Verse Mapping (Heather Bleier)

In going through the Proverbs31 Online Bible Study, I learned of Verse Mapping. Basically, you ask God to lead you to a verse to study throughout the day/week/month/however long God keeps that verse in your mind & heart. Write it out on an index card. Read the verse, aloud if needed, & pay attention to each word/phrase that stands out to you. Circle/underline/star/highlight those word(s)/phrases. You then write the thoughts that come about that particular word. I include some of the definition(s) for the word as well. Once you've dug into all those words/phrases, write a simple prayer or thoughts to God on the back of the card.

Having done this for now 4 verses, it has caused me to get deeper than face value with God's Word. I ask more questions in how each verse relates to me or what God is trying to show me through focusing on that verse. :) AND, it helps with memorizing Scripture so to withstand the fiery darts from my enemy.

Here is an example from the last verse I just finished mapping out. This is actually the verse of the week for our Made To Crave Action Plan study. :) You want to know God's will for your life? Read & study in the depths this verse...

Front of index card -- Verse

Back of index card -- Prayer

My Favorite Verse.

Let me just start by saying I have many fav scriptures! One I've held most all my life is Philippians 4:13. The Message version reads, "Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One Who makes me who I am." That verse has gave me hope in so many situations I've faced since I was a teenager. God is able & because I am His child through Jesus Christ, He enables me to make it through ANYTHING! What a promise! :)

I would have to say that for this season in life though, my favorite verse would be Ephesians 3:20. From the New Life Translation, "Now, all glory to God, Who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." In the Message version, it says God can do more than I could imagine or ask or guess even in my wildest dreams! Isn't that awesome?! :) Let's break this verse down...stick with me for just a minute...

First, anything done in God's magnitude can give glory ONLY to God as it is something that humanly we couldn't have done if we tried.

Second, God is able. Do you realize just how powerful that statement is?? God can do ANYTHING. Just like in my life verse. God isn't restrained by limits, especially our limits. We can't put Him in our favorite box. He's bigger & greater & stronger than any other! And that power, if we have received Jesus in our hearts, is in us! Can you believe this?! :) Again, like my life verse...I can do anything when God is doing it through me. WAHOO! :)

Third, I've experienced this part of the verse in 2013. See, in 2012, I had a year from the pit. It started with my grandma passing away on January 8th & just snowballed from there. My husband left me closer to the end of that year (this was the last time he left...we had many times of him leaving & coming back!) & that separation lasted 2-3 months. But then...that's a favorite PHRASE of mine! But then, God caused a miracle. In the first week of January in 2013, He changed my husband's heart. My husband came home & worked ALL YEAR on our marriage & family. I couldn't have asked God for this in a husband if I tried! Kima has worked hard at what's hard in our marriage. He's replaced same-ol-ways with new-Christlike ways! :) It's been awesome & God can be the ONLY One to receive glory! :) Do we still struggle?? Yes! Just like any couple. BUT, God is Head of our marriage & family now, & that in itself makes ALL the difference.

So, now I ask you...what's your favorite verse/quote/song?? Something that's seen you through some really hard times or some really great ones. Please share in the comments as I'm sure your story can help someone in a similar situation that can't find the strength to share right now. ;)

Lots of love,
Jenn

Join me & other ladies for the "Made to Crave" Bible study starting this Sunday! :)