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
Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle.
Psalm 107:4 (NIV)
Stephanie
Pawleys Island, SC
Tiffany Fling Kansas City, KS
Romans 8:18 NCV. The sufferings we have now are nothing compared to the great gliry that will be shown to us.
Diane Archibald, Phoenix, AZ
“For surely, O Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12 NIV
Carolyn Smith Fillmore, CA
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; Ps 92:1 ESV
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
Linda, Delray Beach, FL
“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you,
the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
John 17:3 (NIV)
Erin B., League City, TX.
“I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2a NLT
Susan, Fort Worth, TX
Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, [10] so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, [11] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Calla, Thousand Oaks, California
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Whatever is true,
Whatever is noble,
Whatever is right,
Whatever is pure,
Whatever is lovely,
Whatever is admirable-
If anything is excellent or praiseworthy-
Think about such things.
Austin, TX
Jude 1:22 ESV
Show mercy to those who doubt
Isaiah 46:4 NIV. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he,
I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Susanna from CA
Jeremiah 17:7-8
“But 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.”
Jennifer Doucet
Sulphur, Louisiana
Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3 NIV84
Kathy Willis
Huntington, WV
Psalm 62:5-6
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. ESV
Diera, Austin
“As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.” Psalm 18:30 NIV
Nancy, Sanger, TX
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you cn do nothing. John 15:4 ESV
Stacey, Houston
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NIV
Denise from Lenexa, KS
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
Amanda, Montgomery, AL, Psalm 86:12
I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. (NIV)
Awilda R. Acuff, College Station, TX
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
Colossians 3:5 (NIV 1984)
Shannon, Buda, Texas
Praise The Lord oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits-
Psalm 103:2
Tammy/Monroe, Ga.
My eyes are always on the Lord, for He will pull my feet out of the net. (Psalms 25:15 HCSB)
Jackie from Lake Charles: “And being found in appearance as a man,he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!” Phillipians 2:8 NIV
Regina in Tallahassee, FL
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalms 119:103 KJV
Becca Frischhertz from Pearl River, LA
“The Lord of Hosts has sworn: As I have purposed, so it will be; as I have planned it, so it will happen.” Isaiah 14:24 (HCSB)
Margo from Littleton, CO
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 ESV
Karin from Clinton, NJ
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
Galatians 6:9 NLT
Suzy, San Antonio, tx “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.” Jeremiah 29:11
Michelle, Carthage TX
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
John 1:9-11, ESV
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, becasue through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2 NIV
Barbara Gallier, Beaumont,Texas. “I love you, O Lord, my strength.” Ps 18:1 NIV
Desiree, Plano ,Tx, Daniel 3:18 Nlt
But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.
Tensie, Los Angeles, California –
Psalm 3:3
“But You oh Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” (ESV)
Kim Eshelman Lewisburg, PA
So I took courage because I was strengthened by Yahweh my God. Ezra 7:28 (HCSB)
Sharice, Shelby, NC
“O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.”
Isaiah 25:1 (NIV)
Psalm 92:1 Esv
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High.
Mackenzie Rose
Westlake, Texas
Rochester, MN. How blessed are the people who worship you! O Lord, they experience Your favor. They rejoice in Your name all day long, and are vindicated by Your justice. Psalm 89:15-16 NET
Sandy, Deming, NM
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 NKJV
Sharon, McKinney, TX
He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.
John 8:47 NIV
Paulette
Nogalus Prairie, TX
“Get dressed for service and keep your lamps burning..”
Luke 12:35 The NET Bible
Pushkala, Louisville, KY – Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified.
Romans 15:7 (NLT)
Amanda from Bedford, Tx
“Consider what I say, for The Lord will give you understanding in everything.”
2 Timothy 2:7 NASB
Sarah
Appleton, WI
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
2 Peter 3:9, NLT
Dana Hutto; Huffman, TX – The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me; because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. The will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV84
Angela
Littleton, Colorado
“Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is true worship. Do not conform 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”
Romans 12:1-2 NIV
Alesha, Charlotte, NC
For He loves us with unfailing love; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise the Lord! Psalms 117:2 NLT
Jane W., Charlotte
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
James 1: 19-21 NIV
Susie Bloomington IN
But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
Psalm 31:14 NIV
Jody in Huntsville, AL
Matthew 11:29-30 NIV
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.
Jennifer Shuler – White, GA
Colossians 4:2 — Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. NIV