WE’VE MADE IT HALFWAY, SIESTAS! This is verse 12 of our 24! Can you believe it? I am so stinking proud of you that I don’t know what to do. And there is no doubt in my mind that God is as pleased with this pursuit as anything we’ve ever done on this blog. I’ve enjoyed it like crazy.
I’ve practiced Scripture memory and used index cards for many years but now, when I recite my verses, I think of so many of you out there doing exactly the same thing. I picture you darling college girls, a bunch of you single siestas, tons of you busy moms, and a terrific band of grandmoms all practicing your Scriptures as you balance the demands of your crazy lives. I think of all our Canadian Scripture memory-siestas and our beloved missionaries in other countries and how they sometimes record their verses in their new languages. There’s so much joy and motivation in community.
I keep thinking about a woman I met at the Pittsburgh event. She’d made the life altering decision to receive Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and I had the joy of getting to visit with her and pray over her for a few minutes. In her lap, she was holding a very nice large leather Bible still in the box. She had the top off the box and had stacked it underneath so that the Bible was in open displayed.
“Did you just get that beautiful new Bible here at the event?”
She rubbed the leather on the top of it then took it out of the box for me to smell how wonderfully aromatic it was. She shook her head and said, “No, I’ve had it for a while. Isn’t it beautiful?”
I could have cried. She’d brought it to the event in the box so it wouldn’t get messed up. I’d never seen anyone do that before in all these years of speaking. Her reverence for that Bible was stunning and, yet, there was something also very childlike about her. I didn’t think it was going to do much good to try to talk her into scribbling all over those gorgeous gold leaf pages so we offered her another Bible, a hardback Life Application NIV, so she’d feel like she could ruffle it up, mark verses, and write in the margins. I don’t know if she will or not.
Isn’t that the paradox of the whole thing? Sacred words etched on the page by the breath of God so folks like us with feet of clay can wallow all over them. Not just live by them but live on them. Not just thrive through them but sometimes, in tragedy and storm, survive through them. Life lived with Bible out of the box, off the shelf, flipped wide open and pressed to the heart.
And committed to memory. That’s how we press it to the head.
I’m working on the second half of my June 1st portion out of Psalm 112 NIV. Here are Vv.4-8:
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.
Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.
Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.
He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting the Lord.
His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
OK, Siestas, hit it! Let’s have your Verse 12! Name, city, verse and translation!
DILIGENCE, SIESTAS! DILIGENCE!
Isaiah 43:1-3a (KJV)
1 Now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
3 For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.
Jena
Wildersville, TN
(better late than never)
Happy Birthday, Beth!! ( a little late)
…"Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah 4:6 NASB
Lisa
Corbin,KY
I am continuing with Psalm 112:4-8 in the NIV.
M.J. in Lovington, NM
Continuing with Psalm 112
Kimberly
Elon, NC
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
Psalm 119:133 NIV
Kristy, San Antonio,TX
Let Him have your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.
2 Peter 5:7 The Living Bible
Deb in Bremen, IN
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.
Erika Chapman
Florence, SC
I thought I posted on June 17 but couldn't find it–so here's my two (playing catch up) for verse 12:
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 earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.
Psalm 130:3-4 NIV
Kathy
Arlington, TX
But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
1st Corinthians 2:10 NIV
Jeannie
Brookneal
The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.
He wil take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Jennifer Phoenix, AZ
She is clothed in strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25 NIV
Ashley Marrero, LA
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. it does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
Lisa
Lincoln, Ne
psalm 31:14-15b
But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say "you are my God". My times are in your hand;
Wendy Ward
Jacksonville, FL
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."
1 John 4:18 (ESV)
Cara, Lexington, KY
God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes.
Psalm 18:24 (Msg)
Sarah S. =)
Waxahachie, TX
"But the LORD is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one."
2 Thess 3:3
NIV
Judy
Linden
Matthew 6:24, NIV
No one can serve two masters; either he will hate the one and love the other or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Lindsey Johnson, OKC, OK
(I've been memorizing over vacation even though I couldn't post!)
