[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.
Jenny, Sugar Land, TX “…and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” James 1:24 (NIV)
Terri, Kirkland. (Kirkland for a little longer, but we’re getting packed up to return to Papua New Guinea on July 6 so I definitely will not be able to attend the SSMT celebration and will miss the opportunity to fellowship with you all!! But I’ll keep on memorizing with you!) “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'” Mark 12:30, NIV.
Kara, Lancaster, PA
My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
Hollie, Waco, Texas:
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
James 1:19-20
(I simply adore the countdown calendar! Had to add that bit in.)
Jeanie – Martin, SD
But He was pierced for our trangressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 NIV
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV
Judy, Norfolk,Va.
Ps. 119:57 NET
The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow your instructions.
Emily – Topeka, Kansas
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being.
Acts 17:26-28a (NIV)
“In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.”
Ephesians 2: 21-22 NIV
Linda Peel Lexington, KY
Carolyn, Terrace BC Canada
Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Rom. 8:37 KJV
Dianne, Florida
Psalm 119:57
“The Lord is my source of security. I have determined to follow your instructions.”
Barbara, North Olmsted
‘Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
For love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.
Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot wash it away.
Song of Songs 8:6-7 NIV
Kathryn from Louisville, KY
“Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.”
-Hebrews 12:12 (NIV)
Behold the Lords hand is not so short that it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull that it cannot save. Is 59.1 NASB
Melanie in Amherst, MA
“…quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight…
Hebrews 11:34 NASB
Grace, Chicago, IL
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Lynda, Ocala, FL: “He has made everything beautiful in its 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
Lisha – Texas
I want to know Christ and the power of His reurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death. Philippins 3:10 NIV
Zephaniah 3:17 (New International Version)
17 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.
liz gladstone or
Janet, Georgia: “Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.” –Hebrews 6:11 NLT
Marilyn from Taylor Mill, KY
Be joyful always,
pray continually; give thanks
in all circumstances, for this is God’s will
for you in Christ Jesus.
NIV. 2 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
Traci from Lakewood, WA:
“Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.” 2 Samuel 7:28
“For I have come down from Heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me.” John 6:38 NIV
Brenda, Collinston, La. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 ESV
Susan\ Maple Grove, MN
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)
Michelle, prosper, tx
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”
Nahum 1:7
Vicki Hall, Paducah, Ky
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Col. 3:17 NKJV
Psalm 73: 25 Whom do I have in heaven but You?
And I desire nothing on earth but You.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart,
my portion forever.
Skylar, Collinston, La. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jews first and also to the Greeks. Romans 1:16 NIV
T. Cooper from Amarillo, Texas
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Oh Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You have healed me.
Psalm 30:2, ESV
Carla Ritz, Lock Haven PA. “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:18 ESV
Shelli, Richmond
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God,s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Donna, Huntersville, NC
He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. Isaiah 33:6 NIV
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:2 NIV
Wendy, Mechanicsville, VA
And we urge you brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men.
1st Thessalonians 5:14 – Ryrie Study Bible
Terri, Marion, IN
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him… Nahum 1:7, NIV
Troy, OH
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NIV
Allyson
League City TX
1 Thessalonians 5:23-34 NIV
May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it.
Joyce, Big River, Saskatchewan, Canada
Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
Colossians 2:20-23
Linda, White Salmon, WA
Isaiah 40:4&5 NASB
Let every valley be lifted up
And every mountain and hill be made low;
And let the rough ground become a plain,
And the rugged terrain a broad valley;
Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
And all the flesh will see it together;
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Psalm 116: 1-2
I love the Lord for he heard my voice. He heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me I will call on him as long as I live.
NIV
Cathleen; Saskatoon, SK Canada
Psalm 18vs20-24 The Message
“God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him. When I got my act together, he gave me a fresh start. Now I’m alert to God’s ways; I don’t take God for granted. Every day I review the ways he works; I try not to miss a trick. I feel put back together and I’m watching my step. God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.”
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15
Faith, Safford, AZ> “Many are the plans in a persons heart, but it is the Lords purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Heidi, Anchorage, AK
“O Lord my God, I called to You for help and You healed me.” Psalm 30:2 NIV
Kae, Jacksonville
Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Rm 7:24b-25a
NRSV
Missy, Tulare, CA
Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV)
17 The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Brenda, Greenville sc
Proverbs 31.30 NIV
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.