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
Marti Loganville, Ga
” 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
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
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
Kathy from Leesville, La Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 NIV
Tara
Greensboro, NC
The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.
This is my God, and I will praise him—
my father’s God, and I will exalt him!
Exodus 15:2
NLT
Megan, St. Louis… Hebrews 10:23 ESV
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”
Rachel in Thousand Oaks, CA
“Then I will make up to you for the years That the swarming locust has eaten, The creeping locust, the stripping locust and the gnawing locust, My great army which I sent among you.
Joel 2:25 (NASB)
Kathy, Birmingham, AL
We love because He first loved us.
I John 4:19 NIV
Vanessa from Calgary, AB
Bless The Lord , O my soul and forget none of His benefits Psalm 103:2
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. (1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV)
Karen, Redmond. Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:15 NIV
1 Thess 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. NKJV
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is God with us.
Matthew 1:23 KJV
Michele in Hollister, CA
Isaiah 9:6 KJVA
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Lisa S.
Kinston NC
Psalm 119:32 NIV
I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free.
Tessie Watkins. El Dorado Springs, MO
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16. NIV
Lisa from Waycross, GA
Donna from Albany, GA
Ephesians 3:20 (HCSB)
“Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us”
Carol, Littlestown, PA- “…that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” – Philippians 2:15, ESV
Doris, Whiteville, NC
Luke 2:11ESV
For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ The Lord.
Brittnie, Sugar Land, Texas
Psalm 40:2 NIV “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”
Susan- Berryville, VA
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. (Proverbs 3:3 NLT)
Pam D., Hendersonville, TN “If all these things are in you and are growing, they will help you to be useful and productive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But anyone who does not have these things cannot see clearly. He is blind and has forgotten that he was made clean from his past sins.” 2 Peter 1:8-9 (NCV)
Debbie from Universal City, Texas.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 ESV
Karen, Cheyenne, WY
Psalm 121:3 (NIRV)
“He won’t let your foot slip. He who watches over you won’t get tired.”
Kim from Bloomington, IL
The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.
— Psalms 29:11 NLT
Kim from Mansfield Psalm 46:10 NLT “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
Stephanie, Abilene, TX
For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
John 1:16, ESV
Aimee, Houston, TX
“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” Acts 17:26-27 (NIV).
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV)
“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths.” Psalm 25:4 NKJV
JoAnn, Columbus
Romans 10:13
for, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. NIV
Lonnie, Omaha NE:
This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. (1 John 5:2 NIV)
Crystal. Livonia. Michigan
“I am come that they might have life, and that they may have it more abundantly”
John 10:10. Kjv
Amy S. from Saint Cloud, FL
“I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”
Psalm 4:8
(NLT)
Courtney, Houma, LA
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9(NIV)
John 17:18 (ESV)
“As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake, I consecrate myself that they also may be sanctified in truth.”
For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11
Haley
Conway,AR
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14 ESV)
mitzi
Brandon, Ms
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Cor. 5:17 NIV
Shelly Wilson, Fort Worth, TX
Galatians 5:17 (HCSB) – For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.
Michele, Pearland, TX
“He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.” Proverbs 18:1 NASB
Terry
Washington, IL
But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands.
Psalms 31:14,15a NLT
Diane E., Charleston, IL
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
Ps. 147:3-5
Shannon, Warner Robins, GA
“My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.” Proverbs 1:10 (NKJV)
Karen J from Westminster, MD
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Galatians 5:6 NIV
Jcee, Texas/OK
Psalm 139:14 NKJV
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
“Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes, that ruin the vineyards–for our vineyard is in bloom.” Song of Songs 2:15 (NET)
Kimberly Orr–Zionsville, Indiana
Imogene Austin, TX
Phil. 1:6 NIV
…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.
Donalda Reimer, Osler, SK
Isaiah 64:4 (NIV)
“Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.”
Tammy from Fort Myers, Florida: “Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure with turmoil.” Proverbs 15:16 HCSB