[Feature Story] Just Ten Minutes a Day! Make a Habit of Memorizing Verses!
|
|
|
11845 |
|
December 04, 2011 |
|
|
|
"But as for me, the nearness of God is my good..." (Psalm 73:28)
God teaches everyone the keys to receiving salvation, eternal life, answers, and blessings through the 66 books of the Bible. Those who truly believe in Him can receive answers to whatever they pray and ask by meditating the words of God and practicing it. Manmin Central Church has hosted the Bible Quiz Contest every year to help all members keep close to the Bible and lead more joyful Christian lives. You will be able to experience amazing changes and blessings when you make a habit of memorizing the Bible verses for just ten minutes a day.
"I Am Filled with Peace and Happiness by the Love of the Lord Since I Have Stayed near God through the Bible"
Pastor Geumran Hwang (Vice Parish Pastor of 2-29 Parish)
After I accepted the Lord, I wanted to get a better understanding about what Father God and the Lord, my bridegroom, are like. That's why I began to study the Bible. I made the Bible verse lists and even wrote them on my palm. I also joined a group where people memorized verses together. But I had hard time in sticking to all of them.
In the meantime, Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee put an emphasis on the necessity of reading a chapter of the Bible and memorizing a verse per day. He even had the weekly verses printed in the church weekly bulletin. I started to obey his words with thanks and joy. Through the obedience, I received abundant blessing both in spirit and body.
It took patience to memorize the verses everyday without ceasing. In doing so, I could get rid of a changing heart and gain an unchanging heart. I became more comfortable when I sacrificed of myself and my desires and serve others rather than being served. I also became an active and diligent person who thinks everything is possible. I have even come to realize the value of my life, adorn myself with the truth, and consider souls precious.
Memorizing Psalm 139:16 saying, "Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them," I realized that my birth itself was God's blessing and my life itself is His grace. I thought it was very natural to live by the will of God. When looking up the sky and feeling the love of Father God and the Lord who have guided me, I only gave thanks to them all the time.
I am a pastor in Manmin Central Church. However, I meditate on the word of God even in my busy schedule. I have won participation prize, bronze prize, silver prize, golden prize respectively each year. I finally received the grand prize in the 10th Bible Quiz Contest, 2010. This year, I got the golden prize. Now, I want to tell you the keys to memorizing the verses.
First, when a speaker talks about verses that are included in the weekly bulletin during the service, I write down what is talked about on the weekly bulletin.
Suppose a preacher talks about 1 John 3:7-9 included in the weekly bulletin. I write what he talks about like 'It is devil that makes people sin' below the verses in the weekly bulletin during the sermon. By doing so, the meanings of the verses remain in my mind and I can remember them easily.
Then, I read the chapter that contains the verses.
Let's say that I memorize Romans 12:21 saying "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." I read the chapter 12 of Romans first. Then, I can grasp the context of the chapter and connect the contents with the verse. It will be very helpful to remember the verse and arm yourself with the word of God.
Lastly, I keep reading and writing the verses again and again
To write verses is better than just to read verses aloud because you can memorize them exactly without any error. And if you make a habit of reviewing today's verse and previewing tomorrow's verse, it will help a lot in your Christian life. You will see your changing heart change into unchanging heart.
"Since I Live a Life with the Word of God, I am So Excited"
Sister Hayoung Lee (9th grader, Cheonan Manmin Church)
My parents have educated me with the Bible since I was a very young child. They bought me the Bible-related books and let me watch animations about biblical figures. They also had me read the response reading and I sang hymn songs together with them.
When I was six, Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee told our church members to read more than one chapter of the Bible and memorize one verse so that we would be able to lead Christian lives near the word of God. Since then, I have memorized verses with the help of my parents.
Cheonan Manmin Church members take a test on the weekly verses monthly. I won prizes in the tests many times and it made me enjoy memorizing them more.
One day, I decided to participate in the Bible Quiz Contest held in Manmin Central Church in Seoul. I took part in the contest when I was 5th, 6th, 8th, and 9th grader. Even though I did not receive prizes, it was truly blessed moments for me.
I make a book with the verses and carry them. I read them and I listen to the verses using MP3 player. I enjoy doing so.
To understand the verses better I read the chapter that includes the verse and even read the sermon scripts based on the verse. I am so happy to get to know about the Word of God.
As time goes by, I can feel the love of God more deeply and the hope for Heaven overflows in me. I give thanks to the Lord who gives me such grace.
|
|