What do I treasure?

These devotions are meant to encourage you and me, but I think they must also challenge us.   However, I know that is difficult to believe, when every waking hour you may wonder how you can ever be normal again (whatever normal is).  I know it is hard to concentrate, and what you are reading now may barely be getting through the fog.  I can say that because I have been there, and I still have times that find my focus and concentration impaired.

Since I have been ill, I have often questioned my commitment to God as a Christian, more than I ever did in the past.  Everything in my life changed:  I no longer had the energy to serve outside of my household, I got out of the habit of reading God's word, the Bible, because I could not focus on it.  It simply became too hard, especially when the CFS was at its worst.  If I was able to glean comfort or instruction out of one or two verses, I was doing well.

The verses that stayed with me through this illness are the ones I have memorized or I have read over and over again.  Psalm 23, the Lord's prayer, Romans 8: 27-28, 1 Corinthians 10:31, and 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 -18 among others have comforted me, because I knew them.  I have tried to memorize some new verses, but I have a hard time remembering them for long.  Besides the fact it is best to follow God from a young age, maybe that is one reason the psalmist said, "How can those who are young keep their way pure?  By living according to Your word . . . I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You."  When I was young and healthy, it was easier to memorize.  Those verses have been a part of me from the time I memorized them.  So memorization is good, but there are other ways to keep God's word close at hand:  put them on our computer desktops, write them on post it notes and stick them around the house, or keep a favorite quote journal.  I often remember the gist of a verse or what is being taught in that verse, even when I cannot retain the exact words and even the "address."  And when I am being particularly inattentive to God, my index cards on the refrigerator and the scripture on my calendar cry out to me, "Be still, and know that I am God. " Spend time with Me.  I am your Salvation.  God loves you."

Psalm 119: 9-16

Today's New International Version (TNIV)

   ב Beth
 ⁹ How can those who are young keep their way pure?
   By living according to your word.
¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart;
   do not let me stray from your commands.
¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart
   that I might not sin against you. ¹² Praise be to you, LORD;
   teach me your decrees.
¹³ With my lips I recount
   all the laws that come from your mouth.
¹⁴ I rejoice in following your statutes
   as one rejoices in great riches.
¹⁵ I meditate on your precepts
   and consider your ways. ¹⁶ I delight in your decrees;
   I will not neglect your word.

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Inspiration and Instruction

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work  (NASB, 2 Timothy 3: 16-17).
“Scripture quotations taken from the NASB." 
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All too often, I fail to spend time in God's word.  I hate to admit that, because I equate reading His word with spending time with Him.  My spirit comes alive with His words in my heart.  I am so glad I learned to memorize scripture at an early age; because often, those scriptures come back to me when I need instruction or comfort.  And I cannot think of a time reading the Bible did not fill my heart so much that I did not want to talk to God.  Whether I am led to confession or praise, the Holy Spirit leads me ever closer to my Creator through His word.

Prayer: 

Dear Father in Heaven, Thank you for inspiring men to write the Bible.  I believe in my heart, that this is your word to us on this earth.  Thank You for speaking to my heart in comfort, for leading me to confession, and for filling me with the desire to know more about You.  Fill me with Your Wisdom for I want to have the thoughts and desires You put in my heart; that I might serve You in whatever capacity you may lead.  Bless my brothers and sisters in Christ, Lord,  that their lives may be enriched  and pleasing in Your sight.   In Jesus Name I pray,  Amen.