Verse 24

My friends, thank you so much for doing this challenge with me.  A little accountability and support makes all the difference in the world.  So thank you for being my "iron" to help sharpen me this year and keep me in the Word.
My final verse was in a sermon a couple of weeks ago.  It talks about how everything in the Bible was written to encourage us and give us hope.  I thought it was a fitting summary for me.  :)

Romans 15:4  NIV
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.


I'll email you in a few weeks to set up a date for our final celebration!

Verse 23

Happy New Year!
Verse 23 out of 24!  Can you believe you've almost done it!?  After I finish this blog post, I'm looking forward to spending some time going over my verses and reflecting of some of the things God has been trying to teach me this year.

I'm going with an oldie but a goody - the Proverbs 31 woman.  I constantly need reminders that what I do all day is not just pointless drudgery, but it's honoring to God.
Proverbs 31:27-28 NIV
"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:"

When we started this thing, I promised a party to all the local friends who made it to the end.  And by "party", I mean an excuse to eat sweets (and coffee or wine, depending on the time of day).  :)  The beginning of February is a little crazy for me, so we'll try to get something on the books for the last week of February.

Verse 22

We are down to the last three verses, ladies!  I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and that the holidays give you some extra time to spend in His Word.  :)

James 1:17 NIV
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Verse 21

I'm copying Allison's verse. Mary's obedience is unbelievable.  I love how she basically says, "Whatever you say, God."  Hopefully memorizing her words will help them to become my words, too.  :)

Luke 1:38 ESV
And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her."

Verse 20

This time I'm going with a verse that's been on my list for a while, but I keep avoiding it.  Maybe because I don't want to be reminded of my sin?  Eesh.

Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Verse 19

I was looking back over my last few verses and realized that I don't have them committed to memory yet.  So, as I remind myself, let me encourage you, too: don't neglect God's Word in this upcoming busy holiday season.  You are on verse 19 out of 24!  What an accomplishment!  Don't give up! Press on, friends!

Today's sermon was on Ecclesiastes.  [It was really interesting.  You can watch it here if you're interested.] A lot of the book is about how everything here on earth is pointless (my loose translation).  BUT we can rise about the seeming insignificance of all the day-to-day stuff.  At the end of the book the author gives us the key for living our lives down here:
Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind."

Verse 18

Oh my!  It's 7:30pm, but I made it!
My new verse is II Corinthians 4:17
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Verse 17

Ezekiel 36:26 NIV
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."

Another translation says, "I will remove your stubborn hearts and give you obedient hearts".

This verse makes it sound like a one-time transaction, but I think it feels more like a daily battle.  My heart keeps wanting to dry up, to become hard and impermeable.  Only the work of the Holy Spirit can make this rock-heart turn to flesh, to soften up and love the people around me like Christ did.

Verse 16

Ephesians 2:10  NIV
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

A friend recently wrote a blog post containing this verse.  She used a translation that used the word "masterpiece" instead of "workmanship".  It really stuck out to me that God made me with intention and purpose.  I'm not just another human on the assembly line of creation, but I'm one of His masterpieces, and he has good works ready and waiting for me (and you, too!).

Verse 15

I Corinthians 8:1-3 (God's Word Translation)
Now, concerning food offered to false gods: We know that we all have knowledge.  Knowledge makes people arrogant, but love builds them up.  Those who think they know something still have a lot to learn.  But if they love God, they are known by God.

There is a lot to learn from this chapter of the Bible.  It is primarily about food that had been sacrificed to idols and about how Christians treated each other over the matter.  I chose these particular verses and translation, though, as a reminder about pride.  For those times when I think I have things figured out, I want to remember that I "still have a lot to learn" and that my priority should be loving God.

Verse 14

Do you always memorize your verse in the same translation?  I usually memorize in NIV or ESV, but as I'm studying and meditating on my verse I love to read it in lots of different translations.  It's amazing how many different nuances and meanings you can get from the same verse just by changing one word or one piece of punctuation.

My verse for this time is II Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Verse 13

This morning I was listening to a Christian book while I ran.  The author was talking about how as parents we have to learn to listen to our children, and as believers we have to learn to listen to God.  He said people are always asking how to discern God's will in major life decisions, and part of the answer is to practice listening to Him in the everyday decisions.
I don't take the time to listen to God in the daily things.  I simply rely on my own knowledge and common sense.  While those things are gifts that God has given me to use, I also want to remember that I have the Holy Spirit to guide me.  I want to practice listening to God and knowing His will daily.

Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.


On a side note, earlier today there was a devastating typhoon in Saipan.  A friend from college is living there with her husband and two small children.  They are safe, but lost their home and most belongings.  She says there is no electricity and water on the island.  Please pray for their safety, immediate needs, and peace.

Verse 12

This is verse 12 out of 24!  You're halfway there! I'm going to take a shorter verse this time and try to spend a lot of time in review.
Last time Allison's verse stood out to me, so I copied it: "Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him."  So this week I'm going to add on the next verse:
Proverbs 30:6 (ESV) "Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar."

Verse 11

I'm copying Allison's verse.  :)

Proverbs 30:5 NIV
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Verse 10

Next week our family will be hosting a VBS-type event at our house.  With our community at church, we've been praying about how to make a lasting impact with the kids and their families.  One of the things we've focused on is trying to have conversations that move deeper than sports and weather.  I already struggle with small talk, so the idea of moving beyond that makes me nervous.  If you think of me in the next two weeks, please pray for grace and wisdom and words from the Holy Spirit.

My verse for the next two weeks is I Peter 3:15
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect..."

Verse 9

Oops.  It looks like a lot of us missed last time.  Hopefully you were still working on a verse, but just forgot to post it.  :)  Either way, it's a new month now!
I'm going to stay in Colossians for one more verse.  It's a short one, but a big message!

Colossians 1:17  NIV
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Verse 8

My youngest child's sleeping habits have been unpredictable the past few weeks.  Between ear infections, teething, and a stomach bug, I can't plan a time when I know I can read my Bible alone.  I've been so thankful for my index cards of verses to sneak in a few minutes here and there.

I'm finishing my passage from last time.
Colossians 6:8  NIV
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of the this world rather than on Christ.

Verse 7

May 1st!  Are you excited about green things and warmer weather?  Praise God for giving us His beautiful creation to enjoy.  I hope you get to take your Bible outside in the next few weeks.

I'm going to split my next scripture into two parts.  This week I'm doing Colossians 2:6-7, then I'll add verse 8 next time.
Colossians 2:6-7, NIV
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Verse 6

My verse is Psalm 68:19 NIV "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens."
I chose this one because I don't often have any big, overwhelming issues in my life.  But my burdens are oh so very "daily".  Every day, every hour, every five minutes, there are more dishes to wash, whining to bear, and a toddler who is stealing silverware from the drawer, licking it, and putting in back in.  This verse is going to be my mantra this week to remind me that God cares about those little things, that He wants to help me if I'll let him, and that I can praise Him in it all.

Verse 5

I'm doing another verse from Philippians this week:
Philippians 1:6 ESV
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

I'm looking forward to reading your verses, too!  I hope that you'll have a little extra time this week to spend with the Lord, preparing to celebrate His resurrection on Easter!