2.01.2011

Feb 1st Memory Verse

It's time for our next memory verse.  If you haven't been following along with the memory verses, read this post to see where the idea came from.  If you'd like to see all the memory verses so far, click here.

Today's memory verse was inspired by a particular situation in my life.  Let me tell you about it first, and we'll get to the memory verse in a minute.  If you'd rather skip the story, the verse is in bold toward the bottom of this post.

Derrick and I are thinking about the possibility of selling our house and moving into another house.  In all honesty, we are blessed here, but we would love to have more space.  To have a room for the baby and a more comfortable bedroom for my mom would be wonderful.  We also truly desire to live closer to our friends, to literally be living in and experiencing community with them.

There is a particular house that we are considering, but selling our house would truly have to be God's work.  That's all it boils down to.  To be quite honest, I don't even want to put it on the market.  I'm praying the Lord will bring someone to us without even having to list it.  We have talked to the owners of the other house, and they are praying as well.  Their house is not on the market either.  After talking this weekend, we decided to all pray and see where the Lord leads us.

Of course, I immediately started praying that the Lord would reveal His will to us.  I went in search for a scripture today that would say something about finding God's will.  Interestingly, I came across this post and this post on Decapolis, which is a web site run by former Ghoti Hook band member, Conrad Tolosa.  As I was reading his posts on how to discern God's will, I found myself in agreement with everything he said.  Too often, I (and other Christians) take the "pray wait and act" approach when it comes to discerning God's will.  That's probably what I would have done in this situation, until I read his post.  And we just had a sermon series at church about "hearing from God".  The teaching was very much in line with the post on Decapolis.

To discern God's will, I first need to turn to God's word.  Then pray for His wisdom.  If His will is still unclear, I should consult Godly counsel, then pray for Him to open and close doors.  And make sure the end result is accompanied by His peace.

So, now, instead of simply praying for Him to give me a revelation, I am going to pray for Him to show me scriptures that will teach me about things relating to the sale of this house and the purchase of another: our finances, responsibility, how to be a good manager of the material possessions He's already given to us and the possessions He may give us in the future, patience, and provision.

Y'all just wanted a memory verse, didn't you?  Well, here it is.  I chose it because it reminds me that when I am searching for an answer about what to do in a particular situation, I need to turn to scripture, because scripture is there to teach and train me. So here's the verse for today:

"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 (NIV, 2010)

I pray that if you are following along with me, that you are being blessed by the scriptures you're learning.  May you be ready to recall them when the Lord gives you an opportunity to share them with someone or apply them to your own life.

Two side notes to end this post: 1. I really like that Decapolis site.  I think I'll check back there often, and you should too.  2.  The chances of us being in a new house any time soon are probably slim.  The way I see it, if it happens, I will have no doubt it's a work from God.  There's no other explanation.  I'm excited about the possibility but realistic about the fact that we may very well be here for several more years, and I'm fine with whatever He has for us.  Now, let's start memorizing!

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