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!

15th Scripture Memory

I had planned on posting early since we were heading out of town...oh, well :) Here's what I began memorizing on the 15th:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-25 (TNIV)

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject whatever is harmful.

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

A few neighborhood friends and I are working through Beth Moore's "When Godly People Do Ungodly Things," and this is one of the scriptures we've focused on. I definitely want to be prepared for whatever test I come to, and I think this scripture is a great place to start! May God bless you as you meditate on His Word!

July's 1st Scripture Memory

I love this verse, but especially enjoy the last part:

Isaiah 40:11 TNIV

"He tends His flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in His arms
and carries them close to His heart;
He gently leads those that have young."

The Hebrew word for "gently leads" is "nahal." It's first definition is: to lead, give rest, lead with care, guide to a watering place or station, cause to rest, bring to a station or place of rest, guide, refresh. It also can mean "to lead or bring to a station or goal" or "to journey by stations or stages."

Being a mother of 2 little rambunctious boys, I definitely need some guidance! The meaning "to journey by stations or stages" reminds me that each portion of time is a stage--with my children as well as myself--and God will lead me, my husband and our boys through each one if we will follow Him. He wants to lead you, too!

15th Scripture Memory

So, I have several other "things" I'd like to throw out on this blog. These last few weeks have flown by, but I'm hoping to have some time in the next week to add some family posts :)

I began thinking yesterday...what verse should I focus on at this point of this year in my life??? Immediately this verse popped in my head:

Philippians 2:5-8 (New International Version)

⁵Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
⁶Who, being in very nature^{a]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[a]} God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
⁷but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature^{b]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[b]} of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
⁸And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Or at least the beginning of it. I've heard this verse many times, but have not commit it to memory, so this is the time! I've been quite tired the last few days and my attitude has shown it. I cannot recall how many times I've told our boys, "I know you're tired, but you still can't treat ________ like that." I had to apologize and ask for forgiveness for my behavior yesterday. I hate giving in to the enemy!

So, I will focus on my attitude as I memorize these verses. Jesus was always patient, kind, loving and gentle...even when He had taught, healed and traveled all day. I want to be more like Him.

1st Scripture Memory

It is so easy to go through a day and compare what I am doing and how I am doing it to people I see (and many that I just know of). Without purposely diverting my attention to more worthwhile thoughts, I will fall into the comparison game. Frequently. God has been working in me about this specific issue over the last year or so, but I'm reminded again just how much effort it takes. I must be purposeful about measuring myself only against God's standards. You must be purposeful about measuring yourself only against God's standards. Some may be disappointed in us, some may be offended by us, but if we are living the life of love that God calls us to, then we can't be consumed by what others think--only what God thinks. Hopefully, I haven't terribly confused you.

In light of this "reminding," here is my verse:

Galatians 6:4 NCV

Each person should judge his own actions and not compare himself with others. Then he can be proud for what he himself has done.

And also:

1 Samuel 16:7b ESV

For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.

Not sure if I'll memorize this one, but I wanted to share it:

Lamentations 3:40 ESV

Let us test and examine our ways and return to the LORD!

May you know how much God loves you and may you live freely in His love!