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
Carol, Cashion. “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.” Proverbs 3:1-2, NASB
Barb, Urbandale, IA
Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
James 5:13-14 (NIV 84)
Mindy from Austin, TX “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:2, NIV.
Christine, St. Louis Park, MN Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.
Betsy from Westerville, Ohio
Proverbs 3: 5-6
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 direct your paths. NLT
Susan K, Tucson, AZ. He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your Lord God. Micah 6:8. NIV
Punky Tolson, Dallas, TX
Therefore he told me, “These signify the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength and not by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord who rules over all.” ~ Zechariah 4:6, The NET Bible
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20:21 NIV
Wendy – Cheyenne, WY.
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her! Luke 1:45 NIV
Leanne
Sallis, MS
Commit your future to the Lord! Trust in Him, and He will act on your behalf.
Psalm 37:5 NET
Michele Duffy, Minneapolis MN
Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.
Col 3:2. NIV
Amy from Everett, WA
In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.
Isaiah 30:15 (NASB)
Victoria W. (Bryant, AR)
“I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for The Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait for The Lord.” -Psalms 27:13-14(HCSB)
Donna, Tyler, TX
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV84
Sheryl, PA
O God, 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.
Isa. 25:1 NIV
(Praising God and giving Him glory for answered prayer this week as I found out biopsy results were negative)
Tracy Carden – Whitesburg, TN
We have needed this one this week!
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29 authorized KJV
Gods Word Proverbs 22:3 Sensible people forsee trouble and hide from it but gullible people go ahead and suffer. Sally Denton, Muskogee
Dianne, Atlanta “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:21-24 (ESV)
Rebecca
Owasso OK
2 Peter 1: 8-9 NIV
“For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.”
Philippians 2:3-4 RSV “Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interest but also to the interest of others.”
Courtney Eastman, Kingsport TN: “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:3 (NIV)
Crissy Wright
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20 HCSB)
Michelle W, Frisco TX
“We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV
Stacey DeYoung-Morocco,In
Psalm 73:25-26 NLT
Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
Kellye, Las Vegas. The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 147:11 (NIV)
Colorado Springs, CO
Psalm 66:2
Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is.
NLT
Kat Good Baltimore “It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.” Psalm 92:1 ESV
Brie, London, UK: When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:19 (NIV)
Deb, Loveland, CO – “That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love.” Ephesians 3:17 (NKJV)
Susan, Wynne
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)
Jenifer
Frisco, Texas
“The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.”
Exodus 14:14 NASB
Gina, Waynesville, NC
The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work.
Proverbs 12:24 (Message)
Sandra Torrance, Ca
It is good to give thanks to the Lord , And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
Psalms 92:1 NKJV
Kelly from Columbia, MO
“But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land he promised on oath to our ancestors.” (Deuteronomy 6:23 NIV)
Emily, Loveland, CO – “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.” Isaiah 40:28 (NKJV)
Brooke, Dallas “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 1 John 4:8 NIV
Colossians 1:29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. (NIV)
Ann, SC
For it is God who works in you to will and to act to His good purpose. Phil 2:13 NIV
Lisa, Andalusia
“Ah, Sovereign LORD, You haven made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You.
Jerimiah 32:17. NIV
Jo Anne, Chicago
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 NIV
Carol from Kansas City
By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil. Proverbs 16:6 NASB
Melody, Jefferson Ga.
Phil. 4:12-13 (ESV)
12 I know how to be brought low & I know how to abound. In any & every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty & hunger, abundance & need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Linda R. Springfield, MO
Because the LORD is my Shepherd, I have everything I need! ~ Psalms 23:1
Living Bible
Lezli. Okc, OK
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 12:2 NIV)
He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him. (Daniel 2:22 NKJV)
Suzie
~Fort Mill, SC
You thrill me, LORD, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. O LORD, what great works you do! And how deep are your thoughts.
Ps. 92:4-5 NLT
Deidra – Waynesboro
Zephaniah 3:9 NIV
“Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve Him shoulder to shoulder.
Judy Littleton, NC
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear,
then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Isaiah 58:8
Kate DeWys
Zeeland, Michigan
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Colossians 3 vs. 12-14 TNIV
Danita Tippet, Lake in the Hills, Il
Psalm 30:11-12 NRSV
You have turned my mourning into dancing; You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.