A group of Christians were in an airplane, returning from an evangelical outreach overseas when suddenly the plane developed fault mid-air, due to a heavy storm that vigorously vibrated the plane.
As the plane was hovering helplessly in the skies, various passengers started screaming and shouting for help from various gods. Surprisingly, the Christians there were not perturbed. Rather, they remained calm in the midst of the chaos.
Why?
They recalled the word of God in the Scriptures and started reciting the promises therein: “The Lord shall preserve [me] from all evil: he shall preserve [my] soul. The Lord shall preserve [my] going out and [my] coming in from this time forth and even for evermore” (Psalm 121:7,8); “Behold, [he is] with [me], and will keep [me] in all paces whither [I] goest, and will bring [me] again into this and; for [he] will not leave [me], until [he has] done that which [he has] spoken to [me] of” (Genesis 28:15).
Suddenly, the aircraft stabilized when one of them stood up and shouted “Peace, be still!”. Amazed, the other passengers asked which power he possessed that made him stop the storm. In response, he said he possessed the same power that Jesus possesses when He calmed the storm on a high sea. “I just quoted the promises in the Scriptures”, he added.
Imagine if these Christians were not on the plane or able to claim God’s promises they had memorized in their hearts. That could have been their end and over 120 others.
Memorizing the Scriptures is a powerful weapo that Christians from ages past deployed to win battles against the devil and his cohorts.
Why Memorise the Scriptures?
Judging from the impacts and results of scriptural memorization, Christians are motivated to memorize more of the Scriptures. Some of these reasons among others are:
- -Memorizing scriptures add power to the words we use to teach others.
- It provides one with help, inspiration, comfort and motivation,
- It gives better understanding of God’s words.
– It renews our minds and transforms our life.
– It adds power to the word we use to teach others.
So, when you are overwhelmed by the large Scripture to memorise, be comforted and give yourself reasons to move on because memorising the Scriptures will:
– Help you against temptations (Ephesians 6:10-20; Matthew 4:1-11; Psalm 119:9)
– Bring God’s blessings to your life (Joshua 1:8)
– Make you wise (Luke 2:52)
– Help you live in obedience (Psalm 119:9)
– Allows you to be a more readily encouraged believer (Romans 15:4)
– Help you share the Scriptures with unbelievers better (1 Peter 3:15; Isaiah 55:11; Hebrews 4:12; Jeremiah 23:29)
More so, all believers are called to memorize the scriptures (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), even as Jesus Christ Himself memorised it (Matthew 4:4).
How to Memorise the Scriptures
To memorise the Scriptures easily, follow these four steps:
Step 1: Pick an area of gospel truth you’re motivated to understand more deeply.And use the topic and verse outline as a guide. You may keep a picture of this list on your phone for easy access.
Step 2: Dig into the context.
– Find the verse in your Bible and read the paragraph before and after it.
– Use this context to gain a clear understanding of what the verse means. You may want to read the verse in other Bible translations or consult a commentary.
– Read the verse through several times thoughtfully, aloud or in a whisper. This will help you grasp the verse as a whole. Each time you read it, say the topic, reference, verse, and then the reference again out loud.
– Discuss the verse with God in prayer, and ask for His help memorizing it.
Step 3: Memorize in bits.
– Memorize the topic and reference first.
– Next, memorize only the first phrase of the verse. Once you can recite the topic, reference and first phrase from memory several times, continue to add each additional phrase, one by one.
– Consider why each word was selected as you memorize it.
– Think about ways the verse applies to you and your daily circumstances.
– Writing the verse out can be helpful. This deepens its impression in your mind.
Step 4: Review with others.
– Review the verse immediately after learning it, incorporate it into your prayers, and repeat it frequently over subsequent days to others. This step is crucial for fixing the verse firmly in your mind because we tend to forget things recently learned.
– Invite a friend to memorize with you! Set a time each week to check in and review verses. In just ten minutes you can give each other enough accountability to grow by leaps and bounds in your love for God and knowledge of His Word.
– Repetition is the best way to engrave the verses on your memory, so review it as often as possible.
How to Apply the Memorised Scriptures in your life
You can apply the Bible to your life by remembering key truths. Remember promises, principles, commandments, and prayers. Don’t just read it, take it to heart and listen for what God might be saying to you through it. Remember, there’s no point in reading and studying the Bible if we don’t become doers of the word by applying the scripture to our lives. God’s word is living and active. It’s meant to impact the way we live.
Hence, to apply the Scriptures to your life, do the following:
1. Believe what the word says
There’s no point in reading the Bible if you don’t plan to also believe it for, “without faith it is impossible to please him…” (Hebrews 11:6). When you read, make an effort to believe what it says. Sometimes it won’t make sense. Sometimes it’ll contradict what you previously believed. Sometimes you’ll doubt. This is where you have the privilege of asking the Holy Spirit for help. He will open your eyes and help you to genuinely believe the words you are reading.
2. Remember key truths from Scripture
You can apply the Scripture to your life by remembering key truths. Remember promises, principles, commandments, and prayers. Don’t just read it, take it to heart and listen for what God might be saying to you through it.
3. Allow the Scripture to expose sin
The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. It pierces the soul and discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12,13). And no creature is hidden from God’s sight, but all are naked and exposed to Him whom we must give account. Therefore, let God’s word reveal sin in your life and then confess it and ask him to help you. God’s word also purifies our hearts and leads us into sanctification. If the word is speaking to you, take it to heart.
4. Pray about what you’ve read
Don’t just read it, pray about it. Pray that God would help you to live it out. You can also specifically pray using the words from the passage. This is known as praying scripture.
5. Align your life with what the Bible says
Finally, apply the Scripture by aligning your life with what it says. Sometimes we read the Bible and notice that it contradicts our lifestyle. Something needs to change. Well, the Bible is infallible. So it’s us that needs to be changed. Again, the Holy Spirit helps us with this. As the word convicts us of our sin and shortcomings, the Holy Spirit helps to transform us. But, we have to allow the Holy Spirit in so that he can do the work of changing us.
“Therefore shall ye lay up these words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes” (Deuteronomy 11:18).
Here is the commandments that the Christians in the airplane (in the introduction) obeyed and their lives were saved. You too can save your life when you memorise the Scripture, for there is power in it.
