“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy
and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  – Matthew 6:19-21

When I was a child, my mother taught me the necessity of a daily connection with God. She guided me by her example of living a godly life. She provided practical instructions by teaching me and my two sisters how to pray, read the Bible, and memorize scripture. Each morning before leaving for school, at St. John’s, we learned those disciplines while gathering around the kitchen table. She always told us it was a great way to start the day and reminded us to live for Jesus as we walked our way to the school.

One of the verses I memorized around that kitchen table has become more significant throughout my adult years:  “I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against You”  Psalm 119:11.  The word “treasure” can also be translated as store. This means that every verse of memorized scripture is stored in your heart making them available to you even years later to draw upon in specific times of need.

Reading the Bible draws us closer to God. When we treasure scriptures in our hearts we are prepared to become living examples of faithfulness in the world. 

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the gift of Your Word. Help me to store Your Word in my heart to strengthen me as I live for You.