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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.
Andrea; Cartersville,Ga “You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” NIV
Lindy, Scott
John 11:40(NIV) – Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
Jerri Cookeville, TN
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 NIV
He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places.
Deut.33:29
Ames, IA “….of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.” Colossians 1:25-26 ESV
Danna M.-Atlanta, TX.
For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37 NIV
Laura, Little Rock. “Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:3 (NIV 1984)
Dianne
Richland, MS
Matthew 6:33-34 NIV
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
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
Stacey in Midlothian,VA
~ 1 Peter 3:4 ~
But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. (ESV)
Valerie, Louisville, KY
How great is the love the Father has lavished on [me] that [I] should be called children of God! And that is what [I] am!
I John 3:1a NIV
Psalm 63:1-3 (NASB)
1 O God, Thou art my God, and I will seek Thee earnestly; my soul thirsts for Thee and my flesh yearns for Thee in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 Thus I have beheld Thee in the sanctuary to see Thy power and Thy glory.
3 Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise Thee.
Anne, Minneapolis
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:13-15 NIV
Dawn in Monett, MO
Psalm 34: 18 NIV
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
linde, dallas
Psalm 119:57 – “The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” (The NET Bible)
Lindsey from Dubach, LA is memorizing “Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it – not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives – and we publish it.” -2 Corinthians 3:3 (The MSG)
Sandy – Houston, TX
Psalm 119:57
“Lord, you are mine! I promise to obey your words!”
Bethany
Clyde, TX
“Watch out! Be on your guard agasint all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15
Psalm 62:8 NIV
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
Beth’s noted verse is perfect for my sitzie! Thanks Beth~!
Psalm 119:57 – “The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” (The NET Bible)
M’Lissa, Keller TX:
2 Timothy 1:12 (NET)
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.
Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastcally. Romans 12:11
Vicki, Surprise AZ
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 NIV
Central, SC: “Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.” ~ Psalm 63:3, NIV 1984 Edition.
For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
James 1:20 NAS
Paige, Overland Park, KS “Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” Psalm 86:11 (ESV)
Nancy- Yonges Island, SC
So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:’Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’says the Lord Almighty.” Zechariah 4:6 NIV
“Surely he will save you from the fowlers snare and from the deadly pestilence.” Psalm 91:3 NIV
Beth, Oxford, MS
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12
Allison, Eau Claire, WI Prov. 31:30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. NIV
Ruth from Westerville Ohio
John 15:4-5 NKJV
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8 NIV
Debbie, Florida
Job 14:7-9 HCSB
There is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its shoots will not die.
If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump starts to die in the soil, the smell of water makes it thrive and produce twigs like a sapling.
Tammy, Marietta, GA: “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.” Psalm 119:10 NIV
Becky, Norfolk
Genesis 1:1 (HCSB)~
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments i give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deut. 6:5-7 NIV
Mariel, NC
Candice
Evanston, IL
“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.”
Philippians 4:8-9 (Message)
Lauren, Boston, MA: “The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” Psalm 119:57 (The NET Bible)
Kaila, Springfield, MO
“He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit, and my life shall look upon the light.” Job 33:28
Jennifer, Portsmouth, Va: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” -Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Fullerton, CA
“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
Luke 2:52 NIV
Sandi H. (Holt, MO) – “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 (NET)
Leah Hayes, Taylors, SC If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile. Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:26-27 NET
Tammy from Fort Myers, FL: “But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT
Peggy – Cheyenne, WY
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Joy, Peachtree City. “Sanctify them through Thy Truth: Thy Word is truth.” John 17:17 The KJV Bible
AMEN!
1 Timothy 6:6 NIV
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can tke nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothnig, we will be content with that.
Please pray for us as we just spent about $4000 moving cross country from serving in a pastorate in Canada to attend seminary (Phd) for my husband. However when we got here the job he was offered was cut to part time and no benefits. My husband told our church in December that he was going back to school in June but they decided to let him go in January rather than have him stay until June so he’s been out of a job for 5 months. I’m homeschooling the kids in the meantime but am looking for a full time job with benefits and it breaks my heart to leave the home as they are 7, 9 and 10. We’re waiting on a call from a church in Boston. Please pray for us and THANKS!
Susanne, El Paso, TX
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 NIV (1984)
“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim. 3:16-17 NIV
Karen
Tallahassee, FL
Tammy
Lusby, MD
Isaiah 58:10 NIV
“…and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”