[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.
Psalm 73:24 (NASB)
With your counsel You will guide me,
and afterward receive me to glory
Oak Ridge, TN
‘If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.’ Galatians 5:25 holmas
Meghan in Round Rock, TX
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 NIV
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.[a] 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Sue S. From Lawrenceville, GA
Hebrews 13:5b-6 NIV
Because God has said, “Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you.”
So we say in confidence, “The LORD is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Rachel
Tucson, AZ
Proverbs 31:25
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
Many are the plans in a mans heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
“Above all else, guard you heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23, NIV
Carmen, Eau Claire, WI
“Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually.”
1 Chronicles 16:11 NASB
Janet, Holmes Beach, Florida
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:7,8 NIV
Psalm 34:15
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry. NIV
Those who know your name will trust in You for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 (NIV)
Verses for June 1st and 15th (just got back from a missions trip and will be leaving for another)
Psalm 27:1-2
The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
Beth,
Thanks!
Just thanks.
Your blog blessed me today. You have no idea…
God is good!
Your Sister in Messiah,
Sandi S.
Amy, St. Augustine, FL
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Molly, Gainesville, GA
“For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.” Psalm 63:7 NASB
Kate, Arvada. “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:10 NLT
Norma, Covington, Tennessee
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 ESV
Becky, Alberta, Canada
Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love.
Col. 3:13 The Message Bible
Kelly, Colorado Springs, CO my second half of May and June 1st verses:
“I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:19-26 NIV
“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” Luke 11:13 NIV
Mandy
China Spring, TX
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV
Proverbs 18:2 (NIV)
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
Julie, Tallassee, AL
When your Words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my hearts delight. Jeremiah 15:16 NIV
@ginsamica
Matthew 24:36 {NIV}
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father
Janice, Tulsa. “Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what it righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart;” Psalm 15:1-2 NIV
Psalm 92:1-2 NJKV
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to your name, Most high; to declare your loving kindness in the morning and your faithfullness every night.
“does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,” 1 Corinthians 13: 5 (NASB)
Michele, Cumming GA
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Forsyth, MO We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:7-8
Amber J, Denton TX
Matthew 6:24 NET
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Kristi Knoxville TN
2Timothy 1:7 for God gave usna spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control.
Sorry late…..been on vacation!
Daniel 11:32 (New American Standard Bible)
32…but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.
Carol – LaGrange, Ga – Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord. Psalm 25:6-7
Ephesians 1:15-16 NIV
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
jenn m from mass
for you lord have never forsaken those who seek you psalm9:10 niv.n
Sonjia, Raleigh, MS: “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” Col 3:15 (NLT)
Elizabeth R., Cypress, TX:
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 (HCSB)
Verse for June 15:
Song of Solomon 2:4b
“His banner over me is love.”
DLynn; Amarillo
Heb 7:25 NIV
Therefore he is able to save completely (ESV to the uttermost) those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Auburndale, FL
Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands. Psalm 119:66 (NIV)
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellant or praiseworthy, think about such things.
Phil 4:8
NIV
Vickie, Louisville, KY “Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.” NIV
Gloria in Houston says:
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 1:2,3 (KJV)
1 Corinthians 1:27
“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
In God is my salvation and my glory;The rock of my strength,And my refuge,is in God Ps 62:7 NKJV
10. But when full understanding comes these partial things will become useless.
11. When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.
12. Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we may see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me.
1 Corinthians 13:10,11,12 (NLT)
Houston, TX
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psalm 51:10-12 ESV
Johnstown, CO
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psalm 51:10-12 ESV
Leah – Charlotte, NC
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29
Psalm 16:5
LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.
Paula K, Muskegon, Michigan
12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what commited to that day. 2 tim 1:12
Oak Ridge TN 1John 2:6 the one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked. Holman