Why Memorize?

   Why should we know our Bible well? Why do we go to places like AWANA where we learn endless verses in the Bible? What's the point of all this?

   Ever asked yourself questions like that? Well, you aren't alone! But seriously, why?

   Psalm 119:11 says, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

     "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12

   And we are constantly in battle. Always. We are never going to NOT be in battle until we go to Heaven! We need to be prepared. We must know the truth because Satan is going to lie like crazy to you and try to turn you away! 

   Do you remember a time when you were younger when someone told you something that you instantly believed without a doubt? And then, after you told your mom or dad, they told you that it wasn't true, and that that person was only joking. So why did you believe it?

   You believed it because you didn't know the truth to counteract it! And in the same way, we must embrace and remember the truth of what God tells us, so that we don't fall for Satan's tricks and lies. 

   And when in the middle of a battle, it'll probably be harder for you to break away if you can't exactly remember the truth. Satan will pounce on that! You've got to be prepared! 

   When I was younger, before I really started memorizing verse and continuously told myself them, I fell for many of Satan's snares. He took away four of the things that I loved (or thought I loved). But I am also to blame. I let him take those things away, because I didn't know the truth about myself. The four things he stole from me (or the things I gave away...) was my love of singing, dancing, swimming and people. How? He attacked my weakest spot- my knowledge of who I was. I didn't know or memorize those verses about how God saw me, and I only cared about what others thought! So when someone said my singing sounded bad, Satan would constantly remind me about it. So I stopped. When Satan told me I couldn't dance, I stopped. When Satan told me that I looked ugly in my goggles (I can't not wear goggles since I wear contacts), I stopped swimming. And when I started worrying that no one liked me and that I wasn't good enough, I stopped engaging with people as much, and instead found places to hide and be alone. I backed out of opportunities, believing I was a lesser and a nobody. Even as something stirred up in me, giving me a desire to rejoin those four things, I still held back. I was scarred from believing those lies, and I couldn't bring myself to try again. 

    It wasn't until I started reading more of the Bible did I start those things up again. I read about how God saw me as fearfully and wonderfully made, perfect in His eyes! I learned that I shouldn't be depending on what others think, but only what God thinks of me. And it does NOT matter what Satan says to me! God is in me and I am His! He is holding my hand and He won't let go. And it only matters what HE says.

   But if I had known those Bible verses by heart, I would've been able to fight back with the truth! Remember, the word of God is like a double edged sword, but sharper! Isn't that cool? And amazing, too! We can fight back with the Bible and its perfect truth. And remember, the Holy Spirit is with you! HE will be the one helping you fight the devil! And GOD always wins. Don't you ever forget that. 

   This week, I challenge you to start memorizing scripture. I don't know what you're struggling with, but God knows. I encourage you to look up Bible verses about it and to strive to know them by heart. Be prepared for battle!

​   I love you all, but God loves you even more. He is with you. God bless, my brothers and sisters in Christ.