God already knows you have treasures that compete against Him. Here's the question, do you know?  Let's practice this one over and over again.

For w___ your t_____ is, t____ your h____ will be a____.
M______ 6:21

Here's the third part of this scripture and it is convicting. Take a look inward and ask the Lord to examine you. Here's another memorization reminder:

Author Jenifer Flanders recommends : 

1. Set the verses to music

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21

Here's the second part to this amazing scripture. Commit these directions to memory, put them in practice and just wait until you get to heaven. My goodness, all the treasure you will have stored in glory! Remember this memorization tip:

Author Jenifer Flanders recommends :

1. Put the verses in prominent places

but l__ up for y_______ treasures in h______,
where n____ moth nor r___ d_____ and where t_____
do not b____ in and s____.
M____ 6:20

Now we are told where to lay up treasures and the location lets us know that this is no ordinary treasure! Let's stay in the book of Matthew and commit these verses to memory. May this memorization tip work for you:

Author Jenifer Flanders recommends :

1. Write the verses out by hand

but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves
do not break in and steal.
Matthew 6:20

Day 20 and this warning is so on point, because the loss of a coveted thing can hit us so hard that it can bring us to tears. God is so good at getting our attention. Commit this verse to memory! Remember this tip?

Author Jenifer Flanders recommends :

1. Put the verse in prominent places

 “D_____ not l_____ up for y_______________ t_____________ on e________, where m____ and r______ destroy and w________ t________ break in a_____ s_______;
M______________6:19

Saints, it's Day 19 and studying God's Word for VBS has warmed us up for this beauty. Practice reciting this verse today and think about all the treasure you have laid up!
Remember this memorization tip:

Author Jenifer Flanders shares the following tip:

1. Write the verses out by hand

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
Matthew 6:19

It's Time for the VBS Scripture Quiz! Can you get them all? God, Pastor and Sis. Mina will be so proud of you! 

MONDAY'S VERSE
F____ I c_______ t_______ t_______ s______ o__  t____ p_______ t_____ a____ n___ w________ t_  b_ c________ w____ t___ g_____ w______ s_______ b_  r_________ i_  u_____.
R__________ 8:18

TUESDAY'S VERSE
L__ u__ h_____ f_____ t____ c__________ o___ o____ h______ w________ w________, f____ H___ w____ p_________ i____  f___________.
H_________ 10:23

WEDNESDAY'S VERSE
T_________ i_  t___  S_____ m______ y____ f_____, y____ s______ b___  f______ i_______.
J________ 8:36

THURSDAY'S VERSE

I__ H___ w_  h_____ r______ t_________ H____ b_______, t_____ f__________ o__   s______, a_____________ t___ t____ r_________ o___  H_____ g__________,  E____________ 1:7

FRIDAY'S VERSE
T______ H___  w____ s____ o___ t____ t______ s______, “B_______, I  m______ a____ t________ n_____.” A____ H__  s_____  t___  m___, “W_____, f___ t_____ w_______  a____ t_______ a_____ f__________.”
R______________ 21:5

You're almost there! Add this last scripture to your Scripture tank and may the Holy Spirit bring it back to your remembrance in His appointed time!

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5

T______ He who s____ on the t______ said, “B_______, I  m______ all t________ new.” And He s_____  to me, “W_____, for these w_______ are t_______ and f__________.” R______________ 21:5

T______ H___  w____ s____ o___ t____ t______ s______, “B_______, I  m______ a____ t________ n_____.” A____ H__  s_____  t___  m___, “W_____, f___ t_____ w_______  a____ t_______ a_____ f__________.”
R______________ 21:5

It’s Day four of VBS and we hope that you are purposing to memorize each day’s VBS scripture. This week you are in the accelerated course. Take a few minutes out of your day to commit these to memory.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace Ephesians 1:7

In H___ we have r______ through His b_______, the f__________ of sins, a_____________ to the r_________ of His g__________,  E____________ 1:7

I__ H___ w_  h_____ r______ t_________ H____ b_______, t_____ f__________ o__   s______, a_____________ t___ t____ r_________ o___  H_____ g__________,  E____________ 1:7

It’s Day three of VBS and we hope that you are committing these VBS scriptures to memorize each day. This week you are in the accelerated course. Take a few minutes out of your day to commit these to memory. It’s a little verse with a BIG Bible Truth!

