My Border Collie, Queen Esther, is just about as handy as a GPS if she’s been to the destination at least once. The closer we get to where we’re going, the more hyper she becomes. The backseat of my car may as well be a treadmill. In fact, if I’m on the phone, I usually have to hang up because the person on the other line becomes too distracted to talk.
What is that?
My dog. Sorry. She’s a little over excited.
Is she hurt?
No. She’s happy.
What does she want?
Out!
She jumps from window to window and commences – not to bark exactly – but to yelp. I constantly insist to Keith that I have the gift of interpretation for the tongue Queen Esther speaks and, when we’re coming up on our destination, I am absolutely sure of what she’s saying: Let me out of this car so I can run the rest of the way!
Right about now, you’re the Queen – the real kind and not the canine variety – and it’s the perfect time to start your happiest yelping. You can see from the view out of your window that we are almost to our destination and, after a whole lot of hard work, I hope everything in you is hyping up and hollering, Let me out so I can run the rest of the way!
Good grief, you’ve been fantastic. I cannot recall ever having a higher percentage finish out the year. I’d have to check past years to confirm that but I don’t remember ever having a more active group from start to finish. I wish you were sitting right here with me in my chilly den in front of this fire and we could talk face to face instead of line to line.
Our heater is out and it is just about as cold in Houston as it gets most winters. We’ve already had the repairman out for hours but he’s been unable to fix it and advised us to call our builder. He thinks it’s a malfunction in the unit. You have to write an email request to the builder for a repair and we haven’t heard back from them yet so it could be a frosty few days. I just worked out on my elliptical with a jacket on if that tells you anything. I don’t mind so much though, as long as it’s fixed pretty soon. It’s gorgeous outside and I love sitting by a fire anyway. The part I don’t like is that Jackson and Annabeth’s room at my house is like ice and they really can’t even play in it right now when they come over. No worries, though. I expect it to be repaired surely by the first few days of this week.
If you were here, I’d also serve you up some cinnamon rolls in about an hour. I made homemade rolls for our Thanksgiving feast and I almost always roll out cinnamon rolls with the leftover dough several days later. They’re rising right now under some lights in the only warm end of my house.
Some of you are observant enough to ask me if I pulled two of them off the one pan and ate them raw because of those 2 circles of flour. No, I didn’t – though I was tempted – but I did peel them off and put them on the second cookie sheet because the 3 rolls that wouldn’t fit on the first pan looked so lonely over there. My cold house is going to smell like heaven in a little while. Sometimes I make a thick butter icing but, really, I prefer a thinner glaze made of powdered sugar, vanilla and a tiny bit of half and half. Too much icing takes away from the homemade flavor of the rolls in my opinion.
The inevitable question I get at a time like this is, “Do you always eat like that?”
Lord have mercy, no. But, Girlfriend, it’s a holiday.
I could make you hot tea or coffee to go with yours, depending upon your preference, and we’d chat a while and then we’d trade our 23rd verses.
My selection came up in my devotional this morning and catapulted me into prayer. I’m actually memorizing the 2nd chapter of Colossians right now but sometimes the section I’m working on next is too awkward out of context to post as an SSMT verse. For instance, if Colossians 2:21 were next, imagine this as my SSMT selection: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” See? Awkward. So, if I’m in the middle of a long portion, I usually go off road for SSMT and select a verse that is more user friendly so that women who are drawing a blank on their choices can go with me on mine if they wish. Here goes:
Beth, Houston. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8 ESV
The second half of it drew me into intercession. It does not say that the reason the Son of God appeared was to deny the works of the devil. It does not say that the Son of God appeared to downplay the works of the devil. It does not say that the Son of God appeared to decrease the works of the devil. It says He appeared to DESTROY the works of the devil.
So I started pinpointing some areas around my life and the lives of my family members and loved ones where the enemy is rearing up his ugly head. And with great joy and a sense of victory in my chest, I thanked Jesus for coming to destroy his works and asked Him to demonstrate that destruction right before our eyes in those areas. We know that “the ancient serpent, who is the devil” will not be completely bound until the Kingdom of the living Christ comes in its fullness and His throne is established right here on earth. At that time, the prayer we’ve prayed more than any other will finally be fulfilled: Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
But, until then, we are meant to experience stunning victories where we see living, breathing evidences that the enemy has been overcome. We’re meant to give the devil a taste of what he will experience in the Kingdom when he is bound for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:2)
Let’s not let him off the hook. Let’s remind our enemy every single day that he is not only defeated. His works are destroyed in Jesus’ great Name.
You, my dear sister, are a great privilege to serve. Walk strong with your God, young lady. Ask for a fiery faith to believe Him and for eyes to see His works manifested right here on this ailing planet. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
Let’s toast to that.
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue,to know the word that sustains the weary.He wakens me morning by morning,wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.
Isaiah 50:4 NIV
Leslie from Kansas City, MO “Do not be afraid of them; The Lord God himself will fight for you.” Deuteronomy 3:22 (NIV)
I cannot adequately express how meaningful and timely this particular post has been! As well, confirmational.
thank you Beth, for your continued obedience to God as well as your love for His Word that encourages and strengthens all of us!
Susan, Knoxville, TN
However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV
Jaclyn, Houston. “Therefore preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 peter 1:13 ESV
Teresa, Walla Walla “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39 NLT
Jennifer, Fort Worth
“To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.” (Titus 1:15 NKJV)
Amber Comeaux
Katy tx
Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord G od is the eternal Rock. (Isaiah 26:4 NLT)
Is anything too hard for the Lord? Genesis 18:14 NLT
Cathy Carter, Rchmond, VA – I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NIV’84
Kellye, Las Vegas. With all my heart I am waiting, Lord, for you! I trust your promises. Psalm 130:5 (CEVU)
Cindy, Kearmey NE
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. (Psalm 130:5 NIV)
2Cor 10:4-5. The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ
Keri Lee Robbins in Las Vegas, NV
“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:17-20 NKJV)
Katy
Mount Juliet, TN
“Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.” – John1:16
Dawn in Monett, MO
Psalm 69:30 NIV I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
Beth, London ON.
Man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
James 1:20 NIV
James 3:17, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” from Tejas
Erika from McKinney, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.” Psalm 139:4. NIV
Roxie, Jerseyville, IL Isaiah 9:6 EVS
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Kelly W., Fowler, CA
The LORD confides in those who fear Him; he makes his covenant known to them.
Psalm 25:14
Vickie, Spokane, WA.
1 Peter 2:9 NIV
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to
God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light.
Beth, West Des Moines, IA
‘For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said “Do not commit murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who will be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.’
James 2:11-13 NIV 1984
Shawna, Longmont, CO
Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him because he always lives to intercede for them.
Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)
Sarah, Colorado Springs, CO
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Nancilea, The Woodlands, TX
For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
(1 Corinthians 16:9 ESV)
Kay, Plainview, TX
“As it is written,:”How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Romans 10:15b NIV
In honor of my Mama, 12-01-09:
My daughter, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you. When you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake they will speak to you. For these commands are a lamp; this teaching is a light and the corrections of discipline are the way to life. Proverbs 6:21-23
updated with Bible version
from Tejas
James 3:17, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” NKJV
Bev, Austin.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1:2-3 ESV
Kristel from Russellville, AR
“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight.” Romans 4:7 NLT
Kathy, Lake Jackson, TX
Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction; nothing makes them stumble.
Psalm 119:165 HCSB
Christina, Tyler, TX
Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 NLT
Kim, Colonial Heights, VA
“…walk in the light, as He is in the light…”
1 John 1:7 NIV
Psalm 69:30 I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. (NIV)
Mary, Frisco “But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” Proverbs 1:33 (NLT)
Kim from Dimmitt, Texas
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
“The Lord is the One who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Misti, Brookshire, Tx.
The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it.
John 1:5 NLT
Leanne from Eden Prairie, MN
I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. (Isaiah 46:4 NLT)
Judy – Maple Valley, WA.
But blessed are those who trust in The Lord and have made The Lord their hope and confidence.
Jeremiah 17:7 NIV
Christina, Lancaster, CA
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9 ESV
Gail Tyler,TX
“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:21
Linda, Longview: But we Christians have no veil over our faces; we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him.
II Corinthians 3:18 TLB
Fareen
Las Vegas, NV
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.
My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back,let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
James 5:17-20 NASB
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
Ann Gilliam, Lexington, TN
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NIV
Erin B., League City, TX
“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. ”
John 15:2 NIV
Janice Victoria BC
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
Psalm 32:8 NAS
Carrie Gill, Tyler, TX, “You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,” Psallm 91:5 NIV
Marie Franse, Albuquerque, NM: For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. Deuteronomy 10:17