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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.
Erin, Kingwood, TX
“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” 1 Corinthians 13:7
Dana from Lexington:
“quite down before God, be prayerful before Him, Don’t bother with those who climb the ladder, who elbow their way to the top.” Psalm 37:7 Msg
Kay from Deer Park:
Psalm 101 (NIV-84)
1 I will sing of your love and justice;
to you, O LORD, I will sing praise.
2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life—
when will you come to me?
I will walk in my house
with blameless heart.
Sarah VInt, Ames, IA (Sorry I am 2 days late!)
Ps. 62:5 (HCSB) “Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him.”
Teri from Florida…
I also pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of His power for us who believe Him.
Eph. 1:19 NLT
Michelle from Natchitoches, LA: Do not let yourself be quickly provoked,
for anger resides in the lap of fools. Ecc 7:9, NIV
Shandra – Dallas, TX
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”
Eph 5:3 NIV
wendy, broken arrow, ok
Psalm 119:57 – “The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” NET
Cynthia,
Greenwood, AR
Jer 17:7, “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.” (NLT)
Linda, Newark, DE
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Tim 1:7 (KJV)
“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all that you do.”
Joshua 1:8 NLT
Ann – Ft Lauderdale, FL
Jeannie
Nashville, Tn.
“for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You.”
Psalm 9:10b NIV
“Rejoice Always.
Pray without ceasing.
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
NKJV, 1 Thess. 5:16-18
Tanya A., Englewood, OH:
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)
LINDA, NORTH FORT MYERS, FL
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
PSALM 19:14 NIV
Nancy, Kiwoko. Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Psalm 119:89 NIV
Flo Wetumpka Al. As water reflects a face,so a man’s heart reflects the man. Proverbs 27:19 NIV
Jennifer ~ Wilmington, DE
“BE JOYFUL always;
PRAY continually;
GIVE THANKS in all circumstances,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
– I Thes 5:16-18
Beth, Johnstown, OH
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
1 Tim. 6:6-7 NIV
Bettie, Wendell, NC
(NIV) Psalms 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
Heather, Morristown, TN
Psalm 24:3-4 (NLT)
Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,
who do not worship idols and never tell lies.
Kelly, Chesterfield, Missouri
Matthew 11:28-“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give
you rest.” NIV
Cheri; Urbana, IL
Psalm 19:12-14 (NIV)
(12)Who can discern His errors? Forgive my hidden faults. (13)Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. (14)May th ewords of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in you sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
“He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. And God who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord is faithful.” 1 Corinthians 1:8-9
Nancy, Moberly MO, Let love and faithfulness never leave you, bind them around your neck, write them on the table of your heart. Proverbs 3:3 (NIV)
Katie, Owensboro, KY
“However, as it is written:
‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.'” 1 Corinthians 2:9, NIV
Laura Beth – Houston, TX
“And my tongue shall declare Your righteousness
And Your praise all day long. ” Psalm 35:28 NASB
Lauren – Phnom Penh, Cambodia
I was unable to post verse 10…this may not count, but I’ll post 10 with 11 today just in case. 🙂
#10:
“Satisfy us in the morning with Your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:14, ESV
#11:
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16, ESV
Farrah, Jackson, MS
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness”
Lamentations 3:22 ESV
NIV Is 64:3-4
For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the moutains trembled before you. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait on him. Praise you God.
Tasha, Mission, TX, Habbukuk 3:2(NIV) “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.”
Nelly, Mission, TX, Habbukuk 3:2(NIV) “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.”
Geez, 2 days late…but better late, than never!! 🙂
Lori Lehrmann ~ Port Arthur, TX
God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. ~Psalm 18:30 (NLT)
Julie, Carlsbad, Ca~”For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Linda & girls, Pauls Valley, OK “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy,…” – Joel 2:28 NIV
Gloria – Cypress, TX – “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it’.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. Proverbs 3:25-26 NAS
Amy, Las Vegas, NV
Maria, Whitmire, SC
Then you will be handed over to be persecuted & put to death, & you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith & will betray & hate each other, & many false prophets will appear & deceive many people.Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, & then the end will come.
Matthew 24:9-14 (NIV)
Hannah, Austin, TX-
Psalm 63:3 NASB
My lips will glorify You because Your faithful love is better than life.
Angela
Garner, NC
“A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.” Prov. 12:16 (niv)
Leanne Billings, MT
John 7:38
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
Oops. A week behind, so here’s two.
Angela, WI (NIV)
…but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Mark 4:19
Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop, thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was sown. Mark 4:20
John 16:33 NIV
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!”
Kim, Loveland, Co: “Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.” Psalm 119:37
My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Hopefully not too late!
Brandy, Burleson, TX
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. ~Psalm 119:133 NIV
Laney
Jacksonville, FL
On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Rev. 19:16
Psalm 51:12
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”
Marina, Kansas City
2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV
“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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Becky
Choctaw, OK
John 9:35-38 (NKJV)
“Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered and said, “And who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” Jesus said to Him, You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking to you.” And he said, “Lord I believe.” And he worshipped Him.”
Jesus is God; He is worshipped; Hallelujah!