Scripture Memory Challenge

At the beginning of the year, I was feeling led by the Lord to start memorizing scripture again.  I put together a website to help myself and others memorize verses by typing them.  First you type a verse while looking at it, then with every other word hidden, then with everything hidden.  It's turned out to be a very effective memorization method.

Now I want to throw out a challenge to all of you Bloggers out there. Join with me in memorizing at least one verse per week for the rest of 2010. That's 52 Verses over the course of a full year. If you want to participate, click below to add the scripture memory display to your side panel, and set it to show the most recent verse you've memorized.

Once you add the side panel display, head over to ScriptureTyper.com to start entering and memorizing your verses. Each time you memorize a new verse, it will become active in your blog's side panel. Others can memorize it with you by just clicking the verse reference.

The Hope of the Poor

1 Samuel 2:7
7 The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. 8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. 9 He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness.

Psalm 22:26
26 The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the Lord will praise him-- may your hearts live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.

Psalms 34:1-10
1 I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2 My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3 Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Psalm 74:21
Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name.

Psalm 82:3
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

Psalms 112:6-10
6 Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. 7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. 8 His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes. 9 He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.

5 Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, 6 who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? 7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; 8 he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people. 9 He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord.

Proverbs 19:17
He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.

Proverbs 21:13
If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.

Proverbs 22:9
A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

Proverbs 28:27
He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.

Proverbs 29:7
The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.

Isaiah 41:17
"The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.

Matthew 19:21
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Luke 4:18
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Luke 14:13
But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,

Acts 10:4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.

1 Corinthians 13:3
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

James 2:5
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

Longing to Meditate

Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

Psalm 4:3
But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; The Lord hears when I call to Him. Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the Lord.

Psalm 119:148
My eyes anticipate the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word.

Matthew 24:10
At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Romans 5:2-5
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Matthew 5:43 - 48
You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Romans 12:10-21
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

My Shield

My trust is in the Lord, He is my shield and my covering. I hide in His presence, in the secret place I find refuge. The Lord Most High is His name. He is the keeper of wisdom and understanding, giving freely to all who ask. I come to Him and receive my counsel. I find safety and peace under His wings. There I am purified by His Holy fire. Old wounds fade away and new life flows from within me. Who is like The Great King, who establishes His throne in righteousness. He turns peasants into warriors and calls the weak mighty. Who can understand His ways or explain His thoughts?

Shopping List

Proverbs 23:23
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Revelation 3:18-19
`Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. `Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.

In His Presence

Exekiel 33:14
And He said, "My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest."


Psalm 16:11
You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.


2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

Fast for America - Wednesday December 7th

Blow a trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly. -Joel 2:15


Gavin had a vision from the Lord on this so we are establishing it and spreading the word.

1 Timothy 2:1-4
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Lord we give you thanks for blessing and prosperity.
We Praise You for who You are, God over us, the King over all kings and authorities.
We ask that you would have mercy on us, we have not sought you as we should.
Bring favor to those who seek your presence.
Bring them to positions of authority and direct their steps.
Open the doors of fellowship between your saints, especially those in government and positions of authority.
May our fellowship with You draw us together as one.
Give us a desire to eat together, learn from one another, and pray together with one mind.
Let your light shine forth and expose the things done in darkness.
Allow your people to see what things are detestable to you.
Show us the path of wisdom, and let us walk that path. Let no one be deceived, forgetting that the days are evil.
Bring an end to the prosperity of the wicked.
Let the wealth of the nation come to the hands of those who sow into your kingdom.
Give us vision into your desires for Israel.
Bring a spirit of compassion for your chosen people upon us and upon our leaders.

Together

Acts 2:42, 46

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people.

Key of the House of David

We have authority in Christ to ask for doors to be opened. The Key of the house of David has been given to Him.

Eliakim = "God raises" or "God sets up"
Hilkiah = "my portion is Jehovah"

Isaiah 22:20-25

"Then it will come about in that day, That I will summon My servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, And I will clothe him with your tunic And tie your sash securely about him. I will entrust him with your authority, And he will become a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. "Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder, When he opens no one will shut, When he shuts no one will open. "I will drive him {like} a peg in a firm place, And he will become a throne of glory to his father's house. "So they will hang on him all the glory of his father's house, offspring and issue, all the least of vessels, from bowls to all the jars. "In that day," declares the LORD of hosts, "the peg driven in a firm place will give way; it will even break off and fall, and the load hanging on it will be cut off, for the LORD has spoken."


Revelation 3:7

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this, "I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name."


Luke 13:23 (The Door of Eternal Life)

And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And He said to them, "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. "Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, `Lord, open up to us!' then He will answer and say to you, `I do not know where you are from.'


Colossians 4:2 (A Door for the Word)

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.


Revelation 4:1 (A Door to Revelation from Heaven)

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things."

Cruisin with Gracie

The children of the kingdom will explore all of creation and search out the things unknown.

Two or Three

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. -Matthew 18:20

Now this is where it's at. I've been walking with, talking to, and resting in the presence of the Lord and I come across one or two others who are doing likewise. Everything just goes to another level. Because we are 'in Him' and gathering together, Jesus himself leaps out into the midst of us. Joy, I mean a new fullness of joy comes when He is present like this. There's something intimate, personal, and powerful about two or three coming together in the Lord's presence.


How amazing is this? We can ask or proclaim anything we wish and by our words it will be established.

But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.'
Matthew 18:16

Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 18:19

If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
John 14:14

Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.
John 16:23


Ministry will be done in groups of two or three. It will be orderly and governed naturally by the ones who aren't speaking.

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.
1 Corinthians 14:29

If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.
1 Corinthians 14:27

One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.
Deuteronomy 19:15

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:16






My good friend Buddy had his 16th birthday on Tuesday. He also had an awesome word of encouragement for everyone at our small group Wednesday night. It was amazing and challenging for me to hear how the Lord is using him to bring light to situations that his friends are in at school.

Visions of things to come

The Waters

I saw waters rising and covering the land. The only thing not submerged was a rock with a lighthouse perched upon it.

A time is coming when people will be flushed out from everything that is false or does not give life. There will be no breathing in the places that are submerged. No satisfaction will be found in the teachings of men. Many who were led astray will be searching for truth.

Those who have been prepared by the Lord will shine forth, even as a lighthouse. Perched upon the rock, they will shine and call to those in need. The hungry will find the bread of life. The thirsty will drink of the living waters. The Lord will be uplifted and men will freely come to Him.

Luke 6:47
Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.


The Field

I saw a field covered with weeds, briars and thorns. This field was purchased at a high price, in hopes that it could be made into a beautiful and priceless thing. The time has come to prepare the field and bring forth the crop for which it was purchased. I saw a fire come down on the field. It engulfed the weeds and the briars and the thorns and left the ground covered in ashes. The field was then plowed, and the soil became rich and fertile.

A time has come for God's people to receive from Him. The Lord longs to sow into us, that we may be fruitful and have seed to sow into one another. Those who are in His presence will receive in abundance. His Kingdom is at hand. His Kingdom is found in the fruit of this field.

1 Corinthians 3:8
Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.

Abby and Me and a marshmallow

...for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. -Mark 10:14