Scripture Memory - 1st and 15th

I'm joining the girls at the LPM Blog and choosing a scripture on the 1st and 15th of each month to commit to memory. This is Memory Verse 5 and I'm getting a late start since this is my first for this year (better late than never, I suppose). Actually, this is my second one... I didn't post about the one I committed to memory two weeks ago, but it was another goody: Romans 12:2.

Anyway, this time I'm choosing to memorize Psalm 145: 8-13. I know, that's a whole passage, not just a verse. Well, like I said, I got a late start so I figured it wouldn't hurt to go big.

"8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
9 The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
10 All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you.
11 They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,
12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. "

I didn't know what I wanted to commit to memory until I went to church today. The guest speaker this morning, a missionary from India, preached on verses 11 and 12. His message was insightful and riveting (something I was due to be reminded of), so those verses are key to me. I looked them up to get the gist of the whole chapter, and just felt like I wanted to grab that whole section of 8-13.

The key verses, however, are what speak to me about doing our part to make Him known; tell of His glory.. speak of His might... that all my know... So, how do we do our part? Do we have to learn another language, get our shots and move to some faraway land? While that actually sounds appealing to me, the answer is no. His sermon reiterated that the so-called "mission field" is not just in distant countries, it's right here; in our neighborhoods, our workplaces, our families. There are people all around us hungry for the Truth. And in my opinion, it's not just preaching it... it's often (and probably more so) showing it; living it. After all, you know the saying; actions speak louder than words...

It reminds me of a story I heard at my grandfather's memorial service recently. I learned that my grandpa, as a young man in his twenties, was instrumental in his nephew, then 12, coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. And because of grandpa's discernment and intuitiveness; his availability and obedience, that boy went on to become an ordained minister, a missionary in Africa, a church planter in France, and now is a senior pastor at a church in West Virginia. Grandpa did a seemingly small part... he was a source of encouragement to his nephew on a particular Sunday morning, but it's ripple effect has reached thousands and thousands of people over the past 6 decades, to the glory of God.

That ripple effect really impresses me. You just never know what future impact your act of kindness, personal testimony, or ounce of compassion will have. Of course, if we're going to make a difference, we have to start where we are (not wait till we're fluent in Swahili) and we have to do it with authenticity, in the power and grace of God. It's not about clinging to some ridiculous religion where man-made traditions and prayers replete with redundant words are tantamount to an actual relationship with the living God. It's being real and getting personal... that all may know."