Weekly Memory Verse

Monday--already--again!! Where do the days go??

So, let's see how well I did with last week's verse:

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.....Proverbs 11:30 (NASB)

Solomon--the man who chose wisdom over riches. What is he telling us here? The Book of Proverbs is loaded with phrases advising us through our lives--but what does this verse in particular mean to me?

I have to say that the meaning of this verse is fairly simple--not too complex at all. If we are wise and righteous, we will bear fruit. The fruit we are bearing? Bringing others into the Kingdom, and by doing this we are winning souls for Jesus--a tree of life and hope.

The meaning of this verse to me is much easier than the living it out. Whether we know it or not, people who know we declare ourselves to be Christians, are watching us--almost waiting for us to slip up and do or say something "unchristian like".

I find this in my own home--surrounded as I am by nonbelievers. They are watching and waiting, and find great delight in pointing out anything that they would assume is not the character of a Christian.

And what have I found? These pointing out of words or actions is a great time to talk with them--tell them that being a Christian does not mean that I am perfect. By no means!!

It means that I am on a journey to become more Christ-like in my behaviors and actions--and the best part of all of this??

When I do slip up and miss the mark (sin), I can go to my Lord and Savior--ask for forgiveness and guidance--and He is there for me.

But, we must always remember--people are watching and listening--especially those who are "seekers". They are searching for Jesus in their lives, and we are to be living examples of Him so that we may bring others to Him.

Now--next week's verse which is the 9 of spades from the "Embracing the Word" cards:

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.".....John 14:27 (NASB)

We're using the new MckLinky, so if you're participating please link up. I'd really like to see a lot of participation in this!!

If you do have a site that utilizes a link from time to time, you might want to check out this new link site: www.mcklinky.com. Seems to be working well and is easy to use!!

Beth

A Word to Encourage!

This is a must read for those of us who may have grown weary. God is with us, ALWAYS with us, and His plans will unfold, maybe sooner than we think.

The ElijahList - Chuck Pierce: "I Will Awaken My Love! You Will Shout, 'Awakening Has Come!'"

Shared via AddThis

Weekly Memory Verse

It's Monday and time for our Weekly Memory Verse. Last week our verse was an easy one to remember, but this verse is the epitome of the hope that Christians carry with them--the hope of an eternal life spent with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (NASB)

Read on a little further in this Chapter of Romans 8 in order to fully understand what God has done for us through His Son:

because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so He condemned sin in in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

Romans 8:2-4 (NIV)

I looked up the specific meaning of the word "condemn"--pronounced guilty--sentenced to punishment--judgment.

Guilty? Punishment? Judgment? Aren't we all guilty and deserve God's punishment? Aren't each of us the "worst sinner"?

But God loves us so much that He sent His Son to us so that we may have life--an eternal life spent with Him.

Our judgment was over 2000 years ago when Christ died on the cross. His death took all the weight of all our sin upon His shoulders.

Jesus took our debt--our sins--and through Him they are now stamped:

WOW!! What sweet relief!! What wonders of God's mercy are shown in this verse!!

I am so thankful that I have God's mercy in my life and do not have to face His justice. Through Jesus, through His death on the cross, we are able to seek God and ask for forgiveness of our sins, repent and ask God to show us the way--to lead and direct us to live by His Spirit and not our own sinful nature.

And God, being the Almighty loving Father that He is--He picks us up, brushes us off, and promises to guide us to Him--moment by moment. We only need to seek His face and keep our focus on Him.

All of the past has been erased--the new day has come--and I am thankful beyond words of all the Christ has done for me.

Let's move on to next week's verse--week 20--which is the 10 of diamonds from the "Embracing the Word" deck of cards:

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.....Proverbs 11:30 (NASB)

We're using a new "link-up" this week. If you ever have the need for a "link" on your blog posts and have been having difficulty--check out this new site which offers a new free system--

If you are participating (and I hope you are!), please link up and leave a comment!!

Beth

Super Sunday

I am joining with Peggy for Super Sunday today. Please be sure and visit her to view her post and also the other participants.

