Calling all you hard working, head-filling, brain-bathing Scripture-memorizing Siestas! It’s time for Verse 6! No slackers here, young ladies! Let’s not be afraid of a little challenge. Did you know that memorization is one of the best ways on earth to keep our brains sharp? Yep. And I also heard a few days ago that all the multi-tasking we’re doing does not work the part of our brain that requires stimulation to tap into our brilliance. (Every single one of us has brilliance.) That part of our brain requires tremendous focus on one thing for extended periods of time, pushing our thoughts a solitary direction that stretches and works it beyond its normal exercise. That’s part of what Scripture memory does! Especially when you now have six verses to keep rolling around in your darling little brilliant brain.
I think it’s time for some extra incentive! (Drum roll please) Next January 22-23, 2010 (Friday evening and Saturday till noon like LPL’s), we at LPM have decided to throw a Siesta Scripture Memory Team Celebration Event (how’s that for a mouthful?) in Houston, Texas at my home church. Perfect timing right after our year of Scripture memorization wraps up. I will do the teaching and my good buddy, Travis Cottrell, will be with us to lead us in worship…and probably a few laughs. We will not take any registrations for the event until late next Fall. It will be ONLY for those who meet the following requirements and free of charge as our love and appreciation gift for seeing our goal all the way to the finish:
*You must officially sign in with your name, city and Scripture 20 out of 24 times on our Scripture memory posts on the 1st and 15th throughout 2009. I was really tempted to require all 24 times but then I remembered that a few of you very faithful memorizers didn’t know about it until the second month. The event is not for anybody out there who has memorized Scripture as much as we affirm you and cheer you on! It is for women in our Siesta community who have memorized Scripture as part of this 1st and 15th Scripture Memory Accountability Team. If you started with us late, you can double-up on your memory work several times and go back and sign in on older posts to make sure you accrue at least 20 sign-ins and verses.
*You must be able to say 10 of your 20-24 Scriptures from memory to one person during the course of the event. (Not up in front of everybody, mind you! I’ll simply have you break into two’s for a half hour at the event and you’ll say your Scriptures to one another.) For our meditators, you’ll need to paraphrase 10 of your Scriptures as closely as you can with your partner until it is clear that the Truth of it abides in you even if every word is not in a row. Remember, Siestas, if this seems hard that the purpose of the year was to memorize 24 Scriptures. We can do 10 of our choice with one another!
*You must bring your 2009 spiral with you with at least 20 memory verses recorded in it. It will be your ticket in the door. And it should look well-worn. Grin.
No exceptions to these requirements please. Please don’t ask next December and get me feeling all sappy. This is the way it needs to be so the event can provide a small, temporal reward for a year of hard work. The eternal and internal rewards are immeasurable.
*There will be prizes for those who have memorized all 24 verses and can say each one of them from memory to a partner at the event. We’ll make sure they feel affirmed without anybody else feeling lame. Everybody there with have accomplished something HUGE!
It will be so much fun! The smaller size of the group and the process we’ve all been through together will make it really intimate and special. Work hard and come! Those of you who live far away, the event will be free but you need to start saving your money for other expenses. This is a great time to start looking for flight deals!
Late next Fall many of you will know whether or not you’re going to meet those requirements and we’ll begin taking registrations then. My home church is Houston’s First Baptist on 7401 Katy Freeway in case you want to begin looking for where you might try to stay. I don’t mind saying that we have the best food and best shopping in the whole wide world and our Januarys are mild so you’re probably not going to get snowed in. Melana, save your dollars and bring us Miesta Moose! Warm in Alaska, we can make you a whole lot warmer!! Canadian Siestas, fly south like a snow bird to Texas!!!
PLEASE DO THE WORK AND COME!! It will be such a blast!
OK, now for my selection for Verse 6. It’s a Scripture we studied on our last night of The Inheritance Bible Study in Houston and, boy, do I need it and, boy, do I want the promise it offers. Again, you are welcome to share mine or offer your own. As usual, names, cities, and Scriptures only, please Siestas!
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9 NIV
Here’s part of what makes this special. The New Testament translates two primary Greek words as forms of “bless” or “blessed.” One of them (lexical “makarios”) describes a state of being. A resultant condition, so to speak, like those described in the Beatitudes and in many other parts of the NT in reference to those who belong to God through Christ. It basically means to live in the face (coram Deo) and favor of God. The second one (lexical “eulogia”/”eulogeo”) is the conferring or speaking of blessing. As my NT Lexical Aids say, it means “to confer blessing upon, call down divine favor…” The former is a state of being. A beautiful thing indeed. The latter is blessing spoken. Also a beautiful thing, especially for those of us to whom words are a primary love language. It is this latter word for blessing – the one that involves something spoken – that is used in 1 Peter 3:9. The gist of the exhortation, restated from God’s point of view, is this:
“When you use your mouth to bless those who have insulted you or spoken evil to you, I, Myself, will speak blessing over you that you will receive as part of your inheritance.”
When we speak blessings over others who were HARD to bless, He speaks blessing over us. And, let’s admit it, sometimes we’re hard to bless, too.
