Hey, You Scripture Memory Buffs!
You girls are ON IT! I’ve been so proud of you all along but in the last month I have seen a significant resurge in commitment. Way to go! That’s exactly what it takes. I have heard testimony after testimony from Siestas about how God has been using your memory work. He’s sure used it in my life. I keep my spiral right by the gear shift in my car and try to say my verses over and over when I’m driving…if I’m not talking to one of my girls on my cell. One thing you do in Houston, Texas is DRIVE so it’s the perfect place for me to keep my spiral. The kitchen would be a waste for me. Then again, next to the coffee pot could work.
Scripture memory is the difference between day and night, isn’t it? The only person who could possibly think it couldn’t make all that much difference is somebody not doing it. The harvest is HUGE. Btw, did you see the short testimony/comment on the previous post from Siesta “Texatheart” who said she’d lost 52 pounds in the last seven months? She believes a significant part of the success God is giving her is Scripture memory. WOW! You never know how God will use His Word! One thing for sure: it never, ever, ever returns void.
Can you believe we are nearly to our halfway point? By the end of this month, we will have stockpiled 12 verses in our brains out of our 2009 commitment to 24! Here’s the cool part: really and truly, how many of us would have memorized 10 verses in the last five months without one another? We would have wanted to, but how many of us would really have done it if we didn’t have each other holding us accountable? That’s the Body of Christ at its best. We cheer each other on to the finish line.
I’ve chosen a portion of Psalm 112 NIV for this segment. Since I can’t decide between verses 1, 4, 7, and 8, I’m just going to bite the bullet and try to memorize the first eight verses over the next month. It’s my birthday month (I love birthdays) and sometimes it’s fun to do something special and particularly memorable to end one year and start another. I’m about to break my own loose rule about Siestas not committing to more than we can reasonably handle but, since God has given me a passion for the whole portion, I’m going to believe Him to give me the unction to memorize it. There’s an even better reason to post the whole segment: You’ll find so many rich verses in it that some of you who haven’t chosen a Scripture yet might grab one that resonates and go with it. Take particular notice of verse 7.
Like most women (and especially mothers, perhaps), I’ve always dealt with fears of varying intensity over something happening to – or with – one of my loved ones. I don’t deal with it all the time or even give way to it much of the time but there are nights when I can’t even go to sleep for imagining what could happen to someone I love. Most of that kind of thinking is our own natural human tendency but some of it is how the enemy preys on naturally selfish people who have finally come to love a handful of others more than themselves. When a wave of totally unfounded fear hits me, if I do not immediately check it, pray, or meditate on several of my memory verses, my heart will even begin race and butterflies will swarm in my stomach. All over something I made up!! I think part of it is being in the information loop of so much bad news with a full-time women’s ministry. For many of you, it may be reading one sad blog after another until catastrophe or loss seems to become the everyday norm instead of the extraordinary. The information age has placed our imaginations on steroids.
No matter what sets a woman up to live in fear, it is NOT the will of God for us to give way to vain imaginations and waste our valuable mental energies dreading all sorts of things that may – but probably won’t ever – happen. And, if they do, we’ll have the grace to handle them at the time but we don’t get the grace in advance to cover our fear and dread. We’re just out there on our own, wrestling made-up angels. It’s exhausting. SO, if you resonate with that, consider Psalm 112:7, Girlfriend.
OK, so here goes mine. Remember, I’m taking the whole month to memorize it.
Psalms 112:1-8 (NIV)
1 Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands.
2 His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. (Note: from a New Testament or Covenant point of view, I think of wealth and riches in spiritual terms like 1 Cor. 1:4-9 describes.)
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.
5 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.
6 Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.
7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
Now, let’s hear yours! Name, city, verse and translation!
Thank you so much for taking this journey with me.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.
Ephesians 6:10-12
Nancy
Harrisburg, Il
Psalm 145:18 (NIV)
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Theresa
Euless, Texas
Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?"
Romans 15:2, The Message
Kassy, Mt Horeb WI
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever–do not abandon the work of your hands.
