Scripture Memorization #14

Precious Ones,

     How exciting to consider that another couple of weeks actually peeled off the calendar as we set our minds and hearts toward seeing the intrinsic beauty and majesty of the colors, shades and hues of red, orange, brown, gold intermingled together on the trees.  Those colors bring with them the season of “fall” or “autumn”.  Our hearts are on pilgrimage preparing for the holidays where the smell of apple and pumpkin pies bring a blast of wonder and anticipation.  Autumn and its colors bring to mind the attitude and heart of “thanksgiving”. 

      Oh, how thankful I am for each of you beautiful women of the Most High God.   Life happens.  But your heart and passion for the Father stayed the course.  How delightful that His love compels you.  Your desire to please the Father brings such pleasure to Him.  Take a moment and sense the Father’s delight in you!  When you open your eyes in the morning, lay still.  Can you hear Him sing over you?    He calls you by name for He knows you.  Thrilling?  You bet!  As He delights in us, we can sing the chorus: 

     “We long for You.  How we long for You! To gaze upon Your glory, to revel in Your love, we long for You!  How we long for You! Our hearts and flesh cry out for more! The One we were created for.  We long for you.”   Ultimate satisfaction is experienced as He fills every longing in our hearts!  We are astounded because He is amazing!  He is the great “I am”. 

     Admittedly, I was looking forward to this next segment of Psalm 84.  Reveling…

     “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.”  Psalm 84:10-12 (NIV)

      We can take time in the craziness of life and delight in the Father!  As we revel and bask in the Father enjoying Him and His goodness, time takes on a new dimension.  Consider that He is a sun and shield to us.  As a sun, the Father shines with brightness and splendor and we are gripped by His greatness. 

     Blessed is repeated three (3) times in this Psalm.  The word, blessed, which is used means a person’s state of bliss.  Poetically it may be used as “O the bliss of….”  Consider the three areas of bliss in this Psalm. 

      O the bliss of (Blessed are) those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. (Psalm 89:4)
       O the bliss of (Blessed are) those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.  (Psalm 89:5)
       O the bliss of (Blessed is) the one who trusts in you. (Psalm 89:12)
   
  With joy unspeakable, our hearts sing:  “Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise Him, all creatures here below!  Praise Him above ye heavenly host.  Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!”

          Now it is your turn, Precious Ones! 

        Just do it!  Post your verse/verses, reference, translation and name.  And….remember to review your previous verses to keep them fresh and alive!

I love you!

Olda

Scripture Memorization #13

Beloved Sisters,

     Another three (3) day weekend is sauntering our way.  In a few days we will celebrate Labor Day!  This day is a tribute to the American worker who has contributed greatly to the strength and freedom of this wonderful nation in which we live.  So, let us celebrate!

     Let us take some time and delight in the Father as we mull His sweet, tender words spoken to and over us in our minds and hearts.  As we celebrate Labor Day, we can celebrate the astonishing gift of His intense and fierce love for us in contrast with His gentle and tender love for us.  In the midst of celebrating may we “have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge”  Ephesians 3:18-19a

     In my memorization, I am still in Psalm 84.  As I shared previously, my heart has been prompted to memorize that Psalm.  It has been a humbling yet breathtaking journey as I meditated on those verses, contemplating each aspect. 

     “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.  As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.  They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.  Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob.  Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.”  Psalm 84:5-9 (NIV)

     Sisters, we are on a pilgrimage.  This place is not our home.  Each day is a preparation and journey toward the longed-for goal in our hearts which is to see our Father face-to-face. 

     Strong defines Baka as “weeping”.  There are times we go through the Valley of Weeping!  We, as pilgrims, are touched daily by God’s grace.  We receive His strength to face every situation and look for His transforming work in and around us.  How thrilling!  The Lord sends the blessing of rain for those dry times and He refreshes and revives our hearts. 

    Post it, Sisters!  Post your name Scripture verse/verses and translation!

     

    Remember the Lord takes delight in you and crowns the humble with victory   Psalm 149:4

I love you!

Olda