We’re going to get plenty of opportunities to practice this spiritual discipline because, as the verse clearly states, TO THIS WE WERE CALLED. We were called to manifest the Spirit of Christ through our words when someone insults us. It’s a hard part of the high calling of God but to this we were called SO THAT we may inherit a blessing.
Pretty good, huh?
OK, Siestas, I’ll hop off of here and let you start getting your Scriptures in.
Let me say in conclusion for all of those who prayed for the ministers’ wives’ event this weekend that it was one of the most meaningful weekends I’ve ever been part of. I will never forget it. We are preparing something for you to get a little taste of it so look for that later in the week. It will include some of those comments you (understandably) wanted to read so badly.
I love you, Dear Ones, and I am honored to be your servant. STAY IN THE WORD whether you’re memorizing it or not!!
Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.
Jer. 17:5
Hopefully this will work. I am technologically challenged and so far have not been able to post on here!
1 Peter 5:5-7
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Karen
Madison, AL
“For the Word of GOD is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
Susan Cutrer
Corinth, TX
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Tanya from Sierra Vista, AZ
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.
John 10: 29-30
Resia Chavis
Lumberton, NC
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and buy his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 NIV
Jen – Springfield MO
Psalm 40:8 – NIV
I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.
Lynette – Aurora, CO
What matters is not your outward appearance – the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes – but your inner disposition.
1 Peter 3:3
Christina
Dallas, Tx
Cookie from Florence, SC…
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
Nor for the pestilence that waleth in darkness: nor for the destuction that wasteth at noonday.
Psalms 91:6 KJV
Kendall
Jacksonville,FL
Romans 12:12
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Jan in Cary, NC
NIV
“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
Psalm 50:15
Karen Gentry
Hewitt, Texas
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:12-13 NIV
Barb
Monument, CO
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
1 Peter 3:9 NIV
Rachel Hood
Longview, TX
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
1 Peter 3:9 NIV
Rachel Hood
Longview, TX
For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased”- and we ourselves heard this utterance made from Heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain
2 Peter 1:16-18 NASB
Katie Fairfield Twnsp, OH
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9 NIV
Rose in Dallas
DonnaK
Eastland, TX
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
joining in late and trying to catch up
March 15, 09
Phil 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Carol, Great Bend Ks.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always;
pray continually;
give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Linda
Bartelso, Il
Send forth your light and your truth let them guide me; Let them bring me to your holy mountain to the place where you dwell.
Psalms 43:3
Katherine Houston, TX
Pat
Bigfork, MT
NIV
Matt. 1l:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Pat
Bigfork, MT
NIV
John 6:35
Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you.
1 Samuel 12:23a (NIV)
Nicole
Kingsport, TN
“May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together – spirit, soul, and body – and keep you fit for the coming of our Master Jesus Christ. The one who called you is competely dependable. If He said it, He’ll do it!” 1 Thess. 5:23-24 msg
Hannah Knoxville, TN
Julie – Prior Lake, MN
NIV
Phil 2:13
It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes.”
Ephesians 6:11
NIV
Rachel
Grand Rapids, MI
Jeremiah 17:5-6 Already had put the scripture in but didn’t leave my name.
Paula D. Katy, TX
Kathy W.
Valrico, Fl
Psalm 23:4-6 NIV
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You annoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9 NIV
Sheryl
Stafford, VA
Kim from League City, signed in on the original post with 8 scriptures (in three passages).
Trying to catch up on my sign ins though.
“If you, God, kept records of wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that’s why you’re worshipped.”
-Psalm 130:3-4 (TM)
Abby
Littleton, CO
Isaiah 33:6 “And He shall be the stability of your times. A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge. The fear of the Lord is his treasure.”
Lois
Dayton, Ohio
This is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 NIV
Nancy B.
Hope, AR
Jan austin texas The Lord has made the heavens His throne; from there he rules over everything.
Psalm 90:15 (NLT)
Give us gladness is proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good.
stephanie arnett
deer park, tx
Psalm 100 NIV
(A psalm. For giving thanks.)
1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his [a] ;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Kathy S.
Cheyenne, WY
Lamentations 3: 21-23 (NIV)
21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Kathy S.
Cheyenne, WY
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9 NIV
A wise person is hungry for truth, while the fool feeds on trash.
Proverbs 15:14 NLT
Bri Peterson
Ballwin, MO
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing
1 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
Georgia :o)
Murfreesboro, Tn
Jackie L.
Jacksboro, TX
1 Peter 3:9 NIV
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
Jeremiah 29-11-13 (NIV)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Doris
Truro, NS Canada
Psalm 63:6-7 (NIV)
On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
Carol
Truro, NS, Canada
For His anger endureth but a moment; in His favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Psalm 30:5 KJV
Sarah =)
Waxahachie, TX
Playing catch up here!
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
Gal 2:20-21
Teri
Romeo, MI
Mine doesn’t seem to be here again so I’ll re-post it—
The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Deb-Manhattan, KS
So, as those who have been chosen by God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12 (NASB)
Amber
Houston, TX
(NIV) Psalm 40:4
Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
Anita
Austin, TX
catching up…
Revelation 21:3-4 NIV
“And i heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Emily in OKC