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
Isaiah 43:1(NIV’84)
“But now, this is what the Lord says- He who created you, Jacob,He who formed you, Israel; Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.
Kimberly from Bloomburg, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit brother. Amen.
Galatians 6:18 NIV
Jaclyn, Round Rock, TX
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23 NIV84)
Rachel
Wellington FL
“Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.” Galatians 6:4-5 NIV
Brook
Santa Monica, CA
Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up.
James 4:9-10 NIV84
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 KJV)
Carmela from Canton, Ohio
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18 NIV)
Lesley from Clinton, MS
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT
Gabby, Lake View, NY
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, 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. 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. Romans 12: 1-2 NIV
Gloria, Shreveport, LA
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life.”
Proverbs 4:23 ESV
Phyllis – Salisbury, MD
9 If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
10 no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
Psalm 91:9-10 (NLT)
Debbie, Newberg, OR –
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Christi-Clinton, UT: “Oh, turn to me, and have mercey on me! Give ear to Your servant and save the daughter of Your maidservant!” Psalms 86:16
Vivian, Birmingham, Alabama
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
Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer. Romans 12:12
Ft. Pierce
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
Pam, San Marino, CA “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” Luke 1:46b-47a NIV
Coral, Jacksonville, Florida
Psalm 63 -The Message
God—you’re my God!
I can’t get enough of you!
I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God,
traveling across dry and weary deserts.
Kristina from Duluth, MN “As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” Psalm 71:14 NIV
OH
Take away the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness…(and) pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted.
Isaiah 58:9b-10a ESV
Michal from San Antonio, Texas (Isaiah 58:11, NIV 1984): The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
suey houston romans 9 15 kjv i will have mercy on whom i have mercy and compassion on whom i have compassion
Chris, Cape Coral, FL
Don’t you see that children are GOD’S best gift? The fruit of the womb His generous legacy?
Psalm 127:3 Message
Ashley from Memphis, TN
“Blessed is the man who remains stedfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 ESV
Megan
Richmond, Va.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” Ephesians3:20 NIV
Debbie Torkelson, Annandale, VA
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Phil 2:3, NIV
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
Anne; Marion, IN: “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.” Proverbs 29:25 ESV
Debi, Merrimack, NH “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Psalm 139:23 (NLT)
Paula Stemple ~ Marlinton, WV
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (Ephesians 3:19 NLT)
The second son he named Ephraim and said, “it is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.Genesis 41:52 Life Application Bible. NIV. Tyndale. Beverlybee, California
Sherri Smith, Bellevue Nebraska
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.
Psalm 56:3, NASB
Sandra Borgen, Lidgerwood, ND “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. Psalm 34:8 KJV
Becky, Stromsburg, NE
Psalm3:3-6 MSG {from amplified Bible}
But you, God, shield me on all sides; You ground my feet, you lift my head high {the lifter of my head}
With all my might I shout up to God, His answers thunder from the holy mountain.
{Selah (pause and calmly think of that!)}
I stretch myself out. I sleep. Then I’m up again-rested, tall and steady,
Fearless before the enemy mobs coming at me from all sides.
Deena, Corona, CA
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—The very thing you’ve been unwilling to do.” Isaiah 30:15. The Message
Laura Olds
Auburn, AL
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26 ESV
Do not be afraid for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10NIV
heather g
charlotte nc
Alison Peyton
Peers, Alberta, Canada
The words of gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts
Proverbs 18:8
Rachelle, Gardner, KS “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,” Isaiah 61:1, NIV
Nancy NW Arkansas
Psalm 46:1 NIV
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
Amy, Washington DC: “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
Johns Creek, GA
Psalm 145:14
The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.
To answer before listening is foolish and shameful. (Proverbs 18:13 NIRV)
Carol, The Woodlands, TX “That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord: he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” (James 1-7 NIV)
Ouida in Trenton, TX
But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for if with patience.
Romans 8:25 (HCSB)
Gloria in Houston says:
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:25,26 (KJV)
Carolyn, Austin, TX
This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 1 John 3:11 NIV
Kristin, Austin, TX
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8, NIV
Danae, Escondido, CA:
“If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!” Psalm 139:19 (NIV84)
Cathy, Rhinebeck,NY
Jesus answered, “It is written: man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Matthew 4:4 (NIV)