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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.
Harleysville, PA “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 (NIV)
Susan, Jonesboro, Arkansas
This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us.
For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
1 John 3: 19-20 NIV
Becky
Nashville
Ps 119:58 NIV
I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.
elaine – brea, ca
Romans 12:10 (NIV)
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Hazlehurst: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3: 5-6 KJV
“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:34 The Message
Holly Smith
Monument, CO
Romans 12:3 (NIV1984)
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Larissa Simpson, Benbrook, Tx,
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” 1John 1:8-9 (NIV)
Leah, Houston. “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back.” Isaiah 54:7, NIV.
Martha, Florida
With all my heart I wait for the Lord to help me. I put all my hope in His word.
Psalm 130:5
NIrV
Emily, Montana
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Colossians 3:23 KJV
Anchorage
Colossians 3:14 NET
And to all these virtues add love, which is the perfect bond.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging….The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalms 46:1-3,7
For I am the Lord your God,
the one who takes hold of your right hand,
who says to you, ‘Don’t be afraid, I am helping you.’
Isaiah 41:13 NET
Julie -Minneaplois
Michelle, Round Rock, TX
“The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions. I seek your favor with all my heart. Have mercy on me as you promised”
Psalm 119:57-58 (NET)
Rebecca, Greenville, SC
“Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.” Isaiah 26:4
Lisa, Corbin II Timothy 2:12 NET
Because of this , 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.
Theresa, Columbia, SC
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 NIV
Diane, Ontario, Canada
“Don`t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and
trust also in Me.” John 14:1 NLT
Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close the the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Susan from Lititz Pa.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus”
Phil 2:3,5 (NIV)
Brandy, Kingwood, TX
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
Leigh, McDonough, GA
For You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You!
Psalm 9:106 (NIV)
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
Romans 8:31 ASV
Diane, Mississippi
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Ps 91:1 NIV
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Proverbs 15:1 NIV
Tracey from Shawnee, Kansas
Colossians 3:16 (NIV)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Acts 1:8 NIV
Susan-Nashville, TN
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
LuAnn, Winfield, Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are you ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are hight than the earth so are my wasy highter than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Charne – Standerton (South Africa) – He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt, and He won’t disregard the small and insignificant but He’ll steadily and firmly set things right. He wont’ tire out and quit. He won’t be stopped until He’s finished his work – to set things right on earth. Is 42:3
Megan, Greenwood, IN: “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10 NIV
“The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” Psalm 119:57 (NET Bible)
BOY do I need to memorize this one – I NEED His security!
He has made everything beautiful in it’s time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
Carolyn
Oceanside,Ca
Charne – Standerton (South Africa) Missed 9. This is it.
Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close the the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 63 NLT verses 5-8
You satisfy me more than the richest of foods. I will praise you with songs of joy. I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. I think of how much you have helped me, I sing for joy in the shadow of your protecting wings. I follow close behind you; your strong right hand holds me securely.
Wendy Raleigh NC
Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
Psalm 40:11 NIV
Susan Soares
Nova Odessa, Brazil
Isaiah 42:6 “I am the Lord I have called you in rightousness, I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you, And I will appoint you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations.” NAS
Valerie, Altoona, IA
That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. 2 Timothy 2:12 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
Amber, Lincolnton, NC
“Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:23, NLT
Vicki, Midlothian, VA
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
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.
jenny
white hall, ar
“a good person gives life to others; the wise person teaches others how to live.”
proverbs 11:30 (ncv)
Lindsay, Centerton, AR ” But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Janet, Fuquay Varina, NC
Then I said to you, ” Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord Your God who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place. Deuteronomy 1: 29-31, NIV
Isaiah 41:10 NASB
Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
donna mt. pleasant nc
(NKJV) Psalms 45:1 My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
Lori Behrens, Granbury Tx
Amber, Euless Texas
For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. Psalms 56:13
Six weeks before the baby comes, I’m counting down!
Christa, Greeneville, TN
“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,” Psalm 139:9 NIV
Tina Marie
Gig Harbor, WA
Colossians 2:6-7
Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
NASB
Anita, Chattanooga, TN
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”
Acts 20:24