I also pray that I may learn, as God may desire to teach me, from the varying perspectives and experiences conveyed by people who are part of this website.
Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12:3
The value of a pound of pure nard was stated by Judas in verse 4 to be 300 denarii. One denarius in those times was a standard for a day's wage. So, what Mary did here in one quick action was equivalent to nearly a year's worth of labor.
I am asking myself now, how much am I giving to the Lord? (And actually, I am not at all referring to money here -- it's easy, to give money, and yet to give nothing of yourself to the Lord. He wants us to give ourselves, our hearts, to Him. Consider Isaiah 29:13 and what the Lord had to say about the ancient Jews. But lest we say, "Oh, that could never refer to us ...." well, I am simply saying, this morning I am considering the question, how much of myself, my very heart, am I giving in love and adoration to my Maker? And in comparison, how much approval and praise do I desire from my fellow human beings?
My prayer for today, and may it be my continuous prayer throughout this day, is May my heart be given to you Lord, in true devotion; may the attitudes and thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you.
This is more than one verse, but it's hard to resist :) Psalm 34:1-7 :
1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him And saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.
Regarding memorization techniques, I am in favor of meditating on the passage itself, the verse itself, the meaning of the passage in context, and MOST of all the God who is the author of the passage. Philippians 4:8. I pretty much agree with what Saintman has written here.
But I also absolutely support and applaud (as does Saintman) those who are memorizing passages and chapters. (I too will continue to do the same, with those I've already begun learning)
... but at least for now I don't plan to add new passages / chapters
That concludes my thoughts on this topic :) The blessing of knowing Him I pray for all of us (Philippians 3:8-16) (Now there's a passage I need to know up to the level of instant on demand recitation ... for the sake of my own spiritual health and walk with God)
I've been thinking along similar lines, Saintman. I haven't decided anything yet, but I've wondered lately if I should intensify my focus on a more narrow selection of verses, and truly be able to recite them instantly from memory, rather than to learn very long passages.
I want to quickly emphasize, it's a personal decision made between the person and God.
In my own case I've already invested so much time and effort on such a large number of verses that it would not be easy now to change course. I'm just saying, that I understand what you've said here Saintman, and I think that your thoughts are worthy of some consideration.
But each person will decided what is best in terms of how it relates to his / her own walk with God.
👌✔❤ Thank you Symota. Your patient and clear instruction taught one more old dog a new trick. I like how you said "an array of choices emerge". You have a flair for the poetic. But not to steal Onfire's thunder. We're happy to see you reach 20 Mil!
Your transparency is commendable, Luli2016 :) It's a good example to set. I would say the same, that those verses of mine which have reached "Fully Learnt" are for the most part, not learnt to the point of recitation on command :) But yet the journey of mastering them is wonderful.
Just want to say hello, and praise God that you are continuing to steadily move forward in your studies here :) ...and adding verses that have reached the fully learnt status. 1,587 at last count :)
Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.
Therefore behold, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous; And the wisdom of their wise men will perish, And the discernment of their discerning men will be concealed. --Isaiah 29:14