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36

T_________ if the S_____ makes you f_____, you s______ be f______ i_______. J________ 8:36

T_________ i_  t___  S_____ m______ y____ f_____, y____ s______ b___  f______ i_______. J________ 8:36

The second day of  VBS and we hope that you are purposing to memorize each day’s VBS scripture. This week you are in the accelerated course. Take a few minutes out of your day to commit these to memory. Heads up, Min. Arnell Carter will be awarding prizes for those who memorize these scriptures. Prizes include, but are not limited to, bubbles and stickers!

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  Hebrews 10:23

L__ us h_____ fast the c__________ of our h______ without w________, f____ He who p_________ is f___________.
H_________ 10:23

L__ u__ h_____ f_____ t____ c__________ o___ o____ h______ w________ w________, f____ H___ w____ p_________ i____  f___________.
H_________ 10:23

In preparation for VBS we will purpose to memorize VBS's daily scriptures. This week you are in the accelerated course. All three days of memorization are rolled into one. Take a few minutes out of your day to commit this scripture to memory.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18

F____ I c_______ that the s______ of this p_______ time a____ not w________ to be c________ with the g_____ which s_______ be r_________ in u_____.
R__________ 8:18

F____ I c_______ t_______ t_______ s______ o__  t____ p_______ t_____ a____ n___ w________ t_  b_ c________ w____ t___ g_____ w______ s_______ b_  r_________ i_  u_____.
R__________ 8:18

Day 12 of our GBFC's Summer of Scripture Memorization and it's REVIEW TIME. Let's Go, Genesis!

F___ I k_______ w_______ I h_______ b________ a____ a_ p_____________ t____  H_______ i_  a_____ t__  k ________  w____ I h______ c_____________ u____ H_____ a____________ t______ d_____.  
2 T_________ 1:12

“B__ I s___ t_ y___ w__ h_____: L____ y____ e__________, d_  g_______ t_  t______ w__  h______ y___,” L_____6:27
B______ t_____ w___ c_____ y___, a___ p_____ f__  t____ w___ s_______ u___ y__."  L___ 6: 28

Day 11 of our GBFC's Summer of Scripture Memorization and it's QUIZ TIME. Let's Go, Genesis!

“B__ I s___ t_ y___ w__ h_____: L____ y____ e__________, d_  g_______ t_  t______ w__  h______ y___,” L_____6:27
B______ t_____ w___ c_____ y___, a___ p_____ f__  t____ w___ s_______ u___ y__."  L___ 6: 28

There is humility in blessing and praying for someone who has used you, oh, despitefully used you. It is humbling because it goes against everything the flesh wants to do-lash out, avoid, and/or hate. Confess it as sin and let's commit this verse to memory. Here's another memorization tip:

Author Jenifer Flanders shares the following tip:

•  Abbreviate your memory verses. For purposes of review, it is sometimes helpful to write just the first letter of each word in a verse.

B______ t_____ w___ c_____ y___, a___ p_____ f__  t____ w___ d_______ u___ y__.  L___ 6: 28

People who sneeze aren't the only ones who need your, "Bless you's." Let's memorize this verse using the following tip:

Author Jenifer Flanders shares the following tip:

• Review verses you’ve already learned

B______ them t___ c_____ you, and p_____ for t____ who s_______ u___ you."  
L___ 6:28

As if the first half of this command wasn't hard enough, the second portion is like two teaspoons of cod; liver oil! It makes you want to cry, "Uncle!" You mean I have to bless  and pray for the ones who hate me?!  Help us Lord, to learn and live this scripture! Here's another memorization tip: 

Author Jenifer Flanders shares the following tip:

• Memorize with a friend

bless them who curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.  
Luke 6: 28

Saints, it's Day 7 and this scripture is an imperative sentence-it makes a command. So take a deep breath and let's commit this to memory! Here's another memorization tip:

“B__ I s___ t_ y___ w__ h_____: L____ y____ e__________, d_  g_______ t_  t______ w__  h______ y___,” L_____6:27

GBFC's Summer of Scripture Memorization-it's Day 6! Begin your work week meditating on these scriptures. Maybe there are some co-workers, neighbors, relatives who are easy to love, then there are the rest. Let's master this scripture without rolling our eyes!  Here are some more memorization tips:

Author Jenifer Flanders shares the following tip:

• Use your hands -The body movement and muscle memory will reinforce your memorizing efforts.

