Hey, my wonderful Word-memorizing Siestas! I am so excited about your response to our celebration event next January! We got some great enthusiasm back from you. I’m looking as forward to it as anything on my entire year’s calendar. (If you aren’t up to speed on it, see the March 15th post.) Amanda and I met up the other day to leave one of our cars in a parking lot and ride together to evening church. Since Annabeth is too young to be exposed to that many people and hadn’t yet had her first round of shots, I’ve been hanging out with her and Amanda on Sunday mornings while the boys go to church, then she and I have been going to the 6:30 PM service. When I jumped in the car with her, she said, “Have you been waiting on me long?” “Nope,” I said, “And anyway, it gave me a chance to work on my Scriptures. I want to qualify for the celebration event!” She laughed and said, “I do, too! And I need to get with it!” She’s got a pretty good excuse for being a tad behind on her memory work.
Don’t think for a second I’m not working hard on these Scriptures, too, Young Ladies. What we’re doing together is not easy for any of us. Memorizing this much and this often takes a tremendous effort. It also takes discipline and, to be lovingly frank, self-discipline is not highly valued in our Western world. It’s part of what can make our popular breed of Christianity so sloppy and, at times, so void of power. I’m not being cynical. There are fabulous things happening in the Body of Christ today. I just want to encourage you that this is one of those things. Stick with it! We’d be hard pressed to overemphasize the importance of Scripture memory.
Whew! I have chosen a HARD one this time! It came up in my Scripture reading one morning last week and I fell in love with it. I think it will bless so many of you to read it even if you don’t choose to memorize it. Here goes:
God’s love is meteoric, His loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, His verdicts oceanic. Yet in His largeness nothing gets lost; Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks. How exquisite Your love, O God! Psalm 36:5-7a, The Message
Here’s this week’s tip: When I have a really challenging verse to memorize like this one, I read it over and over (please revisit our RENEW acrostic video-lesson from January if it’s been a while) then, if it invites various images, I sit back and visualize it. I deliberately begin associating pictures with various words and phrases. This is what I did, for instance, years ago when I memorized Psalm 1. It opens with “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.” I pictured a man walking, standing, and sitting in that order over and over and, to this day, I can say it from memory based on those visuals.
On this selection, Psalm 36:5-7a, I can picture a huge meteor for God’s love and the starry hosts for His infinite loyalty, an unsinkable Titanic for His purpose, and an ocean with a consistent tide for His verdicts. All of those things speak to me about His largeness so that part of the text comes next naturally. The words “man” and “mouse” begin with the same letters so that helps me remember them. The conclusion is joyously appropriate: “How exquisite Your love, O God!” That’s why I had to tag on the first half of verse 7. I wanted to respond with the psalmist to those enormous attributes of my God.
Somebody may be thinking, “Good grief! I didn’t want to have to think about it that much!” But, you see, that’s the BEAUTY of it! We could be thinking how ticked we are at somebody. We could be thinking how tempted we are toward somebody. We could be thinking how dissatisfied we are with something. We could be thinking AGAIN about what so-and-so had the gall to say to us. I am never more prone to mental defeat than when I just allow my mind to wander anywhere and to anything. I’m by no means suggesting that we never allow our minds to rest. Of course we do. I’m saying that when, in that state of rest and idleness, our thoughts begin to go left toward something destructive, we need a pretty fail-safe way to switch gears. I know no better way than to immediately start letting some verses scroll through my head. That’s what it means to take thoughts captive to the knowledge of Christ and that’s how we tear down everything that exalts itself against Him.
I’m also prone to mental defeat when the enemy has pitched me a great opportunity to obsess about something or to give way to fear and stress. Each of these represents perfect moments to turn to my Scripture memory. There are tons of things we COULD think about today but we have the power in Jesus’ Name to choose the things that edify our spirits and renew our minds. Remember, every defeat and every victory takes place on the battlefield of the mind before it erupts in the exterior life. Listen, Darling Things, we don’t have to let every mental struggle turn into a stronghold. We can successfully cut things off at the pass. And this is one huge way we do it.
OK, Sisters! Let’s hear your selections! Remember to list your name (first is fine), your city, and your verse and translation. I cannot adequately express how thankful I am to serve you. You are a very important part of my ministry life and I think about you every day.
To God’s great glory!
I love you,
Beth
"God's love is meteoric. His loyalty astronomic. His purpose titanic. His verdicts oceanic. Yet in His largeness, nothing gets lost; not a man, not a mouse slips through the cracks. How exquisite your love, O God."
