Calling all Scripture-Memory Siestas: It’s time for Verse 9! Get those spirals out and ready!
We purposely reserved the blog all week for Melissa to share her India trip with us but, needless to say, we have to push pause long enough for our Scripture memory team to sign in with our verses. I’m so anxious to hear Melissa’s report about the Compassion blogger team meeting the children they sponsored that I told her to go ahead and post even on the same day if she has it ready. SO, you may end up with two posts today. Keep an eye out!
I have relived so much of my own time in India through Lis’s vivid descriptions. As I looked at the pictures she posted for us, I had the same thought that occurred to me over and over while I was there: the stark contrast between all the brilliant, rich colors and the darkness of poverty and oppression. They are honestly the most beautiful people you have ever seen in your life. The children are breathtaking but the shocking life they are forced to live is so haunting that a pang goes through your heart every time you picture one in your head.
That’s the real price of a mission trip. You can no longer act like those kinds of conditions don’t exist. So many stories stick out in my mind from the time I spent in India but one in particular recurs in my thoughts almost weekly. I’d been in southern India the first week where there is a large population of Christians and where our women’s groups were comprised of hundreds. I spent the second week in northern India. A completely different story. We went places where you could get arrested if you crossed certain verbal perimeters in public. We served in areas where people who put their faith in Christ signed up instantly for a life of persecution. Stunning. Here’s what I will never forget: one evening I addressed a small group of women in a very modest meeting room. I prepared a Bible lesson that I prayed would reach across our cultural barriers. The twenty-or-so women sat on the floor and listened carefully and respectfully as I shared through an interpreter but I could tell we were not connecting. I mean, why should we? What on earth did I really have to say to them? We had almost nothing in common. I was nearly shamed. I kept delivering the lesson but, in my spirit, I was imploring God for a breakthrough. Then the oddest thing happened to me.
It was like God reached all the way down into the recesses of my memory and emotions and pulled up to the surface the part of me that had experienced abuse and oppression and helplessness. He touched off a whole part of myself I do everything possible to avoid. It was as if all of it had happened the day before. I went straight to my knees and began crawling from woman to woman, laying hands on them and praying things over them only God could have told me to pray. I bawled and they bawled. I wish you could picture the interpreter crawling right behind me. The Holy Spirit fell on us that day and I knew right then one of the reasons God allowed me to have those horrible experiences. How could we even begin to know what others are enduring if no suffering has come to us? We can say the words but nothing is quite like feeling the feelings. No, I still couldn’t enter into their world or their insurmountable challenges and, yes, I’d been free of that oppression for years and they probably never would be this side of Heaven. Still, it was the closest I could come to sharing some small measure of their pain. That evening in northern India was one of the first times it occurred to me that other people could become worth what you’ve been through if Christ could touch them through you. I’ve thought it many times since then. God alone is worthy.
Thanks for letting me share that with you. I’m so proud of you for jumping on board with sponsorships and copious prayers for the Compassion children that I hardly know what to say. Never EVER feel pressured on here about any kind of participation. I mean that concerning everything from Scripture memory to summer Bible study to Siesta Scholarships and to Compassion children. Only do what the Holy Spirit Himself prompts you to do. Otherwise, you’ll miss the ecstatic joy that so often follows obedience. We’re just sharing our ministry lives with you as we live them.
OK, I haven’t forgotten what we’re doing on here today. It’s time for Verse #9! Please, please, PLEASE don’t quit! Our minds are being renewed. Can’t you feel it??
Here’s mine. I just love it! You’re welcome to share it if you’d like:
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 1 Peter 1:8 NIV
Let’s hear it, Siestas! Name, City, Verse and Translation!
I love you so dearly and I am honored to serve this generation beside you. Keep the faith, Darling Things.
” Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. “
James 5:13 NIV
Kim
Spring, TX
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight. O Lord my strength and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
Marie, New Boston, MI
**Sorry this is late! I was having a baby when it was time to post this verse!**
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Psalm 62:1 (NIV)
Barbara
Tomball, TX
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 1Peter 1:8NIV
Jeanna
Holden, MIssouri
Lori
Bangor, Maine
You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday. A thousand my fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.
