I have a 2-ring index card holder that I have started putting Bible quotes in.  It has not been very active since I have just not put much time into it and there's not much there right now.  But as I was thinking about what I would do to encourage some family members in a difficult situation, I was thinking about simply pointing them to Bible TRUTHS.  They are listening to so many outside voices - their own, their friends and family members, and Satan's himself, I do believe.  I came up with a very original saying to put on the front cover of my index card holder that says, "Out of all the voices calling out to me, I will choose to listen and believe THE VOICE OF TRUTH."  Catchy, don't you think? 

I am going to put in the very, very, very front this Scripture:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment."  Matthew 22:37, 38

My reasoning for putting this one very first is that without the Lord God being the love of our lives - the very essence of all there is to us - no other truth will hold proper focus.  Revelation 2:4 says, "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love."  Until I get this TRUTH - my love for Him-whom-I-can't-even-begin-to-fathom-nor-describe - down into my very bones, I will not be able to lay hold of all the other wonderful TRUTHS in the Word.

I will then begin adding TRUTHS to my index card holder as they come to me and as I need specific ones to stand on in different situations.  I already have a few that are beautiful nuggets that the Lord has given me that have spoken peace, security and love to my soul.

I am very excited about this way of understanding that we do not simply read and memorize "Bible verses", but they are TRUTHS in the midst of all the other voices that speak to us all around where we are.

I know this is not a new revelation.  I have heard Beth Moore talk about the way she does this and, of course, my blessings on Casting Crowns for their awesome talents they give to the Lord and for blessing us with a beautiful song about TRUTH.  I can't wait to get started!

May God bless you all today,

Paula