Monday, March 3, 2014

What was that verse again?




Have you ever been talking with someone and a vague reference to Scripture comes to your mind? Do you sit there struggling to remember what the Bible said on a particular topic? Have you ever searched Google to find a Bible verse and realized you were way off on what God's Word actually said? If any of the above scenarios have happened to you, then I want to encourage you to begin memorizing Scripture!

Perhaps you're thinking, "But my memory is horrible!" Well, the Bible says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13, NKJV). If you're like me, it won't be an easy task, but exercise is good for us (at least that's what I hear). Just like everything else, you need to train your brain to memorize Bible verses. Start with something easy, like a verse that you've heard so many times that you probably already have it mostly memorized, John 3:16 for example. Or how about a nice short verse, maybe John 11:35 ("Jesus wept")?

Once you get the ball rolling, memorization will become easier and you can move to longer verses, multiple verses, or even chapters and whole books! There are many memory aids available online that can help you. I highly recommend the freeRememberMe app for Android and Apple products. It has helped me tremendously with hiding His Word in my heart.

I can't express just how beneficial memorizing Scripture has been for me. There have been numerous occasions where the Holy Spirit will bring to mind the perfect Bible verse while witnessing to someone on the street or when preaching. We can recall and recite verses in moments of trials and temptation. Our trust in God can be renewed and strengthened, while also growing in our love and adoration towards Him. It can also be used to encourage others in their walk with Christ or time of need.

God's Word is precious and the more I memorize Bible verses, the more I love Him and the Holy Scriptures. I pray that you will experience the same joy when memorizing Bible verses!

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Ken Ham Vs. Bill Nye

Is creation a viable model of origins in today’s modern, scientific era? Leading creation apologist and bestselling Christian author Ken Ham is joined at the Creation Museum by Emmy Award-winning science educator and CEO of the Planetary Society Bill Nye.

Ham, a former science instructor who emigrated to the USA from Australia over 25 years ago, is joined by the popular children’s program personality Bill Nye “the Science Guy” for this first and only scheduled debate. Each man delivers what he believes is the best information currently available for his case. Each then has an opportunity for rebuttal and afterward answers questions submitted by the audience.

Tonight's debate has already generated significant attention from national media, and tickets to attend live were completely sold out within two minutes of release.

Don’t miss this “debate of the decade”! Watch at home, or organize to show the live stream to your small group, your youth group, or even your entire church. This event may be freely rebroadcast to groups so long as no admission or other fees are charged to any participants or attendees.

The debate is to be held in the 900-seat Legacy Hall lecture arena at the Creation Museum (sponsored by Answers in Genesis).

The live stream will be available to watch on this page, and it is being hosted by Google+ Hangouts On Air through YouTube. Furthermore, the live stream will be available for free on YouTube for a period of time after the debate. (Also available at debateliveASL.org for the hearing impaired.)

Information from debatelive.org

Friday, January 24, 2014

Prayer, What's the point?

"If God knows all things and has already 
planned everything, what's the point of praying?"

This is a question that people have been asking since the beginning of time. There are many answers that can be given as well, but I feel that the best and most straight-forward answer is simply because He tells us to pray.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" - Philippians 4:6, ESV

We see times in Scripture where God changes direction due to the prayer of others. There are occasions where nothing happens and others where the miraculous happens... both are answers. Jesus is even seen praying numerous times throughout the Bible. One thing is for sure, when we fail to take time to pray, we begin doing things in our own strength, instead of relying upon the strength of Christ. This is a grievous sin and a major hazard to your spiritual health.


More information about prayer:
http://carm.org/topic-prayer
http://www.gotquestions.org/why-pray.html
http://www.blueletterbible.org/search/search.cfm?Criteria=prayer&t=ESV#s=s_primary_0_1

(Blog taken from www.MuniakFamily.com)