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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.
Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave and strong. Your every action must be done with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 HCSB
Erin in Tyler
Heather, Lewiston: “We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.” Daniel 9:18b, NIV
“Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thel. 5:18 NIV Pam in San Diego
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 KJV
North Palm Beach, FL
Proverbs 17:22 NCV
A happy heart is like good medicine, but a broken spirit drains your strength.
Marilyn – Seattle
Proverbs 2:6-7
Only the Lord gives wisdom; he gives knowledge and understanding. He stores up wisdom for the honest. Like a shield he protects the innocent. (NCV)
Kristina~~ Frisco, TX. “Be joyful always. pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” NIV 1 Thessalonians 5:20
Gizmo, Spring Branch, TX
“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
Colossians 3:9-10(NIV)
I John 4:4
Little children, you who are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Kim and Abby
I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
Psalm 130:5 (TNIV)
Nitsa, Eugene, OR.
“He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles.” Proverbs 21:23 NAS
Lisa, Rainbow City. ” Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace, the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.” Romans 8:5-8 NIV
Karen H., Stephenville, TX
Psalm 9:10b (NIV)
For You, Lord, have NEVER forsaken those who seek You.
Isaiah 40:29 NIV
“He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak.”
Carla;LaFayette,Al
“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
Bartlesville, OK
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing soul and spirit,joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Brenda B. Hudsonville, MI
Psalm 119:57 (NET)
The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.
Sheila, Carthage, MO
Jer 23:29 NIV
“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?
Georganne, Piedmont, OK Psalm 9:9,10 NIV
(9)The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
(10)Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaked those who seek you.
Deb, Windsor, CT:
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:12-13, NIV
Longview, TX:) (formerly Greenville, MS):
“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 40:25 NIV
Galatians 5:17 (MSG)
For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day.
Brittany, Lynchburg, VA
Betty, Somerset, MA:
The Lord has been speaking to me over the past few months about His being my portion and my inheritance – He is all I need, and He is enough. That being said, I have two verses this go-around, both from NLT:
Ps. 16:5
Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.
Lam. 3:24
I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!”
Pam ~ Rome, GA
“My help and glory are in God
—granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—
So trust him absolutely, people;
lay your lives on the line for him.
God is a safe place to be.”
Psalm 62:7 (MSG)
Sandy in Amarillo, TX
The 10 Commandments
Exodus 20:3-17
1. No other God’s before me
2. Do not worship any idols
3. Do not misuse the name of the Lord
4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy
5. Honor your father and mother
6. Do not murder
7. Do not commit adultery
8. Do not steal
9. Do not give false testimony (lie)
10. Do not covet
Christy M., Athens, AL: Do not judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge be outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 NLT
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in you; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge. Psalm 57:1-2 NKJV
Sue – Troy, Michigan
“The Lord is near the broken hearted; he delivers those who are discouraged.”
Psalm 34:18 (NET Bible)
Ginger, Columbus, GA: Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV
Holly, Boulder
Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people!
Psalm 66:5 NLT
Sister Lynn
Tucson AZ
The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. Ps 121:7-8 (NIV)
Jane, Houston, Tx
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV)
Melissa, Naju, South Korea
May the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in all hope. Romans 15:13 ESV
Jill
League City, TX
“And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
Psalm 9:10 ESV
Martha, Dickinson, ND
1 Cor 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (NIV)
Betsy, Lincoln Park
“He 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
ginger, Trussville: Let me hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in Thee; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to Thee I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 (NSAB)
Rhonda
Gilmer
Psalm 108:1 (NKJV)
O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Eph 4:2 NIV
I forgot to post #10, so I hope it’s ok to post both scriptures here! 🙂
Jeanne; Albuquerque, NM
Scripture #10 – 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come.” NIV
Scripture #11 – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphant procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one, we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life, and who is equal to such a task?” NIV
Concetta, White Oak, Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Romans 10:14-15 “But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How welcome are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things!”
p.s. Mrs. Beth, that was beautiful. I needed so much of every word you put in this post. I needed to be reminded that God is gracious and compassionate ALWAYS and that I need to love twice as much and speak words backed up by my heart and my faith, rather than empty words that are nothing but hot air.
Stacey -Morocco,In
Psalm 62:8
Amplified Bible (AMP)
8Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
Robbyn, Dickinson, North Dakota
Acts 4:13 (NIV)
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John, and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
Laura K in Spearfish, SD
Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Chris, Louisville, KY
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Gal. 5:22,23 NKJV
Natalie, Olive Branch “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 NIV
Kim B. – Orlando, FL
” Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.” Proverbs 27:23 NIV
Marci, Amsterdam
Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners.
(NIV)
Anna – Houston, TX
“Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 HCSB