The winner to the first Fire Up Your Faith giveaway is Monica Cooper! Please message me your mailing address, and look for a red-hot package arriving very soon!
Hey friends –
Welcome to Day 8 of 31 Days to Fire Up Your Faith!
If this is your first visit — welcome! You’ll find an intro and the 7 previous posts here. Grab a notebook, a pen, and join us in praying God kindles fresh faith and passion in hearts and lives all across the world!
Note: Please be sure to read all the way to the end where I share a special red-hot announcement & giveaway!
My hope during this 31 Day Fire Up Your Faith journey is to explore the question, “HOW?”
How do we allow God to ignite our heart with fresh faith, purpose and passion?
Last week we discussed key # 1 – Presence. It’s in His Presence our faith becomes red-hot!
This week we’ve been talking about Key # 2 – God’s Promises
Sweet friends, if we want God to Fire Up our Faith, we must be cling to His powerful promises — memorizing, meditating, studying, sharing, and letting the Word of God dwell richly in us.
Yesterday I shared a story of how I made the pre-determined decision to fill my heart and mind with God’s Truth-filled promises.
Thankfully when a friend said something that may have been “true” but not “Truth” — I was able to discern the difference. What could have been a major setback became a victorious comeback. Thank You, God!
I love how Beth Moore says, 
The time to memorize Truth is NOT when the lies start to scream at us, but instead the time to memorize TRUTH is NOW!
What Scripture promise are you memorizing this week, friend?
Hopefully you’ve printed off my free downloadable/printable verse cards.
Before we concentrate on “how to” memorize God’s Word, first let’s make sure we “want to.”
Becky Graham
Because if we don’t “want to,” we’ll never devote the time and energy needed —will we?
Today I want to introduce you to my friend Becky Graham.
Becky and I met at a Speaker’s Conference a few years ago while we were both getting coffee refills. She is a speaker/blogger/mentor who enjoys sharing stories of what God is teaching her about life. As you read Becky’s story, see if you can discern how knowing God’s promises made the difference in her life too.
Here is Becky’s story —
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19)
I have to admit that I’m not always, ‘slow to anger’ in my everyday life.
I find that I can get irritated very easily by small things that can turn my calm, happy demeanor into a three eyed fire breathing beast that is ready to slay anything or anyone near me in the matter of seconds. My response usually doesn’t produce any good because it always invites an invitation to the person who is irritating me to mirror my response which always makes my initial irritation with them twice as bad.
Can you relate?
This past month I’ve really become aware of this behavior and wondered how or if I could ever change my response not to get angry so fast.
I once heard a speaker talk about memorizing verses from A to Z that would bring about greater joy and balance to every one’s life. I whole heartily agree with her. I’ve learned hundreds of verses which have helped me throughout my life. She also said that she even used them when she was trying to defeat anger towards someone. I was very cynical about this. Who remembers verses when you are in the midst of anger and being irritated. She didn’t have my life!
Fast forward a year later and I’m on a road trip with my family. To pass the time away, we started playing the ABC game locating words that begin with each letter. It was fun and it did the job – for about 40 minutes of the 5 hour trip. Then something happened and boom! The beast appeared. Feeling terrible about it afterwards, my mind reflected back to the speaker and her A-Z memory verses. Would it work?
Well, less than 24 hours later, I had the opportunity to try it out. Something really, really irritated me! Instead of yelling my usual ‘rants’, I yelled out verses that I could think of as I took slow, deep breathes in between —
- ‘A-Abide in me!
- B-Be still and know that I am God!
- C-Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord!
- D-Delight thyself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart!
- E-….’ I couldn’t think of a verse that started with the letter E!
However, by the time I was at E, I was considerably calmer than 4 minutes earlier. And, the individual who irritated me was confused. Where had the beast gone? And who was this new person shouting out verses? So we started talking about how I wanted to change my usual response to anger. I told him about the verses and encouraged him to use them as calming techniques for his anger.
I’ve had plenty of opportunities to perfect this new calming practice in the past 4 weeks since starting it and I have thought up more verses for the entire alphabet, though some verses are paraphrased to make them fit the corresponding letter.
And, I’ve had help! My family has helped me and they now know that when I start shouting verses in the ABC method, I’m really trying to calm myself from turning into the beast. You know what? They love it! In fact, I’ve gotten people to stop doing irritating offenses and even apologize for upsetting me. What a difference it has made in my life and in our family!
Blessings to you my friends,
Becky, Small Town Girl
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Sweet friend, the time to memorize Truth is NOT when the lies start to scream at us or when the “beast” in us wants to explode — the time to memorize TRUTH is NOW!
Today’s Challenge : Day 8 of our 31 Days.
1. Grab your Fire Up My Faith notebook. Jot down today’s date, and then, spend time praying, asking God to reignite a “want to” to know and memorize God’s Word. Pray that Colossians 3:16 would be a reality in your life — “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.” (Colossians 3:16 NLT)
2. It’s time for a faith check-up! It’s been 1 week since our Fire Up Your Faith adventure began. If you were to take your spiritual temperature today, what would it be?
Review your Fire Up Your Faith thermometer from Day 1. Has your spiritual temperature increased? In what ways?
3. Journal your thoughts based on today’s post. How did scripture make a difference in Becky’s life? How have God’s promises made a significant difference in your life?
4. What Scripture promise are you memorizing this week? If you need a verse, print off the Red Hot verse cards, and then pick one to memorize. In the comments section, say “I’m in!” so we know you’re join us in memorizing one of God’s promises this week!
Bonus challenge: take a picture of where you are memorizing your verse and post it on my FB page here. Yay!
Now for the Fire Up Your Faith giveaway
Five blessed readers who comment will receive the following:
A custom “versepack” that contains 26 A to Z verse cards made by my wonderful friend Darlene at Verseability.
In order to be entered to win, simply leave a comment sharing your favorite part of 31 Days to Fire Up Your Faith so far.
Has something stood out to you? Have you used any of the printables? Watched any of the videos? I’d love to hear from you. Extra entry for sharing this post on FB or Twitter (leave a comment letting me know).
Winner will be announced on Saturday, October 11th.
Sweet friend, thanks so much for stopping by 31 Days to Fire Up Your Faith!
I love journeying with you! May His Word dwell richly in us, and may God use His promises to transform us from the inside out!
Sweet blessings
P.S. Ready for this fun announcement? My Bible study — Red Hot Faith: Lessons from a Lukewarm Church— is going to be offered as an on-line study this fall! Woo Hoo!
Starting October 29th, you can participate in Red Hot Faith (including watching the DVD teaching sessions) from the luxury of your own home through Ignite Women. My super passionate friend Paulette Stafford Stamper & her team will be facilitating the online study each Wednesday night. And guess what else? In honor of Ignite Women’s national launch, they are offering free membership through November 30th.
Can you believe it?! It feels like Christmas!
If you know anyone who might benefit from this amazing opportunity, please feel free to share. For more info go to www.IgniteWomen.com. 
Oh my gosh, I love love love the idea of spouting out A to Z verses when Im so angry I want to spew nails. I and my husband have issues with anger and it just spewing out. I want to stop it. Im going to work hard to memorize some verses to use when Im in situations that make me angry.
Im realizing through your site that being closer to God is truly met my memorizing and meditating on His Word. I need to learn how to meditate, but first things first…I HAVe to get this memorization thing down.
Thank you for all of this.
Dear Genevieve – Thank you for taking the time to share how you are really doing! I’ll be posting some more of my memorization tips tomorrow. May God bring His Word to mind the next time you are tempted to respond out of anger. Remember, He will help you. I’m super glad you are joining us on this Fire Up Your Faith journey! 🙂
Hi Geneieve!
