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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.
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Mariposa Albuquerque New Mexico
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Danielle, Sevierville, TN
“Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment.”
1 Timothy 6:6 ESV
Bev
Louisville, KY
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15 NIV
Christina, Hanover, MD
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44 NKJV
Lis, London:
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love towards those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:11
Amanda, Westfield, NC: 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
Jan in Loveland,
You however are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.
Rom.8:9
“Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment.”
1 Timothy 6:6 ESV
Siloam Springs, AR
Ps. 138:8
The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your loving kindness oh Lord is everlasting. Do not forsake the works of Your hand.
Janell~Clovis, NM: “Jesus replied If anyone loves Me, she will obey My teaching. My Father will love her, and We will come to her and make our home with her.” John 14:23 NIV
Gina, spring tx, psalm 141:3-4 (NIV) Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Saw this one on someone else’s and just had to do it too!
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips”
Psalm 141:3-4 NIV
Lynn
Rochlle, Ga
Sheila, Sevierville. “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
Jane, Normal
“Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.”
2 Corinthians 4:1 (NIV)
Natalie
Nashville, TN
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
-Matthew 7:24
Colossians 3:3
English Standard Version (ESV)
“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
-Lacie
Chesapeake, VA
Abi, Apopka: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Tricia Union, KY
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here! NIV
Penne, Spokane, WA
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 NIV
Meredith Trabuco Canyon, CA
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:16-17 (NIV)
Shannon, IN
Luke 9:23
The he said to them, “if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1 NAS
Kara C, Aurora, Il
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5 NIV).
Charity – Durham, NC
For the which cause 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 that which I have committed unto Him against that day.
2 Timothy 1:12, KJV
Sharon Clinton NY “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
Andrea, Ontario ,Canada
“The Lord will guide you always, he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isa. 58:11 NIV
Kim Banks, Newbury Park CA
Colossions 4:4
Pray that I may proclaim it as I should.
NIV
Liz Lyons; Cypress, TX, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NIV
Erika, St. Maries “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Phil. 1:6
Darien Lyons, Cypress, TX, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NIV
Kendall Lyons; Cypress, TX, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NIV
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. Galatians 2:20a, NIV
Stephanie Winder, GA
Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God. Psalm 46:10 (The Message)
Leah; Perkins, OK
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 (NASB)
Andrea Roberts- Mansfield, TX
Psalm 119:57 – “The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” (NET)
Joanne, UK
The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts You.
Isaiah 26:3 NASB
Penny from Knoxville, TN NIV
2 Corinthians 1: 3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
Okay fellow Siestas, Im jumping in here at the half-way mark and trying to play catch up. I work A LOT and never seem to find the time…….my job, Im a Worship Leader!!! A worship leader who has allowed her “work” to overshadow her own spiritual life. Ive been watching from the sidelines and have decided to just JUMP IN! So proud to journey down this path with such amazing women!
Carla, Pierre, SD
The Lord is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instruction. Psalm 119:57 NET
Liz-Verona, WI:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,”
~Philippians 2:3
Stacy, Magee,MS So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ. Romans 10:17 HCS (VBS-Big Apple Adventure-YooHoo)
Runia, Sisbee TX – “He must become greater, I must become less” – John 3:40, NIV
I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 NIV
Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. (NIV)
Sharon, Nixa, Mo.
How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!
Proverbs 16:16 NLT
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my sould. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
~Psalm 23:1-3 NIV
Tracy Carden, Whitesburg, TN
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4 NIV
Melissa, Spokane, WA – “The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all He does.” Psalm 145:17 (NIV)
Michelle from abilene
Proverbs 16:24 NIV
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones”