We probably “should” memorize Scripture. 

But “should” is a really poor motivator, isn’t it? To do something out of a sense of duty, even if it is the right thing to do, is not easy. More than that, memorizing stuff is actually really hard for most of us. And furthermore (while I’m making excuses) aren’t there so many other really good things (that are quite a bit easier) that we excel at? Maybe we should stick to the good things that we’re good at! Yes. You get my drift. We can probably just keep Scripture memory in the “should” category. At some point, we’ll get around to it (maybe). 

Or, maybe I could give you something more compelling than “should”?  

Maybe I could give you three persuasive examples of how knowing Scripture by heart has profoundly impacted my own walk with Jesus. And maybe, just maybe, I could teach you the absolute easiest way to memorize God’s Word. So what do you say? I think perhaps we “should” just keep going and see where we end up. 

Three Compelling Stories 

That Late Night Call 

This first story comes to my mind because it happened just last night. I had a long phone call that lasted late into the night. Man. It was a hard conversation. And before I took the call, I had just enough time to recognize that I was out of my league. So I prayed, “O God, give me Your words to speak to this person—Your wisdom, Your love, and Your hope.”  

And that’s just what He did.  

He brought His own true words to mind, the exact right words for every hard circumstance and question. I reminded my friend that, “The light [that] shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5, NIV). Jesus can and has overcome every darkness we go through. More than that, He exchanges our burdens for rest saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28, NIV). I encouraged my weary friend to give their burdens to Jesus. And as we wrapped up our call with prayer, more Scripture just poured out of my mouth. I hung up the phone praising God for bringing His perfect words to mind, words I had stored up in me, the very words I prayed that He would bring to mind.  

My Own Late Nights 

My second story comes from my own late-night stresses. I have my own burdens, my own worn-out weariness. Sometimes I wake up with worry or have trouble sleeping at all. During a prolonged and particularly difficult season, God spoke hope and renewal to my wavering heart through just one verse. It says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” (2 Cor. 4:16, NIV). Surely on the outside, things were falling apart, everything was wasting away, and there was no logical reason for hope. Yet.  

“Yet” was my hope.  

My hard outer circumstances were not the sum total of my reality. There was a better, secret “yet” going on in me. Inwardly, I was being renewed and upheld by God Himself, minute by minute, day by hard-won day. I would tell myself over and over: God is in control of all of this, therefore don’t lose heart. Those words anchored my heart to God through the storm of that season. I don’t know how I would have weathered it otherwise.  

Miracles in the Mundane 

I could tell you a hundred stories of “big” ways that God has intervened in my story with His Word stored up in my heart. But I think the more stunning and frankly most compelling reason I could ever give anyone to memorize Scripture is my own miraculous mundane. I’ve made a practice of memorizing one verse every month for the last several years. I know it sounds small, even mundane. But wow. There’s no miracle so incredible as God changing a person’s heart.  

I’m talking about me here!  

When you really spend time (like thirty consecutive days) meditating on the same verse, you can’t get around your own failings and need for change. Just this year, I have seen and confessed my self-reliance (Isa. 26:3), my smug self-righteousness (Luke 6:45), and my dim view of God’s holiness (Rev. 4:8). God has not only exposed my sin, but grown me in faith. I’ve held more tightly to the One who holds all things together (Col. 1:17), and I’ve been moved to awe by His endless forgiveness (Ps. 103:12). All of these benefits (and more) have come from the simple practice of memorizing one verse a month. 

You Can Do It too! 

I hope as I’ve shared these stories you’ve been saying to yourself, I want that. And let me just assure you: this is not some elite, “super-Christian only” reality, or I would certainly be disqualified. Nope. Having God’s Word in you is wonderfully possible. Even right now. Today!  

Let me share the simplest way: 

1. Find a verse you want to memorize—something that speaks to your current struggle or situation.  

2. Write it out on a small piece of paper or notecard. 

3. On the opposite side, write the first letter of every word in that verse. If you really want to memorize it quickly, write those first letters on your wrist or hand in ink. 

4. Practice saying the verse a few times by looking at the front of the notecard. Flip it over and try saying it while looking at just the first letters. Put that card somewhere that you’ll see it throughout the day (or keep sneaking peeks at your wrist). Quiz yourself until you have it down.  

Can you imagine how memorizing and meditating on just one verse this month might impact your life? And what if you kept going? Even for years?! How might a vast store of God’s Word in your heart and mind transform you? Really. A life like that would be worth the investment.   

Let me leave you with my prayer for you.  

I get so excited to think that even one person who reads this little spark of an article would catch on fire! What if it was you? So, let me share my specific prayer for you right now, reading this. I hope for nothing short of what God alone can do in your life as you put His Words in your heart—miracles in your mundane and God’s own words in your dark nights and for those late-night calls. Let it be, Lord. Amen. 

Transform Your Heart and Mind by Memorizing God’s Word

In this 8-session Bible study, sisters Natalie Abbott and Vera Schmitz lead you through a study of Philippians 4:4-9 to teach you a simple method of memorizing God’s Word. As you fix these beloved verses in your mind through beautiful and powerful images, you’ll discover how to combat anxiety, experience the peace of God, and dwell on godly things. But not only will you store up the deep truths and precious promises of this passage, you’ll be equipped for a lifetime of inscribing the transforming truth of Scripture in your heart and mind.

Learn More!

ABOUT NATALIE ABBOTT

Hey, I’m Natalie. I’ve got five kids, and I’m married to Jason, who’s a pastor. So we are full-on Jesus freaks over here! I love summer and Earl Gray tea and the Bible and fiction and poetry and pretty much all the words! I write for Dwell Differently and host our podcast among other things. It is seriously my dream job. I get to work with my ridiculous sister and tell people about Jesus! Who could ask for anything more?!?!

The post Know God’s Word by Heart: Ways to Memorize Scripture appeared first on Lifeway Women.

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Ask any guy to name a sportswear brand and he'll probably say Nike. After all, over the last 50 years, Nike has become the A1 manufacturer of athletic clothing for sportsmen and regular guys alike.

Most guys know this – but not many guys know why.

In today's article, we're breaking out the reasons why Nike has dominated the sporting and fashion world over the last half-decade.

The History Of Nike Clothing For Men

Nike's history begins in 1964, when two athletes – Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight – came together with the goal of making better quality running shoes.

They started by importing shoes from Japan, before eventually setting up their own manufacturing base there. The reason they set up shop in Japan is quite simple – at the time, manufacturing costs in Japan were a fraction of what they were in the US.

This allowed Nike to sell their shoes at a much lower price than their competitors, and it quickly made them one of the most popular brands on the US market.

Nike Clothing For Men – 1970s

By the early 1970s, Nike was already starting to make a name for themselves.

However, Nike's first big break came in 1972, when they signed a deal with the Olympic track star Steve Prefontaine.

This deal was Nike's first foray into the world of professional athletes, and it quickly paid off.

Nike Clothing For Men – 1980s

During the 1980s, Nike began to expand their range of products, and they also started to sponsor more and more professional athletes.

By the end of the decade, Nike was sponsoring some of the biggest names in the world of sport, including Michael Jordan.

But it wasn't just sportsmen that took to the brand. Hollywood also took to the brand, with stars like Michael J. Fox and Kevin Bacon wearing the brand on and off the big screen.

It was around this time that Nike began to produce a wider range of clothing, and they also began to experiment with new materials and technologies.

One of Nike's most iconic products from this period is the Air Max line of shoes, which was first released in 1987.

The Air Max line was Nike's first foray into the world of ‘air-cushioned' soles, and it quickly became one of the most popular lines of Nike shoes.

Nike Clothing For Men – 1990s

In the early 1990s, Nike began to focus more on their image, and they also started to produce more fashion-orientated clothing.

This was a smart move, as it helped Nike to appeal to a wider range of people. The sporting world can be very profitable, but Nike realized that without branching out into the world of everyday fashion, they were limiting their potential.

They began to release more ranges of fashion trainers and different styles of clothing that could be worn by the everyday man without making him look like a professional athlete.

Nike Clothing For Men – Today

Nike Clothing For Men is now one of the most popular ranges of clothing in the world, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

The Nike brand is now worth billions of dollars, and it is worn by people across the globe both on and off the sporting pitch.

From sporting jerseys to glasses, you can see the famous Nike tick almost everywhere you look. Not too shabby for a brand that started out selling cheap track shoes from Japan!

Which Celebrities Have Helped Nike Succeed?

As with any brand, celebrity endorsement is often the key to success. After all, regular guys have been looking up to celebrities for style inspiration for the last 100 years!

As a sporting brand, Nike would be stupid not to sign with athletes and sports teams. After all, it's what they're known for and has been one of the biggest drivers of their success since the early '70s.

Steve Prefontaine

Steve Prefontaine was a famous track star during the early 1970s. He was also the first big-name celebrity that Nike used to endorse their sneakers.

In exchange for a $5000 signing bonus, Prefontaine agreed to endorse Nike track sneakers during his races. This deal quickly paid off for Nike as they became the shoe of choice for many other professional athletes.

After all, with Prefontaine's success on the running tracks, Nike must have looked like the obvious choice for any other serious runner.

Michael Jordan

Nike's biggest coup came in 1984 when they signed a young basketball player by the name of Michael Jordan.

At the time, Nike was not the biggest player in the basketball shoe market. In fact, they were up against some stiff competition from brands such as Converse and Reebok.

But Nike was willing to take a risk on the young player, and it paid off in a big way. Not only did Michael Jordan help Nike to sell millions of dollars worth of sneakers, but he also helped to raise the profile of the Nike brand with the NBA.

Fun fact: Initially, Michael Jordan didn't want to sign with Nike. He thought that hey didn't understand the basketball market.

Michael J. Fox in Back To The Future

Throughout the Back To The Future Trilogy, Marty McFly can be seen wearing Nike trainers in the past, present and future.

However, it was in the second movie that Nike really made an impact on viewers with their futuristic self-tying sneaker design (The Nike Mag Sneaker).

Although the Nike Mag sneakers from Back To The Future II were never actually released, Nike did release a limited edition run of 1500 pairs in 2016. All proceeds from the sale of these sneakers went to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

The Nike Mags are now some of the most sought-after sneakers in the world.

Tiger Woods

Nike is also well-known within the world of professional golf – so who better to endorse their product than the legendary Tiger Woods.

Tiger Woods first signed with Nike in 1996 and has since gone on to win numerous golf tournaments, including 14 majors.

During his career, Tiger Woods has helped Nike to sell millions of dollars worth of golf equipment. He has also been a big part of Nike's advertising campaigns over the years – endorsing anything from golfing shirts to clubs and caps.

What Clothing Is Nike Most Famous For?

So what is Nike most famous for? We've seen celebs and sportsmen wear anything from Nike shoes to Nike shirts – so it's hard to say which style of clothing they're best known for.

However, if we look at the figures, there's a clear winner when it comes to how much revenue Nike brings in from it's different ranges of products.

In 2021, Nike's revenue grew to a staggering $44.54Billion!

When I did a bit more research into that massive figure, I found that 66% of their revenue in 2021 came from footwear sales. This was followed by sporting apparel at 31% and then sporting equipment at 3%.

In short, Nike's shoes made nearly twice the amount of money as the other two revenue streams combined.

But what does this mean for popularity? Well, you know what they say – money talks. Nike's footwear is clearly the most popular and worn product in their repertoire both on and off the sporting pitch.

It makes sense when you think about it. Consider how many different styles, designs, and fits of sneakers are available from Nike. There's quite literally something for everyone – so regardless of your personal style, chances are there's a Nike sneaker that you'd gladly have in your collection.

Is Nike Clothing Timeless And Stylish?

Yes and no.

When it comes to timeless style, big brands like Nike have a bit of an advantage over smaller brands.

The fact is, Nike has been around for over 50 years and they're not going anywhere anytime soon. So when you buy Nike clothing, you know that it's not going to go out of fashion next season.

However, that doesn't mean that Nike's clothing is impervious to changing trends. Nike is a big brand and they need to stay relevant to their customer base – which means that their clothing designs will change over time to reflect the current fashion trends.

For example, Nike's Air Max trainers were first released in 1987 and they've been through many different style iterations since then.

So, when it comes to shopping for Nike brand additions to your timeless wardrobe, you need to consider a few things:

1. Is this item fashionable or stylish? Fashionable clothing changes according to current trends, while stylish clothing rises above it. So if the sneakers you're considering are plain and minimal, chances are they're stylish. However, those gaudy multicolored high-top sneakers probably won't be.
2. How big is the branding? At the end of the day, no man looks good with a giant logo printed across their chest. Some Nike shirts fall prey to this poor design choice while others feature minimal branding. When shopping for a timeless wardrobe, opt for the latter.
3. Is this garment age-appropriate? Let's be honest, a 50-year-old guy can't dress the same as a 21-year-old. Nike's clothing is made for all age groups, so make sure you're choosing something that won't make you look out of place. The more youthful garments they produce are more ‘fashion forward', so avoid these at all costs and stick to the timeless Nike classics.

Nike Clothing Look Book

Wearing sports branded clothing can be tough – especially if you don't know what you're doing.

However, as long as you get the right garments and wear them in the right way, you'll look just as stylish as you would wearing a suit.

To help you guys out, I've created a few go-to outfits that utilize Nike clothing for men in a stylish and timeless way.

Nike Sneakers With A Suit

As with any suit and sneaker combo, the key word is simplicity.

Will a pair of fluorescent high-tops look good with your fine tailoring? No.

However, if you opt for a pair of minimalist white sneakers, wearing them with a suit becomes a much easier task. When you wear plain white sneakers with a suit, they don't stand out or overpower your outfit. The last thing you want is people staring at your feet all day, so opt for a minimal design with little to no branding.

How To Wear Sneakers With Suit

Nike Blazer Low-Tops are a great option here. You can purchase them in plain white, and opt for a plain-white tick to boot. This means that, despite the large Nike logo across the side, it's not that visible and will work perfectly as part of a suit ensemble.

Nike Polo Shirts With Chinos And A Blazer

Wearing a polo shirt as part of a smart-casual ensemble is a classic look men have been experimenting with for years.

There's no reason you can't achieve this look by wearing a high-quality sports polo from Nike! Pair a black/white polo shirt with a textured gray blazer and navy chinos for a quality smart-casual look that'll never go out of style.

5 Ways To Wear A Polo Infographic

In fact, Nike's golfing polo shirts are a great option here. They come in a high-quality, slightly silky material that looks great with smart casual attire.

Just make sure to buy one that's well-fitting and not too boxy! If the rest of your outfit is slimming and well-tailored, a boxy polo top just won't match up.

Nike Sweaters At The Weekend

For a more casual outfit, you can't go wrong it a classic Nike sweater atop some jeans and sneakers.

Nike isn't a brand that's made for formal settings or the work environment. However, when it comes to dressing down and feeling comfortable, it's a different story altogether.

A monochromatic sweater looks great with a pair of light-wash jeans and white sneakers. If you're out with the wife and kids at the weekend or simply lounging around at home, there's no better way of looking stylish and remaining casual and comfortable.

Stick to plain white sneakers with this outfit – for the same reasons as I mentioned above.

However, to add a bit of an edge to your casual ensemble, roll up the sleeves of your Nike sweatshirt to show off your timepiece and reveal your forearms. I know I say it a lot – but women love to see a man's forearms!

10 Quality Clothing Brands Every Man Should Know

The post Nike Sportswear: 50 Years of History and Style appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

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