I have memorized the book of John. I always loved John growing up because it was so different from the synoptic gospels with it's focus on love. Indeed, when I witness to atheists who are completely unreceptive to the Gospel, I give them the John challenge.
1. Read one chapter of John every day for the next 21 days. 2. Start off each reading session with the following prayer: "God, I don't believe you exist and this is all a big giant sham. But if I'm wrong, prove it to me over the next 21 days." 3. If you say that prayer and read a chapter for the next 21 days and God does not move in your life, feel free to wipe your hands of the existence of Jesus forever.
John is a hard book to memorize. There are are a large number of chapters and each chapter has a ton of verses in it. Many of the verses sound similar to other verses in the book which makes memorizing it even more difficult. When you encounter theses verses, it is best to memorize it as a three verse section rather than one verse at a time. The verses in front of it and behind it will help you hold onto the correct pattern.
Although it is a difficult book, it is a narrative treasure. Here are my favorite sections:
1. The prologue (1:1-18). This section is great because it solidifies our understanding of the pre-existence of Jesus. It is also beautifully written.
2. The Samaritan Woman (4:1-45). I love how Jesus just calls out this random stranger for her multiple marriages, but does not condemn her for it. Instead, he uses her as a witness for the whole town.
3. The Bread of Life narratives (6:1-71). Although this is a long chapter, I absolutely love it. I can just imagine his disciples listening to this narrative and saying, "this guy is completely insane!" I can't really explain why this section resonates so well with me, but it does.
4. The Woman Caught in Adultery (8:1-11). Who doesn't love this story? A woman is caught in an act punishable by death, and it would be perfectly acceptable at that time to kill her. Yet Jesus doesn't, and instead saves her life.
5. The Good Shepherd Narratives (10:1-30). Jesus is the Good Shepherd and his sheep hear his voice. No one is strong enough to take those who belong to God out of the Father's hand. What's not to love about this section!
6. The Washing of the Disciple's Feet (13:1-20). I love Peter. Jesus tries to wash his feet, and he refuses. Then Jesus says he must or he'll have no part with him, and then he tells Jesus to wash his whole body. Also, the pre-existent Savior of the Universe washed the dirtiest part of his followers. Insane!
7. The True Vine (15:1-16). To bear fruit, you must abide in Jesus. You abide in Jesus by loving one another. Loving one another brings joy.
8. Jesus and Thomas (20:24-29). Thomas gets a bad wrap. Just a few chapters earlier, when Jesus had just left Judea because they tried to stone him and wanted to go back to raise Lazarus, while the other disciples were trembling with fear Thomas says, "let's go die with him!" Here though, he doesn't believe because of his deep disappointment and grief. Jesus shows up for him anyway.
9. I'm Going Fishing (21:1-14). Peter and half the other disciples go fishing, and Jesus shows up. Peter pulls a Forest Gump and dives into the water to see Jesus. Great stuff!
10. What About This Guy? (21:20-23). How many Christians have been derailed because they focused on what Jesus is doing in other people's lives rather than being thankful and obedient to what God is doing in his or her own life. To them, Jesus says "forget about that guy, follow me!"
Other General Observations: 1. There is a big focus on Jewish feasts and customs in John. This is not unusual considering the audience. 2. There is a big focus on the Holy Spirit in John, moreso than any other book than Acts. 3. I love the "Truly, Truly, I say to you" statements which are unique to John. 4. Language related to repentance (i.e., "you must repent!") found in the other gospels is missing in John. Instead, one finds discussions about "light" versus "dark," "condemned" versus "not condemned," "having life" versus "not having life," and the consequences of not believing versus believing.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.
Did you know that there is a theory that Shakespeare helped translate parts of the OT in the KJV?
The theory goes like this:
1. Shakespeare lived from 1564 to 1616. 2. The KJV began being translated in 1610. 3. Shakespeare would have been 46 years old at that time. 4. If you count 46 words into Psalm 46, you get the word "shake". 5. If you count 46 words back from the end of that psalm, you find the word "spear." 6. Shakespeare was known to write for King James the monarch.
This is probably just a coincidence, however, for the following reasons: 1. Britannica outright refutes the idea because Shakespeare's style is vastly different from the style of the KJV. 2. You have to omit the word "selah" for the 46 pattern to work. 3. "Shake" and "spear" are used throughout the OT in both the KJV and the Hebrew. 4. Shakespeare's life and the translation of the KJV were both well documented, and neither makes mention of him as a contributor.
I met a traveller from an antique land, Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert. . . . Near them, on the sand, Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed; And on the pedestal, these words appear: My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair! Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away.” Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Whenever I see evil empires like North Korea and China that try to suppress the free spread of the gospel, I think of this poem. Every great evil empire that has ever existed may be powerful for a time, but they all eventually collapse despite their claims to greatness. And the kingdom of God just keeps on trucking.
Absolutely! Also, we like you and are glad you are here!
Our minds sometimes work against us, and you should seek help if it continues. Don't be afraid to visit a counselor or doctor; there is no shame in visiting either. Counselors can give you tricks to help you get out of the mind funk to see things as they really are rather than how your mind interprets them. A doctor can identify if there is a chemical imbalance that needs to be adjusted. Beyond that, you can focus on exercise, staying hydrated with water, and getting a good amount of sleep. All of these make anxiety much worse.
Since we are focused on Bible memorization here, though, you might look at some of the sets on peace. God has a surprising amount of things to say about peace in Scripture.
Here is one I like to lean on when anxiety strikes me:
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned[e] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. [Phil 4:6-9 (ESV)]
Since God's sheep hear his voice (John 10:27-29), and according to God's Word Christ Jesus brings us the peace of God, whenever we hear those thoughts of anxiety we can reject them as contrary to the Word of God.
The biggest help for me, however, has been to just praise God. Thankfulness to God always brings me relief. Here is an example:
"Thank you God that I'm a child of God. Thank you that my name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Thank you that you came for me and died for me. Thank you that when you were nailed to the cross, my sinful nature was nailed there too. When you were raised from the dead, my sinful nature remained buried in the tomb. Thank you, Jesus that you are my healer. Thank you Jesus that you bring me peace. When everything around me is full of turmoil, I can lean on you for peace. Your Word promises me peace. You are God; you cannot lie. Thank you that your Word goes forth and does not stop until it accomplishes what you sent it out to do. If you said I can have peace, then I accept it. I thank you that because you have drawn me to you, no one is able to snatch me out of your hands. I thank you that you give your angels charge around me so that I will not stumble."
I keep on like this until the anxiety goes away. Your faith builds greatly when you speak out the Word. You guys have been focusing on Scriptures related to controlling the tongue, and how such a small member is a rudder to controlling the ship of your life. The tongue can destroy your life, but it can also shape your life according to Word of God when you speak it out.
If you are not sure what to pray, Google "Who I am in Christ" or pray the psalms (the good parts, not the "Lord, rip out their teeth parts =D).
Hopefully one of these suggestions will help. They have all made a difference in my life.
Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too Went for a ride in a flying shoe "Hooray" "What fun" "It's time we flew" Said Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too
Ickle was captain, and Pickle was crew And Tickle served coffee and mulligan stew As higher, and higher And higher they flew Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too
Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too Over the sun and beyond the blue "Hold on" "Stay in" "I hope we do" Cried Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too
Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle too Never returned to the world they knew And nobody knows What's happened to Dear Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too
This is from "Where the Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein. Best poetry book ever!