Sunday, February 15, 2009

Scripture Memory Challenge - Verse #4

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

~ 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)

Talk about an encouraging Word! Did you fully get that? I must admit, the first couple of times I read it, I didn't. The Lord kept drawing me back to it though, so I knew it needed a closer look. In order to help fully grasp its message, I broke it down and began looking for some additional definitions for these everyday phrases. It helped me appreciate the power of this passage anew...I hope it does the same for you.

And God is able (He has the necessary skill, power and resources)

to make all grace (the greatest possible degree of God's favor)

abound to you (far more than just adequate, but abounding; occurring in great quantities or numbers; to be rich or well supplied; overflowing)

so that

in all things (the greatest possible degree of actions, deeds or events)

at all times (continuously, without interruption)

having all you need (being supplied with the greatest possible degree of that which you require)

you will abound in every good work! (You will be well supplied in every righteous task or undertaking)


In context, this passage is referring to giving. You are perhaps more familiar with the verse just previous to this:

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

When God's Word teaches about giving, do you perceive it to only mean financially? My personal opinion is that He's referring to all our resources...our time, our energy, our prayers, our belongings, etc. What encouragement! Through God's power and favor, we are more than adequately supplied for every righteous task we may undertake. Our offerings (however humble they may be) need only be given with a willing heart. He does the rest! As we have freely received, we are to freely give. (Matthew 10:8) How about you? Does this speak in a particular way to you today?

It's never too late if you wish to take part in the Scripture Memory Challenge. It was started by Beth Moore on her blog as a means growing in her walk with Christ throughout the year. On the first and fifteenth of every month, those wishing to take part choose a verse they want to commit to memory. As a means of accountability, simply go to her blog, comment with your verse including its version (NIV, etc.) then add your name and city & state. To date, there are over 3,000 participants! We'd love to have you, too!

14 comments:

Yolanda said...

Siesta, it's all about our heart and motives, isn't it? :-)


I'm putting to memory Deut 31:6 ESV

Love,
Yolanda

Just a little something from Judy said...

I never saw that verse broken down like that, and I will never forget it. It seems to me, that if I held these promises in my heart everyday, life's situations would be easier to face. You have proven yourself to be a cheerful giver in many ways in the blog world, with encouragement, inspiration and kindness. Thank you!!

Becky said...

Love how you dissected that passage. As always, God's word was apropo for me right now.

Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

LOVE how you broke down your verse! Love it! Thanks for sharing this.... Have a wonderful start to your week!!!!

Debra Kaye said...

Tracy,

This verse spoke to my heart with my family and my time over the years...I love how you brought about the other aspects of giving..not only financially.

Beautiful, my sister, my friend. Happy Monday to you! Hugs.

Just a little something from Judy said...

We'd love to have you join us at the coffee table with your cup of hot tea. That works!! It is the friendship that is what counts.

Susannah said...

This is a wonderfully encouraging verse. Thanks, Tracy! :~D

nomore said...

HI there! I believe this is my first visit here :O) ~ you have a warm & cozy blog! I hope to be back soon! I really like how you broke down this scripture.

*** As I was browsing thru, I noticed you recently began the BREAKING FREE study! I participated in this very same Bible Study last year.... If I had one word to describe this study it would be "DEEP".
I walked away with lots of new insights of some even practical everyday truths I'd thought I was already pretty "up-on" in my walk with the Lord!!! ((humbling))

HOW NEAT to have a diverse group of ladies participating in the study together~~ I just think that is wonderful!!!

In Him,
Deanna

Kristen said...

Love, Love, Love how you broke down that verse!

My memory verse for the second half of Feb. is Matthew 6:6 - I am going to break mine down too...
Thank you friend!
~ K

Anonymous said...

Tracy, I love the way you broke it down. Great idea. Thanks for sharing.
Tammy

Elizabeth said...

Hi Tracy! I'm stopping over from my friend Judy's blog at Just a Little Something For You. I love this verse and you are so right. Sometimes we think it's referring to specific things or BIG things,but it's not just the "big" things or highly visable things, it's the everyday, every minute ordinary things as well. God made us all unique and has a special plan for us that only we can do. He uses the small things as well as the large. We tend to measure size and importance from a human perspecive and He tells us that His ways, His views, etc. aren't ours. A friend of mine once made a comment about how wonderful it would be to be used like Beth Moore and other "pillars". She had just requested prayer for a dear friend and neighbor who is a quadraplegic that she looks in on regularly and spends time with. I reminded her that Beth Moore wasn't "Dale's" neighbor, but she was and her ministry to Dale was just as important as any highly visable ministry. We need to remind ourselves of this daily. There are many members in the body. We aren't all heads, ears, hands......some of us are pinky fingers! We forget how important our pinky fingers are until we injure or lose one. There is no such thing as insignificant, unimportant or unrecognized ministry to our Lord. Romans 12: 3-21 He places us in our own unique location and circumstance...He gives us our own unique talents, gifts and abilities.....He knows the plans He has for US......and tells us whatever our hands find to do, do it with might for the Lord. We aren't all Beth Moores, we're Tracys, Judys, Elizabeths, Kathys and we have each been placed right where we are supposed to be and given ministries designed just for us.

Laurie Ann said...

I love the way you broke down this verse, Tracy. Truly God is able to do these things. May our hearts be faithful to let Him!

Tricia said...

What a wonderful verse to put to memory, and I am so thankful that you have broken it down for us. It makes it so much more meaningful... it is exactly what I needed to hear at this time.

I have been experiencing a great deal of pain for the past week from some endometriosis that the doctor was unable to remove when I had surgery due to its location... I have felt weary, it has been hard to make myself do what I need to do, much less all the things I want to do... and I have a family who needs me to function properly... and this has reminded me that with the grace of God, which abounds to me, He will give me all that I need to do all that He has called me to do! Thanks so much for this encouragement!!

Be Blessed!

Addicted to Beadz said...

Isn't it funny how sometimes we pass over things and He brings us back so that we can get the full benefit of something, like a scripture.

I think our giving us with all things.

Thanks for breaking it down and sharing!

Love,

Cheryl