Press toward the mark!!!

Since I have taken a few days off from the posting, I have been thinking of a new verse and how to challenge each other for the year that is upon us. Thinking along those lines, I came to the following verse, which will be our first memorization challenge for 2009. The verse is found in Philippians 3:14..."I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

As I thought on those words, I was reminded of a video I found at BluefishTV that talks about how we always strive to be the best for ourselves, but why aren't we striving to be the best for HIM???



If you've never visited BluefishTV, click on the comments under the post "Know the scriptures???". There you will find a promo code to get a FREE video for use in your church or small group.

Before winding up this post, let's take another look at this week's memory verse from Philippians 3:14..."I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Take the challenge fresh and new this year...pray that God will speak to you...pray that He will use you to share His message with those you come in contact with TODAY...

And, please let me know if you have a special prayer request I can word on your behalf!!!

Know the scriptures???

We have taken the challenge to memorize scripture together, right? I've been thinking about how learning scripture can help us when we talk to those we come in contact with. This evening, I came across a video at BluefishTV that puts it in a very humorous way, but many of us take it so flippantly that we may actually come across like the kid in the helmet...



Once again, let's look at this week's verse in Colossians 3:2..."Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

Think over it...ask God to speak to you through it...and ask for the opportunity to share it TODAY!!!

Please let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf!!!

Unceasing prayer...

Fall is definitely in the air! Cooler weather and leaves all over the ground. We just finished our Sunday School campaign at our church and I am looking forward to what God is going to do this weekend. I am also looking forward to seeing the classes take what they've been focused on for eight weeks, and running with it. The focus has been reaching out "missionally" with each individual class. The campaign has ended, but we have challenged the teachers and classes to not let it end there.

Let's take another look today at our verse for the week in Acts 6:4..."But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." Have you got it memorized? This week's verse I kept getting words turned around. This morning, I can say that I typed without the assistance of YouVersion. The past couple posts, I can't say that for. Have you been setting aside your time for prayer AND Bible study? Some days are easier to follow through than others, but let's make a concentrated effort to do it daily!

Okay, now let's test your memory from last week. The verse is John 3:30..."He must increase, but I must decrease." Do you still remember that one? I went in to church Wednesday and was just saying hi to one of the members, when they started quoting the scriptures we have been memorizing. It is a blessing to see others taking the initiative to learn scriptures, too. Have you taken the challenge seriously? Start today and see what God will do if you are willing to take His Word into your heart...

Let's take another look in the scriptures today, that will go right along with our verse of the week. It comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:17..."Pray without ceasing." This can be a challenge during our hectic, loud days to take a few moments to be still and silent and lift our voices unto the Lord. Do your prayers have an end??? do they seem to continue on??? We are called to pray without ceasing and be in a mindset of prayer at all times.

Take a few moments and go over our verses from the past two weeks again. Let the words speak to you. Repeat them over again...and again...think on them...pray that God will use them in your life today...

Please let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf today...

Are you up for a challenge???

Today, I was meeting with a friend who was asking what I am doing to draw more people to God? What goals do I have set in place? Then he asked me a tough question...what plan do you have set for memorizing scripture? Think about that...What plan do you have set for memorizing scripture? It has been somewhat hit-and-miss is what I said. I work on memorizing scripture, but haven't set a goal for how many. Well, today, I set forth the goal of one verse a week. And I am asking you to join with me.

In Psalm 119:11, it states..."Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." If we are constantly memorizing scripture and dwelling on it, we will see a difference in the way God moves and the way WE are moved.

While we were talking, I shared a verse, but went blank on the exact reference in scripture...because of that, I have placed it as this week's memory verse...it isJohn 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease."

Let's focus and meditate day and night upon this verse. I will highlight and remind you each day. Then, next Monday, we will start a new verse. I challenge you to take this journey with me and see what God will do through us in the coming days, weeks, months and years. If you will take this challenge with me, leave a comment below or just email me.

Let's take a step back and let Him increase today and each day from here on.

Please let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today...