MEMORY VERSE #23

A great verse to remember this time of the year when many people (myself included) are tempted to spend more money than they can afford on Christmas gift giving. Also a great reminder to continue the debt "to love one another"... this is the only debt God wants us to always carry.

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.”
(Romans 13:8 NIV)

SSMT #23

My family and I have been faithful in saving cash through the year in our "Christmas Pig" (a holiday decorated piggy bank). Whatever dollar amount is in the Pig the day after Thanksgiving (when we count it) is the cash we will spend on Christmas gifts and Christmas donations to needy families. This method has worked great for us over the years. Having the cash on hand has helped us not be tempted to accumulate a bunch of uncontrollable credit card debt during the Christmas season!

Follow the Leader~ Memory Verses 21 and 22

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you..."

My husband is in Afghanistan for a short time on a job flying (as a civilian contract worker) with the US Army. During his first 24 hours on Afghan soil he heard two separate siren alerts followed by mortar explosions in the distance. The reality of "where he was" hit him hard. Because of modern day technology, I was able to talk with him (skype) during this time and heard first hand about this new location he'll be staying in. As we talked, I not only heard the unrest in his voice, but also saw the emotions in his face. He looked alone and afraid; I felt helpless.

As we talked I remembered Psalm 91 and emailed it to my hubby for encouragement and comfort. His email back to me was filled with gratitude for God's plan and protection. My hubby shared a verse God led him to from Deuteronomy 31:6. He thanked me for sending Psalm 91 and said God's truth gives him everything he needs to keep going each day with confidence despite the fear of the danger around him. Here's Deuteronomy 31:6~

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV ~ SSMT #21 ~ Memory Verse for Nov. 1-14)

My hubby and I trust our Lord in all things and know that when God brings us to a situation in life, He will also bring us through it if we let Him. I love how the Lord "goes before us" and is always "with us" as states in my memory verse for this next two weeks, November 15-30, Deuteronomy 31:8~

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV ~ SSMT #22)

I know my husband is where God needs him to be to grow us both in our faith and to fulfill His Mighty purposes. I'm encouraged to know we don't have to be afraid during this time because we are following the Maker of Heaven and Earth who promises to "never leave us, nor forsake us". We can trust Him as we follow and obey Him; His Word and Promises are always true.

PRAYER: Lord, protect every person who is in Afghanistan and any foreign country for that matter putting their lives in danger for the well being of others. I think of everyone from the soldiers to missionaries sharing the Gospel. Lord, show them Your power through Your presence in their every day. I pray You give them hope in full doses showing them mercy and grace. Thank You, Lord for your Word and your Promises! Lifted in Jesus Name~ AMEN.

MEMORY VERSE #20

So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

SSMT #20

The Power of NOW~ MEMORY VERSE #19

The Lord has been working on me lately in the area of putting things off. I know I'm not a procrastinator by nature, but lately I've been challenged in not prioritizing certain things and falling back on the excuse, "I can do it tomorrow". My "tomorrows" have strung in to a long list of sad yesterdays. Can you relate?

My next memory verse for Oct. 1-15 is Deuteronomy 30:11. This verse will remind me that the things God has called me to do to serve Him, He commands me to obey Him NOW, and TODAY (not tomorrow or yesterday). It's like giving Him the gift of my time and sense of urgency in His kingdom priorities; being more God-centered than self-centered. He gives me power and encouragement through Scripture in obeying Him now and today... and, there's blessing behind every act of obedience- I know it and EXPECT IT!

Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. (emphasis mine) DT 30:11 (NIV) SSMT #19

Getting dressed... MEMORY VERSE #17 & #18

Having just spent the last 10 weeks camped out in the "Beatitudes", it's a new day to be moving to another area of Scripture that God has laid on my heart to memorize.

5... All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud

but shows favor to the humble.”

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:5-7 (NIV)
SSMT #17 & #18

I love the visual of "clothing" myself every morning with humility (putting others first) so that I may receive a fresh dose of favor from God (in other Bible translations "favor" is translated, "grace" or "blessing"). We all need His amazing grace! Verses 6 and 7 remind me to simply, "let go, let God". My study Bible states: "Letting God have your anxieties calls for action, not passivity. Don't submit to circumstances, but to the Lord who controls the circumstances."

