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.
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Beverly
Brenham, TX
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
Catherine
Orlando, FL
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Ps 27:13
Libby
Dallas, TX
I don't know where I left off and was sure I already did this one but can't seem to find it. Sorry if it is a repost. If I may, I will do that for the other months (although its great reading all the scriptures again!). I quit posting at some point even though I had already picked the verses I wanted to learn.
"He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Ps. 112:7
mk
Seattle
John 10:10 NIV
The thief comes only to kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Anne
Lorton, VA
James 1:2-3
NLT
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For your know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."
Heather
Cypress, TX
Janice H.
Summerville, SC
"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ" Philippians 3:7-8 (NIV)
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.â€
Amanda May
Olympia, WA
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well.
Psalms 139:13-14
Wendy -Rome, GA
Phil 1:21
For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Tiffany Dallas, TX
"that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,"
I Cor. 1:5,6 (adding verse 7 this time)
Lora
Mooresburg
heather in austin, tx
2 Cor 10.5 NLT
With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ.
Debbie
Marion, IN
NIV Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid I will trust in you.
Jan in Katy
Ps 105:4
Look to the Lord and His strength; seek his face always. niv
PS. 18:18,19
They confronted me in the day of my disaster but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place. He rescued me because he delighted in me. niv
Robin Sutherlin
Katy, TX
Philipians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Kristi Parks
Eugene OR
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 NLT
19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deuteronomy 11:19 NIV
Tonya, Searcy, AR
1 Thessalonians 4:7
For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness"
Beth Herring
Oak Grove, La
God, you are my God. i eagerly see You. I thirst fo You; my body faints for You in a land that is dry, desolate and without water. — Psalm 63:1
Holman
Casey
Bumpass, VA
"Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord, and abhor those who rise up against you? I have nothing but hatred toward them; I count them my enemies." Psalms 139:21-22 NIV
Sandy P
Eugene, OR
"Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also
from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
Psalm 19:12-14
NIV
Christine K
Eugene, OR
"Who may ascend the hill
of the Lord?
Who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands
and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul
to an idol
or swear by what is false."
Psalm 24:3-4
NIV
Christine K.
Eugene, OR
"If anyone would come after me,he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
Matthew 16:34 NIV
Michelle
Richmond VA
Be of good courage; and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
Psalms 31:24 (kjv)
Mulls
Chuckey TN
Jeremiah 29:11 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.
Aimie Markham
Murfreesboro, TN
Cortni B.
Watauga, TX
Romans 5: 8 (NIV)
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Heather F
Beaumont, TX
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13
Heather F
Beaumont, TX
Come to me, all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28 NIV
18) Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.
19) See I am doing a new thing now it springs up: do you not preceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the waste land.
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
C Chamblee
Philadelphia, MS
"All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose."Rom. 8:28NKJV
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5 (NKJV)
Kristie
Queen City, TX
The thief comes to kill, steal and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Jn 10:10
Rebecca H.
Malvern, PA
Psalms 6 :35
Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life, He who come to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
Beth R
Liberty Lake, WA
NIV
Ro 12:1-2 NIV
1 Therefore, I urge you brothers,
in view of God's mercy,
to offer your bodies
as living sacrifices,
holy and pleasing to God –
this is your spiritual act of worship
2 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.
Julie
Boone NC
Amanda in Katy
John 17:11 NIV
I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world and I am coming to you Holy Father,protect them by the power of your name–the name you gave me–so that they may be one as we are one.
John 17:22 (New Living Translation)
22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.
NLT
Exodus 14:14
"The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."
And Hannah prayed and said, "my heart rejoices int he Lord, My horn is exalted inthe Lord. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in your salvation"
1 Samuel 2:1
Paula
ATlanta, Tx
Romans 12:2
Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Kara- Marietta, PA
Psalm 112: 1-4
Praise the Lord
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord.who finds great delight in his commands.
His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed
Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright. for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.
Lisa
Edinburg, TX
Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2 (NIV)
Stacy
Amherst, NE
"Light shines in the darkness for the upright. He is gracious, compassionate, and righteous. Good will come to a man who lends generously and conducts his business fairly."
Psalm 112:4-5
Matia
Fort Worth, TX
Belinda Kendall
Olathe KS
I posted this Anonymously on December 15.
John 17:22 (New Living Translation)
22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.
Isaiah 38:17
Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.
Kimberly
Houston, TX
"Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your word." Ps. 119:36-37
Lauren; New Braunfels, Tx
POur out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands to Him for the lives of your children.
Lam.2:19 NIV
Tammi G
Florence, SC
K – Keep my tongue from evil Ps 43:13
JOhn 13:7
Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing but later you will understand"
NIV
Michelle
OkC, OK
Phil 1:6 NIV
"being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Cedar Creek, TX