WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE

It's a new week to be accountable, and share our Weekly Memory Verse & insights.

This was our Memory Verse for this past week #28

from "Embracing the Word" memory cards:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel,

for it is the power of God for salvation

to everyone who believes,

to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16

(NASB)

So how did you do?

HOW does this verse from God's Word speak to you?

What was revealed to you as you worked on memorizing it?

Please share with us on how this verse speaks to you & LINK here this week!

We are continuing with

our NEW verse

for this next week

Week 29

Jesus said to him,

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life;

no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

John 14:6 (NASB)

This one of my favorites & first verse I memorized in Spanish

REMEMBER you can memorize any version.

Remember to memorize the reference verse as well like John 14:6

so when you share it, you'll know where to find it.

JOIN US

in

B.I.B.L.E.

Weekly Memory Verse

from the "Pinch Hitter" ~ Peggy

Notice it says "WEEKLY" which means any day of the week, you can/could post your reflection or what God is speaking to you about the verse of the week, then Link up & share with us :)

Last week in one of my comments, this site was left on Memorization software & just want to share it with everyone:

http://www.memorizehisword.com/

Chuck Swindoll wrote, “I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding,

practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture... No other single exercise pays greater spiritual

dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more

effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified”

(Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994], p.61).

EMBRACE HIS WORD

GUARD HIS WORD IN YOUR HEART & MIND!

Thanks for participating!

WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE

This was last week's Memory Verse

from "Embracing the Word" memory cards:

And the Word became flesh,

and dwelt among us,

and we saw His glory,

glory as of the only begotten

from the Father,

full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 (NASB)

HOW did this verse from God's Word speak to you as you worked on memorizing it?

Please share with us on how this verse speaks to you & LINK here!

The NEW verse

for next week

Week 28

For I am not ashamed of the gospel,

for it is the power of God for salvation

to everyone who believes,

to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16

(NASB)

REMEMBER you can memorize any version.

JOIN US

in

B.I.B.L.E.

Weekly Memory Verse

from the "Pinch Hitter" ~ Peggy

Notice it says "WEEKLY" which means any day of the week, you can/could post your reflection or what God is speaking to you about the verse of the week, then Link up & share with us :)

WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE

This was last week's Memory Verse

from "Embracing the Word" memory cards:

“Worthy are You,

our Lord and our God,

to receive glory and honor and power;

for You created all things,

and because of Your will they existed,

and were created.”

Revelation 4:11

(NASB)

This is how I had to break this down, phrase by phrase, line by line, to get it all in my head. But I got it...how about YOU?

And just as important HOW is this verse from God's Word speaking to you?

Please share with us on how this verse speaks to you & LINK here!

The NEW verse

for

Week 27

And the Word became flesh,

and dwelt among us,

and we saw His glory,

glory as of the only begotten

from the Father,

full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 (NASB)

*my breakdown again; 6 lines & the reference makes 7 parts

REMEMBER you can memorize any version.

JOIN US

in

B.I.B.L.E.

Weekly Memory Verse

from the "Pinch Hitter" ~ Peggy

Notice it says "WEEKLY" which means any day of the week, you can/could post your reflection or what God is speaking to you about the verse of the week, then Link up & share with us :)

Maybe we should do it like a "contest", and when you have it memorized...LINK here to tells us, you GOT it!!! Then next Monday, we'll share how God spoke to you about the verse. And who "got it first?" Just trying to get y'all involved again in memorizing & encouraging each of us.

What say you?

WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE

This was last week's Memory Verse from "Embracing the Word" (8 of spades):

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 (NASB)

The NEW verse for this Week 26:

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”

Revelation 4:11 (NASB)

[If I'm following suit correctly, this would be on the 8 of club].

I just brought a deck of cards back from the USA & I plan on putting the verses on each one, makes it easier to carry with you or review!

Why not get a deck & memorize God's Word & make it accessible daily? (on your mirror, take it in your purse or pouch in my case, above your kitchen sink or stove) If you don't want to use a deck of 52 playing cards, you can use index cards. Let's stay accountable & continue with our

B.I.B.L.E.

Weekly Memory Verse

from the "Pinch Hitter" ~ Peggy

[I've posted over at my blog but this is for all of you to continue also! I just noticed that it wasn't posted here yet so I did.]

Notice it says "WEEKLY" which means any day of the week, you can/could post

your reflection or what God is speaking to you about the verse of the week,

then Link up & share with us :)

Weekly Memory Verse

Before I begin this week's memory verse, I would like to thank Peggy for stepping in to pinch-hit for me as my work and family life overwhelmed me.

I also would like to thank those who are participating in this for their patience and understanding.

God and I have come to a new understanding this weekend, and that understanding involves my own personal focus. My focus had been overtaken by my work situation, turmoils occurring almost on a daily basis with my family--and unfortunately, I was dwelling on these.

I was talking with God about all of this, of course. But, I was not listening intently on what He had to say to me. He has given me two words this weekend:

FOCUS

and

REST

Focus on Jesus, and Jesus alone--not all the storms that are going on around me--but how He wants me to react and use these circumstances.

Rest--this I learned this morning from our worship service--Sabbath Rest--work 6 days and one day devoted to rest--just as God did when He created the universe.

