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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.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your on understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Prov 3:5-6
Thanks Miss Beth.. This one hit me as I read through the blog this morning. Can I have it?? 😉
Sarah T. San Diego, CA
Psalm 119:57 – “The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” (The NET Bible)
You don’t have enough faith,Jesus told them.I tell you the truth,if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed,you could say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it would move, nothing would be impossible.Matt.17:20[TSB] Twyla McAmis,Cleveland,Tennessee.
Kathleen, Tallahassee,FL
And He will be the stability of your times,
A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge;
The fear of the LORD is his treasure.
Isaiah 33:6 NASB
Rhonda, Newnan Ga. need to add for May 15
Hebrews 13:5
King James Version (KJV)
5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
June 1
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and wondrous things you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3
Kitty, Melbourne Beach, Florida
Mercy rejoiceth against judgment. KJV
Mercy triumps over judgment. NIV
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)
Peggy, Mexico (from MN)
I thought I was TOO LATE… and would have to drop out (sigh) but seeing others still posting, I’m encouraged. Choosing this Promise of God for STRENGTH
““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.”
John 16:33(NIV)
Stephanie, Lititz, PA “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139: 23-24 NLT
Lynn, Louisville,
For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Isaiah 41:13 (KJV)
Arlette, Cheney, WA
Proverbs 24:3-4
Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation], and by knowledge shall its chambers [of every area] be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Proverbs 24:3-4, Amplified Bible
Barb-Lino Lakes, MN
“Hear my prayer, O Lord, listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.”
Ps. 86:6-7
B.J. – Owatonna, MN
GREAT IS OUR LORD, AND OF GREAT POWER; HIS UNDERSTANDING IS INFINITE PS 147;5
King George, VA
Psalm 121:5-6 NIV
The Lord watches over you–
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
(I’m hoping i’ll find my misplaced spiral–:()
Stacia, Fresno CA
And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. I John 2:28, NIV
Amy- Clovis, Ca
This is what the LORD says:
Stop at the crossroads and look around.
Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.
Travel it’s path, and you will find rest for your souls.
Cut you reply, “No that’s not the road we want!”
Jeremiah 6:16 NLT
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Avayd Ann, Merriam, KS The Lord is the source of my security. I have determined to follow your instructions. Ps.119:57 NET
…forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippans 3:13a-14 New American Standard
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Sam v.
Woodstock, VT
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)
Angelica
Huntsville, AL
“The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” Psalm 119:57(The NET Bible)
Jennifer Milford, OH
“When I am afraid,I will trust in you.”
Psalm 56:3 NIV
Patti, Clemmons, NC
Matthew 8:17 HCSB “so that what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: He Himself took our weaknesses and carried our diseases”.
Denise Coop, Walton, KY
Romans 7:21-25
21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
CJ from Liberty, MO
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,I know that full well.
Psalm 139:13-14
Richmond VA
A fool’s displeasure is known at once, but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.
Proverbs 12:16 (HCSB)
“Love is patient, love is kind, love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 [Holman]
****Sorry about the delay. I was “vacating the normal” with my sister……away from our computers 🙂 …..so glad to be hiding God’s word in my heart!
Kristi, North Webster, IN
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your request to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 4:6-7
Sue, Newnan, Georgia
That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
2 Timothy 1:12 NIV
Alexis R
Atlanta, Ga
Mark 9:29 (NET)
Then he touched their eyes saying, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.”
Shelley, Marietta, MS
Phi 2:13 KJV “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
Lois, Wausa, NE
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
II Peter 1:3 NIV
Joelle, Abilene, TX
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Soverign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
Psalm 73:28 (NIV)
Jennifer in New Orleans “Who am I, O LORD God? And, who is my house, that you have brought me thus far?” 2 Samuel 7:18 NKJV
2 Timothy 1:12
New International Version (NIV)
12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
City: Philadelphia, PA.
Soon to be Kilgore, Texas
“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace”. ~ Romans 6:8 ESV ♥ Thank you Lord Jesus!
Janelle C. (Malakoff TX) When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumsision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14
Jeremiah 31:4 (NIV) God will build me up again, and I will be rebuilt.
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the the fear of the Lord.
Proverbs 23:17
“she is like the merchant ships bringing her food from afar” Proverbs 31:14 NASB
Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth;
Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your Name.
Psalm 86:11 NIV
I am late posting this because I was out of town at a teachers’ conference. I almost didn’t attend because of difficulties with our 17-year-old son. PLEASE pray for him.
M.J.
Aaack! I keep forgetting to post my verses on the blog but I haven’t dropped out!
Kristi, Abilene, TX:
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Kim, Advance,NC ” For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
~ Ephesians 2:10(NLT)
See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. (1 John 2:24)
Angela,
Lexington, KY
Psalm 121:7-8
New International Version (NIV)
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore
Brittany, Gainesville, FL:
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. -Philippians 3:12 (NIV)
Linda, Blue Springs, MO:
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. . .”
Hebrews 12:1 NASB
Buffy
Rogers
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.
Matthew 6:34
( The Message)
“Do not fear for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you,for I am your God. I will stengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
“I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud And your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” Isaiah 44:22