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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.
Cheryl, Peoria, AZ, Jeremiah 29:11 NIV “For I know the plans I have for you,” declared the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Lisa, Jacksonville FL
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12 ESV
Mar Jo, The Woodlands, TX
For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded thata He is able to keep that which I have committed until Him against that day. II Timothy 1:12. KJV
Earlene from Wisconsin, Psalm 5:1″ O Lord hear me as I pray, pay attention to my groaning.”
Jennifer, Charlotte NC
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NIV
Anne – Johnson City, TN
Ps. 103:6 (ESV)
The LORD gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly.
Michelle, Russellville ~ Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. Psalm 16:1 NIV
Just curious if you are from Russellville, Kentucky? I
was born there and my grandparents lived there all their lives. Love my hometown!
Rebecca from Birmingham
“For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:16-17
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 NIV
maria – New York, NY
“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
“For You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You”.
Psalm 9:106 NIV
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the lord forever. Psalms 23:6 NIV
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
1 Peter 3:3-4
I missed the 15th because I was across the continent welcoming a new grandaughter!
Three Rivers, MI “Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer.” Psalm 94:19 TLB
Teri, Boise
“Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.”
Psalm 119:133
Carolyn, Charlotte, NC
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 (NIV)
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you. Psalms 55:22
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world..
James 1:27
Abby, Indianapolis, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10 NLT
Isaiah 61:3 NIV
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
My troubles turned out all for the best; they forced me to learn from your textbook.Psalm 119.71 MSG
Linda Annville, KY
No, in all these things we are superconquerors, through the one who has loved us. Romans 8:37 CJB
Psalm 103:17-18 (NAS)
The lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasing to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, To those who keep His covenant, and who remember His precepts to do them.
Valdosta, GA
Psalm 119:57
“The Lord is my source of security. I have determined to follow your instructions.”
Monica, Toronto, Canada
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3.2
Thankyou for the reminder to increase in our love, Beth!
Beckie, Florence, SC
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Just as a father has compassion on his children
So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
For He Himself knows our frame,
He is mindful that we are but dust.
Psalm 103:11-14 (NAS)
“You shall have no other gods before me”.
Exodus 20:3 – NIV
Kim from Center, TX:
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NIV)
Cathy S., Terra Ceia, Florida
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (New International Version)
DeAnne, Talmage, KS
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 NIV
“Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness,
And let Your saints shout for joy.” Psalm 132:9 NKJV
Colleen, O’Fallon, IL. But these are written thay you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31 NIV
Wanda
Osborn, Missouri
Psalm 119:57 (NET)
“The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.”
Ruth Sanger Zephaniah 3:17 NIV 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.
Emily Jordan
Virginia Beach, VA
Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.
1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV
Ann, Fez (Morocco)
Proverbs 24:26 NIV
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
Taylor, Las Vegas. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Deena from Amarillo, Texas:
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NIV)
Margo, Burlington Ontario “Be very careful how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunitty,because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15,16 NIV
Tricia, Tucson, AZ
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 (NIV)
Susan K., Bradenton, FL
You are good and do only good;
teach me Your principles.
Psalm 119: 68 NLT
Sarah Noah, Canoga Park, CA: “Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things! And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.” – Psalm 72:18 & 19 NKJV
Melissa, Perry, GA
Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long.
Psalm 86:1-3 NIV
Cindy in Raleigh NC
Isaiah 42:16 NIV
“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them, and make the rough places smooth.”
Petra, Ceres, CA. Colossians 1 15:-23 (NIV)
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[g] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.
Sue Carmel IN, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
John 15:8 NIV
Hi Beth, I am the Siesta that visited you and your church last Sunday while I was in Houston for a family wedding. I wanted my 97 year old Dad to see the teacher that I do Bible study with. Thanks for the hug and your sweet words. I’m happy I got to share our picture from the 1st SSMVT celebration. Looking forward to January 2012, but it’s really hard for me to memorize at this time.
Rebecca, Louisa, VA (as we await the results of my mom’s biopsy): 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. – Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Stacy Detroit, mi
Pslam 36:5-6(NIV)
“your love, o Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountain your justice like the great deep. O lord, you preserve both man and beast. “
Melissa, Greer, SC
The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow your instructions. Ps. 119:57 NET