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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.
Hannah R. | Norman, OK
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
That’s Psalm 27:8, NLT 🙂
Julie Tuttle, Chico, CA: “I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there , too- your reassuring presence, coming and going.” Ps 139:5 (MSG)
Christy, Rome, Ga: “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” John 17:22-23, NIV
Beverly
Midlothian, VA
O Israel, hope in the Lord. For with the Lord is steadfast love, and with Him is plentiful redemption.
Psalm 130:7 ESV
That I may finish my race with joy. Acts 20:24 NKJV
Love this verse! I think I’m gonna make this one mine too. Thanks! 🙂
Amy, San Ramon, CA
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
Matthew 9:36-38
New Living Translation (NLT)
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5: 8 (NIV)
Lori
Friendswood, TX
Leslie R, Norwood Young America, MN
Phil 1:6 NLT
“And I am certain that God, who began a good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
allie, south pasadena ca
“Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:23, NLT
Diane, Gig Harbor
Ephesians 2:8(NIV)– For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God
Makaela, Lynchburg, VA
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness, and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-8
Robyn, Wichita, “The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7 NIV
Melissa, Scarborough, ME: “Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.” Psalm 119:111 ESV
Charlotte from Memphis
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23. KJV
Renita, Woodstock, GA Do not fear for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will hold onto you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Jennifer, Prairie Grove AR – Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his own life for his friends. – John 15:13, NIV
I’m writing way more than I’m supposed to, but this is so beautiful, I just have to share. I spent last Sat & Sun in Joplin, MO so that I could help those who were able to survive the massive tornado that hit the Sunday before. I learned of the amazing story of man who gave his life to save over a dozen others. When the tornado warning came, a manager of the Joplin Home Depot moved customers & employees to the back of the store. There were still people outside, banging on the door desparate to get in for safety. M. Dean Wells, the electrical dept manager, rushed to the door to let them in & moved them to the back. He was still at the front of the store when the concrete wall collapsed on him and a father w/ his two young daughters who had just made it in the store. The others, who made it to the back of the store, all survived. Mr. Well’s daughter was searching for music for her father’s funeral and found a church bulletin where her dad wrote, “‘No greater sacrifice can be given than to give one’s life for another”. Beautiful. Just beautiful. I know that right now, Mr. M. Dean Wells is having the most wonderful time with Jesus!!!!
Suzanne, Tucson, AZ
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and truth.”
-1 John 3:18 (NIV)
Boni, Manassas, VA; 2 Timothy 4:8 NIV “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
Diana, North Attleboro, MA
The mind controlled by the sinful nature is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:6 TNIV
Donna, Loganville, PA
Micah 6:8
He has showed,you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
NIV
Heather, Aberdeen SD
Love is Patient
Love is Kind
1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV
Brandee, White House, TN
“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3, NIV
Bobbie, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.
James 1:12 (NIV)
Sharen, Geelong, Australia
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Tanya, Warren, PA
James 1:5 (NIV)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all withoug finding fault, and it will be given you.”
Kim B., Clayton, NC
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
Psalm 56:3-4 NIV
2 Timothy 2:24 (NIV)
And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
L Diane, Indianapolis
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.
Colossians 3:16 NIV
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!'”
Isaiah 6:8 NIV
continuing through Psalm 119 …
Psalm 119:21-22, NLT
You rebuke the arrogant;
those who wander from your commands are cursed.
Don’t let them scorn and insult me,
for I have obeyed your laws.
Shelli, Fort Worth, TX: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23:1
Ontario, OH
But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 1 Corinthians 12:18 (NLT)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 NIV
Mansfield, OH
If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
Romans 8:31 NLT
Jo Ann, Philadelphia area. “My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 (NAS)
Melisa, Roanoke, VA
Christ has liberated us into freedom. Therefore stand firm and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. – Galatians 5:1 CSB
Brittney, Lexington, KY
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the LORD.
Isaiah 55:8 (niv)
Tamara; Alabaster, Alabama: 1 John 1:5 “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (NIV)
Sharon, Moore, SC
Proverbs 29:11 (NIV)
A fool gives full vent to his anger,
but a wise man keeps himself under control.
Maribeth, Jackson, MS
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Philippians 2:5 NLT
Kay, Modesto, CA: He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30 NIV
Nell, Chloe & Abbi; Wichita Falls TX
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may e adequate equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NAS)
For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5 NIV
Sarah, Port Angeles, Washington. Psalm 104:32-33 (NASB). He looks at the earth and it trembles; He touches the mountains and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
Barbara, New Orleans
Zephaniah 3:16-19 the message
16-17Jerusalem will be told:
“Don’t be afraid.
Dear Zion,
don’t despair.
Your God is present among you,
a strong Warrior there to save you.
Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love
and delight you with his songs.
18-20″The accumulated sorrows of your exile
will dissipate.
I, your God, will get rid of them for you.
You’ve carried those burdens long enough.
At the same time, I’ll get rid of all those
who’ve made your life miserable.
I’ll heal the maimed;
I’ll bring home the homeless.
In the very countries where they were hated
they will be venerated.
Carla Lee
Corryton,Tn.
NIV Jer. 15:16
“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my hearts delight.”
Becoming more real to me every day!
Psalm 119:50 NASB
This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me.
Shelly
Amarillo, Texas
2 Timothy 1:14
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you–guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. (NIV)
(PS Just a little Woo-Hoo for the celebration!!)
Vivian
Birmingham, Alabama
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
Kris, Carmel, IN; “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.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)