Psalm 36:5-7a The Message
Psalm 91:1-2
He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."
Candice
Evanston, IL
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
Deut. 4:9
NIV
Erika Chapman
Florence, SC
Nicole
Winnipeg, MB
NIV
Hebrews 11:8
By faith Abraham when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
Proverb 14:30 NIV
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Yukiko
Sagamihara, Japan
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
Trisha
Odessa, TX
God’s love is meteoric, His loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, His verdicts oceanic. Yet in His largeness nothing gets lost; Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks. How exquisite Your love, O God! Psalm 36:5-7a, The Message
Angie
Anna, TX
God’s love is meteoric, His loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, His verdicts oceanic. Yet in His largeness nothing gets lost; Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks. How exquisite Your love, O God! Psalm 36:5-7a, The Message
Mandy
Waco, TX
Romans 8:35 (NLT)
Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death?
Proverbs 11:12
He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his peace.
Trudi Tedrick
Lynchburg, OH
"We are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."
2 Corinthians 10:5b NAS
Beverly
Brenham, TX
Jeremiah 29:11
NLT
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
heather
cypress, tx
Philippians 1:7 NASB
For it is only right for me to feel this way about you, because I have you in my heart, since both in my inprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.
Becky
Indianapolis, IN
Psalm 63:9 NIV
They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth.
Anne
Lorton, VA
May I be strong and keep the charge of the Lord my God to walk in His ways, and to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, so that I may prosper in all I do and wherever I turn.
1 Kings 2:2-3
Libby
Dallas, TX
Janice H.
Summerville, SC
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:9-10
Wendy, Rome, GA
heather in austin, tx
Prov 9.10 NLT
Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in understanding.
Debbie George
Marion, IN
NIV Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the hills-
where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Eph. 2:10 (NASB)
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
Karen, Derry NH
Kristi Parks
Eugene OR
How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see. Ps 36:7 & 9
Robin Sutherlin
Katy, TX
Proverbs 9:10 NIV
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalms 141:3 TNIV
Tonya, Searcy, AR
I am so afraid that I have missed some, so I am going back to make sure they are there! Sorry – just the OCD in me!
"Many are the plans in a man's hear, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" Proverbs 19:21
Beth Herring
Oak Grove, La
A man with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. — Proverbs 18:24
Casey
Bumpass, Va
Heather F
Beaumont, TX
I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can tell this mountain to move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Matt 7:21
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalms 139:13-14 NIV
Sandy P
Eugene, OR
"[Guard] your heart
with all diligence,
for out of it
spring the issues of life."
Prov 4:23
NKJV
Christine K.
Eugene, OR
Michelle P
McAllen TX
Therefore, there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Michelle
McAllen TX
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Aimie Markham
Murfreesboro, TN
Cortni B.
Watauga, TX
Psalm 27:4
One thing I ask of the LORD, that is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and seek him in his temple.
Cortni B.
Watauga, TX
Phil. 4:7
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
And God is able to make all grace aboud to you so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8
Paula
ATlanta, Texas
Still playing cath up – but this one rocked by world…
Wait for the Lord: Be stron & Take Heart & Wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14
Mary Vigil
Colorado
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Rom. 8:1
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Colossians 4:6 (NKJV)
Kristie
Queen City, TX
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever.
Ps 118:1
Rebecca H.
Malvern, PA
Psalms 118:1
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, his love endures forever.
Beth R
Liberty Lake, WA
niv
John 15:16 NIV
You did not choose me,
but I chose you
and appointed you
to go and bear fruit,
fruit that will last.
No retirement, right?
Julie
Boone NC
Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.
Psalm 141:3 (NLT)
Amber
Houston, TX
Amanda in Katy
John 17:7 NIV
Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.
Jeremiah 30:17 (New Living Translation)
17 I will give you back your health and heal your wounds,†says the Lord. “For you are called an outcast—‘Jerusalem[a] for whom no one cares.’â€
NLT
James 1:9
"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry."
1 Peter 5:7
Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.
Kara- Marietta, PA
Kimberly
Houston, TX
2 Cor. 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this al surpassing power is from God and not from us.
G – God is Love 1 John 4:8
Dynae Pofahl
Kearney, NE
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people who are called by name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Lisa
Edinburg, TX
Psalm 121:1-2
Cedar creek, TX
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7