Psalm 91:5-7 Amplified
Romans 5:1 NIV
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Vicki
Loveland, CO
Job 23:10 (NKJV)
But He knows the way that I take;
When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
Pam in Columbia SC
Psalm 32:7 NASB
You are my hiding place;
You preserve me from trouble;
You surround me with songs of deliverance.
Erin, Midland TX
Proverbs 20:24
A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?
Keri
Houston, Tx
Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3 NASB
Jane H.
Housotn, TX
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
Ps. 111:10 NIV
Ok… long story, shortened. I didn’t make a notecard for my verse right when I posted it and today went back to double check that my notecard and post matched… but I couldn’t find my post! So, if this is a duplicate, please forgive me!
If then you have raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3 (NASB)
Barbra
Oxford, PA
“For the Word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.”
Psalm 33:4
Elizabeth
Falls Church, VA
“Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will TEACH us his ways
so that we may walk in his paths.”
Isaiah 2:3 NIV
Elizabeth
Falls Church, VA
Galatians 5:13 (Amplified Bible) For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another.
These commandments that I give to you today are to be upon your hearts.
Deut. 6:6
Christy Tulsa, OK
Psalm 139:23
(King James Version)
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
Ninette G
Seagoville, Tx
Nehemiah 8:10-12 NIV
Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve."
Then all the people went away to eat & drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made know to them.
Becky
Houston, Texas
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
Chrissie C.
New York, NY
2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (TNIV)
Cindi,
Mansfield, TX
Psalm 56:3
3 When I am afraid,
I will trust in you.
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Lindsey
Austin, TX
“Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10a
NIV
Michele
Naperville, IL
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:13-14 KJV
Karen, Farmington, AR
“Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?”
2 Samuel 7:18b
Susan Cutrer
Corinth, TX
Psalm 37:3 NIV
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.”
Emily
Nicholasville, KY
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.
Coossians 3:17
Jules-Kearney
… for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Cor 9:7
Shelli Littleton (Karalee & Katelyn, too!)
Fort Worth, TX
With you I can attack a barrier, and with my God I can leap over a wall.
Psalm 18:29 HCSB
Kristy
San Antonio, TX
With you I can attack a barrier, and with my God I can leap over a wall.
Psalm 18:29 HCSB
Kristy
San Antonio, TX
Vivian
Birmingham, Alabama
(late due to being on vacation in Big Bend National Park! A gorgeous place to see our Father God’s Magnificent Creation!)
Psalm 36:5-7 (The Message)
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! How
eager we are to run under your wings, To eat our fill at the banquet you spread as you fill our tankards with Eden spring water.
You’re a fountain of cascading light, and you open our eyes to light.
Galations 5:1 NIV
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Kelly
Fort Smith, AR
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deut. 6:7 NIV
Stacey M
Portland, Texas
If you will not believe, you surely shall not last (or be established).
Isaiah 7:9 (NAS)
Beth Moss
Gig Harbor, WA
Beth V said…
Beth V Sugar Land, Texas–
Psalm 45:11
The King is entralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 KJV
Linda
Greeley, CO
Jude 24-25 NKJV
vs 25 today:
Now to Him Who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory & majesty, dominion & power, both now & forever. Amen.
Jamie in Glen Carbon, Illinois
I Peter 1:8
Though you have not seen him, you love him; & even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.
Linda
East Chain, MN
Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I wold have told you, for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way I am going.
John 14:1-4 NASB
The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27: 1 NKJV
Bridget – Phoenix, AZ
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
Brooke
Waco, Texas
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men”.
Colossians 3:23 NIV
Erin Morrow
Ruston,LA
“The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.'”
-Revelation 11:15 (NIV)
Jan
Littleton, CO
Sorry for falling behind….
Jer 33:3 KJV
“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not”.
Blessings,
Pat from Kansas
Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalms 37:4
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.
1 Peter 1:8 NIV
Katie Taylor,
Russellville, AL
I don't remember if I posted for this one & instead of going through all of the comments I am just going to do it again.
Psalms 100:5 NIV
Oh Lord, you are good and your love endures forever, your faithfulness continues through all generations.
Ashley
Marrero, LA
“No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.”
I Cor. 10:13 The Message
Abby
Littleton, CO
“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.”
Psalm 116:7 (NIV)
Joanna
Central, SC
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Katie
Delray Beach, FL