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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.
Jana, Tampa “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18 NIV
Spring, TX
Trusting a double-crosser when you’re in trouble is like biting down on an abscessed tooth.
Proverbs 25:19
The Message
“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 attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV
Annette–Temple, Tx
Vickie
Russellville,AR
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 5:5
NIV
“For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is He who will save us.” — Isaiah 33:22 (NIV)
1Corinthians 3:16 NAS
“Do you not know that you are a temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwells in you.”
NKJ 1st Thess. 5:16-18
“Rejoice Always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”.
Sarah Millers Creek NC
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1 NIV
Karina, Recife- Brazil
“Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple.” 2 Timothy 2:15
Cant hardly wait for our SSMT Celebration!! Praying Ill be able to make it! 🙂
Baileigh, Spartanburg, SC. “I have told you these things, so that you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” John 16:33 NIV
Katie (Firestone, CO)
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 NIV
Carrie, Chicago
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you & help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Dana
Blue Ridge, Tx
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.
Psalm 119:92-93 NIV
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6,NASB
Ashley
Southern, IL
Hebrews 1:3
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. ESV
Heather from Conway, SC: “And don’t be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there.” 1 Corinthians 7:17 (The Message)
Titus 3:5 NIV
He saved us not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He save us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Rachel, Danville, PA. “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.”
Philippians 2:3. NLT
Mary, Pierre, SD.
Ephesians 4:7
Good News Translation (GNT)
7 Each one of us has received a special gift in proportion to what Christ has given.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
NIV
~Allison Moldenhauer, Huntsville, Texas
Nicole, Norman, OK
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV)
Kelly,Lees Summit Missouri. I am still working on my last verse – but I thank God I’m still at it.
“There is a river whose streams make glad the holy city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
He lifts His voice, the earth melts.”
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you,Lord, have never forsaken those who
seek you.
Psalm 9:9-10
Amy B. Edmond OK
Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”
Phyllis, Irvine, CA
“Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compoassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NIV
Beth, Oklahoma City
Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV) – I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Kendall: Huntsville, AL
This is the great and foremost commandment.
Matthew 22:38 (NASB)
Lynette, Nashville, TN
You have filled my heart with greater joy
then when their grain and new wine abound.
Psalm 4:7 NIV
1 John 1: 8-9 Mostly NIV
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
Psalm 9:10b (NIV)
for you, LORD have never forsaken those who seek you.
Sarah Birmingham , Lambertville , MI
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season. Psalm 1:3 NIV
Hebrews 12:1
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,”
Carisa, South Dakota
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:6 NIV
Melissa, Miles City, MT: Psalm 118:24 NIV
This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Pat, Littlefield, Tx…..”The Lord is my source of security. I have determined to follow your instructions.”
Psalm 119:57 NET
Patti Rae, Saskatchewan, Canada
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Laur, Spokane, WA
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 NIV
Stacey, Shreveport “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and my hope is in you all day long”–Psalm 5:25/NIV
Cortni, Coden,AL “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present you requests to God.” NIV
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12 NIV
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
1 Peter 4:8-9 (ESV)
Shannon
Katy, Texas
Lacey, Keller TX: The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. Proverbs 15:8 NIV
Titus 3:5 NIV
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Sarah, Wichita Falls, TX
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1 John 5:14 NIV
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,
considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
James 3:17 NIV
Julie/Deer Park, TX/”Ah Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17 NIV
1 Chronicles 29:14
But who am I, and who are my people that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you and we have given only what comes from your hand.
Lori F.
Odessa, TX
Isaiah 44:3 (NIV)
For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants.
Lena, Wilmore
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. I Peter 5:8 (NIV)
Carole, Imperial, CA: “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV