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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.
Gina, Ridgeland, MS
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”
Titus 2:11-14 ESV
Sharon Modesto,Ca.
Proverbs 3:3 NIV
Let love and faithfulness never leave you: bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Kelly
Ruston, LA
I John 3:1
How Great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is What we are! The reason the World does not know us is that is does not know HIM!!!
NIV
Kathy from Oakland, Oregon
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ.”
Ephesians 4:15 NIV
Amy, Cleveland.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: REJOICE!
Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
Sandi
Duluth, MN
Jer.31:3(NIV)
“Sandi,I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with loving kindness”
Karla, Sheboygan, WI.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Jamie in Georgia: Finishing Psalm 100
KJV Psalm 100:5
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endureth to all generations.
Terry – Louisa, VA
1) Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Phil 1:27 NIV
2) Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thess 5:16-18 NIV
Traci – Corona, California
Isaiah 33:2 (ESV) – O, LORD, be gracious to us, we wait for You. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:11-13 NIV
Dallas, GA
“Woe to those who are wise in their own opinion and clever in their own sight.” Isa. 5:21 HCS
Michele – Lubbock, TX
Numbers 6:24-26
“The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace. NASB
Shaunta’, Montgomery, AL
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,
Col. 2:1-2 NAS
Pat,Las Cruces,NM
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Megan, Minneapolis
“Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV
Lyndsey, Telford, PA: “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.” Psalm 145:18-19 (NIV)
Alice, Rockford, IL, 1 Timothy 2:1 NLT “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.”
Jennifer, Mansfield, Tx
“Be on guard, stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. And everything you do must be done with love.”
I Corinthians 16:13-14 (NLT)
Tammie, Cleveland, MS
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
Kierstan
Portland, Oregon
Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.
Romans 12:3b
The Message
Marla, Washington
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Laura ~ Saskatchewan, CAN
“In my distress I called to the Lord;
I called out to my God.
From His temple He heard my voice;
my cry came to His ears.”
2 Samuel 22:7 (NIV)
Kathy H College Station TX…..God is stron and he wants you strong..Eph 6:10 The Message
Robin, Tracy CA
And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.
Exodus 34:6-7a NIV
“For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”(Psalm 18:28-30 ESV)
Marie, Post Falls, Idaho:
“Jesus wept.”
– John 11:35, NKJV
This is very tender and special to me right now.
Jolinda, Kearney, NE
Psalm 138:8 (AMP)
8The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endure forever–forsake not the works of Your own hands.
Jane, St. Louis
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
1 Corinthians 10:24 (NIV)
No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
Julie, Jackson, MS
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
And 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.
Nita, Corinth
For He made Him who know no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor. 5:21
Joy, Durham, NC:
The Lord is my source of security.
I have determined to follow your instructions. Ps. 119:57
Psalm 27:4-5 NIV
“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.”
Psalm 27:4-5 NIV
“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.”
Erika, San Antonio:
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:19 ESV)
Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper: and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. KJV
Amanda Grasza Calgary, Alberta
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1& 2 NIV
Ephesians 3:16-17 NKJV
That He would grant you, according to the riches of
His glory, to be strengthened with might through
His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell
in your hearts through faith; that you,
being rooted and grounded in love
Paulette
Elmer, La
Renee – Cypress, TX
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Psalm 119: 9 NIV
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to YOUR Word.
Brennan
Elmer, La
Psalm 133:1 KJV
Behold, how good and pleasnat it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Erin, Denver
A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)
“They will make war against the Lamb but the Lamb will overcome them because he is he Lord of lords and the King of kings-and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.
Revelation 17:14
NIV
Is it to late to sign up for the SSMT Celebration in January of 2012?
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. Habakkuk 3:19
Bev in Bayou Vista, Texas
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. Matthew 12:36 (NIV)
Buried my dad on Tues the 31st. He’s home now after a 30 yr battle with diabetes.
Josie, Tucson
When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.
Psalm 94:19 (NLT)
Nikki, Wichita
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” ~Galatians 2:20a NIV
Trisha, Midland, TX: LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2, NIV
Michelle–Seattle, WA: “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by preserving produce a crop.” Luke 8:15 NIV