[tminus t=”20-01-2012 19:00:00″ style=”carbonite”/]
**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.
Christy, Katy TX: “And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strenghthen and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10 The NET Bible
Meggie, Winnipeg, Canada
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
John 15:4 NLT
Jennifer, Highlands Ranch, CO
“Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matt. 11:28 (NIV)
Laura, Del Rio, TX
Zechariah 2:13 “Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord; for He is aroused from His holy habitation.”
NASB
Janice; Arcanum, OH
“O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me. Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me. O Siesta Sisters, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forever.”!
Psalm 131 NASB
Lynn, Bossier City. “You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to obey your words.” Psalm 119:57 NIV
Katie, Durham, NC: “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
Tina, Gahanna, Ohio
I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. NIV
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Allison-Randolph, MN
Knoxville, TN
katie g
“Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore!”
Psalm 105:4 NKJV
I’m excited about SSMT Celebration too! Lord willin’, and the creek don’t rise, I’m gonna try and get my scripture happy self there!:) Love ya’ll!:)
Dianne, Fairfield, CA – “I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope.” Psalm 130:5 (NASB)
Kristy
Princeton NC
1 Cor 13:4 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” NIV
Robin, New Mexico
Mark 11:24 Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? NIV
Colossians 2:8 NIV
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
Abilene, KS
Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for Thou art my Praise. Jeremiah 17:14
Jordan- Knoxville, TN: Isaiah 41:18 “I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. ” NIV
Leanne, Abbotsford BC, Canada
He determines the course of world events; he removes kings and sets others on the throne. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he himself is surrounded by light. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for you have given me wisdom and strength. You have told me what we asked of you and revealed to us what the king demanded.
Dan. 2:21 – 23 NLT
Mary from Columbia, PA~ “I pray these things while I’m still in the world so that they will have the same joy that I have” (John 17:13, GW).
Gail, Phoenix
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own
Matthew 6:34 NIV
Rachel, Frankfort, IL
The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged. Psalm 34:18 NET
Thanks for your words they are so timely
Beth, Gig Harbor
Trust in the Lord and do good
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Psalm 37:3 (NASB)
Brandie, Longmont CO
“It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.” Ps 18:32, NIV
Paula – Arvada, CO
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40:29 NIV
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Trinna, Mandeville, LA, “Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.” Job 22:21 NIV
Cathy, Gastonia
“Haven;t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 HSB
Sarah, Montrose, CO
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:14 (ESV)
Cherie – Athens, TN – “The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” Psalm 119:57 NET
Mary Kay
Fulshear
“not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;”
Romans 12:11
NASB
Judy, Tehachapi. Isaiah 43:1-2 “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name;
You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” NKJV
My heart says of You, Seek His face! Your face, Lord, I will seek.
Psalm 27:8 NIV
Kathie
Aiken, SC
Karie, Glen Allen, VA: John 8:24, “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am He you will die in your sins.” ESV
Ginny, Cape May, NJ
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Matthew 5:7 NIV
Philipians 4:8-9 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Ouida in Trenton, TX
And it will be said in that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”
Isaiah 25:9 (NKJV)
Shelly, Portland, OR “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7 (NIV)
Jessica, Toronto
Rejoicing in hope, perservering in tribulation, devoted to prayer. Romans 12:12 (NASV)
Joy, Tri-Cities: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11, NIV
Katie Enlow – Paducah, KY
“Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matt. 11:28 (NIV)
emi, white house: “Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young- a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are every praising you.” Psalm 84:3-4 NIV
Merrie Katy, TX
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6 NIV
Molly, Macon
Isaiah 30:15 NAS For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said,
“In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength.”
Beth, Fountain Inn, Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) 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.
Marie, Denver:
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:25-26, NIV.
Marilyn Gadsden Al Adonai the LORD Don’t you know when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves you are slaves to who you obey whether you are slaves to sin which leads to death or obedience which lead to righteousness Romans 5:16
Jani-Agate, CO
Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law and keep it with All my heart. Psalm 119:34 NASB
Psalm 46:1-2 ESV
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.
Megan Signal Mountain, TN
John 15:4 and 5
Dwell in me and I will dwell in you. (Live in me and I will live in you). Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from me (cut off from vital union with me), you can do nothing.
(Amplified version)
“Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” Psalm 119:133 NIV