Goals and Visions

Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

I read a message from John Piper at the beginning of the month that talked about the necessity and benefit of committing scripture to memory. I really want to be able to stand before Jesus and say, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." I have seen passages and verses that I memorized years ago resurfacing in my prayers and conversations as I have turned my thoughts toward this. I don't by any means want to be some foreign creature that can't relate to anyone because all I do is quote Bible at you all the time. But I do believe there are so many biblical perspectives that do improve your every day outlook, and that it is easier to stand in positive scripture than postive thoughts I am trying to conjure on my own.

So, with the new year a new passage. God has spoken to me much through Isaiah 58 this past year, and I am confident there is more there than I have yet understood. I am memorizing the version that I read and prayed through this year, "The Message". It is a paraphrase that comes from the original language and attempts to preserve the tone and integrity of the message more than a word for word translation. If you've not read any of it you check look up your favorite passages (or mine for this year!) at www.biblegateway.com . The Piper message that I referred to can be found on desiringGod.org . Hope I have encouraged someone to think twice about hiding some Bible in your heart this year!