"It's Elementary!"

A famous quote from Sherlock Holmes, "It's elementary my dear Watson."
What is so elementary in this life we live? It seems life can be so complex with the
schedules we keep and the agendas we have. Elementary seems to be like a quote
from another movie, "a long time ago in a galaxy far far away..." (thank you Star
Wars)

Can you remember when you first learned your times tables in the fourth grade? We
practiced them. We had flash cards and we would memorize each set of tables. We
started with 1 times every number up to 12. Then we advanced to the number 2.
The big whammy was when we knew all 12 times tables. What a sense of
accomplishment as a young fourth grader. I also remember playing the game round
robin in class. The teacher would flash a card, you and another student would
compete to be the first to shout out the answer. I loved winning!
It's so elementary now, we don't even think twice when asked what 2x2 is let alone
what 12x12 equals.

Elementary really equates to foundational. "Elementary" in Webster's dictionary
means- pertaining to or dealing with elements, rudiments or first principles.
(rudiments means mere beginning, undeveloped or imperfect in form)
"Foundation" in Webster's means- the basis or ground work for anything.
The things we learned as a youngin' were elementary, they were the mere
beginning for us. Those elementary things are the foundation, the ground work for
our lives. We use those elementary, those first principles in our every day functions.
What is so incredible with those "elementary" or "foundational" things we learned
as children is that they are the very thing we have built careers upon and families
with. The architect is the architect because he first mastered the elementary
things. He then builds upon them each day. He never forsakes the addition or
multiplication, he simply builds upon it. Likewise, the mother who balances her
checkbook each month. She doesn't forsake what she learned she simply applies it
and builds upon it.

I say all of that to say this. The Lord has dealt with me in my building upon the
"elementary" or "foundational" things spiritually.
He's building something in each of us and we must not forsake the "foundational
truths. We must build with them and upon them.

I have been challenged to once again to return to memorizing scripture. It's so
"elementary" and yet it is what the Lord builds upon in my life. When storms come
I want to be like the one spoken of in Luke 6:47-49 whose house is built upon the
rock.

"Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom
he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation
on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that
house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and
did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation,
against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of
that house was great."Luke 6:47-49 NJKV

So won't you join me and let us return to the simple elementary task of memorizing
scripture?

You know putting the word in us, is like us making an investment. We put money in
the bank and we withdrawal that money when we need it or it's time to pay a bill.
The word is the same, we can make a withdrawal upon the very word we put in us
at the point when we need it. How powerful is that? Some of our accounts have
been spiritually depleted and it's time to make investments!

Okay, so here are a few tips to help in scripture memorization:
1. Set a goal. For example one scripture a week or every two weeks. You know your
limits...and then go beyond your limits! ...With God all things are possible-Mark 10:27
2. Write it down on 3x5 cards
Put the verse and address of where it's found on one side and the address only on
the other side. Once you have it memorized, you'll be able to look at the address
and quote the scripture by memory.
3. Write the scripture five times every day.
4. Say it out loud and say it with passion!
5. Pray the scripture!!! Wow how powerful is that!!!
My prayer for you is that the word will dwell in you richly and your foundation will
be built upon the rock!

Priority Girls let us be women rich with the investment of the word.
I look forward to hearing all that God speaks to you as you put the word in you
because you are worth investing in!!!

Love you,
Pastor CJ