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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.
Phil. 2:3-4 (NASB)
Do nothing out of selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself;
Shellie P.
Moscow, ID
P.S. As of right now the plan is to be at the SSMT celebration. My daughter may have to have counseling, but I still think we can pull it off:)
Janel, Valrico FL – Proverbs 3:5 NIV
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;”
Tammy-Grand Prairie, TX
Search me O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Psalm 139:23 NIV
Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
surely I will help you.
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isa. 41:10
NASB
Valerie, Portland OR
When you give them your breath, life is created, and you renew the face of the earth.
Psalm 104:30
“Not that we are competent to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.”
2 Cor. 3:5 NIV
Joy: Cairo, Ga
Rachelle, Ogdensburg NY
Go! Today is the day I have given Sisera into your hands. Has not the Lord gone ahead of you? Judges 4:14, NIV
Debbie, Pittsburgh, PA
“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.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
“Do what I tell you. Learn what I teach you. I am gentle. I am not proud. Then your hearts will rest.” Matthew 11:29 WE
Jane – Effingham, IL
And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power…
Ephesians 1:19 NKJV
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of this world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Amy, Granby, CT
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
… Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143: 8 & 10 NIV
Leigh Gray
Carmi, Il.
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.” 2 Tim. 1:7. niv
Jennifer Lutz, Florida
“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
Judy, Oswego, NY
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:6 (NIV)
Jenn, Katy,TX
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 28:14 NIV
But God will redeem my soul
from the power of the grave,
He shall receive me.
Selah
Psalm 49:15 NKJV
Leigh, Seneca Falls
Lexington, KY
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
Romans 5:1 NIV
Sorry was on vacation! Love ya
Karen, Martinsville, NJ
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
Cincinnati, OH
Colossians 3:2–Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things
Linda Delray Beach, FL
“Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed;
save me and I shall be saved,
for You sre my praise.” Jeremiah 17:14 (NKJV)
Lorraine, Ada,MI…”God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
Allison
Hanover, WV
Ephesians 2:13-15a (NIV), “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations.”
Isaiah 12:2 NIV “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord,the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.”
(Sorry I’m late!) 🙁
“No eye has seen, no ear heard, no mind conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1Cor 2:9 Jennifer, Michigan
Susan – Statesville, NC
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 ESV
Lindsay Albion, IL “Consquently faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.” Romans 10:17
Sue, Pasadena, TX: “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NKJV
Suzanne – Knoxville, Tennessee: “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you
NIV
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:12 NIV
Janice-Nova Scotia
My heart is confident,God
I will sing, I will sing praises with the whole of my being.
For You faithful love is higher than the heavens
Your faithfulness reaches the clouds
Ps 108: 1&4
Teresa, Orange City
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
Heather, Dadeville, AL “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.” Psalm 28:7 NIV
Amy, Moncks Corner, SC.
“Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness adn receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” James 1:21, ESV
Shannon, Charlotte, NC: By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8 ESV
Karen, Santa Ana, CA
8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 17 Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
Karen, Santa Ana, CA
I forgot the address: James 4:8&17
Saskatchewan, Canada
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Phillipians 4:4,5 NIV
Georgia – “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted amoung the nations, I will be exalted in the Earth! Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)
Dedra Herod, Madison, AL:
“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. you are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9 NLT
1 Corinthians 13:6 NIV
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Trudy, NC
Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances. Prov 25:11 NAS
Beth,
I just wanted to say how thankful I am that you pour so much into us. When I am on empty (like today) The Lord fills me up but He so often does it through people like you and posts like this.
Thank you for caring so much!
Trudy
PS sorry to be late posting. With 4 kids finishing up school I hardly noticed that the month flipped from May to June…whew!
Joanne
St. Petersburg, FL
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
Hebrews 12:28
“Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.” Psalm 63:3
Psalm 111:10 (NLT)
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!
Tami
Columbus, Ohio
Psalms 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
Nightingale
Miami, FL
Psalm 119:45 (NIV)
“I will walk about in freedom,
For I have sought out your precepts”
Judy – Houston
Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.