It’s Time to R.U.M.B.A.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. (James 1:22-24)

This week, I want to take a look at memorizing Scripture with you.  Let’s talk about why it’s important, how to study it, and what to study.  Let’s take a closer look at the Word and see how it can transform our lives.

Lately, I see that this journey with the Lord is a dance.  There are times I let God lead and there are times I try to lead.  The dance looks much more beautiful when I allow God His rightful place of leadership in my life.  He holds me close and teaches me the steps to the dance of my journey.  There are times I feel like I’m hanging on to the tip of His hand.  Honestly, in those moments my dance doesn’t look too graceful.  I’m a much more graceful dancer when I cling to the Lord.

I have learned that only one person can truly lead a dance.  When both people try to lead, the dance becomes quite a mess and many times results in injury.  I’ve definitely been injured by my own pride at times.  My pride that says, “I can do this all by myself.”  I can be self-sufficient and strong.  The problem with that is my self-sufficiency gets in the way of my learning curve.  So I am learning to lay down my pride daily.  Does it hurt?  You bet it does, but watching God’s grace come alive in me is worth it.

Let’s take a look at the Key to Memorizing Scripture.

R.U.M.B.A

R ~ Read it!

That’s right we can’t go anywhere with God’s Word, if we don’t first sit down to read it.  The Word of God can only transform your mind, if your in it.  It’s not enough to hear about what other people are reading, it’s about you yourself allowing the Word of God to be made powerful in you.  Let’s find time to read the Word.  Even if all you have is 5 minutes, take it and spend it in the Word.  This will change your life!  It will unleash the power of God inside of you.

U ~ Understand it!

Okay, now that you have taken the step to read the Word.  Take time to understand it.  Find out who wrote it, why was it written, what does it mean.  Take time to understand the Word and it’s meaning for your life.  How does God want to use it in your life?

M ~ Memorize it!

The best gift you can give your mind is Scripture.  When you read a passage, find the phrase that stands out to you.  Memorize it and allow it to sink into the very depths of your heart.  You will be better equipped to face the lies of the Enemy, when you have God’s Truth hidden in your heart.

B ~ Believe it!

That’s right, you must learn to believe that this was written for you!  If you don’t believe it, you won’t know how to live it.  You must learn to believe God’s Truth.  It’s not enough to memorize it.  You won’t be able to follow through on the next step without truly believing that the Word of God is for you and your life.

A ~ Apply it!

This is the final step!  We must apply God’s Word in our lives.  Application includes using Scripture in our prayers, sharing Scripture with those in need, speaking Scripture in conversation, and living Scripture out.  Once you read it, understand it, memorize it, and believe it…  Then you can apply it to your life!  This will be a life long process.  Applying God’s Word, means sometimes laying down your pride, your will, your weaknesses, your strengths, your abilities, your desires, your needs, and so much more!  We will be called to live differently through Scripture, but I promise you that this will be good.

So let’s start today…  Please take time to read James 1 every day this week.  Find out what’s there for you.  Take time to pray before you start and ask God to show you what He has for you in His Word.  Then tomorrow, we will take time to break it down and understand it.

Dear Father God, Thank You for the Word!  Thank You for the Truth that has set me free.  Thank You for showing me how to live right before You through Your Word.  And thank You for having patience with me when I try to lead in this dance of life.  May I surrender the steps of this journey to You and may I find myself gracefully swaying in Your arms!

Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105),