Also, spontaneous rest--those moments of rest just as Mary had when Jesus stopped by Martha's house. Martha welcomed Jesus and the apostles into her home, but she was too busy and distracted to sit at His feet--rest and learn--as Mary did.

Jesus' burdens upon us are light and easy. Any burdens that I am finding heavy laden--weighing me down--are expectations that I have placed upon myself or expectations that others have placed upon me. And we are right back to focus and rest to relieve those burdens.

All of this being said, we'll now move on to last week's memory verse which I did take the time to memorize:

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain....Philippians 1:21 (NASB)

We must remember that this is the Apostle Paul writing--a letter to Philippi--from prison. He has been shipwrecked, beaten, stoned, flogged, hungry, thirsty, naked.

Let's break this short verse into two:

For to me, to live is Christ--This is far more than just imitating Jesus. This is Jesus moving into your heart, your mind, your soul, your body; so that Jesus life is lived through you.

We are to show the life of Jesus in the best possible way, the most pleasing setting (ourselves)--so that others will come to Him. He is to come first in our lives--before anyone or anything else.

This is through our very actions, words, facial expressions, perhaps just a touch at the right moment. We live in a basically noncaring society, and when people are shown the care and love of Jesus Christ, sometimes they don't know how to react. It is our job to instruct them in His love.

As I have gone back and reread what I have written so far, I realize that my Christian living is substandard a lot of the time--a hurtful word spoken here, an irritated look there--oh, I could go on!! Thank God for His mercy and forgiveness for we all live substandardly--sometimes more so than others.

The second part of this short, power-packed verse says and to die is to gain.

Paul's life was a wonderful fellowship with our Lord. But, to Paul, his own death meant that this would lead to an even more intimate relationship with Jesus.

The word gain means a "success" or a "win"--and to Paul dying was a winning situation--just as death should be to all those who believe that Jesus is our salvation.

We do not fear death because death will bring us closer to our goal--spending eternity with Our Lord in Heaven.

Christ has not only spoken to us by his life, but has also spoken for us by his death.

-- Søren Kierkegaard

Let's move on to next week's verse which is the 8 of spades from the Embracing the Word cards:

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.....1 John 1:9 (NASB)

If you are participating (and I really would love to see everyone who stops by to at least comment if not participate!), please link up below:

Beth

WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE

This should have been our Weekly Memory Verse for this past week:

Week 23

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Acts 1:8 (NASB)

And the new one for this week:

Week 24

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21 (NASB)

*************************************

If you'd like, you could do both since the new one is few words but very powerful ones... Or choose. If in the future, you'd like to continue the WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE and the new one is not posted, please go here to my Memory Verses 2009, where each week is listed.

from the "Pinch Hitter" ~ Peggy

(*hey, it's summer time & baseball season. I can not do the justice to writing on these verses as Beth does so well, so I won't attempt it, but at least I can help out while she has a very demanding full "plate" at this time. Keep her in prayer for strength & encouragement. A new job would be nice that she could transfer & not loose anything in doing so. May God bring in the "relief team" soon).

Weekly Memory Verse

Oh, I'm a day late, but the Weekly Memory Verse carries on today!!

Let's see if I remember last week's verse. It is an important one to remember!!

"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)

The words of Jesus, spoken to His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion--Jesus--knowing that He is going to suffer a tortuous trial and death, and yet He is speaking of peace. How can this be?

This goes further in John 16:33:

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

What a wonderful promise Jesus has given us!! He is not saying that by becoming a follower of Him we will not have trials and turmoils. In fact, He is saying that we will have storms in our lives.

We live in a world full of daily onslaughts. Right now, my own onslaughts are attacking me from my job and stresses within my own family dynamics. These situations are far from peaceful......they could even be considered to be "peace-destroyers'.....if I let them.

God has called us to live a life that runs counter to much of the world's practices and attitudes. It is very easy to get caught up in these "peace destroyers"--looking to the world for our peace and comfort--the acquisition of "things" to fill our hearts.

These "things" can come in many forms--sometimes catching us unaware--addictions in many, various ways; controlling attitudes; trying to buy our peace with material items--oh, I could go on and on here--but, I'm sure you have the picture.

And, I'm sure that sometimes--for a brief period--we feel that these "things" will bring us peace. But this is not true peace.

Jesus says in His prayer to His Father in John 17:11:

"Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world."

Jesus knows that He is leaving this earth--and He is leaving behind a world filled with economic struggles, wars, spiritual strife, natural disasters, accidents, terminal diseases. And we are here in this world struggling with these.

So, where do we turn? Where do we go?

To the feet of Jesus who has overcome the world. He is our only peace in this world--a peace that is very different from what the world considers to be peace.

This is a peace that fills my heart--regardless of my day to day circumstances. This is a peace that knows that by trusting God, surrendering to Him and allowing Him full control, His good plans and purposes will be known in my life.

Fully surrendering to God can be a frightening experience. We're giving up our control for God's control. We are allowing God full control, and this involves a great measure of trust--trust that God knows all and will see us through--no matter what comes our way--striving to reproduce His character in ourselves and always remaining obedient to His Word.

Then, we will know God's peace--the peace that surpasses all human understanding.

Let's move on to Week 22 of the "Embracing the Word" cards:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God......John 1:1-2 (NASB)

If you are participating this week, please link up below:

Beth

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

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

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