God's son, and that even though you deserve to die, you believe Jesus came to take your place...that you can and will be saved, born again into the family of God as a new creation! Not only do you get a fresh start, you get a fresh ending too. By trusting that Jesus is the perfect gift from God, sent to save you from your sin...you get to be in communion with the God both now on earth and forever. You can actually stare at the sin that so easily entangled you when you lived in your own strength, and say, "Because the Spirit of the mighty, LIVING God is in me...my sin is water under the bridge...the mighty bridge of Christ."
We'll talk more next Monday about the Roman Road, the scripture from Romans that helps us keep God's plan of salvation in the forefront of our minds. But for now, you have the first two paving stones on that road to commit to memory this week.
I'd love to hear what you're doing to help yourself memorize your scripture each week! Some of you have written e-mails, but if you would, I would love for you to begin sharing with each other. You are wonderful, have fabulous ideas, and everyone should know it and be blessed as I've been! :)
So there are two ways you can join the "chat"...leave comments below, or join our Facebook community...whichever you prefer, but do comment...
Let us know how God is speaking to your heart these days...
How is His Word strengthening your innermost being?
Any memorization tips to share?
There are lots of you out there. And I love that you are. Now I'm inviting you to meet each other. I look forward to hearing your heart stirrings this week...There's no such thing as a "perfect" thought...just honest ones.
I pray your week is one filled with His word...His truth...His spirit...and new beginnings. I need a fresh start...and Romans 3:23 tells me you do too. Fall on your face before Him today, accepting the freshness He offers in the new life he promises, even now.
