Wednesday, January 14, 2009

New Memory Verse(s)

So, last week, I told you that my first memory verse of the year was Jeremiah 33:2-3....."This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'

I am happy to announce that not only do I know it by heart, the hubs also knows it from memory (no kidding, go ahead, quiz us!). I am writing these verses in a little notebook and it has been sitting on our bathroom counter for 2 weeks. Gives me something to do while I am teasing my hair -just kidding (kinda). Having that verse in front of me while I am getting ready gives me something to meditate on AND starts my day off the way it should be started-- in the Word.

The second set of verses that I have chosen to memorize is a little longer, but memorizeable nonetheless (is memorizeable a word? spell check says no, but this is my blog and I can use imaginary words if I want to, right?). I decided to memorize Romans 8:31b-34 this time which says:

"If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us".

Why did I choose these verses?


*If God is for us, who can be against us?

We memorize scripture so we can recall it when we are facing temptations or circumstances....I need to remember that God is FOR me. Me and God? Yeah, we are on the same side. Ya see, sometimes I work against Him thinking that I can do His job better than He can. And every time I try that, I fail, so I need to remember whose side I am on and WHO is on my side. Makes the battles a lot easier to fight when you know which side you are on.

*He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

God, the One and Only God of the whole entire Universe, gave up His most prized possession, Jesus, for me. He allowed His precious Son to die for me even though He knew how vile, sinful, ugly, and evil I would be. He had to turn away because He couldn't bear the sight of what my sin did to His precious child and yet, He still allowed Jesus to die for someone like me. If He loved me enough to give up His beloved Son for me, it makes sense that He loves me enough to take care of all my needs. He allowed innocent Jesus to take my place and die like a common criminal on the cross, He must think I am worth saving, worth using for His glory.

*Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

It doesn't matter what the world says, my identity is in Christ. Let the world say what they want, I don't answer to the world. God chose me and He will defend me.

*Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Jesus is praying for me right now. He has been praying for me for years and will continue to pray for me until He calls me home. Jesus is sitting at God's right hand in the heavenlies mentioning my name to the Most High God. When we feel alone, burdened, devastated, unwanted, unappreciated... Jesus knows our deepest hurts and He is talking to His Father, our Father about them. That, my friends, is something I just cannot wrap my small mind around...it seems impossible that Jesus is praying for me.....but He is and He is praying for you too.

Jesus is praying for you right now. And if that doesn't bless you then nothing will.

10 comments:

Greg P. said...

AMEN!

Great job!

donnaj said...

Knowing that Jesus is constantly pleading my case before the Father is such a great gift and encouragment to me. It reminds me of how important I am to Him. Memorizing scripture through Beth Moore has caused me to not only be accountable, but has caused me to be in my Bible more. I'm lovin' it!

Heather C said...

Amen! I'm memorizing along with LPM as well... I had started before joining up there, but so far I'm through 36 verses of Psalm 119... that ASTOUNDS me! I love the way the Lord will bring those scriptures to mind just when I need them the most. How faithful He is! I'm so glad that He is FOR me, too! :)

Eddie said...

Way to go daughter! In the beginning was the Word. God tells us to hide His Word in our hearts, so that we might not sin against Him. His Word keeps us from sin. He says His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you.

It's obvious God is pleased with us when we let His Word do for us only what His Word can do. Finally, memorizing His Word has a consequence. He says that when HIs Word goes forth(when we read or memorize it) it will accomplish what His Word was written for and will not return to Him empty. Memorizing mean your becoming a walking bible. I think you are doing an awesome thing and I know Lake and Kaden are doing this to in Cubbys etc;

Denise said...

great verse.

and i am a supporter of hair teasers (i am one too).
i find that i get my best praying/worshipping in under the hair dryer, straight iron, and teasing brush.

you go girl!

btw- i went another route..reading bible in a year (following an f.b. friend/blog) God is revealing so much. i'm stuffed with every meal.

ocean mommy said...

Tears. Simply tears. So good for me right now... :)
Hugs!

Anonymous said...

Girlfriend..YOU ARE LETTING YOUR little LIGHT SHINE! That's what I love about you!!! It's post like this....WHY I keep coming back to be INSPIRED!!!!!

Anonymous said...

How awesome! I just found your blog and I feel as though it is a answered prayer! I am a southern girl from Tennessee who had to move to new york with my husband and two kids because he got a job promotion. I miss anything and everything about the south including southern accents, (mine is pretty bad, the new yorkers get a kick out of it!). This blog combines the Word of God, inspiration, laughs and a life as a stay at home mom to two children(i am a stay at home mom to two kids a well!) to make this a blog a daily retreat for me! Keep letting you light shine for him! :)

BethAnne said...

Hey Melanie!!!! So glad you found me. New York? Oh my word! I bet they do get a kick out of your accent. When I was in New York people kept asking me to talk for them like I was some kind of freak of nature! Funny. Anyway, I am so happy to hear from you and I hope you will feel free to comment often!! You stay warm up there in the frozen north. It aint too warm here in the sunny south either!

Stephanie said...

Way to go memorizing!! Thank you for all your encouragement