I don’t remember exactly when it started, but for many years, I have had a peculiar habit. Whenever I look at a digital clock and see the time of 6:33, I am reminded of Matthew 6:33. The verse comes to my mind and I frequently will say something to my family about it. This usually happens in the morning as I am about to leave to go to work. It has become a little ritual that helps me start my day on the right foot. “Seek ye first the kingdom of GOD…” and all the other things in life fall into place.
A few years ago, something happened that stuck in my mind. We all remember where we were when the events of September 11, 2001, happened. Afterwards, each time I looked at a digital clock and saw the time of 9:11, it brought on those unpleasant memories. It seemed that I would always look at the clock twice each day at that time. I began to think of how to replace that unpleasant memory with something more positive. One of my favorite scriptures is Psalms 119:11. Alright, so you have to use your imagination to leave off the first two numbers, but now when I look at the clock and see 9:11, I am reminded that “Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee”.
So as this practice took on a life of it’s own, I now have thirty of these “times” that bring to mind special verses. These are my favorite. Perhaps you can develop your own. Of course, you can start with as many as you like. Just as we are told to pray without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17), we should have a perpetual attitude of keeping the Word in our hearts. This practice is a means of doing that. Start your list and commit them to memory.
|
Time |
Book |
Verse |
|
1:04 |
3rd John |
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. |
|
1:07 |
1st John |
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. |
|
1:27 |
James |
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To
visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. |
|
2:08 |
Ephesians |
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God: |
|
2:15 |
2nd Timothy |
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. |
|
2:38 |
Acts |
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. |
|
2:52 |
Luke |
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with
God and man. |
|
3:05 |
Proverbs |
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine
own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. |
|
3:16 |
John |
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. |
|
3:23 |
Romans |
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; |
|
4:04 |
Matthew |
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by
bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. |
|
4:06 |
Nehemiah |
So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the
half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. |
|
4:07 |
James |
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will
flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. |
|
4:13 |
Philippians |
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. |
|
4:23 |
Proverbs |
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. |
|
5:06 |
1st Peter |
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that
he may exalt you in due time: |
|
5:16 |
Matthew |
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. |
|
6:10 |
Galatians |
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men,
especially unto them who are of the household of faith. |
|
6:21 |
Matthew |
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. |
|
6:33 |
Matthew |
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and
all these things shall be added unto you. |
|
7:21 |
Matthew |
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. |
|
8:01 |
Romans |
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. |
|
8:28 |
Romans |
And we know that all things work together for good to them that
love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. |
|
8:31 |
Romans |
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can
be against us? |
|
8:32 |
John |
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. |
|
9:11 |
Psalms (119) |
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against
thee. |
|
9:24 |
Mark |
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with
tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. |
|
10:12 |
1st Cor |
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. |
|
10:17 |
Romans |
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. |
|
12:15 |
Luke |
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness:
for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. |
Love this one. This is going to be a sermon at Crossroads soon.