Scripture Memory Team Verse 15 – August 1, 2015

August 7, 2015 12:53 PM 0

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Psalm 116:2 (HCSB)
Because He has turned His ear to me,
I will call out to Him as long as I live.

This verse is amazing and oh so comforting to me! Dr. Thomas Constable  says this Psalm is uncommonly affectionate. A heart of gratitude to God for hearing the cries of His child. I saw the picture below while scrolling through Instagram recently. My friend Michelle Rodriguez had posted this picture and it caught my attention. Then last week at the funeral of a pastor, I heard the verse referenced again. I perked up and listened to the context. IMG_0465It is simple, really. God listens to us when we pray. Why do we make it so hard or complex? (I said we.) There is a little book that I dearly love and love to recommend. It is called The Power of Crying Out, When Prayer Becomes Mighty, by Bill Gothard. I’ve read through the book several times. It’s a go-to book for me. I remember during the season of praying for my oldest son and his wife as they were desperately asking God for a child. I believe with all my heart, soul, mind and strength that when I get to Heaven it will be revealed to me that God heard my intercessory cries on their behalf and Zeke Morton was born. [And then followed Madie, and Abe…Zeke’s younger siblings and more gifts straight from the Hand of God.] This picture was made a couple of months ago after Zeke had spent some time at the Morton Farm with me and Pop. [We Mortons dearly love to stop at The Atlanta Varsity!]GranJan-ZekeHere is an overview of that powerful little book:

When members of the early church cried out to God in urgent need, the place shook with the power of their supplication. In this compelling vision for modern-day supplication, Bill Gothard recognizes the key truth that only God’s almighty power can rescue His children in times of distress. Using illustrations from Scripture and testimonies from everyday people, Gothard demonstrates the power of crying out — and how God can shake the world of those who cry out to Him today.

I encourage you to really trust God in that He hears and He listens. There is a difference you know. He cares. I am confident.

Blessings today to you,

GranJan-BlogSignature

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August 7, 2015 12:53 PM 0

Scripture Memory Team Verse 14 – July 15, 2015

July 15, 2015 1:16 PM 0

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Psalm 118:8
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.

I don’t believe I can make this verse any clearer without insulting you blog readers.  I know for myself there are times when I want to run to a friend or co-worker with an issue that doesn’t even concern them. I find myself wanting to just talk it out. That isn’t always a wise decision on my part. The older I get the more I realize the wisdom in keeping some things to myself. Taking time to let things “press in and process” in my heart…mull over as the old-timers say. Now this isn’t to discount that there aren’t times I need to seek wise counsel. When that need arises in my life I always talk to my husband. He is wise and trustworthy and he genuinely always desires the best for me, but he isn’t afraid to call it what it is. Whatever “it” may be. 🙂 I also have several friends I can count on to speak truth to me. Lanie, Patsy, Cindy, Teresa…

However in those times when you need a “refuge,” [shelter or protection from danger, trouble] you better take it to the Lord. Don’t trust in people. They will let you down and sometimes the way down is a hard fall. To me taking refuge in the Lord means getting alone with Him, the Bible in my hands, and a quiet place to pray and wait. Time to be still and cease striving. Hope this encourages you today and this verse will come to you just when you need that refuge the most!

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July 15, 2015 1:16 PM 0

Scripture Memory Team Verse 13 – July 1, 2015

July 6, 2015 9:47 AM 0

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Having just spent a week away at the wonderful “forgotten coast” along the Gulf of Mexico in Florida (Cape San Blas), my verse selection was very special…

Psalm 95:5
The sea is His, for it was He who made it

IMG_0268

This beautiful view was from the porch of the home we rented for the week. There is something peaceful about the ocean for me. I love the sound of the waves and the constant breezes.

But my favorite view of the week was the precious faces of my five grandchildren. I loved having uninterrupted time with them last week. Waking up to see them all in their pajamas and playing together all day until they went to bed at night, and then beginning that over again and again each morning. Thankful!5Grands-July 4 2015

Thankful to know the wonderful Creator of that beautiful ocean, and thankful that He knows my Name!

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July 6, 2015 9:47 AM 0

Scripture Memory Team Verse 12 – June 15, 2015

June 15, 2015 2:34 PM 0

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Those of us participating in the Scripture Memory Team with Beth Moore’s Living Proof Ministries have crossed the halfway point now. I don’t have my 11 prior verses perfectly memorized, but I’m starting to go over them more and more.

Psalm 119:114
You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in Your word.

