[tminus t=”20-01-2012 19:00:00″ style=”carbonite”/]
**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.
Lauren-Plano, TX
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NIV
Megan from San Diego
Philippians 2:3 (NIV) “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”
Glennell; Buda, Tx.
I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2
in Muscle Shoals, AL
“All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and and training in righteousness, so that the (wo)man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Charmaine, Miami – “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 NKJV
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV
Erin
Chippewa Falls WI
“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD endures forever —
do not abandon the works of your hands.”
Psalm 138:8 NIV
Susan, Tucson, AZ. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10 NIV
Carla, Iowa on vacation in her beloved home state of Ga.
Psalms 52:8
But I am like a flourishing olive tree in the house of God; I trust in God’s faithful LOVE FOREVER AND EVER!
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Trish L. West Linn, Oregon
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted.He delivers those who are discouraged”. Psalm 34:18 (NET)
Dixie, in Trophy Club, Texas says:
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1
New American Standard
Lorna Beth
Chicago, IL
2 Corinthians 1:11-12
Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. Now this is our boast: our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom, but according to God’s grace.
Cindy Gandy
Hazlehurst, MS
Psalm 25:4 (NIV)
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;
Shannon in Louisville, KY
The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.
Psalm 119:57 (NET)
Tracey, Knightdale, NC
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
I Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
MaryKaren, Charlotte, “Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You.” Psalm 73:25, NIV
Kathy D. Princeton TX.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads fragrance of the knowledge of him. 2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV
Bambi-Houston
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:12-13 NIV
Kathy Cupit
Hazlehurst, MS
Romans 8:1 (NKJV)
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
cathy Princeton, TX
Psalm 27:13 NIV
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Kim, Louisville, KY
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Matt. 6:33, NLT
Stephanie
Rome, GA
“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
Lydia, Norman–OK
“For if our heart condems us, God is greater than our heart, and knowns all things.” 1 John 3:14
The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged. Ps. 34:18, ESV.
Stefanie Dailey – Parrish, FL
People who do not believe are living all around you and might say that you are doing wrong. Live such good lives that they will see the good things you do and will give glory to God on the day when Christ comes again. 1 Peter 2:12 NCV
Nancy, Columbia, MO. “Rely on the Lord! Be Strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27:14 NET
Phyllis, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Psalm 119:133 NKJV
Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
Crystal; Mullica Hill, NJ. “And He is before all things and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17 ESV
Suzy,Wheelersburg, OH. “As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.” NIV
Sandra, Florida. “Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God my God, is with me every step I take.” The taking of the Land Joshua 1:9 (MSG)
Wendi from Sulphur, LA
Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Philippians 4:6. NLT
Psalm 40:1-3 NIV
I waited patiently for the LORD, he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
Marie, Orange, TX
2 Pet. 1:3 (NIV)
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.
Ephesians 4:32 (NASB)
32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Phyllis
Gilmer, Tx
Colossians 3:2 NIV
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Cathi – Morristown, TN
“Just because something is technically legal doesn’t mean that it’s spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I’d be a slave to my whims.”
1 Cor. 6:12 (The Message)
Diane, Chesapeake, VA
“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between His shoulders.”
Deut. 33:12 NIV
Becky, Beaverton
That the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
Romans 8:21 NIV
Heather F, Beaumont, TX
Think of how we regard as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and you have seen the Lord’s purpose, that the Lord is full of compassion & mercy. Jam 5:11 (NET) God is so good.
Viola Dodd, Lubbock, 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
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV
Karen, Wildwood, MO
“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
Kim/Hickory,NC
…for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalms 9:10b NIV
Cody * Houston, TX
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)
Bombey, Houston
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Ps 90:14 NIV84
Chrissy
San Tan Valley, Arizona
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.” Isaiah 49:15-16
Laurie, Lubbock, TX: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)
Gina – Kingwood, Tx.
I can do everything through HIM (Christ) who gives me
strentgh. Phil. 4:13
Missi- Walker, LA:
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:18 NLT
Beverly, Pearland, TX
“The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous – those who are upright and in right standing with God – and His ears are attentive to their prayer. But the face of the LORD is against those who practice evil – to oppose them, to frustrate and defeat them.” 1 Peter 3:12 Amplified