"where did i put my coffee cup?"

"i just had it."

"oh there it is! silly me!"

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"now...why did i come into the kitchen?"

"i can't remember..."

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"i needed to have been there 5 minutes ago!"

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"why can't i have one happy thought today? just one!"

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our minds are always running.

multi-tasking. overloading.

cramming information in.

where do we store peace?

how do we clear our minds?

what will help my focus?

how can i ban these depressive thoughts?

memorizing Scripture is key.

“The key to memorizing is reviewing.” [Janet Pope, His Word in my Heart] She goes on to write in regards to memorizing Scripture, “...we are trading our thoughts for God’s. We are chasing after truth, God’s truth. We are choosing to embrace the God of the Bible rather than the god in our own minds.”

 i have made Scripture memory a part of my daily rhythm. it has become vital to my faith journey.

God's Word can clear the mind, take thoughts captive, and doesn't return void.

i use a tool i call the Scripture Memory System.

how i pick Scripture:

verses that come alive in the Bible to me

verses or a chapter that are speaking to me in the season of life i'm in

a passage i heard in a sermon

a verse i learned in a Bible Study or small group

a verse i looked up and want to claim for my children, my marriage, our church, our city, or our adoption

supplies:

index card box (holds 4"x6" index cards)

4"x6" index cards

A-Z card guides (36 cards are needed)

fine tip sharpie marker

here's how it works:

take the card guides and use the blank side of the tab and write the following on each tab:

daily, monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday, 1-30

 i write a verse down on a card and file it in the daily tab.

after i have reviewed it for several days, i move it to a weekly tab, beginning with monday.

after it has been reviewed and memorized, i move it to a monthly tab, beginning with 1.

writing verses down is an ongoing process. the daily tab should have 2-3 verses.

eventually, each weekly tab will have several verses in them.

and as you memorize more and more, the monthly tabs will begin to fill.

verses will permanently stay in the monthly tabs where you will review them once a month.

here's what can happen:

you will begin to speak Scripture

your mind will be captivated by His thoughts, His Words

how you think will begin to change

you will begin to pray Scripture

you'll find yourself meditating on His Word day and night

these verses will be what you use to encourage a friend

Scripture memory is a discipline. it requires work and effort.

but the benefits are far-reaching, legacy-building, mind-captivating, clarity-breathing, chain-breaking.

here's what i'm giving away:

a homemade Scripture Memory System. {retails $22 plus shipping}

it's not patented and can be picked up and assembled at any office supply store,

but i want to get one of you a jump start!

plus my favorite chapter to memorize to get you going!

leave a comment with your favorite verse to enter.

plus, we can all benefit from verses we are learning. so do share!

winner will be announced in future post. stay tuned.

the winner is cole from louisiana!