Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;” (Jeremiah 1:4-5a)

For You [O God] created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13-16)

This is what the LORD says – your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb. (Isaiah 44:24a)

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1b)

I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things. (Isaiah 45:7)

As you do not know {how the spirit enters the body being formed} in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. (Ecclesiastes 11:5)

Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One form us both within our mothers? (Job 31:15)

Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who give him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? (Exodus 4:11)

Ears that hear and eyes that see – the LORD has made them both. (Proverbs 20:12)

Does He who implanted the ear not hear? Does He who formed the eye not see? (Psalm 94:9)

But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” (Romans 9:20)

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

[And] God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. (Genesis 1:31a)

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; (Psalm 139:14a)

Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see! (Isaiah 42:18)

The Lord gives sight to the blind, (Psalm 146:8a)

This is what the LORD says – He who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: “Do not be afraid, [you] whom I have chosen.” (Isaiah 44:2)

I will lead the blind by ways that they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. (Isaiah 42:16)

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come... He will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer and the mute tongue shout for joy. (Isaiah 35:3-6a)

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He enables me to stand on the heights. (Psalm 18:33)

Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. (Hebrews 12:13)

The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)

Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.” (Haggai 1:5)

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength... But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:25, 27-31)

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the LORD to take it away from me.  But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

We live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law. (Psalm 119:18)

When Your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear Your name, O LORD God Almighty. (Jeremiah 15:16)

At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was Your good pleasure.” (Matthew 11:25-26)

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)

“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me. (Matthew 18:2-5)

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Then Jesus said..., “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. (Luke 14:11-14)

Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame... and make them come in, so that My house will be full.” (Luke 14:21b, 23b)

The LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. (Psalm 118:23)

However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him” – but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10b)

Then Jesus [said], “ Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

And He [Jesus Christ] is the head of the body, the church. (Colossians 1:18a)

Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. (1 Corinthians 12:14)

If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable and the parts that we think are less honorable, we treat with special honor...  But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.  (1 Corinthians 12:17-27)

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. (1 Peter 4:19)

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart Him? (Isaiah 14:27a)

I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted. (Job 42:2)

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised. (Job 1:21b)

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. (Habakkuk 3:18)

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. (Job 19:25)

I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:27)

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)

You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them, and You listen to their cry, (Psalm 10:17)

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:13-14)

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters,” says the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:18)

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1a)

Yet You brought me out of the womb; You made me trust in You even at my mother’s breast. From birth I was cast upon You; from my mother’s womb You have been my God. (Psalm 22:9-10)

For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:13-14)

One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see! (John 9:25b)

And I – in righteousness I will see Your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness. (Psalm 17:15)

Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD. (Psalm 102:18)

For You have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; You brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise You. (Psalm 71:5-6)

You hem me in – behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. (Psalm 139:5-6)

But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all Your deeds. (Psalm 73:28)

Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. (Psalm 40:5)

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds. (Psalm 77:11-12)

For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13-16)

[For the Lord] has made everything beautiful in {His} time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more. My mouth will tell of Your righteousness, of Your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim Your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone. Since my youth, O God, You have taught me, and to this day I declare Your marvelous deeds. (Psalm 71:14-17)

Verses from NIV 1984

WordSower Scripture Tellers School

This last July I had the wonderful opportunity to attend WordSower's Scripture Tellers School.
I loved learning some of the art of presenting a memorized piece of Scripture so that the meaning comes alive!
I was the only student this year. It is the first time the school and Scriptorium Scripture Recital was held in Iowa! Hopefully this will be an annual event in Iowa.
In my 2-3 week classes I memorized the book of Ruth, worked on presenting the first 6 chapters of 2 Corinthians (I had previously memorized 2/3 of the book in preparation for WordSowers) and learned many interesting facts about church history and the history of the Bible.
During my time at WordSowers I had the wonderful opportunity to share 2 Corinthians 1-6 and then the beginning of September I returned to share the book of Ruth.
It is an encouragement to me to have a goal for memorizing Scripture. Also, working with others provides accountability and encouragement in God's Word.
I would love to encourage each of you to study and memorize God's Word so that you will always be ready to give an answer! God's Word is living and active; it is a delight to know Christ through His Word!

Bible Translations

Ok, I have a question (or a few related questions) for all of you readers. :)

I was wondering what Bible translations are your favorites.
What translation do you prefer for memorizing from?
Do you use one version exclusively or use various translations?
Why did you pick the translation you use?
Do you find one version easier to memorize from?
Do you have a favorite audio Bible?
Do you know the history of the translation of the Bible you use? And did that affect your choice of translation?
How do the different "Bible Copyrights" affect your choice of translation?


Please leave a comment on this blog with your answers.

Joshua 1:8  (NKJV)

 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Bible Memory Plan

I wanted to share with you all a Scripture Memory schedule/plan that I found recently. I am planning on putting many of the ideas into practice (though not necessarily memorizing in the order suggested).

I love the challenge of memorizing the entire New Testament in 5 years!
What is amazing is that it is only suposed to take an hour a day with learning 4-6 verses a day!

Does anyone else want to join me in this challenge?
I would love to encourage each other to memorize God's Word!

Some Practical Ways to Implement Scripture Memorization

Here are some practical ways to implement the discipline of Bible memorization into your own life.  I have tried several ways to memorize Scripture and found these to be some of the most effective.  You might find other ways that work best for you.

1. Start by reading a passage of Scripture over and over (out loud) until you become very familiar with the passage.  Make sure you say each word accurately out loud.  
2. You might even try recording yourself reading or quoting a verse.  Then play it back to check yourself.  This is a great way to study by yourself.  
3. Make sure you understand the meaning and context of a verse.  When a passage becomes meaningful to your own life, it will be easier to memorize.  Remember that these are the very Words of God.
4. When you memorize larger passages or even whole chapters, the meaning and context of a verse will become clearer.  Understanding the context is extremely beneficial.  As you are reading or memorizing the Bible you must remember that the verse and chapter markings were added later, so the entire context may extend past the chapter and verse markings.
5. Start small.  Do not be overwhelmed. Start with 1-4 verses a day or as much as you make time for.  Memorize the Word of God in “bite-size pieces”.  
6. Learn a verse phrase by phrase.  Sometimes, even learning the punctuation along with the verse can aid you in recalling a difficult section of Scripture.  
7. Listen to or quote Scripture as you are falling asleep at night.  Let God’s Word dwell in you richly.  Colossians 3:16 says: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”  Use bedtime as a time to focus fully upon the Word of the LORD.
8. Have family member and/or friends “quiz” you on verses that you have learned.  This is an especially great activity to do with siblings to help develop you relationship with them.  Also, a second pair of eyes can help you catch mistakes you may have missed in quizzing yourself.
9. Write or type out a section of Scripture.  Try to write out as much as you can without looking.  Then check yourself!  Do this several times and you will find that each time it will become easier to recall.  This is another wonderful way to study by yourself.
10. Regularly review the verses and passages you have memorized.  The diligent review of Scripture keeps the Word fresh in our minds.  What good is it if you memorize an entire chapter but cannot remember it a month later?
11. Did I mention, REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW?
12. Finally, keep pressing on to the high calling to which the LORD has called you.  Do not become discouraged.  As Isaiah 40:8 states: “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”  This is the precious Word the LORD has commanded us to hide in our hearts!

Blessings of Scripture Memorization

Psalm 119:10  “I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”

  There are numerous blessings that arise from diligent Scripture memorization.  Over the past few years the LORD has been teaching me about the benefits and rewards of Scripture memorization.  My parents have always demonstrated to me a great love for the Word of God.  Even at an early age I understood that the Bible was a book to be treasured.  At age 18 months, I had memorized my first verse: Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Of course understanding came later in my life. My parents told me that I even frequently replaced the word “self-control” with “bunny waiting”, as the picture book showed an illustration of a bunny looking longingly at an enormous field of carrots that he could not yet eat.  As my parents faithfully taught me the truths of Scripture, I grew in my understanding and knowledge of the LORD. Through my early school-aged years, I participated in a Bible memorization program at our church called AWANA.  Each week I would memorize 1-4 verses.  This practice of Scripture memorization began a discipline that would benefit me for the rest of my life.  As I sought to follow the LORD with my heart, soul, mind, and strength, I began to see how great of a blessing Scripture memorization was becoming in my life.