I too have difficulties with memorization! Meditate on the key words in the verse during the calm moments. It will be easier to recall them during the moments you want to spew.
Blessings to you!
Cindy,
I think the biggest impact on me was The Chair video. As I write this I am in my chair! I’ve been trying for months to get up just a little earlier so I could spend time with God and I just couldn’t do it. This week I went extreme with my alarm so I would wake up. (I have to take a picture of my bathroom sink that matches the picture previously before the alarm will turn off!)
I’ve been excited about coming on here each day to see what gems you have for us! I even work on it at work sometimes! They’re all my favorites!
I really really relate to Becky’s story today. I haven’t been able to tame my beast yet, but I’m going to try the A-Z verses!
I love my A-Z Cards so much and I’d love to give them to someone else.
Hi Laura,
So glad to know that I’m not the only one who has a beast to tame! The ABC method has really helped me when I’m triggered. Feel free to visit me at http://www.smalltowngirlbg.com to read the rest of the post.
Becky
I could completely relate to the anger beast and it is something I have been seeking the Lord about. With kids 5, 3, and 1, my buttons get pushed after a long day at work, but I know the Lord wants better for me and my family. I am printing the cards and going to work on at least A-D when anger strikes. God bless!
Victoria, God bless you too! May God infuse you with His strength and patience, especially after long works days and a full house (I remember those years!) Thanks for sharing!
Victoria,
I hear you – my Kid was my trigger point too! Keep praying and trying to tame the beast. A-D is a great place to start! It will give you time to take deep breathes in between each letter 😉
Praying victory for you as you try to tame the beast.
Becky
I am so eager to read my daily challenge each day! I have so many favorites so far- I think hearing the message about the chair, that if something is important to you, you will make time for it, is so true. I’m making time every day and I can’t wait for it! I’m memorizing verses and before reading this today was repeating my verses in the car as my little guy threw a tantrum for our 20 minute ride home from preschool. I’m totally going to try the A to Z memorization to tame my temper. Thank you for sharing this, it’s really making a great impact on my life! Oh and I love Becky’s verse from James- I think it will be my new mantra during tantrums until I get the A to Z verses down.
Leslie,
Love your new your new mantra! Praying that God will empower you to tame the beast!
Becky
Woohoo we get to be twinsies!! Thanks Cindy!!
I bought a set of A-Z cards at the Women’s Retreat at Mackinac Island a few years ago. I love them ! I keep them in my car and read through them in the morning while I am waiting on my car pool buddy. I am not great at remembering scripture word for word but I keep trying!
I love your printables that you have been offering. Love the encouragement!
I loved the video about the chair. This was very personal to me as I have seen God work in people in my life who are spending time in the chair. Oh my–I believe I ended up in Costa Rica because of that chair. Praise God.
We start our Red Hot Faith group tomorrow! I have loved that your entries have helped me prepare myself for tomorrow. I really loved the video about “The Chair”. I have created a chair in my bedroom (it was my “nursing chair” when my kids were babies) for my daily quiet time, but right now it is a mess! I need to clear off the laundry and the clutter, and actually use it. Today my chair was at my church. While I was preparing for Red Hot Faith, the fire alarms went off! I got to see 2 firemen come into the building with our pastor (it was a faulty alarm), but it made me chuckle as it connected in my mind with Red Hot Faith! I am glad there was no fire though.
Good Luck Jennifer! I started a Red Hot Faith study at our church in September. It’s been amazing so far and the timing in of this 31 days is completely God inspired! I was really affected by the chair too! God bless you in your study!
Cindy, I have to say that this study has really woken me up to how complacent I have been with my faith. It has allowed me realize that I want a bonfire, not burning embers. Thank you for this study and for your bonfire faith. 🙂
Thank you Cindy for this study! It is definitely making me more aware of where I am with my faith. I love the prayer journal idea. Especially keeping track of answered prayers!