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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.
Karen Leonard, TX
James 4:10 NIV
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Proverbs 31:19-20 NKJV
She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
Karla~Sedro-Woolley~Ephesians 3:20-21~HCSB
“Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think~according to the power that works in you~to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Yvonne
Fresno
Psalm 57:1-2 ESV
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pas by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me.
Brandy, East Bend NC, “When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said “Don’t cry”. Luke 7:13 NIV
Marie, Albuquerque, NM: I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened In order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. Eph 1:18-19
Charlotte
Philadelphia
14) 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 NKJV
Kaycee, Cabot: “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2 NIV
Newport News, Virginia
ESV
I John 4:4
Little children, you who are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Pat, Kansas
Psalm 119:57 – “The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” (The NET Bible)
Watch the path of your feet and your ways will be established. Proverbs 4:26 NIV
Renita
Prattville, Alabama
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19 NIV
1Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
NIV
Peace River, Canada
Kadie- Tinley Park
The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged. Psalm 34:18 (NET)
Lisa, Lynnwood WA
“For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 (NIV)
2 Corinthians 4:16-17 NLT
16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
Robin
Snohomish, WA
Patti, Colorado Springs. “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4(NKJV)
Hannah, Perry, MI
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Mark 12:30, NIV
Rachel, Flagstaff (but soon to be Phoenix!)
As I’m getting married in 10 days, this is how I want to remember June 1, 2011:
“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.” ~Psalm 30:11-12
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Missy S, Winston-Salem, NC
“For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live.”
~ Ephesians 2:10, AMP
So excited!
I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.
In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2:2-3 (NLT)
Carol
Jena, Louisiana
Joy, Monroe, GA: Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. – James 5:16, NIV
Rhonda, Searcy,AR Lamentations 5:19 “And yet, God, you’re sovereign still, your throne intact and eternal.” The msg
Sarah, Christina and Esther May; Wenatchee
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
I Peter 5:8 NIV
Kaiva, Victoria, Minn.
For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.
Philippians 4:13 NLT
Cindy, Madrid, Spain
“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.” Proverbs 15:30 NIV
Psalm 119:57 – “The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” (The NET Bible)
Jill Plano,TX
Mandy from Rockwall
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Linda, Bartelso, IL, John 8:36 (HCSB) Therefore if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.
Nicole Bloomington, IL:
“They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is the Lord of lords, and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” Revelation 17:14 ESV
Tara
Greensboro, NC
Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
Psalm 42:8
KJV
Jovin, Houston TX
“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.” Psalm 61:2-3
Melanie – Lebanon, KS
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (amp)
…My grace is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).
Becky from Marietta, GA
“Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planed for us no one can recount to you; were I speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.”
Psalm 40:5 NIV
Sheila A Harris Appleton, NY
James 3:10
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
Caitlin, McKinney, TX
Psalm 34:4-5, NIV
“I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”
“For our struggle is not with flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” Ephesians 6:12 NIV
Linda S
McCalla, AL
Erica, Amman, Jordan
“The Lord is my source of security. I have determined to follow your instructions.”
-Psalm 119:57 (NET)
Lyli, Fort Lauderdale
“The LORD is with me; He is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies” (Psalms 118:7, NIV).
linda, colorado springs, co. you give me your shield of victory; you stoop down to make me great. 2 samuel 22:36 (niv)
Brenda, Houston,TX
Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominionover me. Psalm 119:133 NKJV
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
Diane C.
Vinton, La
Linda S
McCalla, AL
“In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?”
John 14:2 ESV
Donna, Spring, TX: “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.” Proverbs 14:8, 15 (TNIV)
Cary, Celina, TX
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always put yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
Sharon
Richmond, VA
“He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4(NKJV)
Jeanie
Sparta, TN
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
Amy; Tacoma, WA
“Those who sow in tears, will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seeds to sow, will return singing songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.”
Ps. 126:5-6 NIV
“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21-23