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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.
Kelly Burnett, Houston
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble, and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7
Ann
Rockwall, TX
My soul is weary with sorrow, strengthen me according to your word.
Psalm 119:28 NIV
Allison, Tampa. PS 119:33-40 NASB
“Teach me , O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law and keep it with all my heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to dishonest gain. Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in Your ways. Establish Your word to Your servant, as that which produces reverence for You. Turn away my reporoach which I dread, for Your ordinances are good. Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me through Your righteousness.”
Lynda, San Antonio “. . . For you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”. Psalm 9:10 NIV
Deuteronomy 23:21-23 HCS
“If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to keep it, because he will require it of you, and it will be counted against you as sin. But if you refrain from making a vow, it will not be counted against you as sin. Be careful to do whatever comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed what you promised to the Lord your God.”
When I first chose this, it made me think more along the lines of simply needing to keep my word(when I say I’ll do something..do it etc) However today I made a choice to be more committed to my relationship with Him.
Joy, Georgetown, TX – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
Susan, Wake Forest Colossians 3:1-2 NIV
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Dawn
Hamilton, NJ
“For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:10 (ESV)
Leslie G. Warner Robins, GA
Mich 6:8
8 He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
New King James
Michelle, Waukesha, WI
“If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 2 Peter 2:20 (NIV)
Veronica-Atlanta , Georgia
Th e Lord will work oout his plans for my life-for your loving kindness, Lord continues forever. Don’t abandon me- for you made me. The life recovery living bible
Heather La Grange, ky
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
Brandy, San Antonio “The Lord is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.”. Psalm 119:57 NET
Abby Corvallis OR ” See it there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting.” Psalm 139:24
Katherine, Charlottesville: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe” (Prov. 18:10).
Tamara
Kelowna, BC, Canada
“Now to Him that is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imgaine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever, Amen!”
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
Rachelle, McAlister, NM
Job 14:8-9
“Its roots may grow old in the ground
and its stump die in the soil,
yet at the scent of water it will bud
and put forth shoots like a plant.”
The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?
“I the LORD search the heart
and examine the mind,
to reward a man according to his conduct,
according to what his deeds deserve.”
Jeremiah 17:9-10
NIV
Debbie Laureen, New Port Richey, Florida
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV
Kay, Greenwood, SC
“He [The Lord] heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3 NIV
Marsha – Lee’s Summit
But as you abound in everything- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence and in your love for us – see that you abound in this grace also. 2 Corinthians 8:7
Meredith Sloan
Greer, SC
Acts 19:11-12 9 (NIV)
“God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.”
Tammy/Siloam NC – Avoid godless chatter,because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 2 Timothy 2:16 (NIV)
Jennifer, OKC, OK
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 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.
Isa 43:18-19 NIV
Marilyn, Mission Viejo, CA
Isaiah 30:15 NIV
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel says:
In repentance and rest is your salvation.
In quietness and trust is your strength…
Renee, Calgary, Canada
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7
Dayla, Springfield, MO
Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
Hebrews 10:23 New Living Translation
Gretchen, Madison;
“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” Phil 3:10 NIV
“Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 Living Bible Paraphrased
Shelly Bliss, San Dimas Ca.
Live a life filled with love, following the example
of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a
sacrifice for us,a pleasing aroma to God.
Ephesians 5:2 NLT
Susan,Meredith, NH: “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”–Phil. 1:27, NIV
Above all love each other deeply
1 PETER4:8 NIV
Taylor, College Station, TX
2 Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:2-5 [NIV]
Then I go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God. Psalm 43:4 NASB
Laurie- New Hope VA
Ephesians 6:11-12
Put on the full armor of 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.
Lyn Steriti
Littleton NH
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High; to declare Thy loving kindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness by night,
Psalm 92:1-2 NASB
Chyrll in Memphis, TN where it’s in the 90’s also!
“But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.” Hebrews 8:6 NASB
(crazy ’bout that timer!)
Kristi
Arlington, TX
I am celebrating the birth of my first son this past Saturday!!! Praise the Lord!
Psalm 8:2 NCV
“You have taught children and babies to sing praises to you because of your enemies. And so you silence your enemies and destroy those that try to get even.”
Yolanda, Queen City, Texas
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV)
Mary H.
Ardmore, AL
Acts 3:19
New International Version (NIV)
19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
Tashi, Houston, TX. “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:25-26, NIV.
“Teach me,and I will be quiet.Show me where I have been wrong.” ~Job 6:24(NCV)
Bobbie Jo
San Angelo, TX
Rebecca, Berlin GA
Beware of practicing your rightenous before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father which is in heaven.
Matt. 6:1 NASB
Celeste, Anaheim Hills, CA
Hebrews 7:25(NLT)
“Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.”
Lois, Abilene, KS
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding any fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6 NIV
April, BonneyLake, Washington
Psalm 63:3 NIV
Because your live is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
Message
In your generous live I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains.
Jan Now from Rockwall,TX
Psalm 17:8 (New International Version)
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Audrey, Rockwall
Psalm 138:1 NIRV
“I will praise thee with my whole heart”
Holly, Glendale, AZ:
“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.”
Psalm 116:7 NIV
Christy
Fayetteville, AR
“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down & without walls.”
KJV
Children obey your parents in everything for this pleases the Lord.
Colossians 3:20