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)Â
Let’s toast to that.
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Suzy, Wheelersburg, OH – The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid: do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Mary Soisson, Barboursville, VA
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
I Thessalonians 5:18, KJV
Psalm 138:3 NET
When I cried out for help, you answered me.
You made me bold and energized me.
Shelley from Shiloh, IL: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” IS. 26:3 ESV
Sandy, Clatskanie OR
Psalm 50:15 Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you and you shalt glorify me. (KJV…)
Faye – Ocala
Clothe yourselves instead with beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. I Peter 3:4. NIV
Dena K. from Columbus, OH:
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (Psalms 139:23, 24 NLT)
Paige ATL Psalm 118:23 NIV
The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
Jennifer, Chattanooga. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. John 17:24 NIV
Denise from Lenexa, KS:
I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.
Psalm 16:8-9 NIV
Proverbs 2:6 Ft. Worth, Texas
For the Lord gives widson, and from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. NIV
Nancy from Knoxville, TN
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 on HIM…”
Lamentations 3:22 NIV
“And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deut. 31:8 NKJV
Angie. Belleville, IL Ps. 46:10a God’s Word Translation
“Let go (of your concerns)! Then you will know that I am God.”
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. –Ephesians 6:10 NIV
Maddie from Arizona
Roni, Demopolis, Alabama
“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” NLT 2Chronicles 16:9
Alice Chesapeake, Va.
I John 4:4 NIV
Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.
Dee, Zeeland, MI from NET
Psalm 119:1 & 2
“How blessed are those whose actions are blameless, who obey the law of the LORD. How blessed are those who observe his rules, and seek him with all their heart.”
Rachel Owasso, OK
Isaiah 41:15 NIV
See, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them and reduce the hills to chaff.
Sue, Wellington.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV
Amy, Houston:
God of hope, I pray that You will fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in You so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
Susan Bymaster, Ames, OK
1 John 3:8 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. ESV
Beth, I didn’t have a verse yet. This so fits the need we have in our family too that I using this verse too! PTL for His faithfulness!!
Janet from Odessa, TX
“Do not persuade me to leave you or go back and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God”
Ruth 1:16 HCSB
Avis, Lone Star, Texas
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:2 KJV
Linda W. from Tomball, TX:
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Jill
Plano
Isaiah 54 -9
The Message
For even if the mountains walk away
and the hills fall to pieces,
My love won’t walk away from you,
my covenant commitment of peace won’t fall apart.”
The God who has compassion on you says so.
Connie
Greene IA
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
Melody, Jefferson Georgia
Hebrews 10:23 (Voice)
Let us hold strong to the confession of our hope, never wavering, since the one who promised it to us is faithful.
Phyllis
Gilmer, Texas
Galatians 5:25 NIV
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
“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?” Psalm 27:1 NRSV
Peggyann Calderwood, Crestview, Florida
“The Holy Spirit is with us and in us forever…”
John 14:17
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9
Stacy – Hinckley, England
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2v11 NIV
Danielle S.
Garden City, KS
Matthew 5:3 (NIV)
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
I Peter 5:10 NIV “And the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
Marie-Franklin, TN
2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
[18] So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Vickie, Baytown
Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
Ephesians 1:18 ESV
Amy; Milton, WA
“Before they call I will answer, while they are stilling speaking I will hear.”
Is. 65:24, NIV
Karlys, La Place, LA
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.
Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.
Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
who dwells trustingly beside you.
Proverbs 3: 27 to 29 ESV
Denise,Davis, IL “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.” Proverbs-27:9 (NLT)
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
Ellen, Moneta VA
I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are your works, And that my soul knows very well. -Psalm 139:14 (NKJV)
Marsha R. Lexington Park, MD
but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Phil. 2:7 ESV
Pam, Apple Valley, Minnesota
Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
Psalm 116:7 NIV
Schel, Bayou Vista, TX “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5 ESV
Cyndi from Sterling, VA
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 (NIV)
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. Isaiah 61:3bb
Sissy, Waycross
Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Brandy A., Cross Anchor, SC
So think clearly and exercise self-control. 1 Peter 1:13a (NLT)
Amy Hawk – Hood River, OR
And to the one who conquers and who continues in my deeds until the end, I will give (her) authority over the nations—
(s)he will rule them with an iron rod and like clay jars (s)he will break them to pieces,just as I have received the right to rule from my Father—and I will give (her) the morning star. Rev. 2:26-28, The NET Bible