SSMT Verse Review Part 5

Well, I'm half-way finished with my verse review, and the SSMT Celebration (that's what they're calling it on Face Book) is rapidly approaching.  This attempt at reviewing my verses is actually helping me remember each passage, thank the Lord.  Here we go again.

SSMT Verse 13
I Corinthians 9:27 (NAS)-- I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

OUCH! This one (from July 1, 2011) HURTS!  I can't honestly say that my body is my slave; probably, the reverse is true.  This goes back to the previous entry about caving in to the desires of my taste buds while the my thighs, hips, rear, belly, and arms are pleading with me to resist.  Who is in control of whom?  OUCH! Dear Lord, LET THIS VERSE be TRUE of me!

 SSMT Verse 14
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NAS)--For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

This is the verse I chose to memorize for July 15, 2011.  I'm not sure what exactly was going on, but based on previous summers, I was probably experiencing a case of my usual summertime insanity.  I wasn't ready to go back to work, mind you, but I was probably dealing with some of the depression and loneliness that try to creep up on me during that time of year.  Phil is usually on the road quite a bit in June and July, the heat is usually unbearable, and I can usually invent several reasons why I should be feeling sorry for myself. 

If I'm not careful, the second half of my summer vacation can turn in to one big fear-infested pity party.  I can drive myself crazy with ideas that could possibly be true at some point in the future. I may imagine things that other people might say or do or think or plan to do, or I might even dwell on stories of situations that I heard other people went through that could become true for me and my family.  I can imagine arguments that have never taken place and then plan my own responses to those imaginary arguments.  I can work myself into a mental frenzy if I'm left alone for too long.  I don't desire to do this, but it happens.  (I'm starting to sound like I have multiple personalities or something.)

Anyway, these verses help me keep my head and heart clear of what is NOT true.  Most of the time, the flaming darts of Satan (Eph. 6:16) hit me in my thought life, so being able to recognize untrue thoughts that lead to anxiety, fear, anger, or depression has made SUCH a difference in my life.  Now when anxious thoughts begin to overwhelm me, I'm much quicker to run to my Abba Father for help, and I'm much quicker to open His Word to remind myself (and my enemy) of what is REALLY true. 

 SSMT Verse 15
Acts 26:18 (NAS) -- (I am sending you) to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.

When I chose this verse for Aug. 1, 2011, we were prayerfully considering taking positions as youth workers at AGM.  I was also gearing up for another year at school, which meant new students and another year of preparing Bible lessons.  AND, Phil was preparing to travel to Hungary with Campus Crusade for Christ on his first international mission trip. When I read this verse, I made it our prayer that God would use us to do these things as we met our new youth, my new students, and the students Phil would meet in Hungary. 

The Bible tells us that the unsaved are blinded to the truth of the gospel and that men love the darknes rather than the light--that's why so many rejected and hated Jesus, the LIGHT of the world.  The truth of our own lostness and sinfulness and spiritual darkness isn't pleasant.  It's ugly and it's painful. Jesus didn't come to condemn the world, though, as John 3 tells us; He came so that the world--through HIM--might be saved.  As the Bible also says, the truth can make us free.  It will lead us from darkness into the glorious light of God's presence.  I still pray that God will use us to help others turn from darknes to light and from the dominion of Satan to God so they can know the joy of forgiveness and have a life-changing relationship with Him.

Even as I'm typing this, I'm thinking about an opportunity we will have in the next few days to share His life-giving light....use us, Lord, please....You be lifted high so others will be drawn to You.

SSMT Verse Review 4

At this time next week, mom and I will in Houston enjoying the SSMT extravaganza--OK, not so much an extravaganza as a gathering, but still fun :)  So, I had better keep going with my review....Lord, help!

SSMT Verse 8
1 Corinthians 6:12 (NAS)--All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable.  All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

Another translation of this verse (which I chose for April 15, 2011) says that "not all things are beneficial."  This verse has been coming to mind lately as I'm trying to re-focus on my health / weight .... the Bible doesn't say I can't have a Dr. Pepper (or three), but really, how does it benefit me in any way other than by satisfying my taste buds?  I'm sad to say that I've been a slave to those stinkin' taste buds.  I'm ready to be free, though, and let only Jesus be my master.

Speaking of taste buds, I heard Lisa T., the author of Made to Crave, say something on Focus on the Family that reached through the radio and slapped me. She said that her taste buds are the only part of her body that craves junk food and that her hips, arms, belly, thighs, and rear certainly DON'T crave it.  I don't want to serve my taste buds by caving in to every little craving.  I've tried to think about that this week, and it has actually kept me from drinking a few real Dr. Peppers.  Yes, I could have "lawfully" consumed the D.P., but it wouldn't have been "profitable."

