SCRIPTURE MEMORY CHALLENGE for March ~ Psalm 27:1-8

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“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.” (Ps. 27:1-8) 

Where is your confidence? The answer to this question will determine how secure we are when trouble arises. Our confidence in Jesus Christ secures our future for all eternity and instills within us the hope that resonates throughout His holy Word. 

When Jesus Christ is “my light and my salvation” He restores peace when there seems to be no end to the news reports and family strife that says otherwise. We must allow Him to have His way in our life and submit to the principles we read in scripture. This peace comes when our minds are renewed by intake of truth and a commitment to obey, no matter what the obstacles may be. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Rom. 12:2) 

The psalmist David uses military terminology here, but make no mistake that the biggest battle we will ever wage is the spiritual battle that seeks to take hostage our hearts and minds. That is where the battle is waged before it ever manifests into the physical or verbal. “The heart is deceitful above all things….I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins…” (Jer. 17:9-10)  Therefore, we are warned to guard the heart. (Prov. 4:23) This is to be our daily strategy in all that we do. Allowing the word of God and His Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts and steps as we walk in the path He has for each of us.   

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“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and enquire in His temple.” (Ps. 27:4)

The psalmist’s desire for the “house of the LORD” encompasses the entirety of heaven with the power and protection of  the Almighty Jehovah. To “dwell” in His eternal presence is to “behold” His glory and the magnificence of His beauty that earthly eyes could never fully fathom. Wow! We cannot begin to imagine the extent of all that His eternal “temple” holds for those who have come by faith in the Savior. All that Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross for us, affords us the privilege of communing with Him and the Father for all of eternity.

May this become our hearts desire as well. (Ps. 73:25) To enquire in His temple by sitting at the foot of His throne attentively listening for all that He wants our hearts to receive. Our daily communing with the Father, will give just a tiny glimpse into the divine majesty that awaits each of His children on the other side.  When our heart yearns for Him as the psalmists, God’s power and presence will color our countenance along with all that we do. What a witness and a testimony we could be to the world around us and how beautifully it could impact our earthly relationships. All for the glory of God!

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“For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.” (Ps. 27:5-7)

Do you ever put yourself in the place of the psalmist? The Lord God is my hiding place. In His pavilion I shall find respite for my soul. He holds me in His loving care. He covers me under His power and protection.

He not only hides or shields me from the troubles of life, He lifts my head well above the waves that threaten to drown me. He causes my joy to be restored, not due to the absence of troubles but in spite of them. He is the only One able to hear and answer my cries.

I cannot hold back the ‘sacrifices of joy’ and ‘praises’ due unto Him. May I never grow tired of lifting His holy name on high.

 “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Tim. 1:6-12) 

Stirred Unto Faith, Action, And Application~ (v. 6-7)

The apostle Paul admonished young Timothy, his son in the faith, to stir up the gift of God within him. This is not something Timothy could have accomplished in his own strength, but only through the Holy Spirit. As followers of Jesus Christ, we too need to be stirred into action for our faith by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. God has gifted each Believer that He has called, and He has equipped us with all that is necessary to live the victorious Christian life.  "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."  (Jn. 10:10) 

Notice also that Timothy had already learned these truths, but they needed to be recalled and applied personally. It is essential that we study God’s word for ourselves, sit under Biblically sound teaching and preaching, and apply its promises and principles to daily life. Application is key if we are to live unashamedly proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, glorifying the Father, and drawing others unto Him. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth..." (Rom. 1:16)

Remembering and applying Truth is the best way to combat fear when it comes. We may experience fear, but we need not remain there. "In God I will praise His word, In God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me." God, by His Spirit, has graciously provided us with His power, the assurance of His love, and the ability to think and discern with clarity and soundness. (v. 7)

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 Stirred From Fear to Stand In Power ~ (2 Tim. 1:7a; Eph. 6:10-20)  

Stand without fear.  “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power…”(v.7a)  The effect of fear can be paralyzing, but the power of God can be much more effective in the life of the one yielded to Him! When the enemy comes in to steal, to kill, and to destroy our God raises a standard against him. (Isa. 59:19; Jn. 10:10) That is military terminology referring to a war ensign or battle flag. There is no doubt that we are in a spiritual battle. (2 Cor. 10:3-6; Eph. 6) The enemy of our soul would love to take us out or have us immobilized on the sideline by fear, discouragement, and emotional defeat. But when our Commander is Jesus Christ, the battle has already been won. He raises the standard to remind the enemy to Whom we belong. “So shall they fear the name of the Lord…and His glory…When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” (Isa. 59:19) The fear is overcome when we remember Who’s we are.