He is my hiding place and my shield. A Place to go and a Protector to defend. He is everything, and His Word is truth, my lifeline. His Word sustains me in every situation I face.  My pastor, Dr. Jim Perdue preached through Psalm 119 [Life By the Book] last Fall. This is his message below from the portion of Psalm 119 from which my verse is selected:

Keep clean and close to Jesus. He wants to be and will be your hiding place and shield too. Your hiding place when you need to rest and renew…your shield when the battle is raging all around. You can emerge from the hiding place because He is your shield. After the battle you can run back to the hiding place. Either situation or time, rest or battle…HE IS ALWAYS THERE!

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June 15, 2015 2:34 PM 0

Scripture Memory Team Verse 11 – June 1, 2015

June 1, 2015 12:02 PM 0

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Proverbs 3:21-22 (NLT)

21 My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
    Hang on to them,
22 for they will refresh your soul.
    They are like jewels on a necklace.

Jewels

Common sense – a flower that doesn’t grow in everyone’s garden. In fact, there appears to be great disparity of common sense in our society. The definition for common sense is “sound practical judgment that is independent of specialized knowledge, training, or the like; normal native intelligence.”  And then there’s discernment…”acuteness of judgment and understanding.” I believe each are gifts and go hand in hand, or better yet, heart to heart. 

Today, June 1, is the one-year anniversary in my job as Administrative Assistant to our School Superintendent. [I’ve been working in our local school system for 26 years, promoted into this position June 1, 2014.] This year my job has been challenging and oftentimes lonesome. (It really is lonely at the top, and by “top” I don’t mean to sound arrogant, but my boss is the boss of everybody, and also the boss of me!)  I’ve learned so much and I’ve prayed for wisdom in trying situations, but I’m telling you…good old common sense and discernment have been my special comrades each day.

My favorite part of this passage is “they will refresh your soul.” Folks with common sense really are refreshing to one’s soul. Have you ever heard someone that can just bring something down to the level of good old common sense? That is refreshing, isn’t it?  In this world today it appears that folks not only lack common sense, some appear to have no sense. Voting on what marriage is? Come on people – God established that and it has not changed. Common sense, please!

So today as I post my scripture memory verse, I am thankful to say that I desperately want to never lose sight of common sense and discernment. I’m going to hang on to them and keep my soul refreshed.

As Voltaire said, “Common sense is not so common.”  So fashion that necklace of jewels around your neck and hang on tight to common sense and discernment! You will be the better for it and so will those around you.

GRANJAN

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June 1, 2015 12:02 PM 0

Scripture Memory Team Verse 10 – May 15, 2015

May 21, 2015 10:39 AM 0

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Psalm 68:19 [Amplified Bible]

Blessed be the Lord,
Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day,
even the God Who is our salvation!
Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

I’m reading through the Chronological Bible this year. I am enjoying this plan very much and learning more than I ever imagined, which always makes me happy. [Just this morning I spent some time trying to identify a bird I’ve seen around our pond this Spring. I pray I never cease wanting to discover and learn. I believe it keeps me young…at heart. The bird was an Eastern Kingbird in case you’re interested.]  🙂

Anyway, I am now in the Psalms and they are beautifully arranged.  The Psalms of King David come alive as you read them aligned with the times of despair in his life as he was writing them.  I read PSALM 68 recently and this was one of those jump off the page verses for me. My favorite portion is that the Lord carries us day by day. I pray I never lose sight of that wonderful truth. Obviously the Psalmist felt the same way as he exhorts us to “Selah…pause and calmly think of that.”

So when I need to pause and calmly think of that awesome truth, I pray the Good Lord brings this memory verse to my mind. I’m thankful for God as He is my burden bearer, day by day carrier, and my salvation.

In Christ,

GRANJAN

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May 21, 2015 10:39 AM 0

Scripture Memory Team Verse 9 – May 1, 2015

May 5, 2015 9:14 AM 0

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Things are hard in our country, our world. Just the past week…the awful riots in Baltimore over the death of a young man while in police custody, the tragic loss of thousands of lives in Nepal due to an earthquake, our Supreme Court attempting to decide or rather “redefine” marriage. This I know and this I believe with all my heart – God is not asleep and He is on His throne. He knows the score and He is in charge. He will sort it all out one day and I must trust and pray.

Ephesians 4:3
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit,
binding yourselves together with peace.

I know I’m not home yet…I’m a sojourner here. But I want to be united and at peace with others, by His Spirit – until that appointed day He calls for me. We must bind ourselves together. This verse says to “make every effort.” That means we have to be earnest, diligent and purposeful in our living. This is a challenge I face every single day. Memorizing the Word of God helps me in this EFFORT.  And God is so good to bring passages of scripture to my heart and mind in ways that I know He is leading, guiding.

Jesus be near,

GRANJAN

 

 

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May 5, 2015 9:14 AM 0
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