I’ll be really honest with you – I can tell when I haven’t been in God’s Word like I should.
Stress and fears begin to cloud my mind and instead of meditating on Scripture, I begin meditating on the “what ifs” of life. The focus of my life begins to shift from God to me.
As my gaze turns away from God, so does my confidence, my courage, and my heart.
Committing to the habit of being in Scripture daily is a game changer for me. Being in God’s Word brings me back to what really matters in life and Who really is in control… and it’s not me.
My personal prayer for this Summer study is that I will emerge from these eight weeks in Psalm 119 more in love with God’s Word than when I began. I want to love, treasure and meditate on Scripture like this Psalmist.
Looking at Psalm 119:10-16, we see how the author interacted with Scripture by the words or phrases he used. Words like:
I seek…
I hide…
I praise…
I recount…
I rejoice…
I meditate…
I delight…
Bottom line, he made time to be in God’s Word. It was a choice he made every day.
In order to seek God, praise Him, and delight in Him….we have to make time for God in our busy lives.
For some, this means getting up a little earlier. For others, it will mean that you stay up a little later. It may mean turning off the TV, our phones or computers, and opening up our Bibles instead.
Whatever it means for you, the truth of the matter is that we need to be in Scripture.
“I have never known a strong Christian who did not have much Scripture memorized. There is a reason for this. God designed faith to feed on the promises of Scripture all day long.” – John Piper
There are more days than I’d like to admit when I find myself spending time seeking the praise of my peers rather than His. Days when my delights are more focused on this world rather than on what is eternal.
If I want to leave a legacy of faith for the next generations to follow, I need to treasure God’s Word in the present. I need to make time for it now…not later.
Investing our time in God’s Word has the greatest rate of returns: a life that grows in holiness when Scripture is not just read, but lived. How can a woman keep her way pure? By living according to your word (vs. 9, paraphrased).
Today I’d like to share just a few simple ways you can keep God’s Word in front of you throughout the day:
- Save our LGG memory verses to your phone.
- Print out our memory verse cards and display them around the house.
- Keep your Bible open in your kitchen to glance at while cooking.
- Tape memory verses or Post-it notes to your bathroom mirror.
How do YOU keep God’s Word in front of you? Snap a picture and share it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (and make sure to tag us… #LoveGodGreatly)!
These are just a few suggestions… I’m sure you all have many more. Share your ideas in our comments section – I’d love to see what you would add to this list!
Prayer:
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for your Word. Thank you for how you speak to us through it. Help us to thirst for it, to seek it, hide it, meditate on it and delight in it. Grow our love for your Word through these next eight weeks. Help us to dig deeper into Scripture… to seek the hidden treasures that are only revealed with time well spent. Help us to desire time with you more than the distractions of this world. May our hearts be soft and our eyes focused on you. Grow our desire for you and your Word.
Love God Greatly!
Angela God bless you for today’s Word. Monday’s made me cry and just thank God for His Word. My life also was redirected. Another way we can keep scriptures close to us is through the use of Audio Bibles. They have really helped my life. Just put it on your mobile phone and can play it when feeding the baby, working in the kitchen, running errands, driving and so on. God bless and help us all.
Ebos,
Monday’s post made me cry as well. Audio Bibles .. yes those are great! Sometimes I need to HEAR the Word spoken when I’m studying my Bible. Thank you for joining us today.
Blessings,
Martha, ‘LGG Leadership Team’
Having been a elementary school teacher for decades, I know thta using ALL modalities for learning is best. And now, here I f9nd myself wondering why haven’t I used the audio Bible???? I read, write, think and do things related to scriptures from the Bible, but listening is something I have done only on the radio in the car or at church. Point very well made, Ebos!
Sheila!
Great to see you here! Oh I need to listen to the Bible more often!
Martha
The blogs sometimes brings tears to my eyes but always joy in my heart! Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions on memorizing scripture!
Mondee,
I feel the same way… tears but always joy! Thank you so much for joining us today!
Martha
Oh Angela, this was sooo good!!!!! I can tell you and I will take a picture of it. My memory scripture is taped to the mirror outside my bathroom. That is where it will stay for the week, and I look at it each time I go in to get ready for work, or at night when I am getting ready for bed. It seems to help. Today the word that popped out at me was meditate. Just kept seeing that word over and over in my head today while I was working. We are to think about Gods word. All the time. It is to be continually in our heads and our hearts. Thank you for this study this summer!!!
Sally,
I love finding new ways to memorize Scripture. I love that you tape the scripture on your mirror. Meditate has been with me all week as well.
