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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.
Dawn W. – Falmouth, KY
Psalm 34:4-5 (NLT) I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Psalm 34:1 NIV
“I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.”
Andrea
Woodstock, GA
Spokane, WA
Psalm 38:15 NIV
“I wait for You, O LORD; You will answer, O LORD my God.”
Patti, Fort Walton Beach, FL, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 NIV
Vickie, Louisville. Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun comes to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. Luke 1:78, 79 NIV
Lori C.
Owasso, OK
“Parents, do not provoke your children to ager by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” Eph 6:4 NLT
Caitlin, Tulsa, OK
James 1:4 – “And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” NASB
Kari – Grand Rapids MI
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a might savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zeph 3:17 NLT
Michele, Pearland, TX
” . . . For You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You.” Psalm 9:10b NIV
Beth, I took your verse from your blog post the other day because it was just what I needed to hear and decided this would be my next memory verse. It has been my lifeline this past week!
Darla Tampa, FL
Hebrews 10:23
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for He who promised is faithful “
Bridget in Phoenix, AZ. Psalm 25:14-15 ESV
14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,
and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD,
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
Carrie, Logan. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Sarah, Sydney, Australia:
” “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” Matthew 16:24-25.NIV.
Melana – Sheridan Wyoming
Continuing in Isaiah 40….
Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed him as his counselor?
Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?
Isaiah 40:13-14 NIV
Barbara, Birmingham, AL
Those people who keep their faith until the end will be saved.
Matthew 24:13 NIV
Tammy N. – Lubbock, TX
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 90:10(NIV)
Susan, Atlanta, GA
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. Galatians 6:7 ESV
Anica, Huntsville, AL
2 Corinthians 1:3-4a
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction,
Sarah, MFalls, NC
“Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God.” Col. 3:2-3.
Joni, Port Neches, Texas. “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (NRSV)
Becky, Whitehall, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped…” Philippians 2:5-6
Patti from Palm Springs, CA.
“The rain descended and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not for it was founded upon a rock”
Matt: 7:25 KJ
Crystal in Munford, TN
He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
2 Chronicles 20:15
Jana (Kalispell, MT)
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless” Psalms 84:11 NIV
Kelly, Kimberly: My dear brothers take note of this: 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 God desires. James 1:19-20 (NIV)
Karla, Broomfield, CO
“So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34 NET
Set a guard over my mouth O Lord, Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3
Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead.
-Romans 1:22
(NLT)
Suzanne, Decatur, Texas “For you Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10B NIV
Beth: In regards to those few World War II veterans, I have a very dear uncle who is 85, who served as a B17 tail gunner. He has shared many interesting stories of the war and has remained faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ!!
Billie, Scottsdale
“The Lord is my source of security.
I have determined to follow Your instructions.”
Psalm 119:57 (NET)
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
Matthew 25:21 ESV
Oh to be good and faithful
Shaley
Texas
Christie Cheyenne, WY
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)
“pray continually ;”
Then they were glad because they were quiet, So He guided them to their desired haven. Psalm 107:30 (NASB)
Pam – Dublin, VA
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Colossians 3:1 (NASB)
Lacey, Leonard TX. “Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up.” James 4:10 NIV
Ashley, Atlanta, GA
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
James 4:8a HCSB
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”
Nicole/Dallas/Phillipians 4:8 NIV
Melany, Garrison, MO: Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor for the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
Catherine, Puyallup, WA
“the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His steadfast love.”
Psalm 147:11
Andrea R.
Chester, VA
Matthew 6:33 NIV
“But seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Randi, Knoxville
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
Cara – Fridley, MN
O, Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption.
Psalm 130:7 NIV
McDonough, GA
“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.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV84)
Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Prov. 16:24
Angela, Mansfield, TX
“Jesus told her,I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again.” John 11:25 (NLT)
Stacey, Albuquerque, NM The Lord is my source os security. I have determined to follow Your instructions. Psalm 119:57 The NET Bible
Elizabeth, OKC
Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but He will heal us; He has injured us but He will bind up our wounds. Hosea 6:1 (NIV)
“Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of Your presence, Lord. They exult in your righteousness.” Ps 89:15-16 NLT
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it. “Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)