2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Verse: Verse 6

I came across a wonderful scripture during my study of Jesus the One and Only by Beth Moore a few days ago and it is my memory verse for today for it reminds of God’s grace and mercy for me.

Abi, Apopka: “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”  Luke 7:47 NIV 1984

I’m sure we all at times feel unworthy like a woman with the alabaster jar of perfume who had many sins and are grateful for God’s mercy and grace that forgave it all. Sometimes the devil uses our insecurity and feeling unworthy against us and put the distance between us and God. It happened to me many times in the past until I was finally broken free and I realized that my feeling unworthy had nothing to do with God. Because truly, who deserves to be loved the way God loves anyway? No one!

I want to be forgiven much because I love much. I love the fact that when there are many sins, the grace is deeper indeed.

For Siesta Scripture Memory instruction, visit The LPM blog by clicking here.

2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Verse: Verse 5

For the first time since we found out that we are expecting, my husband and I had a good doctor’s visit last Friday that washed away our worries for the past 4 weeks and oh, how I praised our God for it….

I still remember last January when we had to say good-bye to our little baby boy of 12 weeks. We had so much hopes and dreams for that baby and when he was taken away from us, my heart was torn away with him. The wonderful thing that happened through that tragedy was that both my husband and I stood firm in our faith and praised God through it, which was beyond our understanding and power I must say. I believe He held on tight to both of us not to fall or despair and we mad it through. After few months of mourning and resting, we tried again to get pregnant but we didn’t succeed. I remember telling my husband around Christmas time last year, ‘Maybe God will give us another baby before last year’s miscarriage date so that he can wash away our sorrow and replace it joy and happiness.’ And that He did…. January came and I saw two pink lines in my home pregnancy test (more like four tests just to make sure! *^^*) and Peter kept saying, ‘Really?’ when I told him the news. God is indeed so good…. 

However, when I started to experience the similar problems with this pregnancy as last one, I got worried. I kept losing my focus and tried to control things myself, which we all know is just useless way to deal with any situation. However, even my time of doubting and not hoping, God would throw His words at me from all sides through Bible, sermons and many people around me and God constantly made me come back…to Him, where I belonged.

And then last Friday, the baby “waved” at us. Peter was saying, ‘Look! He’s waving at us and telling us it’ll be alright!’ I’m pretty sure God felt sorry for me and decided to give me a sign of hope. And I felt bad for not trusting Him completely, even for a short period of time, and I was grateful.

God has plans for us to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future…. I have no idea what they are, which is the scary part. But whatever happens, I pray that God will glorify Himself through everything I go through and that His name will be lifted high!!

Abi, Apopka: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

 It drew such a vivid imagery in my mind and I just wanted to hold my child and pray over her then and there. I couldn’t imagine the devil roaring around my little precious daughter trying to devour her. The sad thing is, that’s exactly what he’s doing everyday and I can’t do anything about it in this world. However, I do have a powerful weapon of prayer with God on my side (Thank you, Jesus indeed!) that keeps me alert and of sober mind and with that, I can be at peace. Like my little girl recites often, “I will fear no evil, for you (God) are with me” (Psalm 23:4).

For Siesta Scripture Memory instruction, visit The LPM blog by clicking here.

2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Verse: Verse 4

The world is a dangerous place and I feel it everyday. Luke chapter 4 shows how Satan tempted Jesus in the desert. The devil tempted Jesus to worship him with the authority and splendor of the world that was given to him, which Jesus refused, of course. But it clearly tells me that this world is under the devil’s control and influence and how dangerous it is to live in this world since the devil is around us everywhere we go and tempt us as he did to the Son of God.

A couple of years ago, I read Stormie Omartian’s The Power of Praying Parent, and I came across a verse that scared me to death.

Abi, Apopka: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

 It drew such a vivid imagery in my mind and I just wanted to hold my child and pray over her then and there. I couldn’t imagine the devil roaring around my little precious daughter trying to devour her. The sad thing is, that’s exactly what he’s doing everyday and I can’t do anything about it in this world. However, I do have a powerful weapon of prayer with God on my side (Thank you, Jesus indeed!) that keeps me alert and of sober mind and with that, I can be at peace. Like my little girl recites often, “I will fear no evil, for you (God) are with me” (Psalm 23:4).

For Siesta Scripture Memory instruction, visit The LPM blog by clicking here.

2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Verse: Verse 3

My women’s Bible study group just started back up again this year with one of the Beth Moore’s Bible studies, Jesus the One and Only, and I’m super excited! I feel like my spiritual life is just floating in the water and I feel like I need to row my boat a little. And I’m going to start with my prayer life and I thought James 5:16 was a perfect verse for me to remind myself to be constant and consistent with my prayer life.

Abi, Apopka: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 NIV

For Siesta Scripture Memory instruction, visit The LPM blog by clicking here.

2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 2

We are visiting my parents this weekend and I love watching my daughter interacting with Pops and Grandma. Such sweet memories and I shall cherish them forever….

I lost my biological father when I was only six and my Dad (who goes by Pops now, apparently) has been there for me since I was 11 years old. Though we are not related in any way (neither biologically nor legally), he has provided for me as any good Dad would do for his daughter and he’s been always there for me. Sometimes, hearing his voice over the phone comforts me and I know everything is ok because he told me so. He’s soon to be eighty-one years old and though he’s still big, strong, mighty and powerful in my eyes, I find myself thinking about the “future” when he won’t be around us any more (like 100 years from now!). That is why every moment I spend with him is like a precious gift to me and I’m so thankful that my daughter is blessed to have such moments with her pops now. The stories I’d tell her about him after he’s gone…and I’m glad that I’ll start every conversation with, “Remember, Pops, and how he loved you? Well, I’ll tell you a story about him…”

It’s really sweet to see how excited Bella gets to see pops, grandma and aunt Merri. She’s getting so big and I just love watching her grow everyday. So, I thought how perfect is it to memorize the verses that we often recite at her bed time. It’s one of my husband’s favorite chapters in Psalm and I love every word in it.

Abi, Apopka: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.” Psalm 23 NKJV

For Siesta Scripture Memory instruction, visit The LPM blog by clicking here.

2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 1

If you know me, you know that I love Beth Moore and her Bible studies. She is so inspiring and her studies are full of knowledge, love and JESUS! In fact, I dare say she could be perfect apart from her hair styles and fashion taste (Beth, you know I love you but that’s what happens when you make video studies and invite people to “watch” you over the years….people do judge your appearance but it’s all good! *^^*)!

I read her blog The LPM Blog from time to time and I came across this wonderful challenge of scripture memorizing called, Siesta Scripture Memory Team (SSMT) and I’ve decided that I need to do this! I’ll be posting my own memory verse on the 1st and 15th of every month of 2011 and by the end of this year, I will have 24 verses memorized. Click here for more info. and instruction on Siesta Scripture Memory Team if you are interested.

I missed the January 1st posting since I just found out about this challenge so this is a belated post.

Abi, Apopka: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

I held on to this verse about this time last year and it kept me going and so it’s natural for me to think of this verse and make it mine this time.