Courtesy of Ben Steed at Heartlight

I've been popping up here and there in "Blogland", but mostly absent. My life has been undergoing a lot of change, and this picture of a man climbing a steep mountain--and he looks to be struggling to do so to me--is how I have been feeling.

Change--so much change. I now have my own three adult children living with me, a grandchild due in November, and many, many changes in my job that are pressuring me to the point of explosion.

And, I've been asking God what His purpose is in all of this--my home about to pop its seams, three grown children with basically no direction in their lives, and then the added stress of my job situation which is growing more stressful by the day.

Is this where I am to be, God? What am I to do? Where am I to go? I feel like I'm floundering around here, Lord. Take me by the hand and lead me.

God has shown me the way. He has led me. He hasn't left my side--not for one instant. He has shown me Himself in nature--a chipmunk that came so close to me that I could touch--an unafraid chipmunk who came to eat a cherry that had fallen off a tree.

I CARE FOR THIS LITTLE CREATURE. I CREATED HIM, I CREATED YOU. I PROVIDE FOR HIM. I WILL PROVIDE FOR YOU AND YOURS.

Another morning, there was a spider climbing along one thin filament of web. He did not fall, did not hesitate--just kept on climbing that one strand until he reached his destination.

I WILL NOT LET YOU FALL NO MATTER HOW DIFFICULT THE JOURNEY.

A tiny sparrow landed on the table on my deck as I sat there drinking a cup of coffee. I looked at this sparrow and he just sat there looking at me. He didn't fly from me as birds usually do--just sat there--almost staring at me.

I LOVE THIS TINIEST OF CREATURES. I DO NOT ALLOW HARM TO COME TO HIM, AND I WILL NOT ALLOW HARM TO COME TO YOU--NOT ONE HAIR OF YOUR HEAD.

I LOVE YOU. I AM ALWAYS HERE FOR YOU. DO NOT DESPAIR. DO NOT SLIDE DOWN INTO THE DEPTHS. I WILL KEEP YOU STRONG. LEAN ON ME--LEAN LONG AND HARD FOR MY SHOULDERS ARE BROAD AND STRONG. I WILL SUPPORT AND CARRY YOU THROUGH.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

YOUR CHILDREN WILL COME TO ME. BE PATIENT. BE STILL.

THEY WILL BE HEALED OF THEIR HURTS.

I AM THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN HEAL THEM

LEAD THEM TO ME

CRY OUT TO JESUS

I lift up my eyes to the hills--
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip--
He who watches over you will
not slumber;
Indeed, He who watches over
Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you--
The LORD is your shade at
your right hand;
The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you
from all harm--
He will watch over
your life;
The LORD will watch
over your
coming
and
going
both
now
and
forever
more.

Psalm 121:1-8 (NIV)

Beth

Weekly Memory Verse

It's time for this week's memory verse!! These weeks are flying by and bringing with them a lot of change in my life--some I embrace readily and quickly--some I'm sitting back and watching unfold--taking in the changes, talking with God about them, and awaiting His decision and answer to me.

In all of the changes that have been brought into my life within the recent months, I've been absent from "Blog World" quite frequently. I hope to be back soon--though I can't tell you when--whenever the opening appears in my life to allow me the time and energy.

I do want to say that I have missed all of you--your valuable input and insights--and I appreciate your prayers and thoughts more than you could ever begin to imagine.

So--here we go--last week's verse:

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:36 (NASB)

As I pondered on this verse throughout this week, God showed me several places in my heart that were dark--not opened to Him yet--that I needed to confess and heal through Him. And so, I did--through prayer.

I do not believe that James, in this verse, is telling us to stand up and confess our sins to everyone in the room--say at a church service. But, we do need a close confidante--perhaps a spiritual mentor or adviser, an accountability partner, a close friend that we can trust--a fellow believer to steer us in the right direction, someone who is willing to pray for us.

I feel that some of the most important words in this verse are "pray for one another". This does not involve the pointing out of others' flaws to another person. This involves you personally praying for that person.

