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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.
Way late, but here it is!
Philippians 1:3-6 (NIV)”I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalms 100:5 (NIV)
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30 NIV
Pam, Oregon
Romans 14:19
Pam, Oregon
Romans 14:19
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
Amanda, Boaz. “Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth.” John 17:17 NKJV
Amy H. OKC
Psalm 9:10 NET
Your loyal followers trust in you, \ for you, Lord, do not abandon those who seek your help.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation so why should I be afride? The Lord protects me from danger so why should I tremble?”. Psalm 27: 1 (NLT)
2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Isaiah 63:9 TNIV
In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
Stephanie S., Houston
But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:17 NIV
Melody, Cleburne, TX
“Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” (Proverbs 24:14)
Teresa, Semmes, AL, Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I will gtrust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
Kathy @ Wilmington NC
IJohn 1:9 NIV
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Sheri, Portland, Oregon.
“They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.”
Mark 12:44 NIV
“But my eyes are fixed on You, Sovereign Lord; in You I take refuge — do not give me over to death.”
~Psalm 141:8 (NIV)
Rita Harrison, Cantonment, FL.
“A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps”.
Proverbs 16:9.
Sarah, Colorado Springs
Psalm 9:10 (NIV)
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Jennifer, Denham Springs, LA
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8, NKJV
Cheryl from Kemah, TX
Jeremiah 29: 11 (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
onehappychic, Crawford, TX: “I glorified you on earthby completing the work you gave me to do.” John 17:4 NET
Deena,Corona, CA
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. II Corinthians 4:18 NIV
Bianca, Santa Rosa
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24 (NIV)
I am just now joining this group, hope it’s not too late. But even if it is, I’ve never tried to memorize before. this should be a lot of fun. Thank you.
jackie from platte city MO
(niv)
2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Melissa, Columbus, OH
Song 7:10 NET
I am my beloved’s, and he desires me!
Lydia, Vicksburg, MS
“All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:16 NIV
Late, but already being memorized!
“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV
Heather
Mosinee, WI
Erin, Bothell, WA. “Happy are those who find wisdom… Her ways are of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” Proverbs 3:13a,17
I’m so sorry I’m late again getting to the blog to post…but its been in my 3×5 since June 2nd!!
John 14:1 (NIV) Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me”.
Lisa, Bartlett TN “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.” Job 19:25
Debby, Ellicott City, MD- I will put in both of my verses for June because the LORD has blessed me with the awesome privilege of traveling on mission to Kenya with our son for 12 days and we will be in Africa on the 15th of this month. Here they go: “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.” Jonah 2:8 NIV and “I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.” Psalm 119:45 NIV
Phil.2:1,2 NIV
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness or compassion,then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
Susan, Cumberland,RI
” I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.” Phillipians 4:13 (KJV)
Joyce, Exeter, RI
“I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.” Phillipians 4:13 (KJV)
Michelle Charlotte NC
Psalm 51:12 NIV
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”
“Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.” Psalm 119:37
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles: they shall run and not be weary:they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles: they shall run and not be weary:they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
The Living Bible
Tammy, Merryville, La
“Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wonderous works.” Psalm 119:27 KJV
Leah, Atlanta, GA: “For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.” Proverbs 3:26 NIV
Julia, The Woodlands, TX
Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Praise Him, all you people of the earth.
For He loves us with unfailing love;
The Lord’s faithfulness endures forever.
Psalm 136.9-10 NIV
9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt His love endures forever.
Deb, Lexington, TX
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.
Angela, Maui. “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” Psalm 51:12 (NIV)
Terry
Washington, IL
You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope. Psalm 119:114 NLT
Heidi from Belgium: ‘ Let your gentleness be evident to all’ Phillipians 4 v 5 NIV
Celeste, Laguna Niguel, CA
So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].
Isaiah 26:4 Amplified
Melodie, Orlando
James 4:10 MSG
Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.
Kelly in Bham, AL
Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.
Psalm 119:35-37
Ruth, Shawnee, KS
Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV) —
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your heart on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.