LIFE SCRIPTURES

“We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that the suffering produces perseverance; perseverance – character; and character – hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom

He has given us.”  Romans 5:3-5 NKJV

     This scripture is my life scripture. Mind you, I wouldn’t have chosen this scripture, however, the Lord gave me this scripture when all the illness started to hit my family.  I would have rather had a life scripture like: “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” Psalm 37:4 NKJV  Who doesn’t think they want all the desires of their heart?  However, I can tell you, with no uncertainty, that I would much rather have character for the Lord and hope in the Lord than any other thing.

     This should be true for our children, also. I know that I want to give my children everything they desire, however, that is not always what is best for them. I want my children to have character and hope in the Lord!  I want them to persevere when life is hard and things aren’t going all that well in their life.

     One way to persevere through hard times (and even good times), is to hide the word of God in your heart. “Your word I have hidden in my heart. . .” Psalm 119:11 NKJV 

     When I was a child, my Grandmother would do a bible study with me every Saturday.  I must confess I did not enjoy it at all. I didn’t like giving up my Saturday to study scripture, however, the scriptures that she had me memorize are hidden in my heart to this day.  I can think of those scriptures and quote them and immediately feel a “oneness” with God that I didn’t have a moment before.  I want this same thing for my children, so we have started memorizing scripture again.  I had done this before when we first started homeschooling, but as their studies took more time, we stopped doing the memorization. We have started again and I’m doing it with them.  I can tell you that this is the most important “subject” we do in our schooling. 

     Do you have a life scripture? If not, I challenge you to pray to the Lord and have Him reveal one for you and your children.   Believe me, it will change your life, and your children’s, when you hide God’s word in your heart!                  By Julie Danielson 2006