Picked up another Bible this weekend. It's a KJV of The New Defender's Study Bible with notes by Dr. Henry Morris of the Institute for Creation Research. I picked it up for $20 at Half-Price Books (List Price is $40). The cheapest on Amazon for a new one was $31+, so I got a pretty good deal. In addition to the Bible, I also picked up a Bible cover/case that has a fish with a line and hook in it's mouth, and the phrase "Even Jesus had a fish story". That was only $7. They had one that said:
"JESUS Said Go Fish!!"
(then a graphic of a fish)
"He did not say to rake the leaves, mow the lawn,
walk the dog, or change the oil. Matthew 4:19"
Unfortunately that one was not big enough for my Bible, so I went with the fish story one.
I still have at least one more Bible I want to get: a facsimile copy of the 1560 Geneva Bible. This was the first Bible translated into English entirely from the original languages. So, it's a version, and not a translation.
One thing I noticed was now that I'm reading the KJV I have a desire to memorize verses. That's not to say I didn't memorize verse before, when reading other translations, I did, but now I have an increased desire to do so. Maybe it's just because the language is very poetic. Maybe it's just coincidence that I realized how important is it at about the same time I started looking into the KJVO debate. The two verses that really struck me are:
Psalm 119:11-Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
and
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give and answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear 16) Having a good conscience, that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
By memorizing God's Word-hiding it in our hearts, what do we accomplish? For me, number one is that I can carry God's Word with me, even if I'm not carrying a Bible. As I read the Bible, and things start to stick, I carry it with me. Most of the time it's just the concept that sticks. However, when you memorize the verse, and something happens that brings that verse to mind, you can actually quote it to yourself and mediate on it right there, without having to look it up to get the wording right.
Secondly, when witnessing, it's more effective, in my opinion, to be able to quote Scripture off the top off you head, rather than having a notepad to have to refer to before you can look it up to show someone, as I have done in the past. Not that there's anything wrong with a notepad listing verses, I still carry it with me, along with my Bible, tracts and a pen. However, once you memorize the verse, you can quote it, with authority, and go right to it if you do have to show it to someone-no fumbling around. It gives non-believers a sense that you aren't just reading a list of pre-meditated, unstudied, verses, but rather this is something you know from experiential faith.
That's just my $0.02 worth. I'm sure there's a multitude of other reasons why we should memorize verses, but those two reasons are my main motivation, other than it is personally satisfying for me to memorize them. I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on it. So far I only have 16 verses memorized, but at 1-2 per week, it'll add up pretty quickly.
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7 comments:
you will find it a great comfort in life to have those verses come to mind. It will be amazing to you how often a verse will just pop in. I agree the kjv is better for this as it flows-it is like ready poetry
I want to say that the bible who purchased is one of the best out there. Henry Morris (founder of ICR) was one who took the scriptures seriously, he studied it for an hour a day for over 60 years - a real man! He wrote over 70 books - read his stuff. Also the Geneva bible you can get from Vision Forum Ministries. And I would recommend you memorize Phil. 2 1-11.
Keep your His!
Just wanted to ask something a little off topic...
Have you ever seen Jesus Camp? You should.
Roxanne,
Yes I have. Very interesting movie. I don't necessarily agree with all of it, but to see people on fire like that still intrigues me.
Really? That movie scared the **** out of me! I don't think that is what christianity is supposed to look like... just my opinion.
What is Christianity supposed to look like? (That's a semi-rhetorical question) That's part of where I have a problem. I am more conservative. I do not believe speaking in tongues is as they portray it. I think they have taken the account in Acts out of context. I'm not saying it can't happen, with God all things are possible, but the manner in which they employ it bothers me. Should we be trying to learn tongues, or should it just happen as it did in Acts 2? I have no reason to beleive these people are not saved, and in a way it would be nice if all Christians were on fire for Jesus as these people. seem to be. But are they? It's how they worship that bothers me. Should it? No, I don't think it should, but yet it does. I think we all have our own way of worshipping, some are different than what we are accustomed to, but I don't know if I could honestly say, at this point, that it is wrong. It's just different. However, if their worship is different because their doctrine twists the Bible, then there is cause for concern. I have stayed away from Pentecostalism because it's not me. I prefer a more conservative style, along with some doctrianl differences (some say you can lose your salvation). However my wife and kids like the Pentecostal church they go to, even though they do not agree with the whole tongues thing, and not all Pentecostal denominations are the same, nor do they have the same doctrinal views.
The most important criteria is do they preach that Jesus is the only path to salvation-I.E. no works, baptism, or anything we can do gets us saved, only acceptance of Jesus' work on the cross though his atoning blood.
It's a big subject that needs more research before I can formulate a more final opinion on it.
The kids like AOG's youth group. I don't care one way or another. I take them there because they like it. Only reason.
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However my wife and kids like the Pentecostal church they go to
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