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**January 20-21, 2012**
Hey, You Scripture-Memory-Mad Women!
I hope your Memorial Day weekend was wonderful and that your appreciation of our nation’s heroes got a fresh stir. I looked around our sanctuary on Sunday at all those who had served in wars and I marveled over the few World War II veterans we have left. My Dad was one of them and, had he lived, he would be ninety. Such a powerful part of our history was written in their blood. My dad lived well over half a century with a bullet fragment lodged near his heart. He took a hit right through his cheek and, ultimately, surgeons grafted skin from his hip to cover the severe indention in his face. If you have a family with a weird sense of humor, perhaps you can imagine that it was fodder for a few jokes, most of which he told himself.
Of course, heroes come in all generations and both genders. I have two framed pictures in prominent places in my office of women soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan who have done Bible studies on their tours of duty. Flabbergasting to me. May Christ hold our soldiers tight and let them lose neither their lives nor their faith and may He return them to their families as whole people, twice the wiser.
Well, Girlfriends, it’s JUNE! Our temperatures in Houston are already well into the upper nineties and we are experiencing the severest drought in decades. It seems that few areas of our country are free of something ranging from brow-raising concern all the way to destruction and devastation. What on earth?? I don’t pretend to know the details of what is happening around us but I really do feel that Kingdom history is being written in these days entrusted to us. I believe there is a bold dot on the divine time line representing this era with a label Heaven alone knows for now, but generations will talk about until Christ’s Kingdom comes. We must stand firm in our faith and love twice as much. These are days when our words must be backed by our hearts or dismissed entirely by the world. Remember Christ’s warning in Matthew 24:12 that the hearts of many will grow cold. Our love will not endure extended seasons of difficulty by accident. In our self-protectiveness, the first natural casualty will be our emotions. We will either set our hearts on things above (Col. 3:1) where Christ is seated at the right hand of God, or we’ll lose our footing here below.
We are called to live by faith and to love by faith.
Part of how we stand firm is to know Scripture, and not with swollen heads but swollen hearts. One of the verses in my quiet time this morning was Psalm 119:57 – “The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” (The NET Bible) One thing is certain: we are finding out how little security this anguishing planet can offer us. “The LORD is the source of security.” Personal. National. Global. Universal. The Lord alone. And, so, like never before, we need to know His instructions…and follow them.
One of my favorite portions of the Book of James has turned out to be the last half of 5:11 – “…you have seen the Lord’s purpose, that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” The Lord cannot set aside His compassion and mercy to deal with this world. Oh, I’m not saying He won’t ultimately deal with this world. His Word promises that He will. But I am saying that He cannot set aside His compassion and mercy to do it. They are elements of His immutable character and the first descriptions He used to introduce Himself to Moses by name in Exodus 34:6-7.
OK, Sisters. I better get to our purpose here on this first of June. The pages are flying off the calendar like leaves in the wind and it’s time for our 11th verse! God has had me in 2 Timothy recently for my memory work so here’s mine this time around:
Beth, Houston. “Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set and I am convinced that He is able to protect what has been entrusted to me until that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12 The NET Bible
You can bet your life on it.
You are treasured here. May Christ continue to captivate you. He loves you so much.
PS. OK, I can’t stand it anymore. SO HOW ABOUT THAT TIMER AT THE TOP OF THIS POST???? That, my beloved Siestas, is exactly how much time we have to go until our SSMT celebration! Wooooooohoooooooo!!! Bring it, Jesus! Kudos to my wonderful coworker, Kimberly McMahon, for making that happen. I told her I thought we needed a little extra incentive for this second half of our Scripture memory commitment. I WANT EVERY ONE OF YOU TO COME if you possibly can. With the numbers where they are right now on our 1st and 15th entries, we have room to fit all of you in our sanctuary. Save your money! Ask for it as a Christmas gift! Remember, the event is our gift to you but it’s not too soon to start saving for travel and accommodations. This is one of the biggest events on the calendar to us at Living Proof so please know how wanted you are and how loved you are. Celebrating a faithful work of God to a woefully dependent people was His idea in the first place. He loves festivals so, Girlfriends, let’s have one.
