One of the intern leaders at Summer Institute made me start thinking about the importance of memorizing scripture.

We had read Secrets of the Vine as part of our training. It goes into detail talking about John 15. I think I already told you about our field trip to the vinyard in a previous post. One thing that struck me was how Jerry had memorized so much of the scripture. He recited all of John 15 to us and then we went to have our quiet time. When we came back into the big group we all sat in a circle in the grass just outside of the vinyard. As we listened Jerry began to recite even more scripture. He went through the entire sermon on the mount. We sat there for 20 minutes or so just soaking in God's word. When he finished he told us how he had worked to learn this scripture with his 10 year old son. He told us that his son almost knows all of it as well as he does. He then told us what a difference it has made in his life to have a chunk of God's word inside of him. It helps him to follow the example and teachings of Jesus everyday.

During Summer Institute I have gained a greater hunger for God's word and I like the idea of memorizing scripture. It is just one more way that I can be closer to Jesus. Therefore, I am commiting myself this summer to memorize at least the first chapter of the sermon on the mount. Thats Matthew 5. And possibly if I finish that then I will begin with chapters 6 and 7. Ultimately, I hope to make it an everyday practice in my life to work on memorizing scripture. I think it could change my whole way of thinking and my whole way of life. It just might make me more like Jesus. I also want to make sure and pray everyday and do an actual bible study as well as try my hardest to live for Him.

I hope that you too will make a commitment to a daily time with God. I know our schedules get busy but the rest of our lives go so much smoother if we go to him first.