"Then you will understand what is right and just and fair — every good path.
For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you."
~ Proverbs 2:9-11 (NIV)
"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." Gal. 5:16
Tanya
Sharpsville, IN
Then you will call upon Me and come pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:12-13
Kim Kirkland
Fernandina Beach, FL
"God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day."
Psalm 46:5 (NIV)
Lisa
Cartersville, GA
"And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
John 17:3 (ESV)
Brooke
Waco, TX
I have been posting comments (I think-I am not very computer literate), but just in case I have been memorizing the following scriptures: January—-1 Corinthians 10:13, and Ephesians 4:26-27. February—Ephesians 4:29and 2 Peter 1:5-7. March—Ephesians 4:15 and 1 Peter 3:9. April—Romans 8:6 and 1 John 3:16. May—Matthew 5:3 and Matthew 5:4. June—Matthew 5:5 and Matthew 5:6
Cheryl Dillistone
Hattiesburg, MS
Beth & Staff of Living Proof:
Please pray for me. My confidence is just about bottom. We have just come off of a spiritual high from Vacation Bible School and a precious soul added to God's kingdom. This week has been filled with Satan using my thoughts against me. I'm trying to remember "PLS" as you mentioned on tv (Life Today). Pray that I don't give up but keep pressing on! Thank you for serving God as you do!
Love,
Fran Dockins
Corryton, TN
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, declares the Lord.
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55: 8,9
Barbara in New Bern, NC
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
Proverbs 24:3-4 NIV
Karen M
Madison, AL
Yet this I call to mind & therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21-23 NIV
Carol
Carthage, NY
"And since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our heart's spirnkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."
Hebrews 10:21-22
NASB
Jayne -Frisco, TX
The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.
Psalm 6:9 (NIV)
Gwen S
Irmo, SC
Karen ~ Bristol, TN
Psalm 139: 23 & 24
Almost forgot to post. I posted both verses for the month together last time.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."
"If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." – 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
Traca Miller
Stephenville, TX
Katie Taylor
Russellville, AL
Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be dismayed. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will triumph.
Isaiah 50:7 NLT
"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart. I will recount all of your wonderful deeds." Psalm 9:1 NIV
"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8 NIV
"The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace." Psalm 29:11 NIV
Debbie McCauley
Scott AFB, IL
Ps. 107:28-29
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
He made the storm be still , and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Carol – Great Bend Ks.
Just back from a beach vacation so I'm late!
He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.
Isaiah 40:11
Heidi
Sebring, Florida
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
Hillyn, Russellville
Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Revelation 22:12-13 (NIV)
Michelle, Russellville
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
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.
Carrie
Prior Lake, MN
Therefore, the is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)
Karen
Ponte Vedra, Florida
Whoops, I was out of town but memorizing 🙂
Psalm 1:2 "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."
Sarah, Minneapolis, MN
1st Corinthians 13:1 KJV
And though I have the gift of phrophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains and have not charity, I am NOTHING.
1st Corinthians 13:11 KJV
When I was a child I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child but when I became a man I put away childish things.
posting 2 verses to catch up
CC/Christina Cadena
Grand Prairie,Tx
"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Gal. 1:10 (NIV)
Marysue
Auburndale, FL
Sorry i'm so late in typing this…i WAS on time for memorizing it, though! 🙂
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3 (NIV)
Sharon in Katy, TX (103 degrees) 🙂
Verse 11: The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. Nahum 1:7 NIV.
Verse 12: Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV.
Becky Vicksburg, MS
"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."
Psalm 86:11 (NIV)
Cheryl
Katy, TX
Matthew 19:26
All things are possible with God.
Isaiah 61:1 NIV
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners.
Lynn
Rock Hill, SC
Traci in Franklin, TN
"Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is slow to anger and keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love NEVER FAILS!!!
1 Corinthinians 13:4-8 NIV
I almost forgot to post this time!!
Lisa Rose
Moyock, NC
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. John:1-2 NIV
Kim, Spring, TX