EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1: Episode 13 - Memorizing Scripture

This week Daniel talks with his friend Ben Courson, the hope-full and hope-filled founder and director of Hope Generation, an international ministry including television, radio, podcast, YouTube and Instagram. He also pastors in Medford, Oregon. And he memorizes a LOT of scripture. In this lesson, Ben talks about how he does it and why it’s important. What motivated him to get started memorizing scripture? Growing up as a pastor’s kid and listening to scripture songs started Ben on this lifelong practice of memorizing scripture. “It’s just easier if it’s set to music.” What does the Bible have to say about the power of God’s word in our hearts? Psalm 1 speaks of the blessing that comes with meditating on the law of God day and night. It gives you strength. So what is the key to memorizing scripture? You just have to do the work. The Bible talks a lot about diligence, sticking with something. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men (Colossians 3:23) Ben himself followed the 10,000 hour principle of mastery, devoting that amount of time over a 5-year period to studying, memorizing, writing and teaching about God’s word. But you start where you’re at. If you have an hour a week, memorize one scripture. Sometimes you don’t have anyone around to encourage you. David encouraged himself in the Lord. You can, too. Ben’s favorite verse? Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord and He will also give you the desires of your heart. Follow Ben at www.bencourson.com. Here is the link to his YouTube video: www.bencourson.com/hope-generation-creative-1/1/21/2017/promises  In this week’s One Piece of Advice, Daniel’s dad, Pastor Joe Williams, Tacoma, Washington, shares encouragement through the scriptures. 

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One Piece of Advice | Be Encouraged

Pastor Joe Williams, Tacoma, Washington shares his encouragement to keep moving forward in ministry—stay the course, stay focused, persevere in the calling. After 37 years in the ministry, Pastor Joe knows something about perseverance. You can feel like quitting, but don’t quit. Sometimes a situation can start out very negative, but it can end up very positive. Consider the lives of Joseph and Job, that all things worked together for their good in the end (Romans 8:28). In his own ministry, Pastor Joe’s church has experienced theft, flooding, financial struggles, difficulties like many of you have experienced. God has been faithful through it all, replacing what was lost with even better things. “Any time you preach the word of God, there is always going to be opposition. You have an adversary. You have an enemy.” Remember that David strengthened himself in the Lord, and that is what we must do. Trust God in every situation. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9). You will see the blessings of the Lord come out of your obedience. “God never calls us to be successful, He calls us to be faithful.” Encouraging words from a true servant of the Lord.

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Quotes: 

“The Hebrew idea of meditation, in contrast with the Eastern concept of emptying your mind, is about filling your mind. So the biblical authors are saying you ought to fill your mind with the word of God.” -Ben Courson

“Faith can move mountains but don’t be surprised if God hands you a shovel.” -Ben Courson

“Success only comes before work in the dictionary.” -Ben Courson

“If you’re constantly speaking scripture into your soul, you’re going to be a lot more joyful, you’re going to be a lot more spiritually healthy, you’re going to be more physically healthy because the book of Proverbs says “a merry heart does good like medicine.” -Ben Courson

“Even start with one verse and just repeat it until you know it backwards and forwards for a week and you watch how it will galvanize you for the saying of words and the doing of deeds for the kingdom.” -Ben Courson

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Recommended Book of the Month: Brothers, We Are Not Professionals by John Piper

This month’s recommended book by John Piper is the new updated edition of the book originally released in 2003. As one reviewer writes, “I loved this book then and, with several new chapters, I love it even more now.  I hope every pastor reads this book and listens to its sane, practical, biblical advice.” (Kevin DeYoung)

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Links: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

Leadership Lessons/One Piece of Advice/Blog/Recommended Books: eeleaders.com

Refresh Conference: www.redemptiondb.com/conference