THis is the last Scripture for 2009! Congratulations if you have hung in there. I know that some of you are memorizing but haven't been posting your verses, and that's ok. As long as you're learning God's Word!!
Please post your last verse here, and also share which verse has been the most meaningful to you this year!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Scripture Memory Workout for Dec 1st
We are at verse 23!!! Are you still memorizing? Has it gotten any easier as the year has gone on?
I find that I need to create word pictures from my verses as I'm learning them and get an image of the verses in my brain. How about you?
Post your verses here!
I find that I need to create word pictures from my verses as I'm learning them and get an image of the verses in my brain. How about you?
Post your verses here!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Scripture Memory Workout for Nov 15th
We are near the home stretch!!! Only 2 more after this one.
How has memorizing God's Word enriched your life this year?
For me, it has been a constant reminder that I need to set my mind on things above, and memorizing and meditating on His Word are the most important ways to do that. His Word is Truth!!
Let's hear your verses!
How has memorizing God's Word enriched your life this year?
For me, it has been a constant reminder that I need to set my mind on things above, and memorizing and meditating on His Word are the most important ways to do that. His Word is Truth!!
Let's hear your verses!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Video Devotional from Jennifer Rothschild - Emmanuel
This is such a great reminder from Jennifer, as we start to move into the Christmas season!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Scripture Memory Workout for Nov 1st
Let's finish this year off strong with Scripture Memory! Only 4 more verses to go. Post your verses here and be blessed as you memorize God's word.
My verses for this month are a continuation from Ps 103 and they are a great reminder that not only are we to memorize His Word, but also to obey!
Ps 103: 17, 18 (NIV)
But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
My verses for this month are a continuation from Ps 103 and they are a great reminder that not only are we to memorize His Word, but also to obey!
Ps 103: 17, 18 (NIV)
But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The Rear-View Mirror
I had to go on a bit of a road trip today. The sun was bright and the leaves were absolutely beautiful. I had my praise and worship music in and I was singing along – totally enjoying the moment. All of a sudden this changed! I had entered into a section of road that was under construction and the bright sun hi-lighted all of the road makings making it impossible to identify which lane was which. I quickly found myself looking around for cars and fortunately the traffic was light. But...when I looked into my rear-view mirror something interesting caught my attention – the lines could be viewed perfectly! I glanced ahead again and they still looked all mixed up as the sun hi-lighted the areas where the workers had painted over the old markings, making them seem real again. As long as I glanced into my rear-view mirror I could keep my car in my lane of traffic – I could see the way.
After I drove out of the construction area I was thinking about what had just happened and was reminded about a book I have just finished, The Sacred Romance, by Brent Curtis and John Eldridge. This book describes the relationship God desires to have with each of us. The authors speak of life being a journey and referenced what we need to take on that journey. The three main things we need are faith, hope and love. The authors often quoted from Pilgrim’s Progress and, at one point, described when Pilgrim lay in despair because he had forgotten – forgotten how he had overcome pain, hardship, terror and loneliness. “Hopeful” urged Pilgrim to remember, both all he had been through as well as the assurance he has from God who called him on the journey. The authors suggest that “life on the road requires recollection of our Lord’s past deeds on our behalf and His promise of continued faithfulness to us. We will need courage and patience and those are strengthened by remembering. We will need memory, which is to say, we will need faith. Faith looks back and draws courage; hope looks ahead and keeps desire alive.” Faith looks back...Faith remembers! Romans 5:3-4 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
So, on the road of life, when the way becomes blurred and not totally clear, we need to look in the rear-view mirror in faith, remembering all that God has brought us through and all of His precious promises to us. As we draw courage from that we can then look ahead again – to the often-times still blurred lines – and know where we are to go, trusting God all the while – for He IS trustworthy!
After I drove out of the construction area I was thinking about what had just happened and was reminded about a book I have just finished, The Sacred Romance, by Brent Curtis and John Eldridge. This book describes the relationship God desires to have with each of us. The authors speak of life being a journey and referenced what we need to take on that journey. The three main things we need are faith, hope and love. The authors often quoted from Pilgrim’s Progress and, at one point, described when Pilgrim lay in despair because he had forgotten – forgotten how he had overcome pain, hardship, terror and loneliness. “Hopeful” urged Pilgrim to remember, both all he had been through as well as the assurance he has from God who called him on the journey. The authors suggest that “life on the road requires recollection of our Lord’s past deeds on our behalf and His promise of continued faithfulness to us. We will need courage and patience and those are strengthened by remembering. We will need memory, which is to say, we will need faith. Faith looks back and draws courage; hope looks ahead and keeps desire alive.” Faith looks back...Faith remembers! Romans 5:3-4 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
So, on the road of life, when the way becomes blurred and not totally clear, we need to look in the rear-view mirror in faith, remembering all that God has brought us through and all of His precious promises to us. As we draw courage from that we can then look ahead again – to the often-times still blurred lines – and know where we are to go, trusting God all the while – for He IS trustworthy!
Monday, October 5, 2009
DISCIPLINE THE LORD APPROVES
I wanted to share with you a session from the Mom to Mom – growing together study that Linda Anderson wrote. In Linda’s devotion she addressed Eph. 6:1-4 and points out verse 4 which stood out in my mind:
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord”. (NIV)
The Home and Christian Standard Bible puts it this way “Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord”.
And the version in “The Message” says “Fathers, don’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master”.
Linda Anderson goes on to say that 1) we must be confident of our responsibility as parents, 2) careful in our discipline so to not provoke anger in our children. Colossians 3:21 says “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged”. 3) We have standards in training and instruction that comes from the Lord. Hebrews 12:1-13 speaks about God disciplining his sons. “The Lord disciplines those he loves”.
Discipline begins with teaching, training and modeling
Discipline grows out of love
Discipline is for the child’s good
Discipline should begin early
Discipline should inspire and motivate – not exasperate
Discipline requires courage and perseverance
These are positive biblical principles of discipline.
I have been disciplined so many times by my Lord, but it always inspires and motivates me, and I feel it is out of God’s deep love for me and not anger. It is also for my good and so I will pass this on to my children.
My son the other day was concerned about his sister and came down hard on her with his advice. She got upset and ran to the other room. I followed her and told her that her brother loves her soooo much that he wants so much for her to listen to him for her benefit, but unfortunately says it in a harsh way. Her brother came in and I told him “although your intentions are good, you need to say it in a more loving way or else your sister will not hear the good advice and will be exasperated”. He hugged his sister and apologized and she immediately perked up.
I think we all need to be careful in how we discipline. My prayer today for myself and for you all is that we be “courageous and persevere” in the loving discipline that our heavenly Father himself approves.
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord”. (NIV)
The Home and Christian Standard Bible puts it this way “Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord”.
And the version in “The Message” says “Fathers, don’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master”.
Linda Anderson goes on to say that 1) we must be confident of our responsibility as parents, 2) careful in our discipline so to not provoke anger in our children. Colossians 3:21 says “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged”. 3) We have standards in training and instruction that comes from the Lord. Hebrews 12:1-13 speaks about God disciplining his sons. “The Lord disciplines those he loves”.
Discipline begins with teaching, training and modeling
Discipline grows out of love
Discipline is for the child’s good
Discipline should begin early
Discipline should inspire and motivate – not exasperate
Discipline requires courage and perseverance
These are positive biblical principles of discipline.
I have been disciplined so many times by my Lord, but it always inspires and motivates me, and I feel it is out of God’s deep love for me and not anger. It is also for my good and so I will pass this on to my children.
My son the other day was concerned about his sister and came down hard on her with his advice. She got upset and ran to the other room. I followed her and told her that her brother loves her soooo much that he wants so much for her to listen to him for her benefit, but unfortunately says it in a harsh way. Her brother came in and I told him “although your intentions are good, you need to say it in a more loving way or else your sister will not hear the good advice and will be exasperated”. He hugged his sister and apologized and she immediately perked up.
