A few years ago, I was inspired (aka driven to distraction by the Holy Spirit) to memorize the entire book of 2nd Timothy. I desperately wanted to but didn’t believe I could. Who does that? That’s ridiculous!!
But God persisted and I resisted until He won, and I went to work! That’s kinda how it works with us sometimes. I flat out told God that there was no way I could do it if He didn’t help me. But I KNEW that if God had given me the desire to do such a thing He would also help me do it. So, I set a goal and went to work.
Well, once I said YES it was all over but the shoutin’. And believe me when I tell you, that when I reached that goal (with a week to spare!) and recited that entire book to Godfrom memory there was some big-time shoutin’ going on in my house! I could not believe I did it. It was amazing, y’all.
But the best part was, that as I was memorizing 2nd Timothy, repeating phrase after phrase and locking it in my memory, God was locking it in my heart. God was changing me with that book. He confirmed my calling as a Bible teacher through Paul’s words to Timothy and He challenged me to “fulfill my ministry”, the specific ministry HE had given me. I was reminded with every word that God had entrusted a sacred and Holy thing to me: His Son, Jesus and every Word He ever spoke. You better believe I was listening.
God’s Word! Entrusted to me? As Paul encouraged and instructed Timothy in his ministry, he was doing the same for me. When I read, “but as for you, Timothy”, I heard “but as for you, Penny.” When I read “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker…who correctly handles the word of truth,” I found myself saying “yes, Sir! I am forever grateful to God for asking me to do such a “ridiculous” thing as memorize a whole book of the Bible. It has marked me forever! And it could do the same for you.
Do we have any clue the treasure we hold in our hands when we pick up a Bible? God’s Word. Entrusted to us?
Are you ready for a challenge? I challenge you (aka double-dog dare you) to Memorize 2nd Timothy 3:16-17! Just 2 short verses.
Set a goal date and ask God to help you. And while you repeat these words over and over to lock them in your memory, God will be locking them in your heart. You won’t regret it. And it just might change your life.
I want to hear some “shoutin’, y’all.
God bless you. I’ll be praying for you all the way.
Penny Bennett
