January Scripture Memorization Program   

Our memory verse for January dwells on the next fruit of the Spirit - Patience - something most of us wish we had more of. If we leave a message of the phone, we wait impatiently for a call-back. When we have something planned for the future, we "can't wait" for it to happen. Are we making good use of our time while we are "patiently" waiting for our desires to be fulfilled?
The memory verse for January comes from Hebrews 6:12 and states, "We don't want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised."
This verse talks about laziness and patience. When Paul talks about laziness in 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, he concludes that, "He who does not work shall not eat."
Hebrews 6:12 is not talking about laziness to provide our daily needs, it is explaining our need to imitate those who went before us carrying out the Lord's work. If we read verse 10 of Hebrews 6, it tells us that God will not forget your hard work for Him. Verse 11 tells us that it is important to keep on loving others as long as life lasts so that you can get your reward.
While working for the Lord and not being lazy in that respect, our keyword for this month is "patience".
Verse 12 tells us to follow the examples of those who have gone before so that through faith and patience we will inherit the promises that God gave to Abraham and others.
Hebrews 11 tells us of the faith that many of the people in the old testament had. They stuck to the work God had given them because they had faith and patience. It took Noah over 100 years to build the ark. How patient he must have been as he followed the word of God. All of those listed in Hebrews 11 pointed out that though they trusted in God and won His approval, none of them received all that God had promised them. However, they had faith and patience that God would keep His promises which would be fulfilled in the future.
As we seek to follow their examples, let us continue to do God's work and through faith and patience we can obtain the promises God gives to His people.

-Gordon Kilts