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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.
Ann C. in Cypress, TX
How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life, in your light we see light. Ps 36:7-9 NIV
What time I am afraid I will trust in thee. Psalm 56:3 NLT
Melanie, Sweetwater, TN
Psalm 139:23 NIV Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Lisa
Van Buren, AR
1 Corinthians 1:25
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
NIV
Kathy West Milton,
Therefore,as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humilty,gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Connie- Bedford, KY
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 am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.”
-NIV Leviticus 26:13
Katharine Lee, Jonesboro, Arkansas
Gretchen in Buffalo, NY: “The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.”
Psalm 119:57 NET Bible
Edie ~ Mobile, AL
Psalm 62:8 NIV
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Selah
Rissa, Boaz: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)
Susie, Knoxville, TN:
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24(NIV)
Matthew 11:28-30 [NIV]
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Jennifer Olmstead
Janesville, Wisconsin
“Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy to the body.”
Proverbs 16:24 NLT
Mary – Springfield, MO
“Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy to the body.”
Proverbs 16:24 NLT
“And He said unto them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15 NKJ
Stephanie, Sparta, TN
“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Susan from Beverly, MA
Luke 9:24 (NLT)
If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.
Cindy, Grand Rapids MI,
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” 2 Cor 5:20
Camille – Keller, TX:
“… let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” I John 3:18 (NIV)
Martha Pritchard / Albertville,AL / When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.Psalm 56:3(NIV)
Cheryl, NC
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
~Psalm 73:26~ TNIV
Hamburg, AR
“God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect.”
Psalm 18:32
NLT
Ann – Sardis, AL
Php 3:3 ESV For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh–
Lisa, Elmhurst, IL
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13 NIV
Kristin, Pottsboro, TX
My flesh and heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26 NIV
Kerry, Sheridan, Wy
Is. 55:2 NIV
Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Jennifer, Oreland, PA
But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. Psalm 42:8 NLT
Heather, Shokan, New York
For I know my Redeemer lives and He shall stand at last on the earth.
Job 19:25 NKJV
Angie P, Loveland OH
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Above all else,guard your heart,for everything you do flows from it.
Sandra, Swainsboro,GA
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 2:8-9 NIV
Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)
5 Be wise is the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
These are the verses that our mission team going to Wales (me included) have adopted for our time there. If we come to mind, please lift us in prayer.
Sarah~Bremen, Ohio
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:36 NIV
Melissa from Midland, Mi
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him” Psalm 34:8 NIV
Kathy, Bradford-If you keep on bitting and devouring each other, you will be destroyed by each other.
Galatians 5:15 NIV
Heather E. Piedmont, Oklahoma “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Psalm 13:5, NIV
Colima, Klamath Falls, OR
Becky, Charlotte
“So shall My Word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
isaiah 55:11, ESV
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)
Karen, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Eph 4:32 (NIV)
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,
but dwelling on it separates close friends.
NLT Proverbs 17:9
Lori, Fort Campbell, KY
“You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast
because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Deborah, Philadelphia, PA
Revelation 14:6, NIV
Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth — to every nation, tribe, language and people.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17 (NAS)
Sheila, Austin, TX
Julie, Goldfield, IA
Psalm 111:3 NASB
Splendid and majestic is His work, and His righteousness endures forever.
KC, MO
Psalm 16:5 NIV
Lord you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.
Mary in Austin, Philippians 3:13-14 (CEV): My friends, I don’t feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done.
Shelly, Rochester, MN
“take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5b
Sheila, Bethesda, MD: “When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy.” – Psalm 94.19 HCB
“All your children will be taught by the LORD, & great will be their Peace.”
Isaiah 54:13(NIV)
“…& they will ENJOY great Peace.” (NLT)
“…& great shall be the Peace & undisturbed composure of your children.” (AMP)
“Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.” Proverbs 1:23 NKJV
Darl, Bakersfield, California “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 NIV