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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.
Galatians 4:7
So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
Jennifer, Nashville, TN
“We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.” (1 Cor 2:12, TNIV)
Julie
Clanton, AL
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2: 9&10, NIV
Celeste, Land O Lakes, FL “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
Gay Beck,
Plain City, Ohio
2 Chronicles 20:20b (NIV)
“Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his profits and you will be successful”
Carol, Lubbock, TX
“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 NIV
Erin, Lolo, MT “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for & certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
1 Thesalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. NIV
Pauline, Kearney, NE
…put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption.
Psalm 130:7 NIV
Donna, Norman, OK
2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”
Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
“For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.” Lamentations 3:33 NIV
Kristy, MB Canada
“And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name…” Philippians 2:8-9 NIV
Norma,Rowlett
“Any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it,to him it is sin.”
James 4:17 NIV
Jeni
Vevay, IN
Isaiah 41:10 (NASB)
Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Melanie, Arkansas
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. 1 Chronicles:34 NLT
Erin Foster, Grand Haven MI ESV Deuteronomy 3:22
“You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you.”
Gay Beck,
Plain City, Ohio
I should have proof-read my verse!!!
profits should be “prophets.”
******Revised*****
2 Chronicles 20:20b (NIV)
“Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful”
Blessings to all!
Sarah – Lufkin
“As for God, his way is perfect; The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.”
-2 Samuel 22:31
Jackie
Cypress, TX
Psalm 119:57 – “The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” The NET Bible
Bird – Cypress, TX
..for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9:10b, NIV
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12
Sherie
Spring, TX
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2Timothy3:16 NLT
Michelle Calgary (Airdrie) Alberta Canada
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you will go. Joshua 1:9
I will make you into a great nations and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you…” Genesis 12 1-3
Lauren, Jackson, KY. “Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.” Romans 9:32, NIV
Lori Beaube, Hazlehurst, Ms.
5) does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks not evil,6)does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth 1 Corinthians 13:5-6 NKJ
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14 ESV
Linda – Boulder CO
…who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:13
“I have not departed from His commands, but have treasured His words more than my daily food” —Job 23:12 NLT
Natalie, Houston
(I was overseas for the past 2 weeks and didn’t get to post a new verse, SO I’m going for 2 this time around!!)
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
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NIV
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)
Olathe, KS
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12
ESV
When I was upset and beside myself, You calmed me down and cheered me up. Psalm 94:19 (MSG)
Meredith, Fayetteville, AR
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who has called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 NIV
Psalm 77:11-12
I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Donna, Albuquerque
2 Chronicles 20:15b “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.” NIV
Psalm 92:1-2
It is good to praise the LORD
and make music to your name, O Most High,
proclaiming your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night.
Elizabeth, Lewisville, TX
“You are my portion, Lord; I have promised to obey your words.” Psalm 119:57 NIV
Linda
Madison, MS
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Galatians 5:16 NIV
Diane, Hemet
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NIV
stacey- new orleans
psalm 89:15nlv
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence,
oh Lord.
Psalms 121:1 (NIV)
I will lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalms 3:5 (NIV)
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
Tolu, Boston
Daphne – Winnipeg, Canada
I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. Psalm 119:59 NLT
Rachel – Modesto, CA
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise.
Psalm 111:10 NIV
Candie from Gulfport, Ms:
“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
Brandi, Roseburg, OR
Psalm 119:57 – “The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” (The NET Bible)
Libby, Texarkana, Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Kelli, Anaheim CA
Philippians 4:8
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Kristi, Puyallup, WA: Ephesians 1:11 NIV
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything with the purpose of his will,
Lorraine – Modesto, CA
As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Col. 3:12 NIV