Putting God’s Word in My Daily Life

Jesus - Putting God’s Word in My Daily Life

I have come to realize that it is very hard for me to commit to reading God’s Word every day. Sometimes, I get in these low points where I have such a hard time staying on top of reading a passage every day. I then feel guilty for not having read the Bible, for having not been in His Word. But what can I do about this? I have a very busy life right now, but that is no excuse… God’s Word must come first, He must come first. But still I struggle will filling my days and hours with God’s Word.

A few years ago I read a book called, His Word in my Heart. The book is by Janet Pope. Janet was featuredhere on JOY Blog a couple years ago. So a few years ago, I started memorizing the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7). I made it through most of chapter 5 and then I kind of stopped. I don’t remember what happened now, but I think I started missing a day or two and then I just stopped…

For Christmas last year, I received the book from Janet Pope (I had read it from my library before). I have been struggling with reading God’s Word every day this year and I finally remembered this book. So I went and got it off the shelf. I have been reading it the last few days and I have been inspired to once again memorize God’s Word. It is my way of being able to stay IN His Word, all day, every day. (For more information on how I am memorizing,check out this post on my personal blog, there are also more links there). I have recommitted to His Word and the study and meditation of it.

Below is a quote from His Word in my Heart. It helps explain why it is so important to have God’s Word with you all the time. Janet is talking about spending time in God’s Word…“You will be acutely aware of His presence in your daily experience, and your heart will overflow with praise and gratefulness. Like a cup running over, you will not be able to contain your joy…You will have accomplished both the goal of meditation and the goal of memorizing Scripture”. (P. 33-34)

You can memorize Scripture, and I encourage you to try it. If you are not sure how to start, read Janet’s book or check out the other blog posts about this.

Remember, “Memorizing is never the final goal; it is only a tool to help us reach the ultimate goal of knowing God and loving Him” (P. 30). So try it out. Read His Word in My Heart. Follow me on my personal journey of memorizing His Word and putting it in my heart (through my personal blog). Apply what you have learned. Get in the Word. And let God change your life through His Word!

 Mandy H.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, check out the links below:

My inspiration for memorizing whole chapters and books of the Bible comes from Janet Pope. I heard her a few years ago on Revive our Hearts and it was very inspiring. You can listen to her here. I then read her book, which I am now reading again, His Word in My Heart by Janet Pope. I was then able to interview her on JOY Blog and learn more about her, By Faith - Janet Pope. I hope this is inspiring to you. Please join in memorizing! Here is another JOY Blog article that I wrote about Bible Memorization. Please check out the link that I have put in this paragraph!

By Faith- Janet Pope

By Faith- Janet Pope

Remember the lady, Janet Pope, I was telling you about last month that memorizes whole passages and books of the Bible? Well, here she is! She is going to tell us more about her, her life, why she decided to memorize scripture, and some fun facts about her! And we will also learn how she is living “By Faith”, like Hebrews 11 talks about.

Interview~

JOY Blog-When did you become a Christian? How were you led to Christ?

Janet Pope-I did not grow up in church so I had no Bible background or religious training. When I was 21 years old, my mother was going through a very difficult time in her life. My sister and I decided that our mother needed God. Pretty profound for two girls who had no idea who God was! We began to take our mother to different churches in the hope of finding God, for her. After a few months I took her to a Bible believing church, we heard the gospel, and within a few months both my mother and I received Christ, and have been growing ever since.

JOY Blog-When did you decide to memorize passages? Why did you decide to memorize passages instead of just memorizing some verses?

Janet Pope-I was 35 years old and attending a Christian conference. A woman came to the podium and recited the entire book of Colossians. It was so powerful hearing the whole book together at one time. I thought to myself “I wish I knew God’s Word like she did”. I realized at that moment that I was pretty shallow in my Bible knowledge, and I had a deep desire to make a change.

JOY Blog-How do you do it?

Janet Pope-I write out what I want to memorize on a 3 x 5 spiral binder. Then I take one verse at a time and begin to memorize it, adding one more verse each day. I carry my spiral with me wherever I go. It sits easily on a counter and I can memorize while I do other things. Over the years I have learned to capture dead time for scripture memory. I memorize while I’m doing household chores, exercising, walking, driving, and getting ready in the morning. When I finish a chapter I take a week or so to review before going on to the next chapter. When I finish memorizing a book, I assign it to one of the days of the week so that I will make that my day to review that book every week, which helps it stay in my memory, while I go on to a new passage.

JOY Blog-What do you do when you feel overwhelmed about life? What do you do when you feel overwhelmed about memorizing Scripture?

Janet Pope-When I feel overwhelmed about life, which does happen on occasion, I run to God’s Word and it is always there for me. Life is unpredictable and always challenging. God’s Word is a stabilizing force because it is truth and it is from God.

When I am overwhelmed about memorizing Scripture, I take a break, while still reviewing, and then pick back up in a few days. Memorizing Scripture is not to be a burden but a joy. Sometimes the task ahead can seem overwhelming, like if you want to memorize Ephesians and you are only on chapter 2. My advice is to go at a pace that works for you.

JOY Blog-How has memorizing Scripture helped you to live “by faith” as Hebrews 11 talks about?

Janet Pope-Honestly, memorizing Scripture has been the biggest boost to my spiritual growth and maturity. Meditating on God’s Word day and night truly is like Psalm one says. It is like a tree planted by streams of water, continually nourished, never parched and dry. Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ. God’s Word continually in my mind and heart has been an oasis for my soul. When you look at Hebrews 11, you see people who persevered through all sorts of adversity. And every life is sprinkled with adversity, some have more than others. I have trials in my life and it is God’s Word that helps me to persevere, even when I can’t see the road ahead, or why my life has taken a detour.

JOY Blog-What is your favorite color?

Janet Pope-It used to be pink, but now it’s yellow.

JOY Blog-What is your favorite book?

Janet Pope-The Bible of course. Besides the Bible, “Let the Nations Be Glad” by John Piper.

JOY Blog-One material thing you wouldn’t leave home without?

Janet Pope-I go on a lot of speaking trips, and I always double check to make sure I didn’t forget my NOTES. I can’t always trust my memory!

JOY Blog-One food you don’t think you could live without?

Janet Pope-Definitely… dessert. I love sweets, wish I didn’t, but I’m not ready to give them up.