L.E.T.S.C.O.U.N.T.I.T.D.O.W.N.
Brook, Santa Monica
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Colossians 1.15-17
Rebecca, Elk Grove, CA
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 (NIV)
my verse is Psalm 1:4
Elizabeth Gainesville, GA
“For of this you can be sure, no immoral, impure or greedy person-such as a man as an idolater-has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
Ephesians 5:5
Caroline Auburn, AL
“For you O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living. I believed therefore I said, I am greatly afflicted.” Psalm 116:8-10
As for God,his way is perfect,the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30 NIV
Heather – Richland, WA
Romans 12:13
When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. (NLT)
Marissa, Oklahoma
2 Samuel 22:29-31 NIV
You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who seek refuge in him.
Lisa, Ider, AL
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you declares the Lord.” ESV
oops! Jeremiah 29:13-14
To the one who is able to keep me from falling and present me before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy
Jude 1:24 NIV
Moyock, NC
Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life. Prov. 4:23 KJV
God will strengthen me with His own great power so that I will not give up when trouble comes, but I will be patient.{NCV} Colossians 1:11
Sheri, Fort Worth, TX
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcents all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.? Phil 4:6-7 NIV
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6=7 NIV
Judy, Tyler. “He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.” Psalm 15:5
Rebecca – Boise, Idaho
John 1:7 NIV
He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.
Angela – Natchitoches, LA
It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made summer and winter. Psalm 74:17 NIV
Tiffany Morse
Dallas TX
Psalm 40:10 {NIV}
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.
Laura Eloise, Austin – Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jer 33:3
Celeste, Los Angeles & Toronto: Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; I Corinthians 13:4 NKJV
Ruthann – Odessa, TX
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13
Angie from Houston, TX
2 Corinthians 3:18 – ‘And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.’
Stacia Deen from Avon Park, Florida: Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her! Luke 1:45 (NIV)
“And God said, Let there be light and there was light.” Gennesis1:3
Laura – Houston, Texas
“and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” 2 Peter 1:7 (NIV)
Allison Eclectic AL
For great is your love, higher than the heavens your faithfulness reaches the skies. Psalm 108:4
Emily, Houston TX
“He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.” – Proverbs 10:9
Julie, Queen Creek, AZ “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua 1:8 (NLT)
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4 NIV
Carol, Poplar Bluff, MO
Phil. 1:6 (NIV)
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it unto completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Exodus 14:14
The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still.
1 Corinthians 13:2
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Galatians 5:24
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Jovin, Houston TX
Psalm 61:2-3 (NIV)
From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.
Amy, Sweeny, TX
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
ASV
Sheila, OKlahoma
Delta from Lakeland, Florida:
who forgives all your sins, and heals all your diseases.
Psalm 103:3
kimberly mason, tuscaloosa, al:
Exodus 14:14 niv
“the Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.”
For June 1st and June 15th:
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men. The man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men – the testimonly given in its proper time.
1Timothy 2:5&6
Tina H-Town
1 Thess. 5:23, 24 (NIV)
May God Himself, the GOd of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who call you is faithful and He will do it!
Proverbs 14:29
Those who control their anger have greater understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes. NLT
Janelle C – Malakoff TX
Fear not for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name, you are mine.
WHen you pass through the waters I will be with you
and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
Isaiah 43:1b-2
Karen, Naples
Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!
Deuteronomy 30:19
NLT
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
Sheri – Atlanta, TX
Galatians 5:16 NKJV
I say then: walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Montgomery, AL
The first chapter of James. (NIV)
Kristi, Charleston, WV “for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly as I ought to speak.” Eph 6:20 (NKJV)
Bethany from Waco, TX
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 118:1 NIV
Christine, Augusta, Ga
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us, And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16 NKJV