15th Scripture Memory

While I allow Psalm 27 to perculate, I'll add this important reminder as well:

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

October...the first half

I seem to completely lose track of time when I see this screen, so between me trying to limit my opportunities for mysterious time disappearance and me just getting busy with daily stuff, I'm a bit late. I've continued working on Psalm 27 and have 10 of the 14 verses locked in. I truly hope you'll give scripture memory a go if you're reading this. I know it makes a difference. I have experienced the real benefits of being ready with scripture, as well as heard countless testimonies from dear friends. The enemy is constantly preparing attacks against us--God's Word is the sword we use to fight back. If we are not under attack, someone we know probably is and a scripture locked in our brain is an immeasurable help when they need encouragement and our Bible is not with us. Even in more calm times, God's Word is a great encouragement--once memorized, don't just set it aside, but continue to refresh your mind by reviewing those verses you've worked on. It's like sword practice...we sharpen our swords (our knowledge and understanding of God's Word) by memorizing, reviewing, muttering God's Word to ourselves, so that when the battle comes our swords are not rusty and too heavy for us. I don't know about you, but this is one warrior princess who wants to be ready.

Here's a bonus picture of our boys as knights just a few years ago:



Happy is he who knows how to use his sword!

15th Scripture Memory

Now that we're packed, moved and unpacked and I've had a little more time to work on my previous verses, I'm ready to start working on Psalm 27. I'll post the entire psalm, although I'm not attempting to get the whole thing in my head within 2 weeks! My goal is to be purposeful in working on memorizing and understanding the psalm and allowing God to cement it in my mind and heart. Here it is in today's new international version:

Psalm 27

Of David.

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.

3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.

4 One thing I ask from the LORD,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.

5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.

7 Hear my voice when I call, LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.

8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.

9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.

10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.

11 Teach me your way, LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.

12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.

13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.


"I WILL SEE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING."

We can see His goodness...are we looking? We have experienced and watched others experience much pain and sadness these past several months. Even amidst the pain, we can see the goodness of the LORD in His provision of comfort, strength, and grace to make it through one more day. May we look around and see the "goodness of the LORD."

1st Scripture Memory

Oh, my! These last several months have been wonderful...challenging...faith-building...overwhelming...and filled with God's faithfulness. I have needed every single scripture that I have been meditating on. God is so good.

I asked God to point me to the next scripture this morning, otherwise I would continue to solidify the ones I've recently been working on. I felt His peace. So for these next several days, I will review and read and speak these verses so I will be ready when I need them again (which will probably be VERY soon) for myself or a fellow sojourner.

15th Scripture Memory

Wow, I'm a little later than usual, but here goes...

Philippians 4:4-9 ESV

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

We have been in a season of waiting and although God has now shown us the church we get the joy of ministering to/with and our new home (as well as a few other things), we are still waiting on our home to sell. Some days we need to remember to rejoice in the Lord, to not be anxious, to let God know what we're thinking and feeling and to be thankful for all He has already done and all He continues to do. I need to know that God's peace will guard my heart and mind when the enemy seeks to overwhelm me with all that needs to be done. I want to keep my chin up through this process and strengthen my trust in our faithful God that has never let us down. Not even once.

Continue Your work in me, Lord. I trust in Your timing

Great News!!!

After literally thousands of prayers over several years, we are feeling God's leading to pastor a church in Rushsylvania, Ohio. We are thrilled and we think they are, too!

August 1st Scripture Memory

Much has happened this summer and I want to update with some pictures, but soon...for now I am going to work on a scripture that has been impressed upon my heart from a Bible study I've been working through this summer. We've been learning about seduction and how much grace should be shown to a truly repentant heart--when someone realizes they've done wrong and turn from it, we must be the body of Christ and embrace them, growing in grace. So here it is...

2 Peter 3:17-18

I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to Him, both now and forever! Amen.

I don't want to grow in knowledge only, but in grace, too!