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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.
Cindy, Bemus Point, NY
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1 ESV
Rosalye
Vicksburg, MS
“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’and do not do what I say?”
Luke 6:46
NIV
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 NIV
Becky
Murfreesboro, TN
Jeanne, Santa Rosa, CA
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Matthew 24:12-13 (NIV)
Lyndsey, LA- My face will shine upon you all the days of your life. Numbers 6:25
Luanne, from Magnolia:
The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. –Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Susan
Sheridan Arkansas
“I love the Lord because he hears my prayers and answers them. Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I breathe.” Psalms 116:1 (TLB)
(I am so hung up on Psalms and this verse was the first one I read after my dad passed away May 4th.)
This one is for our Leader Beth, for Memorial Day, you are a mighty Christian Soldier
Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.
Gina, San Antonio, TX
“You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to obey your words.” Psa 119:57, NIV
Leslie, Decatur, TX
For You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You. Ps 9:106 NIV
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 131:2
NKJ
Amy
Norfolk, MA
Psalm 118:15 (NIV 1984)
Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
Kristy from Port Angeles, Washington
“Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel.”
Proverbs 20:3
NASB
Karen, Centralia, MO: He gives the childless woman a household, making her the joyful mother of children. Hallelujah! Psalm 113:9 HCS
Janet
Enid, OK
John 14:27 NASB
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Amarillo, Tx
“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 diligently seek him.”
Heb 11:6 (NIV)
mMadeleine,Corrales nm: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Col.3:15 NIV
Debbie, RAF Mildenhall:
“Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.” Phil 2:3, NLT
Laura, Littleton CO
“…for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.” Psalm 9:10b
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. Psalm 145:18-19 NIV
Emily, Thibodaux- The lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Ex. 14:14 NIVUK
natalie – millington, tn
“above all else, guard your ♡,
for everything you do flows from it.”
– proverbs 4:23 (niv)
“The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Exodus 14:14
Stacey in Midlothian,VA
~ 1 Peter 3:4 ~ But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. (ESV)
Jill in Trussville, AL
June 1
“I am the LORD; that is my name!
I will not yield my glory to another
or my praise to idols.
See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise from the ends of the earth
Isaiah 42:8-10a (NIV)
SusanD, Southern Illinois, I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. Psalm 130:5 NKJV
diane, Baraboo, Wisconsin; (finishing the Proverbs Woman)
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Connie, Tyler
” I will open the windows of heaven and pour out for you such a blessing that there will not be room enough to recive it.” NKJ
Delaney, Allen TX
“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming.” James 5:7a NIV
Terri, Pleasant Hope, MO
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. 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. Ephesians 1:17-18 (NIV)
Martha, Pine Bluff,Ar. Psalm 105:4 NLT
Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.
Diane – Roswell, GA “You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north.” Deuteronomy 2:3 NASB
Sheri, Bolivar, MO
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that they 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.” Ephesians 1:17-18 (NIV)
Chrystie C
Piedmont, SC
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance” Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. but for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the king eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Timothy 1:15-17 NIV
Rachel, Athens, GA
The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
2 Chronicles 16:9, NKJV
Cassandra Marienville, Pennsylvania
Isaiah 30:21
“Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” (NIV)
“This is the love of God: that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are NOT burdensome…” 1 John 5:3 ESV
Julie, Sheffield, UK
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NKJV
Sandra, China Grove, NC
“Walk with me and work with me ~ watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Matthew 11:29, the Message
Beth Clark, La Verne, CA
“I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.” Psalm 63:4, NLT
Shari, Augusta, GA.
“…walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
Colossians 1:10 NASB
Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your strength
and with all your mind;
and, Love your neighbor as yourself.
-Luke 10:27 NIV
P.S. The addition of the time clock is GREAT!
Christi – Colleyville, TX
Psalm 20:4
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
Denise, Davis, IL.-“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anious thoughts.”-Psalm 139:23 NIV
NASB Proverbs 21:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from trouble.
But Lord, be merciful to us, for we have waited for you. Be our strong arm each day and our salvation in times of trouble.
Isaiah 33:2, NLT
Tanya R., Sierra Vista, AZ
“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”
Luke 6:46 NIV
Charlotte, Houston “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.”
(Hebrews 4:14) NIV
Rhonda – Houston
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. – Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)
Loretta of Bloomfield, NJ
Ephesians 6:10 – 17 NIV
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of the God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against 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. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with the your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.