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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.
Hanni, Indiana:
A wise person is hungry for truth,
while the fool feeds on trash.
(Proverbs 15:14 NLT)
Psalm 139: 23 & 24 KJV
psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
139: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Sarah, Blairsville, GA. “When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O Lord, supported me.” Psalm 94:18. NIV
Okie Susan and Wichita Lisa~ (Joined Forces)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Eph. 1:3 NIV
Kat Clarkesville, Ga
“The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds feet, And makes me walk on my high places.”
Habakkuk 3:19 (NAS)
Gwen, Kennesaw, GA: “The Fear-of-God is a spring of living water so you won’t go off drinking from poisoned wells.” Proverbs 14:27 The Message
Rene Claremore OK ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Robin Greenwood MS, Psalm 119:57 – “The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” (The NET Bible)
Diane, Missoula, MT: “Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or hold back his love from me.” Psalm 66:20 NCV
Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; 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.
Valerie ~ Oklahoma
“You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He.” Isaiah 43:10 NIV
*****I’m definitely planning on attending the Scripture Memorization Event. I need to start planning and making reservations. Have I missed info regarding hotels etc.? Just wondering where everyone is staying? Can’t wait!!!!*****
You have not missed anything! More information on hotel recommendations, and more, to come!
Tammy, Dallas in St. Petersburg Russia
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.” 1 Peter 2:9 NLT
Marcia – San Clemente, CA
Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalms 46:10 NIV
Angie, Toronto.
If you work these words into your life,
you are like a smart carpenter who built his
house on solid rock.
Rain poured down,
the river flooded,
a tornado hit—
but nothing moved that house.
It was fixed to the rock.
Matt. 7:25 The Message
To proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night,
Psalm 92:2
NIV
Susan
Elizabethtown, PA
Amy Tyler, TX
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
Psalm 119:133 NIV
James 1:19 NIV
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”
In honor of visiting family this weekend, my scripture verse is…”If anyone considers himself religious and yet does NOT keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” James 1:26
19 Pray for me also that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in chains, pray that I may declare it fearlessly as I should.
Ephesians 6:19-20 (NIV)
Nakeisha
Houston, TX
Love not the world neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:15 KJV
Caitlin, Omaha
Colossians 3:13 (ESV)
“bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
AmyLu, Evansville
“What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.”
Revelation 3:7c,8a&b (NIV)
Dana, Ashland, KY vs. 22 NIV “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
vs. 23 NLT “Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.” (rejected his position, not him as a person)
1 Samuel 15:22-23
Allison, Kalamazoo, MI
“I love you, oh Lord my strength.”
Psalm 18:1 (NIV)
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 NIV
Connie, Shorewood, IL
“A kindhearted woman gains respect.” Proverbs 11:16a NIV
Jana, Port Byron
Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” NKJ
Lisa, Marion IN
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22(NIV)
Ashley Beth, Baton Rouge, LA
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1Thessalonians 5:18 NIV
Jen, Auburn OH: You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you. Trust in the Lord always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock! (I wrote down Isaiah 25:3 and 4, but I think this is wrong! Will try to find the right verse and which translation as soon as I have time!!)
Robin, Aberdeen, SD
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV
Lisa, Granville, Ohio
“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.” Isaiah 55:2 NIV
Mandy, Austin: Romans 10:9 (NIV) “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” No matter what details muddle my daily life, I know I’m safe in Christ!
Clinton, TN
“…When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you do these very same things.”
Romans 2:1b (NLT)
Amy 7634, SF Bay Area, CA:
“If you, LORD, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?”
Psalm 130:3 (NIV)
Cassandra, Mars Hill, NC “This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night, so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.” Joshua 1:8 HCSB
Proverbs 3: 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
Kathy, Danvers
James 1:19-20 NIV
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Melissa, Thompsons Station, TN
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires … For sin shall no longer be your master … Romans 6:12,14a NIV
Heidi~Lindale, TX
1 Cor. 13:11 NIV
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned Like a child. When I became a (wo)man, I put childish ways behind me.
The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow your instructions.
Ps 119:57 NET
Jean M
Franklinton, NC
Beth, Thurmont, MD
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive and inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
Carrie, Poplar Bluff
The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking: the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
Proverbs 15:28
The Lord is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.
Psalm 119:57 NET
Stephanie
Corvallis Oregon
I will hear what God the Lord will speak, For He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly. (Psalm 85:8, NKJV)
Patti, Kissimmee, FL
Carrie Hunter, Hindman, KY
Philippians 1:6 KVJ
Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
“I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:7-8 NIV
Krista, Centennial CO
Jill, Spring, TX. “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)
Proverbs 17:24 (NIV)
A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
Heather J.
Macclenny, FL
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9 NIV