SSMT Verse 9
Jeremiah 15:16 (NAS)--Your words were found and I ate them, and your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart! For I have been called by Your name, O Lord of Hosts. 

From May 1, 2011--This is what I desire: to delight myself in God and in His Word and NOT in any substitute that can never even come close to satisfying my cravings.

SSMT Verse 10
Psalm 73:26 and 28 (NAS)--My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. ..... But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the LORD God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. 

I can't remember what was going on last year when I chose to begin memorizing these verses on May 15--possibly final exams, graduation, and the usual end-of-the-year craziness.  This is a beautiful passage, though.  I remember wanting to memorize verse 26 and thinking that verse 28 just couldn't be left out.

I love that God is my "portion." This is a silly thought (and I don't mean to sound irreverent), but it's what comes to mind when I consider my Heavenly Father as my portion: He's like Baby Bear's porridge, chair, and bed in the story "Goldilocks"--He's not too hot or too cold, too hard or too soft, too big or too small...He's just right.  Whatever I need, He is. In fact, He's more than I can think or imagine--He's MORE than enough.  (Doesn't the word LORD in all caps mean that He is Jehovah--the I AM?)  I LOVE these verses!  Jehovah is my hiding place where I find strength when I need it.  It is a very good thing to be near to my God.

SSMT Verse 11
Psalm 86:11-12 (NIV)--Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.  I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all  my heart; I will glorify Your name forever.

 From June 1, 2011--I noticed this verse as I was reading through Made to Crave by Lisa T. (I can't spell her last name.)  Lisa wrote about making excuses for skipping exercise and for neglecting to properly care of her body; if I remember correctly, she was saying that not being committed is the same as having a divided heart.  I want a united heart that walks in all of God's ways and brings praise and glory to Him.

SSMT Verse 12
Psalm 16:11 (NAS)--You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever!

From June 12, 2011-- This was a verse I saw in a Philip Keller book--possibly in a chapter about idolatry.  Why should I seek satisfaction in any person, place, or thing when only GOD has pleasures at His right hand forever?!?!

Well, that was verse 12--I'm halfway though my review, but I'm done for now... falling asleep at the computer...

SSMT Verse Review Part 3

SSMT Verse 5
John 15:16--"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give you."

I chose verse 5 for March 1, 2011.  Near the end of February, I came across it in a Kay Arthur devotional, and it really blessed me.  Actually, I came across this verse and had been meditating on it the morning that my Papa died... I don't think I'll ever forget this one. 

Jesus chose me to go and bear fruit; since He appointed this for me, the fruit that I bear will remain because it comes from abiding in the True Vine: Him. He didn't choose me to sit idley and wait to reach heaven--He wants me to be about His business.  Also, it makes me think of the verse in Ephesians that says we were saved and created for good works that God prepared beforehand that we might walk in them.  I want to abide in Him and walk in what He has chosen and prepared for me to do.  

 SSMT Verse 6
Philippians 4:19 (NASB)--Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Verse 6 from March 15, 2011, is a longtime favorite and one I need to constantly dwell on. DON'T BE ANXIOUS FOR ANYTHING!  That's right--ANYTHING! When I'm plagued with confusion or worry, I just need to remember to pray, give thanks, and let His peace guard my heart and mind no matter the circumstances.

 SSMT Verse 7
Colossians 4:17 (NASB)-- Take heed to the ministry you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.

Verse 7, April 1, 2011--As a Christian woman, I am a minister first to God, then to my husband, my children, my church, and, if there's anything left of me, to anything else the Lord sends my way.  I may have many responsibilities, concerns, and obligations, but I want to make sure I take heed FIRST and FOREMOST to the top four ministries that God has entrusted to me.  Keeping priorites in the correct order is challenging, but if I practice Matthew 6:33 and seek FIRST the kindgom of God, then everything else should fall into its proper place.

SSMT Verse Review Part 2

SSMT Verse 4
Romans 12:1 (AMP)-- I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well-pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.

From Feb. 15, 2011, another verse chosen from the Amplified version....  Why? because I LOVE IT!!! Look at that! A "decisive dedication" -- not a haphazard, impulsive decision.  Wow! In view of ALL of God's mercies, the least I can do is make a decisive dedication of every part of myself -- physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, EVERYTHING -- to Him for His service.  This is the only reasonable, rational, and intelligent thing to do: give my ALL as a living sacrifice to the One who made the ULTIMATE sacrifice.  Loving and serving others, following where He leads, giving "my utmost for His highest," and even taking care of my "temple" -- all of these are ways to serve and worship Him.  Amazing verse!

Seista Scripture Memory Team Verse Review Part I

So, for now, this attempt at blogging is purely for my benefit.  I haven't told anyone about my efforts, so I have no followers.  Actually, I did send an email to three people to let them know about it, but they all probably deleted it because my email account was hacked and they've been receiving indecent messages and advertisements from my old email address.... but that's a story for another time.

Anywho, I always remember things better if I write, rewrite, and write them often, so let's see if typing these verses will help my memory.

Without further ado (drum roll please....):
 Siesta Scripture Memory Team Verse 1
Psalm 90:12 NASB -- So teach us to number our days that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

I chose to memorize this verse on Jan. 1, 2011.  I had it memorized before I finished writing it in my handy dandy scripture notebook, actually.  Time management has always been a struggle for me, so this verse helps me to consider how I'm spending my time and what I'm pursuing... I want my Father to see me making wise use of the days He has given me.

 SSMT Verse 2
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NASB -- Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?  For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

This is my verse from Jan. 15, 2011.  I chose this one for O SO MANY reasons. Since I don't have time to discuss them all, here's one (rather lengthy) reason this verse speaks to me... 

 Jesus paid the ultimate price for my soul -- He gave His life on the cross that I may have life eternal.  I owe Him EVERYTHING.  I also have a responsibility to care for the temple / body He has given me; STILL this is a struggle.   

It's easy to point out the shortcomings and failures of others while overlooking your own. Labeling things like, say, murder or adultery or theft as sins doesn't make many people uncomfortable; the discomfort sets in when we dare to call weight and eating issues what they are--sins.  My weight issue isn't merely an issue: it's my failure to care for and maintain the temple that God's Spirit dwells in.  It's my choosing to seek satisfaction in food rather than in Him.  Jesus deserves much better from me.  Yes, this is still a struggle, and there is no quick fix.  I can, however, choose to glorify God in my body (no matter my size) by daily making choices to seek comfort in Him rather than in food and by daily making an effort to care for His "temple" in appropriate ways. Over time, a continuous pattern of right choices can and (God help me) WILL yield positive results both physically and spiritually.  Now, time for one more verse....

SSMT Verse 3
Ephesians 5:16-17 AMP-- Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately!  Not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.

I chose Feb. 1, 2011's verse from the Amplified translation because I LOVE it!!!! I want to live with purpose, and I want to walk with Jesus in a worthy manner.  I don't want to miss the mark in choosing how I spend each day but rather I want to buy up each opportunity He presents and live and serve accurately--purposefully--worthily--I LOVE this!! 

Why the title?

So, I have to return to work tomorrow.

We're going to visit some dear friends this evening.

Phil took the kids with him to run some errands, and I have the house to myself for just a few hours.

I still have a stack of papers to grade.

And I'm creating a blog.

This is my life. 

It's not so much that I'm doing any evil at the moment, but I definitely understand what the apostle Paul is saying in Romans 7:18, "....for I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out." I'm not necessarily struggling with the law at work in my members as Paul describes, but I'm definitely feeling that tug... should I do what needs to be done, or should I do ANYTHING ELSE BUT THAT!!!!!

Yes, I know.  Grade the papers.  Read those essays.  Average some grades.  Make the most of the gift of peace and quiet that you've been given for these few hours.  Leave this blog thing alone for now and use your time wisely.

And I will.

But only after set forth my plan for how I will use this space for the month January.  It just occurred to me, so I had better type it out before I get distracted by something else...

Mom and I will be traveling to Houston, TX, in a few weeks to participate in Living Proof Ministry's Siesta Scripture Memory Fest.  Well, not a fest so much as a gathering, but a good time, nonetheless.  It's a free event for LPM blog readers who committed to memorizing twenty-four passages of scripture in 2011.  I've memorized most of my verses (well, 70 percent of them), but I REALLY need to refresh my memory so I'll be able to recite them at the conference.  SO, my plan for January is to review verses and discuss why I chose to memorize each one in the first place. 

So, that's the plan. It's very fitting that my first verse is Psalm 90:12, which states, "Teach us to number our days that we may present to you a heart of wisdom."  I chose that verse on January 1, 2011, probably because I was facing a similar stack of papers to grade, lessons to plan, and many other piles of things I put off so I could pursue more interesting things....

I'll put that verse into practice right now.  I'm out of here, but I'll be back for discussion of that verse and review of other verses.

Oh--and I'll get around to explaining why I named this blog "Never Mind."