These verses come at such an appropriate time; not only do they minister to me in my everyday life application, but they are also nuggets of encouragement to keep reminding my hubby Kirk as he transitions from his military career to civilian. Kirk has been a bit anxious with leaving the familiar routine of flying in the Navy to the unknowns of what lies ahead. He himself is filling his mind with verses about trusting God and not being anxious which has helped him stay focused on God's plan for him and be at peace. Kirk is officially out of the Navy October 1, and has been blessed with a new (temporary) flying job; Kirk is in training for this new job right now flying special missions out of the country for chunks of time (OEF). He is thankful God has provided a temporary job, but this was not the job he had in mind or dreamed of upon getting out of the Navy. Kirk and I hold onto God's promise in Jeremiah 29:11. Please keep Kirk in your prayers as the Lord might bring him to your mind, that he trusts God's plans for his flying career, that he is at peace with what lies ahead and remembers to DAILY, "let go, let God. "

MEMORY VERSE #16

My #15 verse for Aug 1-15 is (Matthew 5:11 NIV)... “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Verse #16 for August 15-31 is a continuation of #15... (Matthew 5:12 NIV) Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

This concludes memorizing the Beatitudes. I will focus on living them out in my everyday life... Thank you, Lord!

SSMT #16

MEMORY VERSE #15

Matthew 5:11

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. (NIV)

SSMT verse #15

MEMORY VERSE #14

Happy Day Everybody!
For some reason, this year has been harder to stay focused on things. I'm pulled in many different directions and "distracted" has felt like my middle name. No matter how out of focus I "feel", one thing is for sure, I will do my best to stay faithful to my Lord.

Here it is already mid July, and I'm happy to be still on track with this year's challenge to plant God's Word in my heart with Beth Moore and thousands of other Siesta around the world. We are memorizing a new verse every two weeks (on the 1st and the 15th) and doing our best to live them out in our everyday lives. For verse #14, I'm moving on towards the end of the Beatitudes!

"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom." (MSG)

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (NIV)

SSMT Verse #14

Beatitudes Continue... MEMORY VERSE #13

Matthew 5:9 (NIV)
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.

I love the Message translation of this verse:
"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family."

SSMT #13

I want to be a "PEACEMAKER"!

This verse reminded me of a sermon years ago where the Pastor shared the difference between "peacekeepers" and "peacemakers". As I "googled" the topic, I found this web site that helps communicate the difference as I remember the Pastor of my church had done. If you have time to peak, check out THIS SITE for more insight.

MEMORY VERSE #12

...continuing on with the Beatitudes.

Matthew 5:8

You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. (MSG)

Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God. (NIV)

SSMT #12

MEMORY VERSE #11

MATTHEW 5:7

You're blessed when you care.
At the moment of being 'care-full,'
you find yourselves cared for. (MSG)
~same verse in NIV translation...
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy. (NIV)

SSMT #11

MEMORY VERSE #10

"You're blessed when you've
worked up a good appetite for God.
He's food and drink
in the best meal you'll ever eat." (MSG)

... same verse in (NIV):

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.

Matthew 5:6 (from the Beatitudes)
SSMT Verse #10

MEMORY VERSE #9

Matthew 5:5

"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought." (MSG)

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (NIV)
SSMT Verse #9

MEMORY VERSE #8

Continuing on with The Beatitudes from THIS POST...

"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you." (Matthew 5:4 MSG)

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4 NIV)

SSMT Verse #8

Not Just a Bunch of Words~ SSMT Verse #7

The point of memorizing Scripture isn't to fill our heads with a bunch of words and wonderful "quotes", but to take ownership of the verses, to allow them to shape who we are, to teach us new things about God, to encourage us and to equip us for this journey called "life". Scripture from the Holy Bible is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12), it is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-18) and LIFE CHANGING if we live by it.

Since I became a Christ follower 9 years ago (traded in "religion" for actual "relationship"), God has revealed Himself a multitude of times through Scripture that has "blessed" Him and me. I have been memorizing Bible verses off and on for the past 9 years because right off, I recognized they are not just a bunch of words, but they are power in my life when I plant them in my mind and heart. Scripture brings me closer to oneness with the Lord.

Over the next couple months, I will be memorizing The Beatitudes from the Message translation paralleled to the NIV. The Message has such a down to earth, easy to understand and apply message, that I want to plant both translations in my mind and heart.

The Beatitudes is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus "saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them." (Matthew 5:1-2 NIV). The Beatitudes shares when we are "BLESSED". Blessed means more than happiness... the experience of hope and joy not connected to outward circumstances; blessed is the deepest form of eternal happiness like those who are in God's kingdom experience. I love this because I've lived these verses and they're true!!! My prayer is that we all are blessed today in an indescribable Jesus happiness.

