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.
Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV)
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.
Christi, Newnan, GA
1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
Kim Martin
Weatherford TX
"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him." – Nahum 1:7 (NIV)
Ivy Morrison
Willis, TX
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
Eph 5:15 NASB
Lyndsy in Montana
Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
2 Tim 2:22 NASB
Macy in Montana
He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Ps 112:7 NIV
Julie in Montana
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 and inexpressible and glorious joy.
1 Peter 1:8 (NIV)
Kim
Perrysburg, OH
June 1
Psalm 100 (NIV)
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, & we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving & his courts with praise; give thanks to him & praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good & his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Eunice Fowler
Iona Station, ON
James 1:19-20
My dear brothers take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Carol K
Amarillo, TX
Psalm 121: 1&2 (NIV)
I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Pam
Machesney Park, IL
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.
Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV)
Susan in Dayton, Ohio
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given to you when Jesus Christ is revealed."
1 Peter 1:13
Allison, Houston
"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 NIV
Kathryn
Glendale, AZ
1 Peter 1:17-25
Since you call on a father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. Now that you ahve purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.
Katy Lin
Iowa
Jennifer Engstrom
Round Rock, Texas
Romans 8:18-19 (NIV)
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be reavealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectaion for the sons of God to be revealed.
"And you, Philippians, know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in giving and receiving except you alone."
Phil 4:15 Holman Christian Standard
Rebecca in New Orleans
Cookie Cawthon from Florence, SC
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:14-15 (NIV)
So don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow, too. Live one day at a time.
Matt. 6:34
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, bu painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:5-6,11
Danaly Payne
Lumberton, TX
"Come near to God and He will come near to you.
Wash your hands, you sinners,
and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
-James 4:8
NIV
Darlene, Pennsylvania
"May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!" (Psalm 20:4, ESV)
Monica – Dallas, GA
Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.
Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you—The sure mercies of David.
Isaiah 55:1-3 NKJV
Monica Patrick
Fort Worth, TX
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:10-12 (NIV)
Amber
Houston, TX
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
@ Timothy 2:7 NIV
Mary Ann
Ringgold, Ga.
"Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things."
Philippians 4:8 (NSFL)
Cheryl, Austin, TX
Galatians 6:14 NIV
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Cindy M./Midland
Isaiah 61:10 (King James Version)
10I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
Psalm 86:11 ESV
Nicole in San Marcos, CA
Running a little late on this.
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." Ephesians 4:31
Hannah
Kingwood, Texas
Psalm 63:1 NIV
O God, You are my God,
earnestly will I seek You;
my soul thrists for You
my body longs for You
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
Su A
Colorado Springs CO
Romans 5:3 NIV
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
Vicki
Loveland, CO
He forgives your sins—every one.He heals your diseases—every one. He redeems you from hell—saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence
Psalm 103:3-5 (Message)
Leann, Florence Alabama
"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete!"
John 15:11
NIV
Kelli – Texas
John 13:7 (NIV)
Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
Amy G
Addison, TX
"Commit your work to the Lord and then you will succeed."
Proverbs 16:3 (NLT)
Cara, Lex, KY
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and to not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
Psalm 25:5 NLT
Stephanie
Lititz, PA
"whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him:"
I John 2:3
Brooke
Waco, TX
"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." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
"Then you will call upon me, and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." Jeremiah 29:12 NIV
"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
"But you are a shield around me, O Lord, my Glorious One, who lifts up my head." Psalm 3:3 NIV
I playing catch up!
Debbie McCauley
Scott AFB, IL
June 1, 2009 3:09 PM
I think I pushed the wrong button as I do not see my post!!!
Kim Bogart Jacksonville ,Fl.
#11 2 Chronicles 15:7 NIV
"Be strong and do not give up for your work will be rewarded."
#12Hebrews 6:10 NIV
"God is not unjust;He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them."
Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Psalm 51:10-12
Karen
Ponte Vedra, Florida
1 John 4:15 KJV
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the son of God,God dwelleth in him,and he in God.
1 John 4:19KJV
We love him, because he first loved us.
Posting 2 verser to catch up go in on this late.
CC/Christina Cadena
Grand Prairie, TX
James 2:26 NIV
For as the human body apart from the spirit is lifeless, so faith apart from works of obedience is also dead.
Traci in Franklin, TN
"He must become greater, I must become less."
John 3:30 (NIV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Kim, Spring, TX
Ps 27:1 NIV
The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid?
Tina H. Montgomery, AL
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Prov 3:3
Sarah James
Melbourne, Fl
Christa
Bryan, TX
St. Joseph's
Then the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." Matthew 28:5-6
Psalm 103:1-5 NKJ
Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me bless His holy name
Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not His benefits.
Who forgives all your iniquity,
Wo heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Wo satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Patti
Statham, GA
"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."
Romans 15:4
Emily
Rough Valley OR