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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.
Jodi Alley – Humble, TX “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
Pam- Milledgeville, Ga. Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you ~ Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV)
Lisa
lder, Alabama
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’I will be found by you’, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:13-14a
Allison, Washington, DC
“God is good to one and all; everything he does is suffused with grace.” Ps 145: 9 (The Message)
Cypress, TX
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Thomasine, Rio Rancho.
I can do all things through him who strenthens me. Phillipions 4:13
You are my portion Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.
Psalm 119:57
TNIV
Leslie in Utah
Julie, Springfield MO. Pro 20:22 Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the LORD, and he will help you. RSV
Ps. 17:15 TLB
But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing You and knowing all is well between us. And when I awake in Heaven, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see You face to face.
Hilda in Pearland
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1
“The LORD your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zeph. 3:17 NIV
Joy, Salina, KS
“…stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
Johanna from Forsyth, MT – But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold./ My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way wihtout turning aside. Job 23:10-11
Jennifer
“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
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
— 1 Peter 1:13 (NIV)
KaRetha
Denham Springs, LA
Proverbs 31:26 (New American Standard Bible)
“She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
Deanna, Willmar, MN
Hebrews 10:23(Good News Translation)
“Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess, because we can trust God to keep his promise.”
Bobbie
College Station, TX
Psalm 9:10 (NIV)
“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You. Jeremiah 32:17 NASB
Mary Lou, Young America, MN “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My sisters, this should not be.” James 3:9&10, NIV
Victoria, Fort Worth TX, “Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.” Psalm 119:2 NLT (Amplified: “You’re blessed when you follow His directions, doing your best to find Him!”)
kendal. north wilkesboro, nc.
your attitude should be the same as that of christ jesus. Philippians 2:5 (NIV)
Marti, loganville, ga
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NIV
Bernadette, Mtn Home, AR He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases. Matt 8:13 NIV
Sara, Houston
Ah Lord God! Behold, You have have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You.
Jeremiah 32:17 NASB
For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:9 NIV
Susan, Longmont, CO
Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus
-Phil 2:5 (HCSB)
Erin, Phoenix. “Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.” Psalm 73:23 (NIV)
Luann, Grand Junction CO
Psalm 115:1
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
Not to us, O LORD, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.
“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
Lanita from Lake Jackson,TX
Phillipians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
Lynda, Monterey
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” ~James 4:11 (NIV)
The Lord is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.
Ps. 119:57 (NET)
Hey Beth! That timer just keeps ticking! here is my verse:
He (the righteous) will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
Psalm 112: 7-8 (NIV)
AmyLynn in South Side Chicago
Margie in Medina, Ohio~
“As for the Lord, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.”
Psalm 18:30
NIV
Tatia, Elkridge, MD
“The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” Proverbs 20:24 (NLT)
Love it! 🙂
Katie. Dallas, TX
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJ)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Peggy, Arkadelphia: 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 conviced that he is able to protect what has been intrusted to me until that day.
2 Timothy 1:12 NLT
Kim, Detroit
“The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.”
Psalm 119:57 (NET)
Carolyn, Maryville, NIV Prov 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
“No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Joshua 1:5 NIV
SKay Fires
Possum Kingdom Lake, Texas
Melissa Vevay, IN Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. John 15:4 NASB
Ephesians 3:16 I pray that out of his glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being.
Stephanie Parker,co.
God rewrote the text of my life
when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.
Psalms 18:24 The Message
Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Oops!
Donna
Ponder, TX
Meagan, Austell, GA
your attitude should be the same as that of christ jesus. Philippians 2:5 (NIV)
Shonda, Aurora, SD
He is wooing you from the jaws of distress, to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.
Job 36:16 NIV
Kathy- Dow, IL
The Lord takes delight in His people.
Psalm 149:4 NIV
Alicia, Ft Wayne, IN; “The Lord is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” Psalm 119:57 NET
Kim, New Port Richey, Fl
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”