Here's my first verse of The Beatitudes (verse #7 SSMT), Matthew 5:3~

"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule." (MSG)

(Same verse in NIV) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "

Great Memory Verse! VERSE #6

I love the directness of The Message translation of Proverbs 18:21. I pray as I memorize these words of wisdom, God will continually remind me to "choose" life and fruit in what comes out of my mouth. (not just my words, but also my tone of voice)

Words kill, words give life;

they're either poison or fruit—
you choose.

Proverbs 18:21 (The Message) SSMT #6

As I memorize Proverbs 18:21, I will also refresh myself with a previous Scripture from several years ago -Ephesians 4:29. Thank you, Lord, for your Word!

MEMORY VERSE #5

I chose these verses for the next two weeks because I've been in a "funk" and know the enemy is trying his hardest to keep me there. The "funk" I'm talking about is lack of energy, confidence, self pity and the feeling of repetitious defeat. The Lord has convicted me in some areas of disobedience; for those I confess and repent.

Before I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior I was in ignorance and darkness. But now that He's in my heart and I am one with the Lord, I have His light and want so badly for that light to shine bright for His glory...

... for the Lord to show me His victory throughout each day and the fruit of His spirit (below as well as Galatians 5:22-23) to be reflected in all I am and do...

...I want to seek the Lord and not just find Him and find out what pleases Him, but also put it into action. As I memorize these wonderful verses from Ephesians 5 over the next weeks, I also will pray them back to the Lord for myself and my sisters and brothers in Christ.

For you were once darkness,

but now you are light in the Lord.

Live as children of light

(for the fruit of the light consists

in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

and find out what pleases the Lord.

Ephesians 5:8-10 (NIV)

SSMT Verse #5

MEMORY VERSE #4- SSMT Challenge

I love how God gives us His word as his direction to live life, as encouragement, and to give us complete strength and absolute truth as his children. He gives warnings to protect us, and promises to motivate us, all wrapped up in His overwhelming love.

For the past couple weeks the truth and promises in my memory verse #3 (Matthew 11:28-30) has sustained me and encouraged me. Finding "rest" in him has been awesome! (need to claim this more often!) THANK YOU, JESUS!

My next memory verse to write on my heart for Feb.15-28~

Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.

I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.

Psalm 63:3-4 (NIV)

Verse #4- SSMT Challenge

Tired and worn out... I need MEMORY VERSE #3

Over the past number of months, I've felt weary and burdened. I'm continually overwhelmed by having too much to do and not enough time to do it. I feel as though I'm operating my life in "mediocrity mode" and am continually falling short of my best because of my many commitments. Perhaps it's the "people pleaser" in me resurfacing this year in my inability to say "no" when things need done. I don't want to disappoint people; I rationalize "I'm capable", "I can do it", "no one else seems to be stepping up...", "if I don't do it, who will?" Lately, I find myself on a perpetual motion of being extremely busy with different projects and demands on my time; I'm being pulled in multiple directions most of the time. As a result, the time I spend with my husband and children is not what it should be... it's like I'm giving them my left overs. That's not right or is it fair.

I'm in the realization that I need to prune back some of my commitments and simplify my schedule. I will give the Lord my weariness and burdens knowing that through him I will have strength as I endure the rest of this year and prioritize my time and commitments the best I can.

To keep me on track and encouraged, I've selected my upcoming memory verse for the next couple weeks (Feb 1-14) from the book of Matthew- Jesus speaking:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

SSMT VERSE #3

MEMORY VERSE #2 ~ SSMT Challenge

With the new year, we all have a fresh start... but do you notice how everything from the previous year still follows us into the new year?

I finished the 2010 over committed to people and projects, feeling overwhelmed and anxious. I feel like a one man band, doing it all, barely having time to take a break! I try to delegate, but somehow, end up still having to do the brunt of things...

2011 is here~behold, I start the new year in the same manner- over committed, overwhelmed, anxious and doing it all. I know God is testing me, refining me, and leading me in a way to depend on Him more and less on myself. I praise him for Scripture, His encouragement, and His love. My prayer is that I make the positive changes for the new year to honor God with my time and commitments and be more at peace with all that I'm doing. Meditating on God's word & promises is one positive change for 2011 I am thankful for.

My memory verse for Jan 15-31:

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12 NIV)

Same verse from the MESSAGE~

Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.

Verse #2- SSMT Challenge