[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.
Diane – Spring, TX
“The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” (The NET Bible)
Vicki
Chehalis, WA
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life; by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
James 3:13 NIV
Carol
Albuquerque NM
James 1:2-3 NIV
2-Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds.
3-because you know that testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Carol
Salvation is found in no one else,
for there is no other name under heaven given to men
by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12 NIV)
Deidra – Waynesboro
Ephesians 4:3 NIV
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Jane W., Charlotte
“Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:8 NASB
Dori
Spring Hill, TN
“This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome…” 1 John 5:3 NIV
Kay, Sheridan
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Col. 4:2 NLT
I smiled today as I made my rent payment…then I whispered, “Thank you, Lord.” What a journey the past 22 months have been!
Gina; Houston
Lamentations 3:25-26
“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the Lord.”
Lu, Raleigh-NC, Ephesians 6:14-15 (NIV)
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, and with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Kelley, Round Rock, Tx
The Lord will continually lead you;
he will feed you even in parched regions.
He will give you renewed strength,
and you will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring that continually produces water.
Your perpetual ruins will be rebuilt;
Isaiah 58:11-12a The NET Bible
Jer. 29:11 NIV
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Diana
Seekonk, MA
<
Julie,Texarkana- “So you see,we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. James 2:24 NLT
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Fort Myers, FL
Susan B.
Chapin, SC
The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life. The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.
Psalm 121:7-8 HCSB
Missy from Arkadelphia:
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2 NKJV
Becky, Biloxi. “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV 84
Jennifer, North Charleston, SC, Isaiah 55:9-11, NIV
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Tomi, Des Moines, IA
“Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 NASB
Barbara, Arcadia, CA
The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions. Psalm 119:57 NET
“The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” Psalm 119:57
Thank you for this timely reminder in my life today.
Blessings!
Deb, Pelzer, SC
Psalm 119:88 (NIV) “Preserve my life according to Your love, and I will obey the statutes of Your mouth.”
Rhonda, Bolivar MO.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Tara C., Powder Springs, GA
“I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27
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)
“And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging symbol.” 1 Corinthians 13:1 (NIV)
Kristin, Clearwater, FL
Debra, Meadville, Mississippi Psalm 57:1 KJV Be merciful unto me O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee: yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word. Psalm 119:37 NIV
Valerie, Farmington MN
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” E ph 6:10-11 NIV
Beth in Mullica Hill, NJ
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Amber, Marysville, WA
First John 2:1 Dear Children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense: Jesus Christ, the righteous one. (NIV)
Julie, Chesterland, OH
“Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
2 peter 1:10-11 (ESV)
Sheryl, PA
John 8:36 NIV – “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Rhonda, Sulphur, LA – “This is real love – not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” 1 John 4:10 NLT
Christy from Lancaster, PA:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Hannah, Chesterland, OH
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (ESV)
Cindy, Lexington, KY – Do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
Wendy, Cody, Wy
Isaiah 41:13 NAS “For I am the LORD your God, Who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, Do not fear, I will help you.”
Kristi Rogersville, TN
1 John 1:9 NIV
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Staci, Bismarck, ND “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)
Freida, Chatham, LA, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
I Thessalonians 5:18 KJV
Anita, Purcellville, VA
“They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
Rev. 17:14 NIV
Karlys, La Place, LA
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12
Lindsey, Jenks, OK
“From the end of the earth will I cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and fainting; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I… for You have been a shelter and a refuge for me, a strong tower against the adversary.” ~Psalm 61:2-3, NLT
Kristi, South Carolina
“Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man.” Proverbs 27:20 NIV
Christina – Edgewood, KY
Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD. Proverbs 8:34 & 35
Sharoni, Houston, TX. “No one has ever imagined what GOD has prepared for those who love Him.” I Corinthians 2:9 NCV
Karen, Lexington, KY: Do you not know? Have you not heard? The lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. ~ Isaiah 40:28 (NIV)
“Then Job replied to the LORD, “I am nothing – how could I ever find the answers? I will put my hand over my mouth in silence. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.” Job 40:3-5 (NLT)
(oops!) Janet from St. Louis
P.S….Love the countdown clock!
Shalene, Clovis, CA
Psalm 89:1 NKJV “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.”