The Challenge in 2013

I love a new year! It's a blank slate, a new canvas, a fresh start. It's the beginning of a new journey.

In my role, I have the amazing opportunity to rub shoulders with extraordinary women of God. One thing I notice about you is your desire to grow deeper in your walk with Christ. You want to move past where you are to get to something new, you aren't complacent, you don't want the status quo, and you don't want to just mail it in with God. I love that! I love how you want to push past the ordinary kind of existence and enter into a deeper, more meaningful experience with the Living God.  You spur me on, you challenge me, you inspire me!

The CHALLENGE: 

This year I am going on a personal journey, a challenge, of "hiding God's word in my heart" (Psalm 119:11).  As I began the journey I thought, "How much more fun would it be to do this with other women!" Will you join me? Will you come along for the ride and see where God takes us?

The PLAN: 

Each year Beth Moore has a Scripture Memory plan on her blog community. The goal is to learn 2 verses a month - each woman chooses her own verse, because it's personal and thus more meaningful. At the end of the year the women get together and celebrate what they have learned...the 24 new verses they have hidden in their hearts! 

Can you imagine our celebration? All of us together sharing our 24 new ways to engage in effective warfare with our enemy?  24 new ways God can speak and minister to our own hearts thru the counsel of His Word?  24 new ways to experience God's power working within us thru His truth?  24 new ways we have chosen to renew our minds?  24 ways we can bless and comfort others thru the healing power of His Word?  

Let's Get Started:

Are you in? Then it's time to pick your first verse. We will post on the blog the 1st and 15th of every month to encourage and remind you to pick a verse. You are invited to comment on the post, and let all of us know which verse you chose. When you comment please be sure to include your Name, Verse, Reference & Translation then tell us why you chose that verse or how God is using it in your life.

Example Comment: My name is Laura Jones. The verse I chose is, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11 (NIV). I chose this verse because this year I want to focus on memorizing God's word.

A special note for those who don't think they can do all 24.  It's always an option to sign on and commit to doing 12, or 10, or 5, or even 1. It's not about the number - it's about making the effort to end this year with more of God's Word in your heart and mind than when you began this year.

Verse Ideas:

If you're looking for ideas of verses to memorize here are a few:

• "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105 (KJV)
• "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11 (NIV)
• "For the Word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 (NASB)
• "This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success." Joshua 1:8 (NASB)

I am so excited to go on this journey with you, and I can't wait to hear how God is renewing your mind, changing your heart and filling your soul. 

Grace and peace,

Elaine Scott

Women's Groups Director

Browns Bridge & Gwinnett Church