Martha
Great idea! Thanks!
Thanks for joining us, Summer!
Thanks for this encouragement and that is really true, we need to seek, to meditate and to delight in His word. For me, i repeat to read it when i forgot, to read my bible and to have it as favorite verses. And remember all day how to apply it. That is really true, many things lead us to forget the truth. Jesus keep your word in my heart all the times and i learn to focus on you but not on me.
Ralambotiana,
Thank you for joining us today and sharing. Yes ‘repeat’ – for me, I have to go back to when I was a kid and re-write the scripture over and over so I can memorize it. It helps me through out the day to come back to my sheet of paper and re-write it again and again.
Blessings,
Martha, ‘LGG Leadership Team’
What an awesome idea, to download the memory verse photos to my phone! Now every time I look at my “lock” screen, I get a dose of Scripture along with a beautiful photo. Thanks y’all! 🙂
Andrea, I love putting the memory verses on my lock screen too! It is also a good reminder to me that my phone should be used for God’s glory.
Amy A, LGG Encourager
Having been a elementary school teacher for decades, I know thta using ALL modalities for learning is best. And now, here I f9nd myself wondering why haven’t I used the audio Bible???? I read, write, think and do things related to scriptures from the Bible, but listening is something I have done only on the radio in the car or at church. Point very well made, Ebos!
My thanks to Angela and the rest of the team for the hard work in putting these studies together. May God richly bless you for making it possible for me to dig into God’s word as I’d never done before. It’s been hard to create the time but so rewarding and joyful every time I manage to do so. My goal is to come to a point when I can boldly say “I delight in your decrees. I will not neglect your word.” Ps.119:16. So help me God.
Gladys, We are very glad that you are on this journey with us! Your prayer is a heart cry we all need.
Blessings, Amy A, LGG Encourager
One Thing that my Pastor has encouraged us to do is to have life verses. These are verses that tell us what we value and the legacy we desire to show and share with others. One of my verses is Jeremiah 29:11.
Yes!!! Thank you for the reminder!! God’s word is so Good and we need to keep it in our hearts. We need to strive daily to keep God apart of our daily routines and try to “fit Him in”. His promises is what will give us peace, it’s where we can find rest. The more we can dig deep into His word, and seek His face, The more peace, joy, love, happiness and blessing you will find. I making a vow to myself to make it a priority to memorize scripture and apply it to my life!!
Meshia,
Thank you for joining us. It’s so true… we try to ‘fit Him in’ – when He should be FIRST!
Blessings,
Martha
the verses project has a song for today`s verses.
http://theversesproject.com/verses/162/Psalm-119.14-16
I just listened to it! Thank-you for posting I had not seen this site before! I love listening to Scripture set to music. I sometimes listen to Seeds Family Worship CDs which are great for the whole family. http://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/
Hi Sister! Check out jumpstart3.com. They have scripture verse to up beat music! Great for the family!
I will have to check out jumpstart3.com, sounds like something I would enjoy!!
Hey Angela,
Nice to see you again! Thank you for sharing!
Martha
Tamara,
Thank you for stopping by and sharing!
Martha
Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you for joining us, Anete!
I am the same way as Angela and others have stated. I can tell when I have not been in the word. Almost immediately my life begin to reflect it. My thoughts are all over the place, my family begins to develop cracks, and my speech begins to reflect my negative more than positive thoughts. I must continuously meditate, rehearse, the word continuously in my heart. Most of all I just apply, activate, the word in my life.
Ahhh love hearing I’m not the only one, Joyce!:)
I use Scriptyper. I also have them saved on my phones home screen so I can read through the memory verse each time I open my phone. Then I have a copy on the door. Each time I open the door to let my dogs out I can read it again. When the study is over I can set the icon on my phone to change every 30 minutes and display a different verse so I can review them all.
Thanks so much for sharing those ideas with us today, Beth!:)
I have put the verse as the background on my laptop. I also sometimes keep a post-it note right at my computer, so even as I am working, I can see it. I have started to do some Bible journaling, and have a set of spiral bound notecards that I put my memory verses on. I love taking the time to be creative and “journal” my memory verses, but I also like to sit them out to see as I go about my day.
Ann, I love the variety of methods you use to help meditate and memorize our verses! I think the key is being intentional, like you are doing, and interacting with the verses through seeing them, saying them and writing them!:) Thanks so much for sharing with us today!!! Love seeing you in our comments!:)
Angela I love the way you best describe how we should spend our time get to know God and his word. This is my first time in study with this group, and I loving it already.
