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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.
Evie-Cedar Creek T X
Eccl. 7:8-9
The end of the matter is better than its beginning and patience is better than pride.
Do not be qickly provoked in your spirit for anger resides in the lap of fools.
In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; (NKJV) from California
Jodi, Loganville: ” These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deut 6:6-7, NIV
Kathryn, Glendale, Az “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Amberley – Pasco, WA
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus or Lord. Romans 8:39 NLT
Linda from Rockwell, NC KJV 2 Timothy 1:12 “For which cause I also suffer these things; never the less I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
Bettie
Pasadena, TX
June 1, 2011
Colossians 3:12 NIV
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Cindy b Alton NH
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near the brokenhearted: He delivers those who are discouraged. NET
Stephanie – Tampa, FL Phiilippians 4:4,5 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. NIV
SueR, Magalia, CA
Ehp 1:18 NIV
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints
Phillipians 4:8 NIV
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Dana, Lexington, KY
Krystle, Central Point “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
Perfect verse for me Beth. I was on vacation with no wifi (yay!) hence the late post 🙂
Patty, Ada, OK
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”
Romans 10:17 NIV, 1984
Beverly Elliott Ohio NIV Isaiah 41:13 For I am the Lord your God, Who takes hold your right hand and says to you. Do not fear I will help you.
Vicki, Springfield “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30 NIV
I’m late! Andrea, Pottstown, PA
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will be richly blessed.
Hebrews 10:36 ? Not sure of the translation,maybe NKJV
Heather, Ontario, Canada
I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek Me in vain.’ I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right (Isaiah 45:19b). NIV
“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
Marilyn….in Mississippi
Romans 13:12 KJV
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armour of light.
April, Lake Charles, LA
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless his name! ~ Psalm 100:4 (ESV, which I chose primarily because of the exclamation points!)
Psalm 16:7 NIV
I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
Jackie from Lake Charles: “Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.” Ecc 7:9 NIV
Kendra, Sturgis, Do nothing out of self ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Phil. 2:3 NIV
Susan, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will
fill it.
Psalm 81:10
NIV
Maurina from Lake Charles: “It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:5 NIV
Teresa, Odessa, Tx
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted; he delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalms 35:18 NET
Sarah Grace Featherston, from Searcy, AR
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father” (NLT)
Jennifer, Las Vegas: “No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Cor. 9:27, NIV).
Stacy Featherston, Searcy, AR
“I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night.” Psalm 63:6 (NLT)
I’m sorry, my verse address is Colossians 3:17…:)
Mary Ellen, Billings, MT
“who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the
oppressed.”
Psalm 103: 5-6 (NIV)
Jan, Troy,AL “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1:21 NIV
Katherine, Houston. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32 NKJV
“For in him we live and move and have our being… We are his offspring.” Acts 17:28 (NIV)
Kathy
St. Louis, MO
Psalms 119:57 The Lord is my source of security,I have determined to follow Your instructions. Net
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted: He delivers those who are discouraged.
Psalm 34:18
NET
Jennifer 🙂
Enterprise,AL
Rosalie Cincinnati
“The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” Psalm 16:6 KJV
Barb, Madison, WI
“That we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.”
Luke 1:74b-75
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.Titus 3:1-2
Jennifer in Cincinnati
Philippians 3:10 NIV
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.
Debbie
Millen, GA
Romans 8 NLT
4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.
If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance for the Jews will arise from someplace else, but you and your relatives will die. What’s more, who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this. Ester 4:14
Holly. Allen,Tx
Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you serve is Christ. Colossians 3:24
Holly. Allen, Tx.
Kelei Liggett. Iowa Park. NIV
Matthew 24:15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation, ‘spoken through the prophet Daniel– let the reader understand
Beth Herring – Oak Grove, La
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption”
Ephesians 4:30 (KJV)
Ellen from Bad Axe
in Michigan’s Thumb
1 Cor.2:9
“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him”
NIV1984
Paige, Flatwoods, “The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. Proverbs 20:7 NLT
Andrea
Roscoe, IL
The Lord is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.
Psalm 119:57 NET