[tminus t=”20-01-2012 19:00:00″ style=”carbonite”/]
**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.
Elise–Newark
Do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner; But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life, not because of anything we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace.
2 Timothy 1:8-9
Donise, Longmont, CO Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!
Luke 1:45 NIV Sarah, For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Carol, Bellleville, On
“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”
Jer. 31:25 NIV
Sarah, Euharlee
May my cry come before you, O Lord, give to me understanding according to Your Word. May my supplication come before you deliver me according to Your promise. Psalm 119: 169-170 NIV
Kristi from Charlotte, NC
“Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.”
1 Corinthians 13:8
ESV
Megan, Grants Pass
Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 (NASB)
Heidi, Litchfield Park, AZ: NIV, Acts 2:25b “Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Janet, Longmont,CO
“For the LORD will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.”
I Samuel 12:22-23
Robin, Indialantic, Fl Psalm 119:57 – “The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” (The NET Bible)
Beth- I have to comment further, you have NO IDEA how your post blessed me tonight,it was exactly what I needed to hear. Our God is AMAZING!!!!
Cathy R. Orofino, ID
Then will I purify the lips of the peoples that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve Him shoulder to shoulder. Zeph.3:9 NIV
(From “Stepping up” pg. 145)
Beth, Birmingham, AL
“There are amny devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.”
Proverbs 19:21 KJV
Dee Dee, San Antonio, TX “The Lord is my source of security. I have determined to follow your instructions.” Psalm 119:57 NET
Catherine Morningstar – Fresno, CA
Romans 5:1 NIV – Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
Cindy, Tucson, AZ
“In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” (Psalm 5:3 NIV)
If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will ring it to light. It will be revealed with fire. I Cor 3:12
Kelley, Olive Branch, MS
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16
Jana, Fresno
But you Lord are a shield that protects me; you are my glory and the one who restores me. Psalm 3:3 NET
Walton, IN
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he delivers those who are discouraged.” Ps 34:18 (NET)
Kay, Everett
For God in all His fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through Him God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
Colossians 1:19&20 NLT Bible
Amy Toney, Houston: “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 NIV
Melissa: Nashville TN
Romans 8:18
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” NIV
Pam, Tyler, TX: “I am using a human analogy because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you offered the parts of yourselves as slaves to moral impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them as slaves to righteousness, which results in sanctification.”
Romans 6:19 (HCSB)
Lynn, Pflugerville,Tx
” If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 NIV
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
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 straight your paths.
Lily, Oklahoma – “When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues, are parched from thirst, then I, the Lord, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never forsake them.”
Isaiah 41:17 – NLT
Bridget~ Bloomington,Illinois
“Be joyful in HOPE, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12
Shonda
Tacoma, WA
Psalm 103:17-18 NIV
“But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him and his righteousness with their children’s children- with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.”
Deanna, Safford, AZ
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)
Kelli ~ Kalispell, MT
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJV
Kathy Jo, Dayton, Nevada
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
~Romans 12:14 [NIV]
Natalie Olympia, WA
I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10 NIV
Lisa, Orange County, CA: For God did not give us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self discipline. 2 Timothy 1:17 NLV
Debbie, Stevenson Ranch, Ca
Psalm 89:8
O Lord God Almighty! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, Lord? Faithfulness is your very character.
Katie
Frisco, TX
“He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”
2 Corinthians 5:19b
Brittany, las vegas:
whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 13:20 (esv)
Janice, Bakersfield, CA
II Chron. 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. NAS
Sarah, West Monroe, La
“The Lord is my source of security. I have determined to follow your instructions.” Psalm 119:57 (NET)
Anne, Squamish BC Canada
“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
Kristi, Scottsdale, AZ
Hebrews 3:13 NIV
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
Meggie, Colorado Springs, CO.
Be joyful in hope, paitent in affliction and faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
2 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, 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.
Anita, Big River, Saskatchewan
“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 an the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 4:11 NIV
Cheryl, Everett
Thank you Beth for this verse, it is just the one I need to memorize! Psalm 119:57 net
“The Lord is my source of security. I have determined to follow your instructions”.
Maggie Thomson
Mesilla Park
“For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed in and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” -2 Tim 1:12 NASB
Amy Storms
Santa Clarita, CA
Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
(John 14:11-12, NIV)
Leslie, Missoula, MT, Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. ESV
Lorraine M. Surrey, BC
“For this reasone I also suffer these things nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. – II Tim. 1:12 NKJV
LORD, you are my God;I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things,
things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV
Bunnie, Hume,CA
“My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” 2 Cor. 12:9
Kristen, Vancouver, BC (this is for the entire month of June as the passage is quite long):
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 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, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Phil. 2:5-11