Ohh welcome, Kimbly!!! We are so glad you’re joining us!!:)
I need ideas for a busy working mom with two little ones on how to schedule a quiet time everyday. The kids won’t leave me alone long enough!! In the morning I don’t seem to get up early enough because I am so exhausted from my busy life. At night I usually fall asleep before my kids. Tell me the secret.
Hello Danielle,
I’m a grandmother now but when children are young… teach them how to tell time… at least the numbers on the clock. If I normally wake up at 7am… the rule in the house is – when the child wakes up before 8am.. they are to stay in their room quietly playing, reading (depending on age) until 8am. That way, the parent has a hour to themselves and part of that time is spent in quiet with God.
It takes time to develop a routine but kids thrive well with a routine and it helps mom and dad as well.
Praying for you as you strive to find time with God first thing in the morning – even if it’s just 15 quality minutes.
Martha
“If I want to leave a legacy of faith for the next generations to follow, I need to treasure God’s Word in the present. I need to make time for it now…not later.”
I cannot tell you how much this statement stood out to me! I have three married children, 4 grandbabies and 3 more coming by the end of this year! How will I expect them to KNOW and follow Christ if I do not show them that I treasure HIS Word??? Being IN the Word has become more of my hearts cry than ever before! I am finding that writing out the verses for each day gives my mind and heart the right things to dwell on. And, as a friend suggested today – I have made the Scripture my background on my computer since I am on it all day! 🙂
Ohhh Leah,
I can’t tell you how much more God’s Word becomes “alive” to me as I physically handwrite our verses….our SOAP method really is a powerful way to interact with scripture!!!:) So glad to have you join us!!! Welcome!!
I love reading the suggestions of others here; knowing that our hearts all desire the same thing. To know God’s Word with our hearts and minds. I use scripture graphics (from pinterest) as my phone’s lock screen, post it notes, and we have a weekly verse chalkboard on our door leaving our house. I was also just turned on to the “Remember Me” app on my phone by one of the other ladies in my LGG email group. You choose the verse, it gives you little games/puzzles to help memorize the verse. Great way to pass the time when waiting for my kids at sports and dance.
Ahhh I haven’t heard of the “Remember Me” app….I’m going to have to check it out, Ginny!! Thanks so much for sharing what you do to memorize scripture!!! I love how we can all learn from each other!!:)
This post today didn’t just speak to me, it SHOUTED. Do many well stated truths. Thank you.
I like to listen to hymns. Many of them originate in scripture and I find songs easier to hide in my heart. Not as good as memorizing scripture, but a good way to keep the focus on God and not on myself.
Ohhh you are sweet, Ashley! 🙂
I love listening to hymns too!!! Thanks so much for joining us!!!
This was a need now and a right now word for me! Thanks for allowing the Lord to use you and your group in a mighty way!
Ohh we are so excited to have you joining us, Shelly!!!
Thank you for today’s post. Post-it Notes are my favorite way – along with writing them out. Sometimes I used Scripture Typer to help me remember them. Any way – it’s good to “hide” them in our hearts.
Ahhh never heard of Scripture Typer….I’ll need to check that one out too!!!! 🙂 Thanks Lorna!:)
Hello ladies thank you so much for your comments. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. I pray that he would guide each one of us to drink deeply from this fountain as we go through this study on Psalms 119. Thank you for the links to the different sites where the Word of God is put to music may the Lord bless us immensely with his glorious presence.
So glad to have you joining us, Rhonda!:)
I want to thank you for bringing this new bible study into our lives. I’m looking forward to having time with the Lord. Having a new experience and fulfilling my need to get to knowing the Lord. I have brought a couple of my friends with me in this experience as well. The Lord knows how to reel us in when He sees that we are either lacking of Him or He wants us to have that intimate conversation with him. I pray that in thise journey that we will be taking that the Lord opens our spiritual eyes. Thank you once again. Have a blessed day.
Damaris, Thank you for stopping by and encouraging us with your comment and prayer.
Blessings, Amy A, LGG Encourager
Lately, I have been doing Bible Art Journaling! It has brought new life into my time in God’s word. It involves even more of my being when I do art in my Bible. You can see some of what I’ve done here: http://www.joyfulwonder.com/?s=bible+art&submit=Search. I am so thankful for the Bible and the peace it brings when I read it.
Janine, I am seeing a lot about art journaling these days. Thank you for sharing yours. We are glad you are on this journey with us!
