Great Progress!

I'm so glad I was able to walk two miles today, with few pauses and without even getting very tired. All that exercise is making me feel good. I know sometimes my positive improvements in exercising can be fickle but I think I'm on a good health regime now and am hoping that I'll keep doing well and can regain my previous level of fitness. There's a lot of great things about being fit enough to walk two or more miles several times a week. It's really enjoyable for one thing. If I can keep up my two mile walks it'll be a real accomplishment, something that I've been striving for for about a year. All the exercise will help me to lose weight more easily. My diet is going well and I'd love to do some major slimming. That would really be great!

God is continuing to help me with dieting. I like being able to accomplish decreasing my calories enough to lose weight while being able to enjoy healthy tasty food that I love. Losing weight is definitely a science, but it's an art too and something you can become skillful at. I like meeting the challenge to maintain an attitude that helps me win at the dieting game instead of being overwhelmed at the challenge.

Most of the last night I was awake meditating on my latest Scripture acrostic. I think I might write a Bible study on it. Meditating on God's Word is so awesome. I want it written on my heart so well that I walk according to it all the time filled with the Spirit. I want to be deeply affected by God's Word much in the same way the wind fills a sail and causes a boat to sail in the direction determined by how the sail is set.

April Memory Scripture - Wisdom

For April, the scripture that I've been memorizing, as a part of Living Proof Ministries' "Siesta Scripture Memory Team", is Proverbs 8:1-12 NIV, wonderful scripture about wisdom that's so inspiring. I like having my memory scriptures written on spiral bound index cards. I usually learn & study my memory scriptures from my computer but when I'm somewhere else or after the computer's turned off the spiral bound index cards are really handy.

Proverbs 8:1-12

Click on the link to read it in the New International Version:
http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Pro&c=8&v=1&t=NIV#top

1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.KJV

Memory Scripture Demonstrates the Importance of a Relationship With God

I began learning this Scripture March 1st as a part of the Living Proof Ministries Siesta Scripture Memory Team. Beth's memory scripture for the first two weeks of March was Hebrews 10:35-36. I decided to add it to the Scripture I had already selected from Hebrews 10.

There's going to be a "Siesta Scripture Memory Team Celebration Event", and it's not too late to get in on it!!!

http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/2009/03/siesta-scripture-memory-team-verse-6.html

I've almost got this Scripture memorized through verse 14. I've been really working on it a lot for the past few days. Memorization of long scripture passages isn't required; however I like the challenge; committment to memorize just 24 scriptures in twelve months was asked for. I've been busy this month trying to get caught up on my Precept Ephesians study and I got to research and present a five minute Bible study on the bronze serpent at our family Bible study (click on the links to read the Scripture)

http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=numbers+21%3A5-9

http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=john+3%3A14-16&src=esv.org

and a Bible study on Counterfeits of things in God's Kingdom. Recently I was talking to my mom about counterfeits; it interested her and said she wanted me to give a talk on it. When I was getting the second Bible study ready, there were so many questions raised in my mind, that I thoroughly studied the book of Revelation.

Hebrews 10:5-7; 10-16; 35-36
link to the English Standard Version: http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=hebrews+10
5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God... 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;... 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (KJV)

The importance of a relationship with God is seen in this scripture. Until Jesus Christ's death on the cross for our sins, animals were sacrificed for sins to be covered.

Through Jesus' sinless life, the requirements of the Law given to Moses by God, are met.

Whosoever believes Jesus died for their sins is given right standing with God, through Jesus Christ, by grace through faith. It is a free gift.

As Jesus rose from the grave, we too can walk in newness of life.

In the Bible are recorded God's wonderful promises and we also find instructions on how to walk in the light of the Lord.

Memory Scripture 3

The scriptures "siestas" individually selected in their favorite Bible version of the scripture, posted at the LPM blog, have been such a blessing to me!

Here is my scripture:

Hebrews 12:28-13:2 & 13:14-16, 20-21
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. …Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. …Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)

I'll be taking the the whole month of February to memorize all this scripture.

I participated in a January Bible study at my church on hospitality. It was a great Bible study! I've been reading one of the recommended books, "Making Room" by Christine D. Pohl., which is one of the most awesome books I've ever read. : )

Memory Scripture 2!!!

I've been working on my scripture memory this afternoon. I'm so happy and thankful to be participating in Living Proof Ministries' "memorize 24 scriptures in 12 months". I used to help kiddoes and youth learn their scriptures in AWANA. The youth inspired me so much with all the scripture they recited and got checked off on, working their way through their AWANA books. I'd always wished there was a program to help get grown ups just as enthused about memorizing scripture! So I'll say it again-- I'm happy!

I was reading Ephesians 4 a few weeks ago and it really inspired me. I'm just memorizing a lot of the key verses in this passage.

Ephesians 4:1-3, 7, 12, 14-15, 21-24, 30
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace… But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ… For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:… That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:… If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness… And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (KJV)

Me too!

I'm going to memorize scripture in 2009 with Living Proof Ministries.

http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/

I created this blog to share. I'm memorizing Psalms 119:1-8, which is Aleph-- the first letter of of this Psalm, which is an acrostic. I'll be memorizing it in the NIV. I make scripture acrostics which I sometime memorize too.

Psalms 119:1-8
1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. 4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. 5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! 6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. 7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. 8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.(KJV)