Hey, Everyone!
Praise God, He is still risen on Monday! I trust that your Resurrection Sunday was so full of Jesus. This was our second Easter as a church at Bayou City Fellowship and all of our services were filled to the brim, not only with people but also with hope. I love this time of year so much. I cannot think of anything in existence that exceeds the implications of the empty tomb: not the heavens above you, not the earth beneath your feet, not a single school or workplace, nor the blackest heart or most broken mind. No power nor principality can roll that stone back over the mouth of that tomb. Come one, come all. Come while there is still time. Come to Jesus.
I only have a few minutes on here today because Jackson and Annabeth are at my house, each playing within feet of me. (Right where I want them, needless to say.) Annabeth just put her baby doll in my lap and said, “Bibby, you need to change her diaper. She pottied in her pants.” So, there you go. As much as I’d like to linger on here with you today, obviously this is not the time. Diapers need changing around this place.
In the meantime, you and I have arrived at Verse 7! Our Scripture memory year is rolling like a freight train. We’re starting to flip those spirals now, Sisters! Don’t you grow weary. We have a lot ahead to celebrate! In case you like seasonal verses, these might be a few options this time around. (I’m grinning while writing these but if there’s anything we don’t want to be, Sister, it’s the Old Testament’s take on a fool. Today or ever.)
Psalm 14:1 — The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
and
Proverbs 12:15 — The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
and
Proverbs 29:11 — A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
Then again, the New Testament gives a whole new twist to the idea of foolishness. This is the verse I’m selecting this time around.
Beth, Houston. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27 ESV
And that’s the only reason I have the privilege to serve you.
Merciful One, You turned the world upside down.
Let’s hear your 7th verses, Sisters!
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Shaci-Aztec, New Mexico
“Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up. Expect God to get here soon.” Psalm 31:24 MSG
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still — Exodus 14:14 NIV
Madeline from Flagstaff, AZ
Kristen Sistrunk
Round Rock, Tx.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from my fears. Psalm 34:4 (ESV)
Leah – Ramona, CA
And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. – Luke 1:45 (ESV)
Jen Morrison, Yuba City, Ca.
Proverbs 29:11ESV- “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.”
I needed this!! Thank you!
Rebecca, Louisa, VA:
The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of His unfailing love.
By the words of the Lord were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of His mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
He puts the deep into storehouses. ~ Psalm 33:5-7 (NIV)
Patti from Tampa, FL:
My heart bursts its banks, spilling beauty and goodness. I pour it out in a poem to the King, shaping the river into words:
You’re the handsomest of men; every word from Your lips is sheer grace, and God has blessed You, blessed You so much.
Strap Your sword to Your side, Warrior! Accept praise! Accept due honor! Ride majestically! Ride triumphantly! Ride on the side of Truth! Ride for the righteous meek!
Your Instructions are glow-in-the-dark; You shoot sharp arrows into enemy hearts; the King’s foes lie down in the dust, beaten.
Your throne is God’s throne, ever and always; the scepter of Your royal rule measures right living. You love the right and hate the wrong. And that is why God, Your very own God poured fragrant oil on Your head, marking You out as King from among Your dear companions.
Your ozone-drenched garments are fragrant with mountain breeze. Chamber music – from the throne room – makes You want to dance. Kings’ daughters are maids in Your court, the Bride glittering with golden jewelry.
“Now listen, daughter, don’t miss a word: forget your country, put your home behind you. Be here – the King is wild for you. Since He’s your Lord, adore Him. Wedding gifts pour in from Tyre; rich guests shower you with presents.”
(Her wedding dress is dazzling, lined with gold by the weavers; all her dresses and robes are woven with gold. She is led to the King, followed by her virgin companions. A procession of joy and laughter! A grand entrance to the King’s palace!)
“Set your mind now on sons – don’t dote on father and grandfather. You’ll set Your sons up as princes all over the earth. I’ll make You famous for generations; You’ll be the talk of the town for a long, long time.
Psalm 45 (MSG)
Julie, Cincinnati, OH-
James 1:22 NLT
“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise you are only fooling yourselves.”
Kandi Sullivan – Tallahassee, Florida
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 NRS
Dana, San Angelo, Texas
“I love you, O Lord, my strength”. Psalm 18:1 (NIV).
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Psalm 103:20-22 ESV
Hannah from Albuquerque
Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the Lord.
Psalm 31:24 NIV
Jen, Houston
“Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.” – John 15:4 (NIV)
Beth, Toronto: “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?” Deut. 10:12 (ESV)
Kasey, Newnan GA. “Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1 NIV
Julie,Ft. Wanye, IN “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.
Proverbs 12:22
Cyndy, Columbia, SD
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1Corinthians 1:18 NIV
Valerie, Louisville KY
The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. Psalm 121:7 NASB
Amy from Plainfield IL
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 NIV)
Marsha R. Lexington Park, MD
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
James 2:14-15 NIV
Ann from McKinney:
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 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 3:18, 19 NLT)
Sandra, Torrance CA
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 1 Corinthians 1:27 ESV
Kristi, Telford, PA
“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He himself tempts no one….” James 1:13-18 ESV
Amy, Buda, TX: “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” 1 Peter 1:8 NIV
Jane, Bakersfield, CA
“But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”
Romans 8:25 NASB
Pamela in La Ceiba, Honduras
Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Heb 2:14-15 NKJV
Terry
Washington, IL
This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. (Psalms 91:2 NLT)
April Lopez, Bonneylake,Wa
He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains.
Psalm 107:14 NIV
Emmilianna Ferreria, BonneyLake,Wa
Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures.
1st Corinthians 15:3b-4 NIV
Elizabeth Kellett from Searcy, Arkansas
However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him— (1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV)
Leanne from Eden Prairie, MN
They will be my people, and I will be their God. And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants. (Jeremiah 32:38, 39 NLT)
Elaine, Littleton, CO
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
I Peter 1: 8,9 (NIV)
Amy-Savannah, GA
2 Timothy 2:13 NRSV
“If we are faithless, He remains faithful-for He cannot deny himself.”
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight,” Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV
Shelly, Portland, OR
“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak to shame the strong.”
1 Corinthians 1:27 (ESV)
Alissa, Spring, TX
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
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.
Kendra W. – Dallas, TX:
“Do not forsake me, O Lord;
O my God, be not far from me!”
Psalm 38:21, NKJV
Melissa, Easley, SC A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back. Proverbs 29:11 (NKJV)
A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. (Proverbs 29:11 ESV)
Bradley, IL
He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,according to His power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20
NIV
Kendra Husband, Charlotte, NC
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:17-18
Jennifer, Houston, TX: Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach; good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest. Proverbs 18:20
Melanie Johnson from Georgetown, Tx
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:24 NIV
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 (NIV)
Lori – Waxhaw, NC
Susan- Nashville, TN
Psalm 27:3 NIV
“Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.”
Robin , Phoenix
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16. NIV
Kristi, Greenville, TX
“May the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for He who calls you is faithful.”
1 Thes. 5:23-24, NLT
Julie Bauguess, Chesterland
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 ESV
Jenni from Birmingham, AL
1 Peter 3:3-4 (CJB) “Your beauty should not consist in externals such as fancy hairstyles, gold jewelry or what you wear; rather, let it be the inner character of your heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit. In God’s sight, this is of great value.”
Colleen, Glen Ellyn, IL
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 ESV
Kerry, Houston, TX
And the Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear, or be dismayed.
Deut. 31:8 (NASB)