Psalm 138:8
Tiffany
Pella, IA
Psalm 63:1 NIV
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Brandi in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Sandra, Burnaby BC, Canada
Isaiah 30:18 (ESV)
Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
Ephesians 4:30-32 NLT
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,[a] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Robin
Snohomish, WA
"The Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
Romans 14:17
Kelly
Ruston, LA
Is 40:29-31
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Joyce McGlaun, Abilene, TX
Diane
Hemet, CA
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love one another.
John 15:16, 17 (NIV)
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Jillian
Laramie, WY
Deuteronomy 18:9
When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there.
Jillian
Laramie, WY
Psalm 112:8 (NIV) His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
Kimberly
Elon,NC
"Praise the Lord; praise God our Savior! For each day He carries us in His arms."
Psalm 68:19 NLT
Sharon
Los Angeles, CA
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.
Nahum 1:7 NIV
Rachel
Mandeville, LA
He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 12:7
Deborah
Lexington, MA
"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."
Proverbs 31:10
Amanda, Olive Branch, MS
Lohri Williams
Plant City
And so we know & rely on the love God has for us.
1John4:16 NIV
Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)
Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
Nancy
Huntsville, AL
Back from vacation!
"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." Ephesians 6:14-15
April
Oldsmar, FL
Clothe yourselves in humility toward one another…Humble yourselves, therefore under God's mighty right hand, and He will lift you up.
I Peter 5:5a&6
Rachel
San Diego
"Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand."
Phil 4:5 NKJV
Ann, Mapleton, ME
"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear, I will help you." Isaiah 41:13
Proverbs 4:23 (New Living Translation)
23 Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.
Sabrina K
Lincoln NE
Better late than never. My youngest daughter graduated from highschool and I've been a bit preoccupied.
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. "
Matthew 16:24 (NIV)
Michelle
Richmond VA
The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
Hebrews 1:3
"He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD." Psalms 112:7 (NIV)
Jennifer Wolf
New Braunfels, TX
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galations 6:9
Debbie in IL
I'm very late–been vacationing.
ISA:58:9b-11
if you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing of the finger and malicious talk and if you spend yourself in the behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will shine in the darkness and your night will become like noonday. The Lord will guard you always, he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (Beautiful and refreshed! Thank you JESUS)
Cathy Reineke
Orofino, Id
"He is your constant source of stability. He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom. He gives all this to those who fear Him."
Isaiah 33:6 NIV
Pat
Flint, TX
Search me O God and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Janice
Brownfield, TX
Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Jean
Leesburg, VA
Psalm 112:7 (NIV)
He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Cheryl
Austin, TX
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" I John 3:1
Karen, CA
I tried on the first and had trouble posting. So here is my verse.
James 4:17 Anyone then, who knows the ggod he ought to do and dosen't do it sins.
Teresa
NIV
San Antonio, TX
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33 NIV
Sarah=)
Waxahachie, TX
"Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who easrnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Caressa Hall
Arlington Texas
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (Amplified)
"Yet the Lord is faithful and He will strengthen you and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil one."
Doris – YT
Psalm 41:1 (NIV)
Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.
Beth
Cary, NC
O, Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
Psalm 130:7 NIV
Jenee
Calgary, Alberta Canada
I nearly forgot….
"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
~ 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
Hollie
(aka: Groovewoman)
Granbury, TX
"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Is. 40:8 NIV
Susan
Katy, TX
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.
Romans 8:12 (NLT)
Gena
Houston, TX
"so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."
1 Corinthians 2:5 (NIV)
Robin
Thorndale, PA
May the God of hope
fill you with all joy & peace
as you trust in Him,
so that you may overflow with hope
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV
Carol
Carthage, NY
Lisa Waikele Hawaii
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding NKJV
The Law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
Psalm 19:7-9 (NIV)
Charlie
Magee, MS
Sorry I am late again…
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Psalm 139:14 NIV
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Psalm 139:14 NIV
Kristi Gouch
Charlotte, NC
1 Peter 5:7
Let Him have all your worries and cares for for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns