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
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14, ESV)
Dianne Jones, Fairfield, CA – “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
Hebrews 10:36 (NIV)
Susan,Fairhope,AL- 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. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)
Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:8 (NIV)
karen, Cheney, WA
“The incredible grace of our Master, Jesus Christ, be with all of you.” II Thessalonians 3:18 (MSG)
Leah Cullen – Ramona, CA
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. – Psalm 42:11 (ESV)
Jenni, Murray, KY
“but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42 ESV
Barbara, Birmingham, Al
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 36:7. NIV
Ps. 141:3 (NASV)
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Heather Wilkinson
Springfield, VA
Luke 2:11-14 ESV
For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
*my email has changed – do I need to do anything to let you know I am the same person as before?
Ally from Searcy, AR
NIV Colossians 4:5
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” -Philippians 2:6-8 NIV
“The person who keeps on sinning belongs to the devil. The devil has sinned from the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.” ~ 1 John 3:8 NLV
Lisa A, Frisco, TX
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2, NIV
Kaci, Georgia
“Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4
Tracy
Andice, TX
“For lack of wood the fire goes out,
and where there is no whisperer,
contention quiets down.”
Proverbs 26:20 NASB
Philippians 2:5 NIV
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
Darcy, Pittsburgh
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1, NIV
Amy in Waipahu, Hawaii
“Yahweh will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in dry places. . . ” Isaiah 58:11a WEB
Karen, Clarksville, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” Psalm 51:10-12 NIV
Christine, Chandler, AZ:
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:8-10 NIV
Nicole///dallas///NLT
Psalm 23:1
1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
Joanne from Bremerton, WA
Isaiah 30:15. ESV
For thus said The Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.
Whitney L., Ames, OK
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22, 23 ESV)
Odessa, TX
“Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
James 4:17. NLT
Remember it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
Loris SC
Tammy H, Van,TX John 3:3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (NIV)
Amanda, Van Buren, AR
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:14-19 NASB
Midland, TX listens
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror James 1:23 (NIV)
Cara – Fridley, MN
O Lord, all my longing is before you;
my sighing is not hidden from you.
Psalm 38:9, ESV
Jess R, Katy, Tx
The Lord is good to those who depend on him,
to those who search for him.
So it is good to wait quietly
for salvation from the Lord.
-Lamentations 3:25-26 (NLT)
Nancy, Lee’s Summit, MO
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV
emi, white house: “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.” Isaiah 11:1-2 ESV
Melanie Johnson from Georgetown says,
The LORD delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.
Psalm 147:11. NIV
Amy Brown
New Palestine, IN
“And if you search for Him with all your heart and soul, you will find Him.” – Deuteronomy 4:29 NIV
Noreen
Calgary, AB
“He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”
Psalm 62:6 (NIV)
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 (NRSV)
Caitlin Long
Demopolis, AL
“I have put My words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of My hand. I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundation of the earth, and who say to Zion, “You are My people.”” -Isaiah 51:16 NIV
Audrey from Fayetteville, AR:
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV
Dimy from Griffin, Ga.:
“I will give you hidden treasures, riches stashed away in secret places, so that you may recognize that I am the Lord, the one who calls you by name, the God of Israel.”~Isaiah 45:3 (NET)
“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” Isiah 11:1 NIV
Rebecca Alburn
Salem, OR
Galatians 6:9 NLT
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
Janet,Longmont,CO.
God is not unjust,He will not forget your work
and the love you have shown Him as you helped his people
and continue to help them.
Hebrews 6:10 NIV
Greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world.
1 John 4:4
Tammy
Cincinnati
Vanessa, Rio Rancho
“But I tell you that everyone Will have to give account on the day of judgement for every empty word they have spoken.” Matthew 12:36 NIV
Darl, Bakersfield, CA
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
James 3:17 (NIV)
Alexia- Champaign, IL
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares The Lord.
Isaiah 55:8- NIV
Jill, Searcy AR
May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.
Ruth 2:12 NIV
Emily in Anchorage, AK
Psalm 103:22 NIV
“Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, my soul.”
Isaiah 41:13
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “do not fear I will help you.”