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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.
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 NLT
sharon, marion, illinois
3 blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5 esv
Carol, Gig Harbor, WA
“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge: I will repay’, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 NIV
Because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
Nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
You make known to me the path of life;
You will fill me with joy in your presence,
With eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:10-11, NIV
Courtney, Houma, LA
Terrie, Birmingham, Alabama
God is my strength and power: and he makes my way perfect.
2 Samuel 22:33
AKJV
Alyson Lung: Longmont, CO
[He] who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you love and compassion…
Psalm 103:4 NIV
Leverett, MA
Romans 6:11 NIV
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus
Karen, Caledonia
But remember the root command: Love one another.
John 15:17 The Message
Amy, Huntsville AL
Sow righteousness for yourselves,reap the fruit of unfailing love and break up your unplowed ground;for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.
Hosea 10:12 (NIV)
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Eph 6:13
NIV
Katie, Gig Harbor WA
Come let us return to the Lord for He has torn us, that He may heal us. He has struck us down and He will bind us up!
After 2 days He will revive us, on the third day He will raise us up that we may live before Him. Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord… For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Hosea 6:1-3, 6 ESV
Monroe, LA:
“Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Psalm 9:10 NIV
Elaine, MD
Colossians 1:12-13 NKJV
giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.
Tami, Palm Coast, FL: Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
1 John 4:7 NIV
Dear Friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.
Stacie Cedar Rapids, IA
Diana, Waconia, Minn.
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3 (NIV)
Deb, Becker
Let me hear of Your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You. Ps 143:8 (NLT)
Zephaniah 3:17: The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. NIV
Barbie from Yankton, SD
Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Barb L., Shelby Twp, MI
Jeremiah 17:7 Amplified
“[Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in and
relies on the Lord and whose hope and confidence the
LORD is.”
Katie- Dayton, OH (cont. from last post)
“for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God.” 1 Thessalonians 1:9
Marsha, Tucson,AZ
My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:8
Meredith, Gridley CA
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NIV
Holly Mc Tyler Texas
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
I just found this!! I know it’s already the halfway mark but I soo need this and believe God puts something in your path when you are ready so I hope it’s ok that I am joining in now! I am very excited and need this accountability!!!!
1 John 4:10-12 NIV
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.”
Lynette – Aurora, CO – Jeremiah 32:17
New International Version (NIV)
17 “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
Beth, Hartland, MI
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”-Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Lisa, Plano, TX: Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11 (NIV)
Jeri, Stillwater, Ok
How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. Psalm 31:19
Libby, Goodwine, IL
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Proverbs 18:10 NIV
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. – Psalm 19:14 (NIV), Linda, West Des Moines, Iowa
Dallas, TX, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Tarah – Rib Lake, WI
Psalm 143:8 ESV – 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.
Shannon, Birmingham, AL
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NLT
Cindy- Sheridan, WY
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 NIV
Vancouver, WA The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” (The NET Bible)
Judy from Lake Charles, LA-“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” James 1:26 (NIV)
“God is kind, but he’s not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change.” ~ Romans 2:3b MSG
Leslie, Beijing: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” I Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)
Margie Allen, TX
“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
2 Timothy 1:12 NIV
Debbie, Lorenzo, Tx: Psalm 62:7 NIV My salvation and my honor depend on God;he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Jenny – San Antonio, TX. My next post will say Midland, TX because we’re moving!
“Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah.” Psalm 62:8 NIV
Karen, Vancleave, MS
“Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” Romans 5:5 (NIV)
Deborah J., Clearwater, FL
“For You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
(Psalm 9:10b, NIV)
Marilyn, Bradenton, FL
Psa. 86:11 (NIV)
“Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”
Becky – Cynthiana – Proverbs 13:10 NIV
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Jennie
Glendale, CA
“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ–the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”
Philippians 3:8-9
NIV
Laura from Canton MI
Job 19:25 NIV
I know that my redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
Diana, BC, Canada
“When Your Words come, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight; for I bear Your Name, O LORD GOD ALMIGHTY” Jeremiah 15:16 NIV
Brittney, San Angelo, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:6-8 NASB