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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.
“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, note on earthly things.” Col 3:1-2
Valdese, NC
The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh him.
Lamentations 3:25 KJV
Tara N., Maryland
“for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4 NIV
Deneen, Pittsburgh “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 NASB
Sharon, Geigertown, PA
Psalm 117:2: “For His mercy and loving-kindness are great toward us, and the truth and faithfulness of the Lord endure forever. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)” Amplified
Geri
Deer Park, TX
For the LORD gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6 NASB
Leah, Little Falls,
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 ESV
Cassie McLelland, Mansfield TX: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 NIV
Kathy, Grand Ledge, MI 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 ESV
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
Mildred, Fayetteville, AR
“Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10 NIV
Kelli, Indianapolis:
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
-Matthew 24:12-13 NIV
Kelly (Greer, SC)
”Fathers (Parents), don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” -Eph. 6:4
Linda, Sonora, Kentucky
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…”
Colossians 3:23
Paula, Brownwood, Tx
Mark 12:30. MSG
“..,,so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’
The countdown clock is so fun!! 🙂
Vanessa, Victoria TX
“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
Jennifer, Sam Antonio: Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. Isaiah 26:8 NIV
And he will give u all u need from day to day if u live for him and make the kingdom of God ur primary concern. Matt 6:33 new living translation
Nicole, Manitoba
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:11 NIV
Nicole, Portland OR: “They will fight against you, but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. -Jeremiah 1:19 NIV
Kerry, Houston
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27 (NIV)
Ya know what? I’m reading so many wonderful scriptures, I’m needing a “Like” button… =)
Debbie from Westerville, OH
Psalm 30: 11-12 NIV
You turned my wailing into dancing. You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord, my God, I will give You thanks forever!
Johannah, Alexandria, LA
“For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.” 2 Tim. 2:10 NLT
Jocelyn (Greer, SC)
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)
Anita, Hartsville, TN – Those who know your name will trust you, for You, Lord have never forsaken those who seek YOU. Psalms 9:10 NIV
Kristen, Allen “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Phil. 2:13 NAS
Emily, Olympia
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but he transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2 NIV
Shelli, Houston: “Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are.” ~ Proverbs 26:4 (NLT)
Judy H, Spokane, WA
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 NASV
Jan, Tulsa
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:5 (also Psalm 42:11 and 43:5), NIV
For tho we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have the divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.
2 corinthians 10:3-5 (niv)
Laura Kenmore, Wa
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run to it and are safe.” NIV Proverbs 18:10
White Owl, SD
So do not throw away your confidence;
it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36 {NIV}
*I missed May 15! Here is my verse:
But now thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob;
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.”
Isaiah 43:1 {NKJV}
Anita, Hartsville, TN – Those who know your name will trust you, for You, Lord have never forsaken those who seek YOU. Psalms 9:10 NIV
What a promise! What a Saviour!!!
Pickering, Ontario, Canada
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
For I am the Lord, your God who takes you by your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Brenda, Raleigh
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
Ps 1:3 NKJV
Dyane, Edmond, Oklahoma: “The Lord is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” Psalm 119:57 NET
“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.” Colossians 1:5
Robyn Wright,
Topeka, KS
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)
Kathie. Satsuma, Alabama
Psalm 37: 21st Century King James Version (KJ21)
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6 (NASB)
Kristin from Kentucky:
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Philippians 4:11 (NIV)
Shauna
Horn Lake
Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.
1 Kings 3:9 (NIV)
Lisa, Steinbach, MB
Ephesisans 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore do not be foolish but understand
what the will of the Lord is.
Brooke, AL – However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:33, ESV
(I haven’t dropped out, I just keep forgetting to post my verses here.)
Jennifer, Beaverton, OR “Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Psalm 100:3
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Karen
Hope, Arkansas
Diane, Commerce Twp., MI
Do not let kindness and truth leave you. Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 3:3 NASB