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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.
Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. Prov 21:21 NLT
Not only do we need to be memorizing but really look at why the verse and saying and apply it to our lives so that others may be affected by our application of what God’s Word says to us
1 Peter 5:10
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
Cindy, DIberville, MS “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” Matthew 17:20 (NLT)
Tanya, Killen, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (ESV)
Sharon, San Antonio, Texas
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 NET
Sarah, Marion, KS, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1 Corinthians 6:12, NKJ
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be make known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hears and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 NKJV
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
Psalm 25: 5 – 6 NIV
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
MaryS
Houston
John 15:12, NIV
“I am the true vine, my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit while every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
Emily from Washington, DC … “The LORD will work out HIS plans for my life — for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.” Psalm 138:8 NLT
Marsha, Knoxville
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
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.
I Cor. 2:9 NIV
Linda, Okla. City 2 Tim. 1:12
That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
‘ You hem me in ~ behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me!’ Psalm 139:5NIV ~
Shanna, Petal, MS:
Psalm 34:4 NIV
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”
AMEN!
Troy, Ohio
2 Timothy 1:12 NIV
That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
The truth of this verse played out for me as my father went home to be with the Lord on Sunday. My family had prayed for him for 35 years. He prayed to accept Christ 2 weeks before his death. He was 81! Our God is so faithful!!
Angela, Amarillo, TX
I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me [Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them]. Psalm 57:2 AMP
Angela J., Grand Ridge, FL
“For I know the plans I have for you,”declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you & not to harm you, plans to give you hope & a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) AMEN!!!!! 😉
Stephanie Atlanta “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive very thought to make it obedient to Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
Elizabeth, Oxford, PA
Luke 1:37 NIV
“Nothing is impossible with God!”
Hannah, Oxford, PA
Luke 1:37 NIV
“Nothing is impossible with God!”
Kathy, Mansfield, TX
“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you LORD, have NEVER forsaken those who seek you.” Ps 9:10 (NIV)
Donna
Eldorado, Texas
Psalm 116:7 (NIV)
Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.
Amy
Houston, Tx
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my savior; my God will hear me.
MICAH 7:7 NLT
“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:4
Ruth, Bloxom, VA
“Ah, Lord GOD! Behold You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You!” Jeremiah 32:17 NKJV
Paula, Las Vegas. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 TNIV
Teach me your way, o Lord and I will walk in Your truth, give me an undivided heart that I may fear Your Name. Psalm 86:11(NIV)
Erin D, Dover, NH – “Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.” Psalm 141:3, NLT
Rosa, Sulphur Springs, TX
“And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.”
Psalms 9:10 NKJV
alicia, chicago
“the lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” psalm 34:18 niv
Elizabeth, Haleigh, and Isabel…..Midland
Ps.119:57 NET
The Lord is my source of security. I have determined to follow your instructions.
Barbra, Oxford, PA
Proverbs 22:1 NIV
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
2 Corinthians 3:5 (NIV)
Cindy, Dallas TX Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And there is nothing on earth I desire but Thee. Psalm 73:25 RSV
Lahna, Burkburnett: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand that we should walk in them. NKJV
“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
1 Peter 4:19 (ESV)
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (ESV)
Deb, Bremen, IN
He will not let your foot slip –
He who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalms 121: 3-4 NIV
Lindsay, Wenatchee
You will see Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13, NIV
Mary Jane, Troy KS and Cindy, King City, MO
“Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:12 & 13
Kim, Mabank, TX
“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.” Psalm 145:18-19 (NIV)
Holly, Longview, TX
“We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap. The trap is broken, and we are free!”
Psalm 124:7 NLT
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Phil 2:13 NLT
Kelly, Appleton, WI
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Karen Smith, Denver. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV
Melissa of Sunset, Tx: “O my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.” Psalm 59:9 NIV
‘The Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.’ Deutoronomy 20:4