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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.
Audrey, Ohio
Acts 3:19-20, TNIV
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that He may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you–even Jesus.
BTW-this is not in response to our current disaster-stricken planet, but a verse I’ve been holding onto for 2 years, waiting for the day God wanted me to memorize it. Even for us, when we’ve fallen for another one of the enemy’s tricks, may we repent and may times of refreshing come!
Jess, Grand Forks, ND
Psalm 34:4-5: 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. NLT
“For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.”
Hebrews 2:1 (NASB)
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2 Corinthians 3:17 NRSV
Luke 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Stephanie, La Habra, CA “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” Ps 119:92 NIV
Heather
Liberty, TX
“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Ps 9:10 (NIV)
Jaime
Fort Collins, CO
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Philippians 2:3
Sandy, Gettysburg, SD–“For He chose us in Him, before the creation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.” Ephesians 1:4 (NIV)
Charr Absarokee Montana
KJV Psalm 39:21
Shall not God search this out? for He knoweth the secrets of the heart.
Alli
College Station, Phi Lamb
“Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Romans 13:14 (NIV)
Dwynne, Chapman KS
Phillipians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
Shelly, Pgh. PA “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
Proverbs 4:16, NLT
“The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.”
Anna, San Diego
Isaiah 41:13 (ESV)
For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Barbara
Midland,Texas
Kelly, Lilburn, GA. This is what the Lord says: “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,” declares the Lord. “They will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your future,” declares the Lord. “Your children will return to their own land.” Jeremiah 31:16-17 (NIV)
John 15:11 NIV I have told you this that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
Kay Chester VA
Renee, Roanoke VA – “Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” (Psalm 143:8 NLT)
Cynthia, Russellville
Psalms 9:10 “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Cori Burlington WA
But I am trusting You, O LORD, saying, “You are my GOD!” My future is in Your hands.
Psalm 31:14-15 NLV
Amber, Clarksville, TN
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 NIV
Because of this, 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. The NET Bible
II Timothy 1:12
Carla, Coweta. 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
Sheilah, Melbourne, FL –
“They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.
One will say, ‘I belong to the LORD’;
another will call himself by the name of Jacob;
still another will write on his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’
and will take the name Israel”
Isaiah 44:4-5 (NIV)
Joshua 1:9
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. NIV
Cathy, Houston, TX. I will go before you and will level the mountains. I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. Isaiah 45:2 NIV.
Because of this, I suffer as I do. But I am not ashemed, 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.
The NET Bible
II Timothy 1:12
Martha in MS
Proverbs 3:5,6
New King James Version (NKJV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths
Christina, Longmont CO
Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 62: 5-6
Jessica, Winston-Salem, NC
“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who goes to Him for safety.” Psalm 34:8 (NIRV)
Stacey, Houston – Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Ephesians 1:4 NIV
“For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.”
Tracy
Fort Mill, SC
Cindy
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
I Peter 4:10 NIV
Each of you should use whatever gift you received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms
Kristen, Largo FL “If I go up to the heavens, You are there. If I make my bed in the depths, You are there.” Ps. 119:8
Lori Tremblay
Mapleville, RI
The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.
Nahum 1:7 KJV
Lindsey, McKinney, TX – And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10
“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
Philippians 2:3 (ESV)
Beverly, Vicksburg, MS
Jeremiah 32:17 NIV
“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”
Billie, Franklin, TN
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:5 NIV
Nina
Moore, OK
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 NIV
Marilyn Horton
Fort Smith, AR
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to use who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
Caryn, Fort Worth, TX
“You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”
Psalm 32:7(NIV)
Wendy, Glendora, CA
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV
Erin, New Orleans, LA.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” John 14:6 (NIV)
Sara, College Station, TX – “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7 (NIV)
Catherine ~ Grants Pass, Oregon
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”
John 14:6 NIV
julie, lexington,ky- God is our refuge and strength,an ever- present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,though waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV)
Patti, Monument, Colorado
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord.”
Psalm 27:4 – The Net Bible
I could write a book about yesterday. Dealing with life yesterday I didn’t get my verse submitted. Many apologies! I’m working hard on my verses — what a blessing this is for me!
Pam…Campbellsburg. In For You oh Lord, will bless the righteous with favor. You will surround him as with a shield.
Psalm 5;12 NKJV
Jeanine
Athens, NY
I Corinthians 2:5 (NIV)
“so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.”