Stand confidently behind the One who is our sure defense, Jesus Christ. He has gone into the trenches before us and sacrificed His life yet stands victorious! Because of all that our Savior has accomplished and the power He holds, we can walk confidently in His plan and will for our lives.  “being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”  (Phil. 1:6) 

Stand clothed in the spiritual armor our Lord provides. To be clothed in this spiritual armor, we must intentionally dawn it by faith. (See Eph. 6:10-20) This spiritual armor defends against all that the enemy fires our way. This is our daily defense as we walk in unison with the Savoir, Jesus Christ. Our mind is guarded from lies and deception when His Truth is received and meditated upon daily.  Our heart is protected by His shield of righteousness as we choose to submit and obey biblical principles learned by personally studying His Word and sitting under sound teaching.  Only then are we more sensitive to the Spirits promptings and the needs of others around us. He equips to assist spiritually by pouring the truth and hope of Jesus into them.  

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Stirred From Fear To Stand In The Love Of Christ ~ (2 Tim.1:7; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 3:19)  

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20)  The love of Jesus Christ empowers us to live by faith, the crucified life. One in which we can say no to the flesh, the temptations of this world, and the subtle traps Satan would use to allure and distract. With renewed mind and heart, we can be strengthened in our walk. Our stance can be one that reminds us that the love of Christ is stronger than my love for the things of this world. “For the love of Christ constraineth us…” (2 Cor. 5:9)

The love of Christ fills to overflowing in such a way that we are content beyond human comprehension. “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Eph. 3:19)  In this state of mind our contentment is not dependent upon outward circumstances, neither is it determined by anything the enemy whispers in our ear. Our focus is to be set upon the Lover of our soul, knowing He alone is able to provide all that we need. 

Run YOUR Race~

In the first verse of our passage, the word "all” indicates this particular race is only for those who are followers of Jesus Christ. All who have placed their faith in Jesus for salvation through the forgiveness of sin. (9‬:‭24‬) Each responsible for running his own race, not anyone else’s.

Likewise, the command to “run” implies deliberate and concentrated effort to accomplish whatever the Lord has directed. This is the intent of the submissive and obedient heart, but also the one seeking a prize or reward. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb.‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬)

Our Heavenly Father desires to reward His children. To become His child we must come by faith in the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. This is a position that never changes, regardless of the works that follow. Because it is dependent upon His faithful character and eternal promises, not our faithfulness. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (Jn.‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬-‭13‬)

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Run With Self-Control ~
Continuing with our passage, we are to run with self-control. Verse 25 reminds us: every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.  Temperance involves self-control and striving for the mastery describes one wholly committed to the goal or task at hand. Therefore, the focus is on carrying out all that the Father has instructed, with discipline and dedication unto completion. None of this can be done apart from the power of God’s Holy Spirit residing in every born again child of God.  

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Run With Confidence ~

“I Therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:” (v.26)

Our confidence must always be in Jesus Christ and whatever He enables us to accomplish through His power and for His purpose. “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a goo work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6)  In this race, as Believers, the heavenly Father has set the course, and He has provided the strength, wisdom, and direction through the Holy Spirit. If we are determined to finish well, we must keep our spiritual eyes on the Savior and follow the principles He has laid out for our individual race. Remember, it is what He has for us and our own personal race, not the accomplishments of others that we are to focus upon. 

His Word is clear and as we seek His will; God makes known His desire. Searching His scripture, giving time to prayer, and setting about to please Him is what helps us be receptive to His will and precious promises. This receptive heart leads to obedience and a faith filled lifestyle that leaves a God-honoring testimony. “Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;” (Eph. 6:6)  

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Run With Accountability ~ 

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (I Cor. 9:27) 

In this final verse of our passage, the apostle Paul implores us to be mindful of our own weaknesses, sensitive to the Holy Spirits promptings and warnings, as well as receptive to the godly counsel of others the Lord brings into our lives. This will require us to be present in a fellowship where the Bible is prominent, the Gospel is proclaimed, and Jesus Christ is the center of it all. Being consistent and available within a church to serve wherever the Lord leads, with a teachable spirit and a willingness to humbly give and receive correction. None of this will happen apart from the power and leading of the Holy Spirit. 

The apostle Paul knew the struggle we would face with our own flesh, the allurement of this world, and the enticement of the enemy. Jesus likewise warned that we could do nothing apart from the Holy Spirit. (Jn. 14:16-17, 26-27; 15:1-5) He truly is our divine Helper. So, let us take it seriously enough to diligently search His holy Word. “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” (Ps. 119:11)  We must rely upon His indwelling Spirit for the wisdom, strength, and leading needed for the victorious life in Christ. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (Jn. 14:26)

 We also must rely upon fellow Believers and be faithful to encourage each other. God has designed us this way and commands us to have compassion, love, and forgiveness towards others within the body of Christ and without. “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him…that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” (I Cor. 12:18, 25)  Our willingness to allow the Spirit to lead us into relationships that will challenge and encourage our spiritual growth along with a desire to serve in the kingdom of God is vital. There should be someone we don’t mind holding us accountable in our effort to walk worthy of the Lord. “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” (Col. 1:10) 

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”

— Titus 2:11-15

Our scripture memory for this month reminds us that grace has a name, Jesus Christ. He is the matchless gift given to all of mankind and is of the utmost importance. The Father gifted Him to this world for one purpose ~ to bring salvation to lost sinners. Yet, that purpose encompasses so much and we can only begin to experience His marvelous plans and purposes once we have received by faith that priceless and precious gift.

This Christmas season may we unwrap each gift God desires we experience through a relationship with the Savior of the world. It begins with faith and continues through faith expressed day by day in His will and holy Word, until we are face to face with the One who gave all for us.

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (Jn. 1:14)

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Grace exposes the mercy of God. We could never deserve it, nor could we ever earn it. (Eph. 2:8-9)

~Grace teaches us that the love of God is boundless. There is no place it cannot reach and no sinner it cannot transform. (Ps. 139:7-12)

~Grace teaches us the depth of our depravity and our desperate need of the only One who could cleanse and restore us. (Rom. 1:18-32)

~Grace teaches us that there is hope beyond today and the promise of eternal blessings. (Heb. 6:17-19)

~Grace teaches us we can live soberly, righteously, and godly in the midst of a sin sick world. (Tit. 2:11-12)

~Grace teaches us that God has set apart a people unto Himself to live righteously and glorify Him. (Ps. 4:3)

~Grace teaches us we need to speak truth and live out truth to be a witness of the One who is Truth. (Jn. 14:6)

~Grace and Truth come by Jesus Christ!

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“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; Even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; But the night shineth as the day: The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”— ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭7‬-‭12‬‬

Because God’s grace cannot be bound we can experience His unconditional love and the mercy that leads to eternal life. That’s what the birth of Christ brings to us. Grace truly does have a name…Jesus Christ!

Grace brings salvation…(Tit. 2:11)

Grace brings righteousness….(Prov. 21:21)

Grace brings a heart set upon seeking Jesus (Ps. 105:3)

May this Christmas season bring you closer to the Lord of Grace and cause you to share His grace with those around you.

NOVEMBER SCRIPTURE MEMORY CHALLENGE ~DISSECTING BIBLE TRUTH FOR SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT AND DAILY DIRECTION~(Psalm 37:1-7)

“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.  For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.  Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.  Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” (Psalm 37:1-7)

Pondering Psalm 37:1-7…”Fret not…Trust in the Lord…Delight…in the Lord…Commit thy way unto the Lord…REST.”

Fretting and resting cannot occur simultaneously within our heart and mind. We must be intentional about trusting what the Lord has emphasized in His word for our own situation or season of life. None of it has come as a surprise to our heavenly Father. If we have trusted Jesus Christ as Savior, His plan for our life will not be thwarted because of the enemy’s tactics; our fear of world events or struggles with our emotions. (Phil 1:6)

Determine not to allow fretting to become your way of life by getting into the Word to learn truth: 

**Knowing who you are in Jesus Christ must be the starting point. (I Jn 5:13) Knowing that I am secure in Him and eternal life with the Savior awaits, envelops my heart with a hope and assurance that cannot be shaken.

**Knowing who He is and the promises that are yours. (Ps. 46:10-11; 2 Cor. 1:20-22)

**Knowing that you must choose each day and moment to trust, follow and lean upon God, His strength and wisdom; no matter what comes your way. (Josh. 24:14-15; Prov. 3:3-7)

Father in Heaven, help me not to fret, knowing the promises You have made, accomplished, and shall bring to pass for my good and Your eternal glory.

May I delight in Jesus, my Savior, expressing genuine trust in Your divine provision, protection, and providence.

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“Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” (Ps. 37:3)

When we express genuine “trust in the Lord” our focus will be towards His sovereignty and desire to work on our behalf. Trusting Him is conducive to our actions portraying submission to and reliance upon the love and power of God at work in my life.

As His child, we have access to the throne of heaven by way of the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ. The privilege to commune with the Father and have the indwelling of His Holy Spirit for strength and daily direction, is not to be taken lightly.  “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man…” (see Eph. 3:14-19)

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Scripture instructs us to be content. (Heb. 13:5) When we allow discontentment to invade our heart, it inevitably breeds envy, if we are not careful to recognize it as sin and repent. (I Jn. 1:9-10)  Discontentment and envy are rooted in a lack of trust for what God desires and promises to provide to His children. If our focus is on what others have and we lack; our heart will follow suit with comparisons and conceiving to acquire things outside of God’s perfect will and plans for us. (Jer. 29:11-13)

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 Delighting in the Lord and our commitment to His way leads to a sweet rest within our soul, as expressed in Psalm 37.  The heart that is content, despite undesirable or awful circumstances, can give thanks and praise to the Lord in sincerity. "..be content with such things as ye have.." (Heb. 13:5) May this be our desire and practice regardless of the season of year or our season life.

A discontented heart cannot express genuine gratitude. With this in mind, we must be careful of discontented attitudes and expressions, for it can grow into anger and bitterness if not dealt with biblically. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us, and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.” (I Jn. 1:8-10)  Remembering God's faithfulness and His power at work in our life will short circuit fretting and discontentment.