Hey, Darling Things! I was so happy to catch up with many of you yesterday! I was seriously thirsty for some time with you. If you didn’t tune in to the livestream but want to catch up, check the previous post. The video will stay up for a little while. It’s not at all too late to watch it and leave a comment with your 5-song playlist (on that post, not this one please!). That post is about trading in a spirit of despair for a garment of praise! If you’re game for that, jump back to the previous entry after you’ve left your memory verse here.
Man, oh, man, I was tested all day long yesterday on whether or not I’d permit Jesus to cover me with a garment of praise. Anybody else? The day wasn’t complete until I had car trouble. Oh, and I almost forgot to throw in here that Star and Geli were bound and determined to have my raccoon for supper. I screamed to high heaven and Keith ran out in the sticks barefooted in his maroon Texas A&M pajama pants and called them off. Why the police didn’t drive up to see if there had been domestic violence, I’ll never know. Laughing. Oh, mercy, ladies. We live real lives, don’t we? The kind where you unload a dishwater that was crammed full of dishes only to realize late into the massive unloading that they were still dirty. Blast it.
I’m praising our glorious God this morning while it is still dark outside, anticipating that over the next half hour the sun will rise on a brand new day and it will be a great one. A great one, indeed, Lord Jesus. Bring it. And show Your beautiful self to us in its course.
SO, SISTERS, IT’S TIME FOR OUR 5TH VERSE! You are jotted in my prayer journal this morning where I asked God to keep you steadfastly at the process and to give you joy and victory in it and to keep your soul alive and healthy in His Word. Do not grow weary in your well doing! Always keep in mind that we’re wearing our obsessive minds out on SOMETHING. It may as well be the Word of God with the power to build it back up! Your God did not give you a spirit of fear, Sweet Thing, but of…
POWER.
LOVE.
SELF CONTROL.
I thought maybe some of you could use some fresh ideas this round so I’m going to put a few extras in here today. Two of these are from the Psalm I read to you at the conclusion of the livestream yesterday. The beauty of the first selection is that it would count for both your Scriptures this month since it’s two verses. Now, mind you, you’d still have to document the second half of it on March 15th but that’s easy to do. Right? I felt like God put a word on my heart yesterday that some of us who are really struggling with the memorization process might be making it a bit harder than it has to be in some of our selections. Try to avoid over-complicating it when possible. Only choose a really complex portion when you feel like your life and sanity depend on it and, in that case, go for it with all your might and ask God to empower you to absorb it. OK, here goes:
(1) It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; (v.2) to declare Your steadfast love in the morning, and Your faithfulness by night. Psalm 92:1-4 ESV  (See how easy those two would be, Sisters? And it would knock out your whole month of March!)
I’ll go ahead and choose the second one (out of the same Psalm) for my selection this March 1st. I’m choosing The NET Bible for my translation on this one because it makes me happy to use the word happy in a Bible verse. Thank you, Miss Shameless Sanguine.
Beth, Houston. “For You, O Lord, have made me HAPPY by Your work. I will sing for joy because of what You have done.” Psalm 92:4 The NET Bible
I’ll throw in one more because I jotted it down on an index card several months ago and set it on my desk at home where I can see it everyday while I’m having my quiet time. It hasn’t finished its work in me yet so, while it’s still on my mind, I’ll offer it up as one more possibility for some of you. I love, love, love this verse in The Message.
GOD, the Master, The Holy of Israel,
has this solemn counsel:
“Your salvation requires you to turn back to me
and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.
Your strength will come from settling down
in complete dependence on me.” Isaiah 30:15 The Message
Well, amen to that.
I love you guys so much! That sun is just beginning to peak through the trees. It’s going to be a great day.
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you. John 14:27 kjv
Hannah from Damascus
Psalm 19:14 (NASB)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Blake, McKinney
When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2 ESV
Shana Garner, Tifton, GA
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV
Cathie – Jacksonville Florida
And the world is passing away with all its desires, but the person who does the will of God remains forever.
1 John 2:17 The NET
(Sorry its late:)
Phillipians 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything you can understand. His peach will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (NLT)
andrea – niles, mi
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
Amy from Buda, TX: The Lord is good. His love endures forever, his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalms 100:5 NIV)
Lisa DeCarlo, Alpharetta, GA
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one
who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you
with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
Holly Belt, Spring Hill, TN
The word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 NIV
JoElle~Glenville, NY
Be wise in the way you act with those who are not believers, making good
use of every opportunity you have. Colossians 4:5 (GNT)
Terra from Owasso, Ok
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NLT)
Cheryl, Los Osos:
“May the God of hope full you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV 1984)
JamieB
Corbin,ky
Psalm 92:1-2 ESV It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your steadfast love in the morning, and Your faithfulness by night.
Brittany, Norfolk, NE
“Trust in the LORD with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Kelly, Fort Smith, AR Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, God’s chosen ones,holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, ” HCSB
Cheryl, Sherrills Ford, NC “Being confident of this very thing, He who has begun a good work in you will continue it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 NIV
Zephaniah 3:17 (HCSB)
The Lord your God is among you,
a warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with gladness.
He will bring you quietness with His love.
He will delight in you with shouts of joy.
Rosi Lovell
Hopkinsville, KY
1 Corinthians 6:19
Do you not know that your bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
Shari, Vail, AZ. “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;”
Romans 8:6 NIV
Janie, Sarah and Anna Phillips
Bartlesville, OK
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Monica, Newbury Park, CA Phil 3:13 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important as yourselves;
Annie Downs // Nashville, TN
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Laurel, Rochester, NY “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” 2 Timothy 4:7 NLT
Kalika, Rochester, NY “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” 2 Timothy 4:7 NLT
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6 NIV
Beverly from Amarillo
Rom. 12:1 NIV Therefore I urge you, 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.
Heather, London, ON, Canada
“He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness and light dwells with Him.” Daniel 2:22 NIV
krystal ward
teague, tx
teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
Psalm 143:10 NIV
Laurel, MS
Jude 1:24 (NASB)
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy.
Salisbury, MD
1John 4:7-8. 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love
Scarlett, Round Rock, TX
“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths” Psalms 25:4, NIV
Kristy, Sheridan, AR
Have Mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love: according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:1-2 NIV
Caitlin, Marion, Ky
1 John 5:21 NLT
Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
Eva Walters
Houston, TX
Psalm 5:12
For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield.
NAS
L Diane, Indianapolis
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Katie, Pittsburgh
For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and self control.
2 Timothy 1:7
Hannah – Maryville
Hebrews 12:2
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jennifer–Houston, TX
“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.”
Colossians 1:17-20 (NIV)
AMEN!!!
Ellen K in Findlay, OH
“Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3 NASB
Tori, Moore OK;
Ps.92:1(ESV)
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
Thanks, Beth, I needed this one! I had “lost step” and this sets me right again.
Michelle from Fort Belvoir
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
James 1:5 ESV
Angela, Houston, TX: Psalm 90:12 (HCSB) Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.
Proverbs 15:4 (NIV)
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, bue a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Shaina B., Columbus, Ohio
Philippians 4:6-7 The Message
“Do not fret or worry. Instead of worrying pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s whiteness, everything coming together for good will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
Shaina B., Columbus, Ohio
Philippians 4:6-7 The Message
“Do not fret or worry. Instead of worrying pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
Angie W. Houston, TX
‘Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.’ Ephesians 3:17-18 NLT
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave his life for me.
Gal. 2:20 ESV