There is no greater weapon against the enemy’s lies than the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. (Ephesians 6:17)  Not only does His word keep us armed for battle against Satan’s attacks, but it also helps us to truly get to know our Heavenly Father.  It strengthens us, heals us, comforts us, prepares us, and protects us.  All of the answers to our questions can be found in His Word. 

Whenever I need encouragement, I can find it there in the pages of my Bible.  But to truly be able to use it, I need to hide it in my heart and mind.  His Word needs to be readily on my lips so that I may use it in my prayers, so that I may use it to push away the darkness, so that I may use it to encourage others, and so that I may truly tap into the power it can bring.  His Word needs to come off the pages of my Bible at a moment’s notice. 

I recently took a Bible Study class called “A Heart Prepared” at my church led by Tanya Magnus.  As soon as I saw she was teaching another class, I had to sign up for it.  I had taken one from her in the fall, “After it Breaks: Rebuilding After Loss”, and I just loved the way she taught. I related to her so much and I knew her class would be where I needed to be for the Spring.  Our class was five weeks long and it was about memorizing scripture.  

It was much more than just, “Here’s a scripture to memorize.”  Each week we spent time really digging into God’s Word.  We talked about why we needed to memorize it and how to memorize it.  We listened to each other and prayed for each other.  We were given a new scripture each week and it was heartwarming to hear how God used these scriptures in our lives from week to week.  

Writing the scriptures at the natural breaks, or at the least, no more than eight words per line helps to break it up and memorize it easier.

 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,

 set your hearts on things above,

where Christ is,

seated at the right hand of God.

Set your minds on things above, 

Not on earthly things.

 Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV)

This was the first verse we concentrated on.  We learned in class that Paul wrote this letter to urge the Colossians to continue in Christ knowing all wisdom is from Him. Paul tells us to set our hearts on things above.  So our lives are dominated by His thoughts.

Lately, when I can’t sleep I start to recite this verse and it helps me fall back asleep.  It helps to take my mind off the things that keep me awake and back on God.  This is how we keep our joy in the midst of our storms… by setting our hearts and minds on Him.

Where we put our focus determines our steps for the day.  I know there are days that just seem too hard to get through but it’s up to us to shift our focus from our circumstances to the only One who truly knows and understands.  

So, do not fear, for I am with you:

do not be dismayed,

 for I am your God.

 I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you

with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

We are to have no fear because of God’s presence.  If we truly put our trust in Him, we have nothing to fear.  Even when we don’t understand what’s going on, we can trust that He does!

We need His strength.  We cannot do it on our own.  People always tell me how strong I am.  My response is always the same. I tell them that I am not strong.  I just serve a God who is.  It is His strength that others see in me.  He holds me up and helps me through my day and I am so thankful and blessed to be His!

I have told you these things, 

So that in me you may have peace.

In this world

You will have trouble.

But take heart!

I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 (NIV)

There is no true peace to be enjoyed in this world.  True peace can only come from our Heavenly Father.  By having His peace, we stand ready for the trials and the storms!  He tells us we will have troubles while we are on this earth.  There is no way around that but there is a way through it!  Through Him, we are already victorious!

This verse has always been comforting to me.  I have shared this verse before in my blog post, 10 Scriptures to Pray When You Need Peace.  It is such a great promise to hold onto!

For we are God’s handiwork,

Created in Christ Jesus

To do good works, 

Which God prepared in advance

For us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

How special we are to be created by God, to be His masterpiece! He has a purpose for each of us and He will equip us to carry out that purpose.  Remember to fully know Him and His plan for us we need to spend time in His Word, not only reading it but hiding it in our hearts and minds.  We need to stay in communication with Him through prayer. 

The storms we go through help prepare us as well!  Those storms are meant to grow us and strengthen our relationship with Him.  We learn how best to pray during times of suffering.  We lean heavily on our Lord and learn to fully trust and rely on Him.  Every storm I have ever gone through has taught me valuable lessons that the Lord uses as a testimony of His goodness and His grace.  Whatever you are going through right now is preparing you for the special plan He has for you!

Now to him who is able

to do Immeasurably more

Than all we ask or imagine,

According to his power

That is in work within us, 

To him be glory in the church

And in Christ Jesus

Throughout all generations,

For ever and ever! Amen

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

When you are a child of God, everything you need is already inside of you!  He is at work in you and His plan is always better than anything we could ever plan for ourselves!  We just need to trust in Him!  

I am so thankful for this Bible Study class and what it taught me.  Tanya is a wonderful teacher and mentor.  She is also the founder, owner, and operator of Choose to Soar Ministries which is a non-profit equipping ministry choosing to ignite faith in women of all ages.  Her blog Choose To Soar is another great resource for you in your walk with Christ.

I challenge you to take these five scriptures to heart and memorize them but don’t stop with just these five!  Continue to add to your arsenal of scriptures so that you are equipped each day to stand against Satan and His lies.  Continue to add scriptures that you can use to encourage others around you when they need it.  Continue to add scriptures that you need to stay encouraged as well! Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8)

If you take this challenge, how did these scriptures help you?  What other scriptures did you choose to memorize? I would love to hear from you!