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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.
Kim, Laguna Niguel, CA “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 NASB
Vickie, Poplar Bluff, MO:
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3 NIV
Kelly, Auburn, AL – “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” James 1:19-20.
Jennifer J. – Texarkana, AR
“They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
Revelation 17:14 (NIV1984)
*Yes, I’m doing the Revelation study right now!
Hilary, West Palm Beach, FL:
“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.” -Proverbs 3:5 (Amplified)
DeeDee
Houston
Honesty lives confident and carefree,
but Shifty is sure to be exposed.
Prov. 10:9
the message
Marian
Blackshear, GA
Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. Psalm 119:111 (NIV)
Deanna, Frisco: Psalm 43:18-19 ~ But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. (NLT)
Sedrone, Arp, Tx
Rely on the Lord!
Be strong and confident.
Rely one the Lord!
Psalm 27:14, NET
Lindsey, Avon Park, FL
“From the ends of the earth I call to You, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I (Psalm 61:2, NIV).”
Carrie Beth, Frankfort “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”. Psalm 56:3. NIV
Kathleen, Ashland
“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15-16 NIV
Austin, Tx
“Live life with a due sense of responsibility, not as those who do not know the meaning of life but as those who due.”
Ephesians 5:15
(Ph)
Janet, Richland, MS
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tommorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:33-34 NIV
Jolynn, Rowlett, Tx
My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
Exodus 33:14, NIV
Shannon, Kissimmee, Florida
He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children.
Praise the Lord. Psalm 113:9 (NIV)
Michele
Edmond, Ok.
“Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart;” Ps. 15:1-2 NKJV
Psalm 57:5 NIV
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
Pittsburgh, PA
Proverbs 3:3 NIV 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck,write them on the tablet of your heart.
Lisa-Seattle
“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 NIV
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16
Kate, Grapeland, Texas (NAS)
Donna, Lufkin, Texas (NIV)
Elaine, College Station, Texas (ESV)
Laura, College Station, Texas (NIV)
The Lord is my source of SECURITY. I have DETERMINED to Follow YOUR INSTRUCTIONS.
Psalm 119:57
Tammy
Cincinnati, Ohio
Gwen Vicksburg MS
Be careful for nothing; but in wverythingby prayer and supplication with thansgiving let your request be made known unto God Philippians 4:6 KJV
Karen Basham, Lutz, FL: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor me.” Psalm 50:15 (NASB)
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13 (ESV)
Rene, Abilene, TX
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
Kayra, Hazlehurst MS
Matthew 5:16 (NET)
“In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven”
Colossians 3:1 NIV “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on thinbgs above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.”
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
Deidre
Hickory, NC
Michelle Ontario, Canada
For no word from God will ever fail.
Luke 1:37
Margot, Round Rock, TX
“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” Psalms 62:8 (NKJV)
Molly Arnold, Rochester NY
“For the Lord our God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” Psalm 84:11 NLT
“Therefore,do not worry about tommorow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 NIV
Alicia in Great Lakes, IL
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Laurie, Chester
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise: You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down: you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. Psalm 139:1-4
NIV
Marrissa, Orlando
Isaiah 43:19
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
The Message
Amber, Pearland “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
Marianna, Clinton, MS
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” -Proverbs 3:5-6
Katie, Atlanta: “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. NIV
I called on the Lord in distress, The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. The Lord is on my side. I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Psalm 118:5-6 NIV
Missouri City, TX
Joyce
Sparta, NJ
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.”
James 1:14 (ESV)
Deborah, Marshall, Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6 NIV
Carina, Thousand Oaks, CA
“For He who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is His name. And his mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.” Luke 1:49-50 NKVJ
Nicola, Calgary AB
Because Your loving kindness is better than life my lips shall praise You. So will I bless You while I live, I will lift up my hands in Your name, My whole being shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
Ps. 63:2-5 AMP
Kyndra, Houston “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish that you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, i will vomit you out of My mouth. Revelation 3:15-16 nkjv
traci, vadnais heights, mn.
“The Lord is my source of security.”
psalm 119:57 (NET)
For you lord have never fosaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 NIV
Beth, Dyersburg,TN
“The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow YOUR instructions.”
Psalms 119:57 NET