Seeking the Reward

It's been a while since I participated in Joanne's Memory Monday. I'm sorry I got away from it, and I'm glad to be back.

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

~Hebrews 10:35-36

As I pursue trusting God this year, I'm learning to lean on Him for some pretty big things. He's been incredibly faithful so far. Am I surprised? To tell you the truth, sometimes I am.

According to the world, I should've given up on going to Peru...or never signed up to go in the first place. There are "signs" everywhere warning me to stay away from this trip.

According to the world, we should be cowering in fear that R's going to lose his job as his employer makes cutbacks.

According to the world, we should be full of discontent and envy.

I don't want my life to be defined by the world, but by THE WORD. If I can determine to fix my eyes upon Jesus and His Word, I will receive the reward He's promised. I don't know exactly what that reward is yet, but I can tell you that I want it.

More than anything.

No Greater Love

The last girls' Bible study session took an unexpected God-turn. We were talking about commitment, which led to a discussion on love and marriage (which appears to be the final destination for practically any discussion with teenage girls). I shared the story of my not-so-great college years with them. Afterwards, one of the girls came up to me and told me that when I talk about R and our life together, it seems like a movie.

I was surprised, because I'd just spent our time together trying to convince the girls that real-life love is not a Nicholas Sparks book (my girls are enamored with "The Notebook", while my idea of romance is coming home to find clean clothes and dishes!). Love's not all butterflies and candlelight and roses. The world tries to sell us a bag of lies that love is a feeling, a Hallmark card or jewelry store commercial. Everyone wants the love that's found in the movies, not the love of the everyday, steadfast variety. I thought I'd made myself clear to the girls, but this comment made me wonder.

As I was driving home after Bible study, the Lord reminded me of these verses. I decided then to choose them for Memory Monday:

My command is this: love one another each other as I have loved you. No greater love has any no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

~ John 15:12-13

I've always thought that Jesus was predicting his death for us, and telling us that we should be willing to die for those we love. Yet laying down our lives is much more practical than that...it's a giving of ourselves, letting go of our rights and putting another's needs and desires ahead of our own. You see, every day for the past 15 years, R has laid down his life for me. He has exemplified this passage.

Oh, that I would do the same!

I won't find perfect love til I get to Heaven. In the meanwhile, my Jesus has given me a glimpse of what it's going to be like. I can honestly say it isn't "The Notebook".

It's much, much more.

For next week...my 2009 theme verses:

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

~Proverbs 3:5-6 (AMP)

Memory Monday - December 22nd

Are you joining me for Memory Monday yet? I encourage you to try it. Hiding God's Word in my heart these past few weeks has been a tremendous blessing. Click on the button to find out more.

Whom have I in Heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. Though my flesh and my heart may fail, God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

- Psalm 73:25-26

Hey! I didn't do too badly!

Like everyone else, I'm short on time this week and blogging is taking a back seat. I'm going to memorize John 14:12-13:

My command is this: Love each other and I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

When I come back next week, I'll let you know why I chose these verses!

I pray that all of you will have a Merry and Blessed CHRISTmas.

Memory Monday - Dec. 15th

Is it Memory Monday again already? Last week zoomed by in a flurry of activity. I did have time to hide God's Word in my heart, though (typing from memory):

We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

~1 Thess. 1:3

I got it right! What a powerful verse, and one that I pray may be said of me one day. I want everything I do to be a product of, prompted by, and inspired by God. Only then will I have victory.

This week, I'm moving back to Psalms.

Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:25-26

Stop by and visit Joanne to see how everyone else did, and to join us.