Scripture (seventh in a series)

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Claudia Dickson Greggs

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… Colossians 3:16

Memorizing Scripture is an ancient practice that has fallen out of favor in modern times. I’ve talked with a number of people who say they do not find the process of memorizing something – no matter what’s being memorized – pleasant. To them, it feels tedious and they’re frustrated when the words do not readily stick in their memory. Yet, this process of repeating, over and over, words and phrases of Scripture, until we can recall them effortlessly, is an important component in restoring and maintaining spiritual health.

The apostle, Paul, writes in his letter to the Colossians: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. When we seek to memorize Scripture we are giving it an opportunity to dwell in (or inhabit) our thoughts more fully and abundantly. As we work at learning and retaining the words and phrases of Scripture they enter ever more deeply into our consciousness. They begin Continue reading →

Posted in Scripture | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Scripture (sixth in a series)

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Claudia Dickson Greggs

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)

Welcome to week six of my series on Scripture. The first week I began with my own story about coming to the realization that Scripture is sustenance for my soul – and how I can’t do without it, even for a day.

The second week I wrote about how Scripture has restorative power and medicinal-like properties. It can cut through our defenses and discern what is really going on in our heart and soul, and bring needed healing and hope into our lives.

The third week I addressed how the words and images we are exposed to daily can sometimes have a detrimental effect on our thoughts and actions. A steady diet of the words and images in Scripture can counteract this effect and renew our mind.

On weeks four and five I began describing the ways Christians can incorporate Scripture into their lives by addressing the disciplines of reading and study. This week, I’m writing about using Scripture in prayer. (You may also want to refer to my post entitled, Prayer (ninth in a series), where I mention this topic.)  https://carefulfornothing.com/2010/07/27/prayer-ninth-in-a-series/

In the journal I keep alongside my Bible I record phrases and words that I find helpful to use in my prayers. Scripture teaches me what to ask for in prayer – on my own behalf and that of others. When my neighbor recently Continue reading →

Posted in Scripture | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Scripture (fifth in a series)

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Claudia Dickson Greggs

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105)

This week I continue writing about how to incorporate Scripture into your life by describing the discipline of study.

As I wrote in my third post about Scripture, Moses instructed the Israelites to study God’s words to them throughout their lives. As we study the Bible we discover that God’s reality is quite foreign to our own and his love is far beyond anything we’ve ever experienced. We then begin to realize that a lot of what the world holds dear is not worth much or, is even harmful to our spiritual well-being. Continued study of the Bible teaches us how to conform ourselves to the ways of God instead of to the ways of the world around us.

It is important to note that studyingScripture is not the same as reading it. When we read Scripture we are seeking to become familiar with what it says. And, although we may stop momentarily as we read, to ponder Scripture devotionally, the overall intent is to keep moving through the Bible so that it all becomes as familiar to us as our own face, or the face of someone we love. However, when we study, we stop and focus our attention on a specific book, section or chapter in order to analyze it, bit by bit, so that we come to understand what it means.

For instance, Continue reading →

Posted in Scripture | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments