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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.
Amy, Colorado Springs:
“The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.”
– Psalm 119:130, ESV
Christina Luther
Roseburg, Oregon
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
James 1:19-20
NLT
Elaine, Bismarck, ND.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted,
And saves those who are crushed in spirit. NASB
Sorry I’m late- have been on vacation
Emily , Portsmouth, England
Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.
Isaiah 26v8 (NIV)
Paula, Batavia, Ohio
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV
We live by faith, not by sight. (NIV)
Becky ~ Richmond, KY
I’ve been working on this verse for a few days now, but amid all the chaos in our home over the past week, I am just now posting it ~ sorry! This verse has helped to inspire COURAGE & HOPE in me during the past week, as we said goodbye to my husband who left for another deployment to Iraq. 🙁 Like Beth says, “you won’t waste a prayer on us”!!
Psalm 31:24 (NIV)
“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD.”
Kimberly Ocoee, FL
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”
Ephesians 6:10-14 KJV
We have redemption in Him, through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Ephesians 1:7-8
Combination NIV/Holman
Sara from Pierre, SD
What, then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us who can be against us?
Romans 8:31 NIV
Please pray for Pierre/Ft Pierre and the flooding we are experiencing.
Sara, saw your request and am praying for you. I’m in Rapid City but used to live in Pierre; I have seen the photos and am hoping you’re not among those who had to evacuate.
Diane, Cary NC and Naperville IL
Continuing with Psalm 100:
1.) Shout for joy to the Lord, all the Earth.
2.) Worship the LORD with gladness; Come before him with joyful songs.
3.) Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4.) Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
Sydney, Tucson AZ
Jeremiah 1:5 NIV
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the the nations.”
Faith
Eau Claire, WI
Hebrews 4:16 NIV
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.
Vee, Howe, TX “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” Phil. 4:4 KJV
Stacy, Outlook,
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100 NIV
Martha, Catawba, NC
Deuteronomy 31:6 NASB
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.
Karen, Columbia, MO
“What do you mean, ‘If I can?'” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
Mark 9:23 NLT
Had my verse decided June 1 but forgot to post it….
Katie (Firestone, CO)
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 (NIV)
Sonjia, Raleigh, MS: “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” John 14:1 (NLT)
“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)
Maryann, Norwood
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Kristin Tulare, CA
“be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Romans 12:10 NIV
Please forgive my lateness. I just couldn’t remember to get on here to sign in this time around. I won’t be the teachers pet :)! But the rule keeper in me couldn’t skip one!
What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man.
Luke 6:22
Kori in Cabot, Arkansas Exodus 14:14NIV The LORD will fight for you, you need only to be still.
Psalm 34:18 NIV
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Tracy from Wheeling, WV
(Sorry I am so late)
“then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”
Philippians 2:2 NIV
Diera, Austin
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
Philippians 4:12 NIV
((can’t remember if I’ve posted or not…)
Allison, Fort Worth
“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8, ESV
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life , and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.Ps 23:6 NIV
Kay, Round Rock Mark 30,Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 31 The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. NIV
Elizabeth
Wilmette, IL
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
“In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:5 KJV
Karen, Eupora, MS
Psalm 121: 1-3 NIV
I will lift my eyes to the mountains-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip-he watches over you and will not slumber.
Angie, Belleville, IL:
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Ps. 139:14
Lauren, Asheville, NC “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes-the Jew first and also the Gentile” Romans 1:16
Mackenzie
Tulare, CA
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23
Jan, Littleton, CO
“Seek the Lord and His strength; yearn for and seek His face and to be in His presence continually!”
– I Chronicles 16:11 (AMP)
Melissa, Atlanta
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 NIV
For you, Lord have never forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:106 NIV
Amy Perrysburg, Oh
Debra, Dahlgren, IL
I am counting on the LORD; yes I am counting on him.
I have put my hope in his word.
Psalm 130:5 NLT
Let all that you do be done in love.
1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV
To fear the Lord is the beginning of freedom
Ecclesiastes 1:14
Jennifer – White, GA
Psalm 73:21-26 NASB
“When my heart was embittered and I was pierced within, the I was senseless and ignorant, I was like a beast before you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
I am working on these verses for the whole month of June, so I will post these again on the 15th… Sorry I am late posting! I have been memorizing though 🙂
Bridget in Phoenix
Psalm 25: 11-15 ESV
11 For your name’s sake, O LORD,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12 Who is the man who fears the LORD?
Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 His soul shall abide in well-being,
and his offspring shall inherit the land.
14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,
and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD,
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
Isaiah 66:13A NIV (Lisa)
As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.
Psalm 34:18 NIV (Annabelle)
The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.
Abbie – Franklin, TN
“Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.” Deuteronomy 5:15
Joyce Ellis
Ooltewah, TN
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
Sorry so late, been on vacation!! YEA!
Teri S. Gadsden AL —“He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge…” Psa 91:4 NIV
“Delight yourelf also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4 – AMP
Deb, Topeka, KS
Psalm 37: 3-7a
Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the LORD
and wait patiently for him;
Ps 51:10
Create in me a clean heart o God and renew a right spotty within me