Monday, June 1, 2009

The verse for the week of June 1

Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. Psalm 128:1

Bible Passage for the Month of June

The month of June is often considered the wedding month. Tricia and I celebrate 35 years of married bliss on June 1. The bible passage for the month of June is appropriate for the wedding month.

Psalm 127

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.

2 It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.

5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Scripture Memory Verse for Week of May 25

The verse for the week of May 25

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Bible Passage for the Month of May

This month’s passage highlights the need for prayer for those in authority so that the message of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ may go out freely. Let’s memorize this passage for the month of May and let’s put it into practice.

1 Timothy 2:1-8

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,

7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ[a]and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Scripture Memory Verse for Week of May 11

This Weekend is our church’s family camp with the theme of “Coming Together”. So this week’s memory verse is one of the many verses that speak of the Body of Christ and our individual responsibility to one another.

The memory verse for the week of May 11

4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Romans 12:4-5


Bible Passage for the Month of May

This month’s passage highlights the need for prayer for those in authority so that the message of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ may go out freely. Let’s memorize this passage for the month of May and let’s put it into practice.

1 Timothy 2:1-8

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,

7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ[a]and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Scripture Memory Verse for Week of May 4

This Thursday is the National Day of Prayer. Hopefully you can join with other Christians in your community to pray for our nation.

The verse for the week of May 4

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14


Bible Passage for the Month of May

This month’s passage highlights the need for prayer for those in authority so that the message of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ may go out freely. Let’s memorize this passage for the month of May and let’s put it into practice.

1 Timothy 2:1-8

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,

7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ[a]and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Memory Verse for Week of April 27

God’s words to Joshua as he was about to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land are just as relevant and important for us today. Decide today to meditate upon and obey God’s Word.

The verse for the week of April 27

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. Joshua 1:8


Bible Passage for the Month of April

This is the last week to work on this passage. I hope it has stirred your heart to contemplate God’s promise to you and to give thanks to God.

1 Corinthians 15:50-58
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—

52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Tomorrow is April 15, tax day. Jesus was asked if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. His answer in the last part of Matthew 22:21 still holds true to our generation. Read the full context of Matthew 22:15-22 and memorize v. 21.

The verse for the week of April 13

And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Matt. 22:21

Bible Passage for the Month of April

In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul shows that since Jesus has been raised from the dead we can have the assurance that we too one day will be raised from the dead. This gives us hope to persevere in this life

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—

52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Scripture Memory Verse for Week of April 6

My apologies for the two weeks' absence. One week I was in Oaxaca Mexico on a medical mission trip helping to provide cataract eye surgery to those who could not afford medical care. It was a great experience! The second week of absence was because of recovering from my trip and enjoying my grandson, Samuel Kekoukaua Woodward III. My parents came out to see him and on Sunday we had four generation together as we dedicated baby “Kamu” to the Lord.

With Easter coming up this Sunday we are reminded in this week’s memory verse of the certainty of the bodily resurrection of Jesus for our salvation.

The verse for the week of April 6

But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:20

Bible Passage for the Month of April

In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul shows that since Jesus has been raised from the dead we can have the assurance that we too one day will be raised from the dead. This gives us hope to persevere in this life

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—

52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Scripture Memory Verse for Week of March 16

By the end of this week I will be a grandfather! Praise God! This week’s verse speaks of God’s miracle of creation and birth.
(Sorry about last week, forgot to post.)

This Week’s Verse for the week of March 16

13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:13-14

This Week’s Passage

This is one of my favorite chapters of Scripture. I remember memorizing it when I was about 10 years old. It has encouraged and challenged me ever since. This passage is a little shorter than the extended ones we have had for January and February so if you simply memorize one verse a day you will have the whole passage memorized in less than a week.

Psalm 1 The Way of the Righteous and the End of the Ungodly

1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.

3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Week of March 2

March came in like a lion with blustery winds here in Kauai. This week’s verse compares the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation to the wind. May the wind of the Holy Spirit blow upon you as you continue to hide God’s word in your heart.

This Week’s Verse for the week of March 27

Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:7-8

This Week’s Passage

This week begins a new extended passage. It is one of my favorite chapters of Scripture. I remember memorizing it when I was about 10 years old. It has encouraged and challenged me ever since. This passage is a little shorter than the extended ones we have had for January and February so if you simply memorize one verse a day you will have the whole passage memorized in less than a week.

Psalm 1

The Way of the Righteous and the End of the Ungodly

1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.

3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish

Monday, February 23, 2009

Memory Verse for Week of Feb. 23

Yesterday in our Sunday worship service we heard the inspiring testimony of Leroy and Cindy Metzger and Mercy, a girl from Malawi. Leroy and Cindy left Kauai three years ago and went to Malawi where they met Mercy. As a young child, Mercy fell into a fire and suffered burns to her face. Infection set in so that she lost all the muscles in her lower jaw as well as some of the bone structure. Leroy and Cindy brought her to the States where she received medical care and reconstructive surgery and consequently, a new smile. She is aptly named Mercy because her life shows the incredible mercy of God in both spiritual and physical healing.
This week’s verse reminds us of that mercy and how it is available to us every day. God bless you as you continue to hide His Word in your heart.