I think we all need to be careful in how we discipline. My prayer today for myself and for you all is that we be “courageous and persevere” in the loving discipline that our heavenly Father himself approves.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
We Have a Winner for the Scripture Memory Challenge!!
Way to go Siestas on all the memorization fo God's Word over the summer.
Every time you entered a verse on the blog that you were memorizing, your name was put in on a slip of paper and put into a box. Today a random draw was made of all the entries, from June till September.
And the winner is...........
Drum roll..........
Fanfare............
Tammy wins a $20 gift card to Starbucks. Congratulations to everyone for hiding God's Word in your heart!!! We are still keeping up the scripture memory in step with Beth's LPM Blog, so don't let up. It goes till the end of December.
Every time you entered a verse on the blog that you were memorizing, your name was put in on a slip of paper and put into a box. Today a random draw was made of all the entries, from June till September.
And the winner is...........
Drum roll..........
Fanfare............
Tammy wins a $20 gift card to Starbucks. Congratulations to everyone for hiding God's Word in your heart!!! We are still keeping up the scripture memory in step with Beth's LPM Blog, so don't let up. It goes till the end of December.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Scripture Memory Workout for October 1st
It's officially Fall. Today in Ontario, it's a crispy cold morning, the sky is blue and the trees are turning shades of gold and orange and red.
When Fall happens it makes us sit up and take notice.
My Scripture memory verses for this week remind me that everything in this big world points to God's compassion and love for His children.
Ps 103:12-14 "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgression from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He knows how we are formed and remembers that we are dust."
What is your memory verse? How does it remind you of God's love for you?
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Woman with Needs - Woman with Gifts
We are all woman of need and if I asked you where in your life you find yourself most needy, what would you tell me? Perhaps at present you find yourself needy emotionally. Maybe your need can be described as depression, anger, or anxiety. Or perhaps yours is a physical need, a handicap or illness. There may be financial needs or spiritual needs. Sometimes I find myself saying; "I need a break", or "I need a vacation!" Other times I find myself in a more serious and desperate state of neediness that struggles with seeing any light at the end of the tunnel. Whatever might be your need today, it is a fact that we are all woman of need and that our needs vary from one another.
Psalm 40:17 says; "But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinks upon me." Psalm 70:5 says; "But I am poor and needy; make haste to me, O God!" And Psalm 86:1; "Bow down Your ear O Lord, hear me, for I am poor and needy."
David in these verses expresses openly his needy state before God. Being aware of our own needs in life is one thing. Being able to express our need to God and to others can be more challenging. Why? Because in sharing our need, we may expose our vulnerable side. It often knocks at the door of our pride and therefore requires brokeness, humility and a dependency on God and others to help us with our need.
God does promise to be there for us and He often uses others in our lives to help us in our time of need. From the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 Jesus calls those in their state of neediness whether mournful, broken, poor in spirit, or persecuted as those blessed with great promises. In Philippians 4:19 we read that God promises to supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
We are not only woman with needs but we are also woman with gifts and if I were to ask you what you consider to be the gift or gifts you have received, what would you tell me? Perhaps you consider your greatest gift to be salvation through Jesus Christ. God has also given each of His children one or more spiritual gifts. And as woman with these gifts, we are encouraged to use those gifts for His glory. James 1:17 tells us that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights..." Just as our needs as woman vary from one another, so too vary the gifts we are blessed to receive from our Heavenly Father.
How often do we acknowledge the Giver of every good and perfect gift we have? The very breath we breathe is a gift from Him. Even pain, struggle, and trials are gifts from God when we accept them knowing they are given with a greater divine purpose beyond what might be our present understanding. In Romans 5 we read that we "also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance and persevarance, character, and character, hope." Perseverance, character, and hope in our lives are gifts from God.
We are woman with needs and we are woman with gifts. (And by now you are probably wondering where I'm going with this!?) 2 Thessalonians helps illustrate how our needs and our gifts can be tied together beautifully when they are wrapped in the Father's love.
"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work."
Our Heavenly Father loves us unconditionally and it is vital as woman with needs and as woman with gifts that we receive this love that He lavishly gives to each one of us.
It is the love of the Father that as woman with needs we are given an "everlasting consolation, an everlasting comfort and good hope by grace" that is able to meet our every need.
It is the love of the Father that as woman with gifts we can be "established", to make use of the good and perfect gifts we have in "every good word and work".
Without our Heavenly Fathers love, our needs could easily defeat us. We may lose our perspective of our good God doing that deeper work of refining and maturing our faith, as well as our total dependence on Him who promises to meet our every need.
Without our Heavenly Fathers love, our gifts could easily be considered as something we deserve or earned out of our own efforts. We may become prideful, keep our gifts to ourselves, not willing to share freely with others.
Our needs and our gifts need to be wrapped up together in the love of our Heavenly Father. Whatever situation you find yourself in today, consider 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17. May it be the encouragement to acknowledge your own need(s) and as well may it be the encouragement to use your gift(s) and all for the glory of God.
Psalm 40:17 says; "But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinks upon me." Psalm 70:5 says; "But I am poor and needy; make haste to me, O God!" And Psalm 86:1; "Bow down Your ear O Lord, hear me, for I am poor and needy."
David in these verses expresses openly his needy state before God. Being aware of our own needs in life is one thing. Being able to express our need to God and to others can be more challenging. Why? Because in sharing our need, we may expose our vulnerable side. It often knocks at the door of our pride and therefore requires brokeness, humility and a dependency on God and others to help us with our need.
God does promise to be there for us and He often uses others in our lives to help us in our time of need. From the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 Jesus calls those in their state of neediness whether mournful, broken, poor in spirit, or persecuted as those blessed with great promises. In Philippians 4:19 we read that God promises to supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
We are not only woman with needs but we are also woman with gifts and if I were to ask you what you consider to be the gift or gifts you have received, what would you tell me? Perhaps you consider your greatest gift to be salvation through Jesus Christ. God has also given each of His children one or more spiritual gifts. And as woman with these gifts, we are encouraged to use those gifts for His glory. James 1:17 tells us that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights..." Just as our needs as woman vary from one another, so too vary the gifts we are blessed to receive from our Heavenly Father.
How often do we acknowledge the Giver of every good and perfect gift we have? The very breath we breathe is a gift from Him. Even pain, struggle, and trials are gifts from God when we accept them knowing they are given with a greater divine purpose beyond what might be our present understanding. In Romans 5 we read that we "also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance and persevarance, character, and character, hope." Perseverance, character, and hope in our lives are gifts from God.
We are woman with needs and we are woman with gifts. (And by now you are probably wondering where I'm going with this!?) 2 Thessalonians helps illustrate how our needs and our gifts can be tied together beautifully when they are wrapped in the Father's love.
"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work."
Our Heavenly Father loves us unconditionally and it is vital as woman with needs and as woman with gifts that we receive this love that He lavishly gives to each one of us.
It is the love of the Father that as woman with needs we are given an "everlasting consolation, an everlasting comfort and good hope by grace" that is able to meet our every need.
It is the love of the Father that as woman with gifts we can be "established", to make use of the good and perfect gifts we have in "every good word and work".
Without our Heavenly Fathers love, our needs could easily defeat us. We may lose our perspective of our good God doing that deeper work of refining and maturing our faith, as well as our total dependence on Him who promises to meet our every need.
Without our Heavenly Fathers love, our gifts could easily be considered as something we deserve or earned out of our own efforts. We may become prideful, keep our gifts to ourselves, not willing to share freely with others.
Our needs and our gifts need to be wrapped up together in the love of our Heavenly Father. Whatever situation you find yourself in today, consider 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17. May it be the encouragement to acknowledge your own need(s) and as well may it be the encouragement to use your gift(s) and all for the glory of God.
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