Uncomfortable Scripture

Today is the 15th and although I just submitted my first scripture verse yesterday I am playing catch up and needed to submit my second verse in today. That's alright--a little extra scripture memory never hurt anybody. 

I've also joined the ladies at She Reads Truth and am following them on their journey through "Fresh Start." I decided to use their choice of scripture from yesterday for mine on Siesta. I said something about uncomfortable scripture...oh right...

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is FAITHFUL."

-Hebrews 10: 23

Well that was simple, and beautiful. It is a verse that clearly states God is God--and when he makes a commitment he will follow through. I chose it because it fills me with such joy and appreciation to know that the bible says that God means what he says. In this verse it shows one side of that, our loving and merciful father. That once we are his we are his forever. What a promise! Salvation is never lost, hallelujah. 

So this is the tender God, the loving father that I tend to get in the habit of focusing on. I don't think I am the only one. But as the ladies at She Reads Truth said, our God is not all warm & fuzzies. Straight from their blog, "For those who hear the Word and turn away from it, who refuse to accept Jesus’ offer of salvation, “…no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” (Heb 10:26-27 NIV) That’s pretty heavy stuff. How often do we hear this in the same paragraph as a loving God?"

(Click on the word blog above, it takes you to their site, and it is SUCH a joy to follow these sisters, they are doing wonderful works for the Lord!)

It is so easy to think, surely God wouldn't send the good people to hell? But Jesus made it very clear, he did not create a task list or hurdles for us to jump over to reach heaven. He is the ONE AND ONLY way in. No amount of charity work nor fundraisers will get you in. I pray that this year allows us to look internally and really see the transformation Christ is creating us. If we're not changing, if we're trying to "good" our way into heaven. Well God have mercy on our ignorant souls and wake us up to the reality that we need Jesus. We will never be worthy on our own. 

Our kind words and actions should come from our sincere thankfulness for our salvation. Not a way to buy our ticket into heaven.

God bless,

Valerie

Siesta Scripture Memory 2013

Any ladies out there fans of Beth Moore? Of Lifeway? My good golly, I am so moved by the word and the way Beth breaks it down in her studies are so beautiful. The Lord has blessed that woman with SO much wisdom and knowledge. There are moments where I will be in the middle of when her studies and I will do a lesson on my own, then I will watch the next week's video session and think, "Did we just read the same verse? Am I even in the right book?!?" Mostly because she opens up the Word and it just SPEAKS to her. I admire her and I am so grateful that she is sharing her gift with the world. 

Beth, if you are reading this please
be my friend!
I'll tone down the desperation...

I truly could blab about how much I love Beth but this post is about something else--still involving Beth! I am officially signing up for Siesta Scripture Memory team as of right now. If you haven't heard about it, let me give you a brief summary of what it involves. You commit to memorizing TWO verses from scripture a month. On the 1st and the 15th you go the LPM blog on this page and you comment with your name, your town, and the verse you're committing to memorize in those two weeks. At the end of the year there is a huge celebration in Houston where your scripture book is your ticket in and it's one huge celebration...there's more to it but that's a quick synopsis of it all. I am so excited! I know the Lord has something great planned for 2013 and I want to soak myself deep in the vast ocean of His love and promise. 

Did I mention, you pick your own verses! This is about growing in the word and whatever life stage you're in. So for my first one which is late...I am using one of Beth's.

You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance.  Psalm 65:11 NIV 

We are about two weeks into this year and I think this is a great one to kick off the Memorizing with. I am so proud of what I accomplished and how the Lord tranformed me in 2012 and I want to begin this year by allowing the overflow to continue to bless those around me including myself. 

Anyone else doing Siesta this year? If so, did you purchase the notebook sold by Lifeway? I was thinking about making my own (which is allowed in the rules) and doing a post on how I decorate it but I'm not sure yet. Let me know!

God Bless,
Valerie