This Week’s Verse for the week of Feb. 23

22 Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

This Week’s Passage

This is the last week to work on this passage. There will be a new one next week.

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Romans 5:1-11

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Week of Feb. 17

My apologies for not submitting a verse last week. My email account has been giving me trouble so I will be sending this out on a different account.

President Obama today signed the stimulus package. Our verse for this week is one of God’s stimulus packages. We are to “stimulate” each other to good works!

Memory Verse for the week of February 17

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25



This Week’s Extended Passage

You should be memorizing verses 7-9 if you are keeping up with the schedule to have this passage memorized by the end of February. Remember just take 2-3 verses a week and you will have it memorized within a month’s time.

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Romans 5:1-11

God bless you as you hide his Word in your heart.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Week of Feb. 2

Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers for their Super Bowl victory. Our verse this week speaks of our victory.

Memory Verse for the week of February 2

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

This Week’s Extended Passage

Today we begin a new extended passage. Remember just take 2-3 verses a week and you will have it memorized within a month’s time.

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Romans 5:1-11


God bless you as you hide his Word in your heart.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Week of January 25

This Week’s Verse for the week of Jan. 25

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

This Week’s Extended Passage

This will be the last week for this extended passage. We will begin a new one nxt week and carry it through the month of February.
1 O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth,Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infantsYou have ordained strength,Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
4 What is man that You are mindful of him,And the son of man that You visit him?
5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels,And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;You have put all things under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen—Even the beasts of the field,
8 The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD, our Lord,How excellent is Your name in all the earth! Psalm 8

God bless you as you hide his Word in your heart.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Week of Jan. 18

Welcome to the third week of Memorizing Scripture together. With the inauguration of Barack Obama the following verse is appropriate for all of us to memorize and to remember. It is a great reminder to all of us to pray for President Obama and all those in authority over us.

Mark Labberton, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Berkeley, California says this in an article titled “What to Pray for a New President”:

After a divisive campaign, an extraordinary economic collapse, a period of ecological vulnerability, and a time of war and global instability, our president and our nation need humility, wisdom, and courage. Wherever we or our congregations may be politically, these three qualities should guide our prayers for the leaders responsible for our nation and our world. Leadership that is lacking in any of these three will be far less constructive than these trying times demand.

Let’s memorize together 1 Timothy 2:1-2

This Week’s Fighter Verse for the week of Jan. 18

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 1 Timothy 2:1-2

This Week’s Passage

We continue to work on memorizing Psalm 8. If you want to do this by the end of the month you should have at least five verses memorized and working on the sixth. On an extended passage like this you might want to break it down to memorizing each verse on its own. Remember to review the verses you have already memorized and simply add the new one as you work on it.

1 O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth,Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infantsYou have ordained strength,Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
4 What is man that You are mindful of him,And the son of man that You visit him?
5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels,And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;You have put all things under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen—Even the beasts of the field,
8 The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD, our Lord,How excellent is Your name in all the earth! Psalm 8God bless you as you hide his Word in your heart.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Week of Jan. 11

Welcome to the second week of Memorizing Scripture together. This week’s verse emphasizes that our salvation is not our work but rather the work of God by His grace which we receive by faith. We cannot boast about our salvation but we can be very grateful for the work of God in our lives. Work on memorizing this passage and review last week’s verse, 2 Tim 3:16-17.

This Week’s Fighter Verse for the week of Jan. 11

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

This Week’s Passage

We continue to work on memorizing Psalm 8. If you want to do this by the end of the month you should have at least two verses memorized and working on the third. On an extended passage like this you might want to break it down to memorizing each verse on its own. Remember to review the verses you have already memorized and simply add the new one as you work on it.

1 O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth,Who have set Your glory above the heavens!

2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infantsYou have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,

4 What is man that You are mindful of him,And the son of man that You visit him?

5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,

7 All sheep and oxen—Even the beasts of the field,

8 The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord,How excellent is Your name in all the earth! Psalm 8

God bless you as you hide his Word in your heart.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Well, I hope you are on your way to memorizing God's Word in 2009.

Memorization Tip: Print the memory verse on a 3x5 card so you can carry it with you and work on it through out the day like when you are standing in line at Costco or Foodland. Just don't do this while you are driving!

This Week’s Fighter Verse

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

This Week’s Passage

As we begin this effort together, I think it will be valuable to begin by committing to memory some passages that are prayers to God. These are Scriptures you can use as you pray, simply praying them back to God as an act of worship to him. The first of these is Psalm 8, a prayer of worship or adoration, declaring the glory of God. It seemed to strike the right balance between applicability and length. We will start slowly, by memorizing this through the month of January, 2009. You can proceed through it at whatever pace fits you—just target January 31 as a completion date. Next week I’ll begin providing help and advice on memorizing passages like this one.

1 O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth,Who have set Your glory above the heavens!

2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infantsYou have ordained strength,Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,

4 What is man that You are mindful of him,And the son of man that You visit him?

5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels,And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;You have put all things under his feet,

7 All sheep and oxen—Even the beasts of the field,

8 The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord,How excellent is Your name in all the earth! Psalm 8

God bless you as you hide his Word in your heart.