Amy A, LGG Encourager
Thank you! I’ve read Psalm 119:9-16 over and over again. Now I have underlined “I seek you,” “I have hidden your word,” ” I recount,” ” I rejoice”, “I meditate,” “I delight”, and “I will not neglect your word!.” Yes, Lord Jesus! What a beautiful reminder of need to put God, His word first in my life.
Arlene, Great idea to really emphasize those action words. The Bible is living & our response cannot be passive.
Blessings, Amy A, LGG Encourager
As you mentioned, not only should we be reading Scripture, but we should also be living it! This is something that I try to do in my daily life (some days are much easier than others). I’ve found, though, that it’s a wonderful way to remember and practically apply God’s word.
Heather, Thank you for your honesty! I love this community where we can safely share that every day is not easy but living God’s way is worthwhile.
Blessings, Amy A, LGG Encourager
Angela,
Today you wrote my life story in the opening of your leter to us. O how I have caused myself hurt by staying away from God’s Word. BUT I have made a commitment ” Im never turning back”.
I know all of us are blessed by LGG Group, and today I pray many blessings upon you all.
From my heart out here – sincere thanks for helping me.
Oh, Lisa, I think we have all been there. Thank you for taking time to comment.
Blessings, Amy A, LGG Encourager
I am loving the study. I keep bible verses on my phone. I have audio bible in my car, and I have the Christian station on my car radio. I also keep a Bible by my computer at work. I am blessed that I am able to keep a Bible at work without controversy. When I feel stress, I realize I need a Word, and I start to repeat a verse from the Bible. The ladies I work with always look for me to have a Word to share with them. I encouraged them to join the study. I work with some who believe, but do not regularly attend a church. I am grateful to have the opportunity to share with them. I realize that I may think I am studying and learning for myself, but it is not about me. The world is watching, and I must represent God well. I thank God for you, and what He has given you to do. Thank you Angela for your obedience to God, and you willingness to share.
Marie, What an encouragement you are to me. Thank you for this – “The world is watching, and I must represent God well.” I am glad that you are on this journey with us!
Amy A, LGG Encourager
Thank you so much for your post today, so full of Truth and encouragement. It is so important to keep our focus on God instead of the “what ifs” that can so quickly shift our focus.
Purposing to spend daily time in His Word is a sure guard to loosing focus.
One thing I have found that works for me, is to write scripture. So I have been writing the memory verses on note cards and keep them together with a binder ring. This way I can carry them with me and review them. I also like the idea, mentioned above, of putting them on the home screen on my phone. I am going to try that too.
Carla,
I have to write and re-write Scripture to memorize it. It takes me back to grade school when I use to study spelling words.
Martha, LGG Leadership Team
I recently started Bible journaling. I choose a verse that stands out to me, focusing on it as I doodle. This helps me remember the words and it’s meaning. I go back several times during the day, look at my work, and read back over the verses. I’ve noticed my 13 year old son looking over my shoulder to see what I’m doing. I really hope this is an example to him of how enjoyable time is when spent in the Bible. I’m no artist by any means so my doodles are mostly embellished words…God’s words!!
Charlene,
Wonderful and I love the example you are setting for your son. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and share about Bible journaling!
Martha, LGG Leadership Team
I am so loving this study. I just mentioned on Monday to my Covenant group that I lacked discipline in beginning first thing in His word. I have to say I was so happy that the first thing I opened this morning was my Bible and oh what a difference it has made in my day today. I am refreshed and excited! God is so Good. Thank you for doing this study and making it available in so many ways.
Becky,
It’s amazing what a difference it does make in our day when we choose to open our Bible first! I feel so peaceful when I spend time in the Word first thing. Thank you for sharing and participating in this study with us.
Martha, LGG Leadership Team
When I’m trying to memorize Scripture, I try to put it to music. I don’t do anything fancy – just put it to another song I know or make up a little ditty. The rhythm of how I say it also helps. I might also try to visualize what is in the verse – if it talks about mountains then I think of or look at one (if it is handy) as I say that part of the verse. Later, if I see a mountain or whatever I visualized then the Word comes back to mind.
Lynn,
I am loving all the ideas shared! Thank you for sharing your idea about putting Scripture to music!
Love it!
Martha, LGG Leadership Team
I have had a hard time with the memory verses in the past. This study, I am trying something new: I took a picture of the memory verse card and saved it to the homescreen on my phone. So, when I turn on my phone, I have to see it. In the past, when I am having particular difficulty with something, I will pick a corresponding verse and post it on my bathroom mirror (the current one is John 10:10). In the morning and evening, while brushing my teeth, I read the verse over and over. Usually by the end of the week, I will have it memorized. I have also tried posting verses on my steering wheel/dash so I can read them on my commute to work. This works for me because there is not much traffic on the road and I pick short verses 😉
Rena,
Wow, thank you for sharing! I love your idea about the memory verse card and the corresponding verse.
