INDEX CARDS ARE SCATTERED ALL OVER MY HOUSE
Party favors for a funeral; is that even a thing? For a long time, I said I wanted my index cards put in my casket when I die, but I changed my mind. Instead, I decided I want them handed them out at my funeral, like party favors! Not any time soon though.
Index cards are stashed in drawers, coat pockets, my car’s console, shelves and taped to my mirror. Years ago I started writing Bible verses on them and it changed my life. The only problem with my new plan is they are only legible to a skilled pharmacist or nurse. I made my first C in the third grade, in handwriting. No, they don’t teach scribbling in medical school.
Psalm 119:11, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” NKJV
BRING THE CARDS!
Lying on a gurney in the Emergency Department, I waited to be transferred to a hospital where specialists were available to treat my disease. My daughter asked what I needed her to bring. To conserve strength for breathing, I whispered in a barely audible voice, “My purse and my index cards.” Not to get too personal, but I regret not asking for a few other essentials.
Five index cards with verses pertaining to strength were in the console of my car. I wrote them six weeks earlier when I was diagnosed with ocular myasthenia gravis, which caused double vision and droopy eyelids. Unfortunately, I knew the chance of progression to the rest of the body was 85%.
An index card was taped to my bathroom mirror with this verse,
Isaiah 41:10, “Don’t panic!” I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” MSG
BUCKET LIST TRIP
I permanently transitioned from doctor to patient the day before I was scheduled to leave on a 257-mile bicycle trip. My daughter, along with two friends and myself, planned to ride the Katy Trail over 5 days. I prepared “strength scriptures” to be prayed over me each day. The evening before my hospital admission I looked at those cards and realized no one could decipher my chicken scratch. To the best of my ability, I rewrote them on new index cards. The words were fresh in my mind and my heart. God was preparing me for an adventure, which was not a bike ride.
Isaiah 41:13, “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” NIV
WEAK AS A RAG DOLL
Usually, I am restless and never still. In fact, I have enough energy to get on my own nerves. But for the next five days, I was unable to move. I was too weak to even hold up my head, much less pick up a quarter of an ounce card. A Bible or a devotional book was like a two-ton weight and therefore useless to me. My cards lay in plain sight on my bedside table, but it was unnecessary for me to try and lift a finger. I knew what they said in my head and my heart.
Isaiah 50:4, “The Sovereign Lord God has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he awakes me and opens my understanding to his will.” NLT
DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE
Lying weak and helpless, I was a stranger to myself and my family on the other side of the sheets. I could hardly lift my fork to my mouth, yet I wielded a powerful sword. I’m thankful I didn’t wait until my world turned upside down to drag out a Bible and try to find some verse to help me survive. I hope you know more than John 3:16 before the storms of life come, as they always do. Be prepared, your life may depend on it.
Ephesians 6:13, “This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.” HCSB
ARMED BEFORE BATTLE
Imagine you are in the middle of a fierce battle, bullets whizzing by your head, an enemy attacking, and there you are – unprotected. How hard would it be to put on armor? Impossible. Your only option would be to duck and cover or try to run. You can only stand and fight if you are prepared in advance. Victory starts now. Go to the store and buy a stack of index cards, they’re cheap. Write out verses and memorize them, or at least read them often enough to know them in your heart. Carry them around with you, tape them to the mirror and put them in your car or your pocket. Have them handed out at your funeral if you like. Trust me you will need them someday, maybe even today.
Psalm 29:11, “The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.” KJV
I incorporate scripture throughout my posts. I’d love to have you along on my journey. All I need is your email address.
What are your favorite swords?
Job 13:15a “Though He slay me, I will trust in Him…”
Hard one. But so much peace in complete surrender.
Isaiah 45: 1Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
2I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
3And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
4For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
5I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
6That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.
So many good ones in Isaiah.
I was impressed a few years ago to start learning the scriptures. I will take a passage and read it everyday until I have it memorized and then move to a different one. I also will quote each of them everyday because if I don’t, I will forget them. The whole chapter of Psalm 91 is the first one I memorized. My favorite verse is verse 4 in that chapter. “He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may see refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.” I didn’t know what a bulwark was, so I looked it up. It means – a solid wall like structure raised for defense. Wow! That is what God’s faithfulness is like, a SOLID wall raised for our defense!
I love psalm 91!
For I know the plans I have for you” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 HCSB)
That’s my daughter’s favorite too.
I have very bad anxiety and panic attacks. No way would I be able to get through them if I didn’t have Gods word as my sword. Here are a few of my favorites.
– “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life” (Matt 6:25-27)?
-Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil 4:6)
-Hebrews 13:5-6 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence,“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
-and my FAVORITE for last..
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt 11:28-30).
You amaze me Mrs. Vickie!
Love it! Armed with weapons we can overcome. It doesn’t mean it won’t be a struggle. Hang in there
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Definitely one of my favorites
Love this Vickie!! I have index cards too…when I have verses that stick out and want to remember:)
Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth will I call unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:1-2
I love David’s heart. I can relate.
Love your heart..love your words! So encouraging in ways you aren’t even aware of!!
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
We need that one over and over!
Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar in wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – my go to verse as a single mom many years ago and the first verse I ever memorized besides john 3:16. Thanks for sharing. . .love the idea of handing out index cards at funerals.
I’m using that one a lot.
I love this idea! I’m often inspired by a bible verse, but very seldom can remember where I found it! I’m raising teenagers and need to be prepared for battle! Thank you for the inspiration!
When my kids were in school I wrote verses on cards for them everyday. My son’s senior year he saved them all.
Phil 4:13. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I’ve always thought of this verse since my high school volleyball days. It carries me through, because it’s so true, there’s nothing I can’t do because I have Him living in me!
A good one for strength!
When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. (Psalm 94:18-19 ESV)
When I read that verse, I always yell the part “my foot slips.” It’s not a calm statement! Thanks
I have a app on my phone called Spirit Fire, it sends a verse 3 times a day for me to read and memorize. You may set it to different catagories, finances, relationships, strength, ect.
I still have my index cards too, found one the other day in a arrangement on top of the refrigerator, haha, it was there from 6 years ago. That same arrangement used to be on my bathroom counter. Never know where God will show you the exact thing you need at that moment.
Hugs,
K
Isaiah 43:2 “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”
II Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Isaiah 53:5 “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
That first one got me through a very difficult time. Thanks for sharing
Those same verses have sustained me through difficult times as well. God’s word is definitely living and active. God bless!
Oh Vickie, you exposed my secret! Bible Verses on index Cards! I too have them every where and that is how I have gotten thru some very difficult times in my life! Love your Blog! Here are just a few of my favorites Isaiah 43:1-3
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Isaiah 50:7
Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore, I have set my face like a stone,
determined to do his will.
And I know that I will Triumph!
Last one…Even though there are too many to count”
Psalm 116:1-2 I Love the LORD because he hears, and answers my prayers. Because He bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath!
His word has sustained me through times when I thought I might perish, I too am glad God has hidden His word in my heart through index cards because it’s not of question of “if” the storm hits, it is “when” and having that to recall immediately brings peace into my soul!
2 Corinthians 12:9 His grace is sufficient. for his power is made perfect in weakness
Ezekiel 36:25-26 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Interestingly the greek word for weakness is asthenia. I have myasthenia-muscle weakness. He is strong. Thanks for sharing
Love this post. Thanks for sharing! My favorite verse or one of them is : Psalm 89:15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, LORD. NIV
I think I’ll write that one on an index card! Thanks
When you talk about bullets whizzing by your head when under attack by an enemy, I know what you do. You depend on your training, your fellow Marines and (Christians), you put your helmet on and join in the attack to defeat the enemy. Exactly what I did 47 years ago during the Tet Offensive of Jan. 31th trying to retake Hue city, Vietnam. Odds were about 100 to 1, some of us were wounded, some were kia. You will remember scripture you learned in Sunday school, but you will be praying and fighting at the same time. Odd, that you made this post during this time of my life. We all have battles to fight, we sometimes are wounded, sometimes those wounds are hard to forget or live with, but my verse is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” May God continue to bless you, Ken and your sweet family. Semper Fidelis!
I have said before, but I will say it again, thank you for your service. We use phrases like that as a visual picture, but, for you and your comrades it was a reality. I really cannot imagine. It’s hard to fight and pray at the same time, I love the way the marines rely on each other. God bless!
Vickie~
I also write scriptures down for courage and strength. This post really touched me. I have suffered with a degenerative disease for years now and over the last six months it has become very aggressive. Your blog is inspiring. Keep writing.
Blessings~
Linda
Romans 8:28-31
Jeremiah 29:11-13
I don’t know what I would do without all the verses I have! God bless you.
You know one of my favorite verses is Isaiah 43:1-3….”Fear not for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers , they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy GOD.” Thank you JESUS. Memorizing scripture is something you encouraged me to do. Having GOD’S word ready for whatever HE has I planned for each day helps me be in my battles. Please keep posting. You are a BLESSING.
When I read this verse, I hear it in your voice!
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. (Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV)
That one is so true. One of my favorites too!
Psalms 55:23 Cast your care upon the Lord, who will give you support. God will never allow the righteous one to stumble.
That is a good one for everybody.
Psalm 46:1-4, 7-8,10-11 “God Is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah”. 7-8 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.” 10-11 “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah”
So amazing to me that no matter what or how much we go through God is with us and He always see us through. We are a blessed peculiar people to have God’s Word in our hands. And I also found that as we go through trouble times, I have asked God to let me be a blessing to someone else in some way. And He does just that, if I have forgotten the prayer I prayed, God reminds me and I can praise and glorify Him. He is the ultimate definition of “Awesome”
You are so right. His presence is the greatest blessing. Keep on being a blessing to others.
Vickie, this is so true. And you know what I have found? Every time I put on the armor it feels more comfortable and I’m beginning to look forward to putting it on each day. Thanks for the index card idea. I’m going to start using that more. Marie
I like that-comfortable feeling
Very very good idea!
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on to your own understanding.” So hard to do, because I always want to know why, how, when, where. “In all your ways, submit to Him and He will direct your paths.” He has specific plans and wants my total submission – and trust. These are my life verses from Proverbs 3:5-6
Great verses