In 2005, at a Bright Lights meeting, my leader, Lesa McKay, encouraged all the girls to memorize the second chapter of Philippians in a month.  I did not think anyone could actually memorize an entire chapter in a month, but my sisters and I began memorizing together anyway.  After only two weeks I was surprised at how much I was enjoying hiding God’s Word in my heart.  Each day I started to look forward to my time of memorization of the Bible.  In 2009, 2010, and 2011 our family participated in Bible Quizzing and the National Bible Bee.  I love being able to memorize the Scripture in larger passages to understand the context.  I hope to eventually memorize whole books.  The LORD gave us the ability to memorize a lot of material.  Don’t you think that the LORD would want us to use this ability to memorize His Word?  One example of this ability was demonstrated in the life of young Fanny Crosby.  Even though she was blinded at six weeks old, by the time she was fourteen or fifteen she had the entire Bible memorized.

As I hide God’s Word in my heart, He is able to bring it to mind when I need it.  In difficult situations the Holy Spirit has helped me to recall a specific verse or passage that applied to a particular situation exactly at the perfect time. The Scripture explains that God’s Word has an answer to every temptation and trial of life.  1 Corinthians 10:12-13 demonstrates this principle: “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”  

        A young lady who knows the Word of God, meditates on it daily, and hides it in her heart, will shine brightly in this dark world.  The Word of the LORD will make us wiser than our enemy, the devil.  He doesn’t want you to memorize God’s Word.  He knows that when the Word of the LORD is upon your heart you will be an effective vessel for God’s work (Psalm 119:98).  Do not let distractions and discouragement defeat you in this task of learning the Words of the LORD.  God is your shield and your very great reward (Genesis 15:1).

2013 Bible Reading

What have each of you been reading in God's Word lately?
Do any of you have a plan for doing a specific Bible Reading schedule this new year? I would to be able to keep each other accountable this next year.
Are there any specific books of the Bible you hope to dig deeper into this next year? Or any specific topics you are looking into?
I will be starting reading through the Bible again from the beginning. I love trying to read each book in one setting to get the context of the book. I am hoping to look into reading about how God has worked and shown Himself faithful throughout history. I hope then to write a brief summary on each book of the Bible and post in on this blog. (please remind me if you do not see a new post regularly!) :-)  I also plan to get back to journaling about what I have been reading and learning from God's Word. I am planning on memorizing the books of 1 and 2 Corinthians this year as well.
My prayer for each of you is that this next year you will develop a deeper relationship with the Lord and learn to love and serve Him more and more this coming year!  The Lord be with all of you, my dear sisters in Christ!

Scriptorim 2012

Our family just returned from a trip to MO for the annual Scriptorium.  This was our first year attending and it was absolutely an amazing experience!!
It was such a blessing to hear God's Word being recited by so many people and to meet many like-minded believers that have a heart for Scripture memorization.  When you go to Scriptorium you can recite as few as 1 chapter or as much as you would like to sign up for.  There is also great times of fellowship, Bible games, and music shared throughout the week. We are looking forward to next year with much enthusiasm.  (I pray that next year they will be able to host the week long conference and present the whole New Testament).  :)  The website for the Scriptorium is www.recitescripture.org  I hope you can come next year!!

Do any of you have any personal memory goals this year?  I would love to hear about them!  Please post a comment on this blog.  I will be working on finished 2 Corinthians.
BTW if any of you are looking for a great Scripture memory site I would highly recommend MemVerse.com .  I absolutely love this site, especially for review of verses.

Summer events

I am looking forward to attending several conferences this year.

Soon we will be heading to the Scriptorium in MO.  It is a place to share memorized Scripture and to listen to God's Word being recited.  This will be the first time I have attended this event.  I am also excited to get "reacquainted" with some of the girls I met at the Bible Bee nationals the last few years. 

Once of my favorite conferences I will be at this summer is the Bright Lights conferences hosted by the Mally Family.  I (and some of my friends) will be helping at the Cedar Rapids conferences.  Once of my dear friends, Monica, has been helping me with Bright Lights groups for a few years now and I am excited to help at the conferences with her.  Several other of my "new" friends from church will be helping as well (Annie, Elizabeth, and Lily)   After I get back I will post some photos from the trip.

Another opportunity I will have this summer is to volunteer for a Joni and Friends Family Camp.  I have been accepted as a STM (short term missionary, kind of like a camp counselor) at the Joni and Friends family camp for special needs children and families in northern MN.  Please pray for my time volunteering at the retreat that God would work mightily.  You can read about this ministry founded by Joni Eareckson Tada here.