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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.
Sorry this is so late, I’ve been traveling.
Laura in SD – But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Jill, Noblesville: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9 (NIV)
Charlie
Mississippi
Romans 8:1
There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
Gayle, Salinas May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust Him so that you may overflow with hope and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV
Cynthia, Massanutten, VA
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hb 13:21-22 (ESV)
Sorry, I’m late, was teaching in Italy 🙂
Susan, Buena Vista, GA. What time I am afraid, I will trust in THEE. Psalm 56:3. KJV.
You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. Mtt 5:6 (Msg)
Michelle, Lewisville, TX Psalm 145:9 (NIV) The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.
Kathy, Corinth, TX
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace
in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NASB
Cathie – Jacksonville, Florida
I thank my GOD every time I remember you!!
Philippians 1:3 NIV
Well, I’m really late in posting my memory verse, but started memorizing on the 1st! I was out of town in beautiful northern Michigan for conference/vacation! It was breathtaking!! Anyway, my verse:
Maureen, St. Clair Shores: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress & my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my sheild and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior – from violent men you save me.” (2 Samuel 22:2-4 NIV)
Nancy, Bridgewater, NJ
Daniel 7:27 NIV
He rescues and He saves;
He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth.
“You are my portion Lord. I have promised to obey your words.” Psalm 119:57
“The Lord will guide you always, HE will satisfy your needs.” Isaiah 58:11 NIV (which to me literally means my relationship with HIM!!!, not just provision…HE is so good!)
Julie~ Livermore, CA
For May 15th
Psalm 51:10 NIV
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
For June 1st
Proverbs 14:1 NLT
“A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.”
Heidi Tracht
Nampa, ID
“May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
John 17:23 (NIV)
For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation. Ps 62:1. NRSV
Linda – Bulverde, TX
Psalm 19:14 NAS
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Proverbs 31:30
Rhonda, Trenton, Tx
Be still and know that I am God; I will be exaulted among the nations, I will be exaulted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Please pray for me to stay focused on my scriptures.I’m having a hard time.
Philipians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. NIV
Janet, Norman, OK
James 1:22
Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says.
Mary, Westfield, NJ 1Peter 5:8,9 “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.” (NIV)
Late, but never too far gone in His eyes!!!!!
And I have the most adorable 12#, blue-eyed new son for an excuse!
Psalm 90:12 (ESV)
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Margaret, Sebring.
Those who know your name trust in you, for you Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 NKJV
Terra, Owasso, Oklahoma
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. Hebrews 4:16
When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. Proverbs 31:26 (NLT)
Caroline
Waco, TX
When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. Proverbs 31:26 (NLT)
Jenna
Waco, TX
When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. Proverbs 31:26 (NLT)
Melissa
Waco, TX
Valerie, Nashville, “For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know when I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12 (NASB)
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matt 7:23 (NIV)
Suzanne from Charleston
Psalm 33:8,9 NLT
Let the whole world fear the LORD, and let everyone stand in awe of Him. For when He spoke, the world began! It appeared at His command.
Amy, Washington, D.C. – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” – Colossians 3:23
Carrie, Burnsville, MN
“even 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.”
Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
Valerie, Independence, KY:
“But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”
–2 Peter 1:20-21
Crystal-Milford, IA
Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. Psalm 80:3 (TNIV) *Sorry this is so late, my computer was in the shop!!*
Sandy Cedarburg Wisconsin
Behold I send and angel before thee, to keep thee in they way and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Exodus 23:20
Linda,Westort
For the mind-set of the flesh is death,but the mind set of the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:6
(Just returned from a vacation missed everyone on the first)
Susan, Ellensburg
“But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy.”
Psalm 5:11a NASB
Janelle, Dallas
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
Tina, Success:
Psalm 19:7 NKJV
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
Sorry I’m late…
She brings him good, not harm all the days of her life. Prov. 31:12
He who does not love God does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:8 NKJV
(late)
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
Federal Way, WA
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6 ESV
May 15 Catch- up posting
Psalm 9:10 NIV
“Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
June 1
Psalm 34:4 NIV
“I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.”
Lisa Waipahu, HI Philippians 4:11b I have learned whatever state I am in to be content. NKJV
Lisa Waipahu, HI Philippians 4:11b I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. NKJV
Ainslie, Columbia SC
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Kathy – Cumberland, RI – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph 2:8-9 NIV