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
Lori, Oil City, PA
“O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.” Psalm 51:15 (NIV)
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24
Fishers, In
Philippians 4:8…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellant or praiseworthy-think about such things.
Hayley – Alicante, Spain:
“But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.” -Luke 10:41-42 (ESV/HCSB)
Brandie, Kearney NE:
“Let your getnle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near (or: at hand).” Phil 4:4 NASB
I am in a VERY busy time of life right now. I have chosen short, meaningful verses to memorize…and done so without guilt 🙂 But, your encouragement to keep it simple was reassuring and a good boost – so thank you!
Charmaine, Miami, FL — Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 ESV
Judy Pauley Norfolk,Va.
Isaiah 30:15 Msg.
God, the Master,the Holy of Isreal,
has this solomn council:
“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 dependance on me.”
Schel – Bayou Vista, TX – “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins”. 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)
Heidi, Chicago, IL
“Don’t worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6 NLT
Vicki, Lubbock, TX– It is good to praise Yahweh, to sing praise to Your name, Most High, to declare Your faithful love in the morning and Your faithfulness at night,
Psalm 92:1-2 HCSB
Ima Parriott, Springfield, IL:
He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. (John 15:2 NLT)
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place where he prayed. Mark 1:35 NIV
Patty, Shelton, WA
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess. 5:16-18 NIV
Betty Scofield from Lees Summmit, Missouri
Psalm 63:8 NIV 1984
“My soul clings to you, your right hand upholds me.”
Monica
Cheyenne, WY
With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.
I will give glory to your name forever.
Psalm 86:12 NLT
“I am the vine; you ate the branches.” John 15:5
My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise His holy name forever and ever. Psalm 145:21 (ESV)
Bethany from Chillicothe: And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 2 Timothy 2:24 NIV
Cadence from Chillicothe: And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 2 Timothy 2:24 NIV
Candias Chalker, Highland CA 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.
Lisa Snyder in Montgomery TX
Luke 1:37 NIV
For nothing is impossible with God
Michelle, Exton, PA- “Happy are the people whose God is The Lord.” Psalm 144:15b
Anisha S. McKinney Texas,
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12 ESV
Tracey, Columba, MO, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13. (RSB)
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:11-12
In Thee, O Lord, I put my trust. Let me never be ashamed, Deliver Me In Thy Righteousness – KJV
Kathy Iverson – Franksville, Wisconsin 53126
Ronda, Tulsa: “Fools are undone by their big mouths; their souls are crushed by their words.” Proverbs 18:7 – The Message
Lauren – Chicago, IL: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7 NIV)
Dawn Whiteford – Batavia, OH
Psalm 18:1 NLT
I love you, Lord; you are my strength.
Arlington, TX
Hebrews 13:15 NIV
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Michelle G Waterloo, Ontario
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
Megan from Sioux Falls, SD
“Set me as a seal upon your heart,
As a seal upon your arm;
For love is as strong as death,
Jealousy as cruel as the grave;
It’s flames are flames of fire,
A most vehement flame.” -Song of Songs 8:6 (NKJV)
Lisa from Kokomo, IN
For The Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
Beth, London Ontario
“First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
Mark 7:27 NIV
Beth, Wynnewood, OK
We love because he first loved us.
1 John 4:19 NIV
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Gal 5:1, NIV
Donna, Huntersville, NC
Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
John 1:16, NIV
Trish Lenz West Linn, Oregon
“SO then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him,rooted and built up in him,strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness”.
Colossians2:6-7 NIV
Matthew 11:28-30
New International Version (NIV)
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
“For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.” Ps 92:4(NIV)
Audrey, Ohio
Micah 7:18-19 TNIV
Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness,
The LORD will be my light.
Because I have since against Him,
I will bear the LORD’s wrath,
Until He pleads my case
And establishes my right.
He will bring me out into the light;
I will see His righteousness.
Brianna from Huntsville, AL
Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. (Psalms 145:2 NKJV)
Andrea S. from Fresno, CA. “if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10 ESV
Patti, Tampa, Florida
But whoever keeps His Word, truly in him the love of God is perfected. This is how we know we are in Him: The one who remains in Him should walk just as Jesus walked.
1 John 2:5-6 (HCSB)
Lily, Auburn, Al
“Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Mark 14:38 (NLT)
Rhonda, Kalamazoo, MI
But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.
Psalm 68:3 NIV
3-1-13
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.
Eph 3:20 NKJ
Becky Mansfield, Ohio
But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.
Psalm 1:2 NLT
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Vickie, Poplar Bluff. “To declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithful by night.” Psalm 92:2 ESV