Martha, LGG Leadership Team
Please fix email subscriptions back to receiving the whole post instead of having to click through to the blog. I subscribe so I can read in email. Thanks.
I would have to agree with Christ…
For one who NEEDS to limit my internet time for many reasons but more for reducing the temptations of distraction turn off my access to the web and only use the email during the day. Without having the daily posting in the email I have to have the internet on during the day. I do understand others do not want the long attachments in their email – but if there is another solution for us that enjoy having it, it is appreciated!
Thanks…
Hello Nancy,
We only post 3 days a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday and usually if all goes well – it is in the email and on the webpage before 6am. We do understand about limited time to spent on the web, hopefully knowing the schedule will help so you don’t have to have your internet on all day.
We really appreciate your feedback, thank you!
Martha, LGG Leadership Team
sorry “Christy” 🙂
Hello Christy,
We appreciate your feedback on our email subscription. We have women from all over the world subscribed and various email systems have a hard time with larger blog posts. We truly are trying to accommodate all our subscribers with the best solution possible.
Martha, LGG Leadership Team
I use a dry erase marker and write scripture on my windows and mirrors. Everywhere I go throughout the day, I see them, read them, and are memorizing them. Sometimes I write scripture on butcher paper and tape up all over the doors and walls!
Teresa,
Wow, great idea with the dry erase marker on mirrors and windows. I tend to write on post-it notes and have them throughout my house.
Martha, ‘LGG Leadership Team’
I have to share this with you ladies!!!! This is my first “official” bible study (I’ve been a believer since 2007)… anyway….after writing down my very first “official” memory verse…. Psalm 119:11…. I decided, i may as well have my kids memorize it too! They’re 13 and 11 years old. Every night, I read from the bible and a devotional to them. Tonight was devotional #59… and it was talking about how annoying it can be when parents make their kids do chores, study, etc….and how sometimes they even make you MEMORIZE bible verses…. and, I paused, as it quoted PSALM 119:11!!!!!!!! My 11 year old son gasped with me at the same time. I had to stop reading, I was speechless. Please please pray for my other son, for he is struggling with his faith. I can tell he just doesn’t feel what my other son feels. I am so worried about this. BUT PRAISE GOD who came into my home tonight, and spoke to not just me, but my children….. he reminded me to stay faithful… to stay in the word… to not give up or be lazy. God is REAL and GOOD and I am so thankful!
Rachel,
Oh how I love the way God speaks to us! I would call that a goose bump moment, Praise the Lord!
Praying for you children and for you! May your son be open to hearing God speak to him. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful moment with us.
Martha, ‘LGG Leadership Team’
“I will meditate on your words”. Six words but powerful words for our lives. To soak in His Word with a heart-felt desire to know Him better is a blessing. Reading in the morning and then reflecting on it all day is richness for our soul.
Mary,
Yes ma’am very powerful words. Thank you for joining in and sharing.
Martha, ‘LGG Leadership Team’
My husband goes south for 5 weeks during the winter to stay with friends. I’m a teacher so those are not my vacation times. I find myself fearful sometimes at night. I have a bible app on my iPad and when I go to bed I go to sleep with the audio bible. As I listen to the Word my fears vanish. Oh the power of God’s spoken word.
Phyllis….
I love the power of God’s Word! Thank you so much for sharing how to you handle fear!
Martha, ‘LGG Leadership Team’
I use index cards to write scriptures that speak to me during my daily study time. Some I adapt to affirmations some are prayers of thanks and others are declarations. I keep them with me wherever I go so that whenever there are idle time I take them out and read them, sometimes over and over again. It has certainly brought me into a closer more intimate relationship with God.
Marilyn,
Wonderful! Thank you for taking the time to share with us! I love index cards!
Blessings,
Martha, LGG Leadership Team
Scriptunes – scripture put to catchy tunes. Godrocks has several cds and videos on youtube. They have a song for this weeks verse called Hidden in my heart on you tube. So easy!
Renee,
Thanks for sharing about Godrocks! I love catchy tunes!
Blessings,
Martha, LGG Leadership Team
this is a new discovery, infact l m impressed and needs to join for i need tro draw my nourichment from the word of GOD. Rm blsd.
Just beginning and praising God that He led me to this study.
Can you please tell me where I can find the Bible verses printout? Thanks.