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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.
1 Tim. 6:6 NIV
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Lynn, Red Deer, Alberta
Galatians 5:22, 23 NIV
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2 NIV
Kathryn, Birmingham, AL
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV
Norman, OK
Proverbs 21:21 NLT
“Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.”
Eriks-AL
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matt 6:33 NKJV
Sorry late…been on vacation.
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Ps. 90:14
Jennifer, OKC
Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God.
1 Corinthians 11:32
NIV
Katherine, Edmonton,AB, Canada
Tara, Monett MO
Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.~Psalm 51:10
Jennifer, Powell OH…”How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1 NIV
Vickie But as for me I watch in hope for the Lord I wait for God my Savior my God will hear me. Micah 7:7 NIV
Shelby, Ft Myers, FL
Psalm 73: 24-25 You guide me with your counsel and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. NIV
Liz, Washington D.C.:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
(Sorry this is so late, been on vacation)
Lisa Trout, LA soon to be Simsboro, LA
“Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” Colossians 3:11 NIV
Ellen, Columbus, GA
Psalm 37:23-24, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.” (NASB)
Kristen
Los Angeles, CA
Before a downfall the heart is haughty,but humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 18:12 (NIV)
Shelli, Almont, MI – Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? – Isaiah 58:6 ESV
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 NASB
Jennifer, Marietta, GA “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.” I Timothy 6:6 (NLT)
Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Ephesians 4:16
Alison P.
McComb, MS
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:12&13 (NIV)
Dawn Menoonee Falls, WI
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you, bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV
NET Bible
II Timothy 1:12
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.
Kathryn, Austin, TX
I never got around to posting the second half of last month, but my verse was:
“A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day.” Proverbs 27:15 NIV
The verse I’m working on now:
“A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” Proverbs 29:11 NIV
Melle , Waco, Tx.
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for His works; be alert for signs of His presence.
Psalm 105:4 (MSG)
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. BLessed are all who wait for Him!”~ Isaiah 30:18, NIV.
April – Lubbock, TX
Psalm 40:8 I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart. NIV
You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you. Because he trusts in You. NKJV Isaiah 26:3
Send me Your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to Your hold mountain, to the place where You dwell. Then I will go to the alter of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise You with the lyre, O God, my God. Psalm 43:3-4 NIV
Michelle
Loveland, CO
(ESV)I Timothy 6:11-12a Fight the Good Fight of Faith
11But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.12 Fight the good fight of the faith.
Deirdre Russell
Atlanta, GA
“Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things”
Colossians 3:2 (NIV)
Heather, Sedalia, Alberta
Through these He has given us His very great and precious promised, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in this world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:4, NIV
Joshua 24:15
Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,….
But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.
I’m late this month but my daughter got married Saturday and I’m trying to catch up!
AJ, Berkeley: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. -John 14:1, NRSV
Susan, Chicago. “As iron sharpens iron, so a person sharpens his friend.” Proverbs 27:17 (NET)
(I’m late posting in large part bc I’ve been concentrating on doing this for real…to His glory. Amen.)
Linda from Fort Wayne, Indiana
I’m behind, but I’m not giving up!!!
Pslam 9:10 from the NIV:
“Those who know Your Name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have NEVER forsaken those who seek You.”
Cheryl, Chadbourn. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 ESV
I am behind, but still here….
“The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep your words.”
Psalm 119:57 ESV
Gayle, Jeanne’, Barbara
Julia, Sharon, Carrie
Ventura, CA
John 13:34 NAS
“A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, even as I hae loved you, that you also love one another.”
And the peach of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts & your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:7
NIV
Hillsboro, KS
Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”
Catherine Ladson, SC
1 Chronicles 16:11AMP
Seek the Lord and His strength; yearn for and seek His face and to be in His presence continually!
“For God so loved the world that He give His only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have ever lasting life.”
John 3:16
I just needed to return to that. Sometime we need to be reminded of the basic.
Alisa Raleigh, NC 27612
Proverbs 16:24 Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. NLT
Priscilla, Denton, TX. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion.’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’” Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV
Spent most of the last 10 days on vacation in VA. Great to get away, but great to be home again. Am just piping in now. 🙂 Jewel in Denver, PA
Proverbs 10:9 (NKJV)
“He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.”
Cindy, Grapevine, TX
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14,15
Greater love has no one than this,
that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13 NIV
June from Coarsegold, California: “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12 NIV
Deborah Waco, Tx
Psalm 23:1-3 KJV
“The LORD is my shepard; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters.
He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in paths of righteousness for His name sake.”