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
Julie D – Holland, Michigan
Jesus answered, “God wants you to have faith in the one he sent.”
John 6:29 CEV
Andria, from Virginia
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Ex. 14:14 NIV
Terri from Winchester, VA
“Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1Thessalonians 5:16-18
Kathleen from Phoenix: “He who disregards discipline despises himself, but those who listen to correction only gain understanding.” Proverbs 15:32 (NIV)
Avoid every kind of evil
1 Thessalonians NIV
Melissa from Goshen, KY…
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
Psalm 105:4 (NIV)
Laura from Nokia, Finland
“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)
“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.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NLT)
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
San Angelo, TX
Dear childre, let’s not merely say that we love each other, let us show the truth by our actions.
1 John 3:18 (NLT)
Brea Rich from Ripley, MS
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. Psalm 92:1-2 ESV
Eryn, Anthony, KS
“But you, God, shield me on all sides; you ground my feet, you lift my head high.”
Psalm 3:3 MSG
Diana, North Attleboro, MA
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. Psalm 62:1 NIV84
Starr, Panama City, FL
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV)
Sally Sour Lake, Tx
Matthew 7:7 (HCSB)
Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find it. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened for you.
“You will no longer be called Abandoned, and your land will no longer be called Deserted. Instead, you will be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land, Married. Because the Lord delights in you, your land will be cared for once again.”
Isaiah 62:4 (CEB)
Laurie Chester
Psalm 92:1-2
“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.”
ESV
Lea from Granger, IN: Isaiah 40:31 “but they that wait on The Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount on wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (ESV)
Jill, Springdale, AR
A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Proverbs 22:1 NIV 84
Send forth Your light and Your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to Your holy mountain, to the place where You dwell.
Psalms 43:3 NIV
Dee Dee, Smyrna, GA “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NASB)
Wendy, Harrodsburg, Kentucky
“When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Isaiah 43:1-2 (continued from last time)
This verse is one of my absolute favorites! What a glorious promise!
Amy in Fountain, CO
“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” ~ James 2:17 (ESV)
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15
Heidi, Amarillo, TX
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High. To declare your steadfast love int he morning,and Your faithfulness by night.
Psalms 92:1-2 ESV
Pauline, Kearney NE
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:1
Michelle, Minot,ND
Psalms 86:5 NLT
Oh Lord, you are so good,so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
Heather Jackson-Harrogate, TN
Psalms 138:8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the works of Your hands. (NKJV)
Melanie – Decatur, AL
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 NIV 1984
“Not that I have already obtained all this,or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of me” Phil. 3:12 NIV
Jordin, Albuquerque
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2, ESV
Tanya, Whitewater, KS
“Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.”
1 Peter 5:8-10, Amplified
P.S. I felt tested all day yesterday too, though I’m not sure I allowed that garment of praise to stay on me…today is better, praise the Lord!
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (NIV)
Brooke from Ladson, SC
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6
Nancy, Rhinelander,Wi
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your Name, O Most High; Psalm 92:1 NKJV
MaryD in Phoenix, AZ
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You!
IS 26:3 NKJV
Joni, Port Neches. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Corin. 13:4
I was tempted to write “does not envy”, “does not boast”, and “is not proud” in all caps! 🙂
Julie from Queen Creek, AZ “The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” Psalm 23:1 (NLT)
Mitzi, Lepanto AR
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22 NIV
Julie Garner, Boerne TX
Psalm 119:18 NIV
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
Debbie Z Vancouver, WA
Be merciful to those who doubt. Jude 1:22 NIV
Brittany from Carrollton, TX: Be joyful always; pry continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
linda, colorado springs.
my health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but god remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.
psalm 73:26 (nlt)
Melody
Myrtle Beach, SC
“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
Jenni, Birmingham, AL
You will no longer be called Abandoned, and your land will no longer be called Deserted. Instead, you will be called My Delight Is In Her, and your land, Married. Because the L-rd delights in you, your land will be cared for once again.” Isaiah 62:4 (CEB)
Peggy – Schertz, Tx
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty”. Psalm 91:1 NLT
Ann, Ventura, CA
“He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.” –Psalm 112:7-8 (NIV)
Mineola, Texas. March 1, 2013
“We use our tongues to praise our Lord and Father,
but then we curse people, whom God made like
himself.” James 3:9. NCV
SHARON QUEVREAUX
Rebecca, Tacoma, WA
“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.” Isaiah 40:31(NIV)
Marie from Manchester, ME
Ps 3:3 (NLT)
But you, O Lord are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts my head high.