Suppose I see a person that I know in distress--obvious distress--either through their words or actions. I may not know the reason for their distress. But, I can intercede for them, through the power of prayer, to God--to bring them peace in their lives, to help them through this time, for God to point them in the right direction, guide and lead them.

I read once (and I can't remember where or I would give them the credit--just know this is not mine):

He who prays surrounds his house with a wall stronger than iron.

Through prayer and faith, we have power through God to change our lives, change the lives of others, and a difference can be made for ourselves and others. This is where the healing begins--the pointing out of our flaws by God--perhaps through others--and allowing Him into those dark recesses of our hearts and minds which He has not touched yet. Then, and only then can the healing and changing begin.

Only God has the power, strength and might to see us through our everyday small problems, our very large burdens, our hidden flaws that He wants us to change.

As James points out in this verse, we need to pray for one another so that we can be healed--healed of our sorrows and shames, and prayer is tapping into the incredible power of God so that all of this can occur.

I'm anxious to see what everyone else has to say about this verse. So, please link up and I'll be back later today to read and comment.

And here is the verse for next week--the 10 of hearts from the "Embracing the Word" cards:

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus....Romans 8:1 (NASB)

Beth

Weekly Memory Verse

Before I begin this week's verse, I want to apologize to everyone for not posting last week. Thankfully, Peggy came through for me.

To say that my life has been overwhelming lately is putting things mildly. But, I've surrendered the entire situation to God over and over again, until finally I'm not stressing about things. Everything is in God's control, God's hands, and I'm going to sit back and listen for His voice directing my every word and move.

Thanks for hanging in there with me, and thank you to everyone who sent notes asking about my well being.

Now--last week's verse:

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another....John 13:35 (NASB)

This verse strikes a chord in me. This does not say that people will know that we are Christ followers by our religious doctrines, our "good deeds", or even how we show our love for God.

This verse clearly states that people will know we are followers of Jesus by the way we love one another--which is the way God loves us--unconditionally.

Is it hard to love some people unconditionally? Yes, it certainly is. And this is something that God has been showing me in my day to day interactions with others.

Am I judging people? Am I making assumptions about them before I even begin to know them?

Or am I loving them as Jesus would?

This is truly something to pray over--asking God to show me how to love others unconditionally--even when they don't return my love.

We'll move on to next week's verse which is the 10 of clubs from the "Embracing the Word" cards:

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much......James 5:16 (NASB)

I'm not sure if "Mr. Linky" is working or not. If not and you are participating, please let me know in the comment section so I can stop by and visit your Weekly Memory Verse.

Beth

WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE

It's time for our Weekly Memory Verse

The verse from this last week is my life verse and prayer that I vowed to Jesus when I began my relationship with Him in sixth grade and I had no idea where it was in the Bible. I have not done very well with the second part but I am improving

"Embracing the Word" Verses for last week and this week:

Last week for today by memory:
[Jack of diamonds]
Week 16

And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Matthew 22:37-39 (NASB)
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Now this is the one for this week:
Week 17

By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

John 13:35 (NASB)
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Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (B.I.B.L.E.)

This is the plan of how we hope to do this:
Memorize the verse, then come back the following week with this:
1) Write our verse by memory, and remember to memorize the reference (where it's found)
2) Comment on how God spoke to you through this verse, and then move on to the new verse.
Each week while you are memorizing, allow God to speak to you personally & share a little of what you learn or receive on each verse the following week, when you type it by memory. It's fine to just be accountable and share your progress but it becomes more meaningful when we share about the verse together or apply it to ourselves of what we think God meant.

I'm not sure where Beth is, but Monday's are busy for her, so though this is late it is the best I can do with my limited service and time! If you are commiting to memory these verses each week, I wanted to at least give you the verses. Just add your name in the comments because Mr. Linky does not work for me. Thanks...let's encourage each other and say a prayer for Beth.

Remember, you can memorize the verse in any version you are comfortable with--or look at several version to grasp the full meaning.

Let's BE HIS DISCIPLES, and show LOVE for one another! See you next Monday with John 13:35.