“B__ I s___ to y___ who h_____: L____ your e__________, do g_______ to t______ who h______ you,” Luke 6:27

Just when you thought you had the right to hate someone who did you dirty, now you found out that this permission does not exist. Nope, you can’t get even with them. Christ died for their sins too and He said He would repay them for their dirt. We are all on level ground at the feet of Jesus’ cross. So, Love them. Pray for them and thereby look more and more like Jesus. Let's add this scripture to our arsenal and two more  memorization tips !

Author Jenifer Flanders shares the following tips:

• Recite verses in rhythm - Try clapping the words to a beat or reciting them to the rhythm of your steps as you walk or run.

“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,"
Luke 6:27, 28

Day 4of our GBFC's Summer of Scripture Memorization and it's QUIZ TIME. Let's Go, Genesis!

F___ I k_______ w_______ I h_______ b________ a____ a_ p_____________ t____  H_______ i_  a_____ t__  k ________  w____ I h______ c_____________ u____ H_____ a____________ t______ d_____.  
2 T_________ 1:12

GBFC's Summer of Scripture Memorization-it's Day 3! With help from our fellow Devotional writer, Sis. Denise Diggs, we have comprised a list of scriptures that must be added to your brain and heart's database! Since this is a shortened week, we'll study one verse with a quiz on Saturday and Sunday! Let's Go, Genesis!  Here are some more memorization tips:

Author Jenifer Flanders shares the following tips:

• Record your own voice reading the verses
• Use a dry erase board

F___ I k_______ w_______ I h_______ b________ a____ a_ p_____________ t____  H_______ i_  a_____ t__  k ________  w____ I h______ c_____________ u____ H_____ a____________ t______ d_____.  [ KJV] 2 T_________ 1:12

Day 2 of our GBFC's Summer of Scripture Memorization! With help from our fellow Devotional writer, Sis. Denise Diggs, we have comprised a list of scriptures that must be added to your brain and heart's database! Since this is a shortened week, we'll study one verse with a quiz on Saturday and Sunday! Let's Go, Genesis!  Here are some more memorization tips:

Author Jenifer Flanders shares the following tips:

• Set the verses to music
• Learn the verses in context
• Recite memory verses aloud

For I k_______ whom I have b________ and am p_____________ that  H_______ is able to k ________  what I have c_____________ unto Him a____________ that d_____.  
2 Timothy 1:12[ KJV]

On the heels of our 40th Pastoral and Church Anniversary comes our GBFC's Summer of Scripture Memorization! With help from our fellow Devotional writer, Sis. Denise Diggs, we have comprised a list of scriptures that must be added to your brain and heart's database! Since this is a shortened week, we'll study one verse with a quiz on Saturday and Sunday! Let's Go, Genesis!  First, we'll share some tips:

Author Jenifer Flanders shares the following tips:

1. Pray for God’s help in memorizing
2. Write the verses out by hand
3. Put the verses in prominent places

(more tips tomorrow)

Our month of celebrating our church and pastoral anniversary comes to an end  and we pray your hearts have been encouraged. If these devotionals caused you to recall the reasons you came to Genesis, we pray that it will lead you to give thanks and praise to Jesus for the great and mighty things He has done. We are so glad that Jesus led you to this branch of Zion!  Happy Anniversary, Pastor C and Genesis Bible Fellowship Church!

There are times in our lives when things appear to be moving in the best direction for us. Even so, one still can be at the mercy and will of the Lord. For, the Lord knows best for each of us. I was a part of a large ministry family, feeling comfortable serving in what I considered my spiritual gift. Departing was far from my mind.

While serving, it became obvious that things were changing. The Holy Spirit was doing what He does best as His crucial role in guiding (John 16:13) and teaching (John 14:26) believers, providing insight, understanding, and a reminder of God’s truth revealed in Scripture. My husband started the discussion of leaving the church family where we’d served for many years. He was led to believe the Lord was guiding him to minister to the inner-city community. What did this mean for me and my family? I began to pray continually. The time came when our intent was announced and a date was set for our departure.

June 2004, we worshipped with the Genesis Bible Fellowship family as they were located in the Woodlawn High school temporarily. I’d followed my husband, as he followed the Lord’s leading. That Sunday: I heard the truth preached. The Holy Spirit had guided me to this ministry and I listened intently. We returned Sunday after Sunday plus mid-week Bible Study. My husband and I have been with this ministry family for 22 years. Happy 40th Anniversary, Pastor Cockrell.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for Your leading. You never lead us contrary to Your Word. Your plan for our short life is not disrupted as You direct our paths. Everything You do in the lives of believers is for our good and to Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
By Sis. Novella D. Carpenter