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
Rachel, Mt. Carmel, PA
Mark 11:24, NIV – “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Jo Anne, Chicago IL
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.
I Thessalonians 5:18 NIV
But the Lord will be to you
an everlasting light,
and your God your glory.
Isaiah 60:19 NKJV
Jen from Wyoming
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
Gretchen, Thousand Oaks, CA
Ephesians 6:16 HCSB
In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Jen Lee, Ames, Iowa: “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.” Colossians 2:8-10 (NIV)
Brenda A from Byhalia, MS
Isaiah 9:2 (KJV) “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:10 NRSV
Corinne in Chehalis, Washington
Valerie Chamberlain, Little Elm, TX
“Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord has made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.” Joshua 21:45 ESV
Lisa, West Des Moines, IA “For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34 (AMP)
Julie in Carlsbad, CA
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'”
Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Judy, Littleton, NC The Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endure tag forver. Psalm 100:5 KJV
You, O Lord, are a shield about me. You are the glory and the lifter of my head.
Psalm 3:3
I know that you can do all things, no plan of yours can be
thwarted. Job 42:2 NIV
Kathleen D.
Bernardsville, NJ
1John 4:4 ( KJV )
“Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world”.
Jeanine, Toronto, Canada
“For the mountains may depart and the hills disappear, but even then I will remain loyal to you. My covenant of blessing will never be broken.” says the LORD, who has mercy on you.” Isaiah 54:10 NLT
Cheryl R . Midlothian va
Do everything without complaining or arguing
Phil 2 :14
Heather, Colorado Springs, I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4 NIV
Jeanette Dahm, Tualatin, Oregon
Psalm 121: 1-2 I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Dee Dee Fernandina Beach, Florida
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicia and for all who have not seen me face to face,
Colossians 1:1 ESV
Sheryl, PA
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 NIV
Becky, Chattanooga, TN
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than ourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Philippians 2:3-4 NLT
Robbie
Michigan
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3 KJV)
18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God
Colossians 3:18-22 KJV
Cheri
Louisville, KY
Carole, Imperial, CA: The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 NIV
Tangila, Pearland TX
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. –Joshua 1:9 ESV
Ruth, Providence
Εὐχαριστοῦμεν τῷ Θεῷ Πατρὶ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ…
Eucharistoumen to Theo Patri tou Kyriou hemon Iesou Christou…
We are continually giving thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…
Colossians 1:3a Greek
Brenda – Hendersonville 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 for him. Lam 3:22-24 NIV
Gena Gilbert, Rowlett, Texas
Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.
Psalm 139:4 NIV
Kathleen, Phoenix:
I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30 (NIV)
Jan
Bemus Point, NY
2 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
If this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
And in French:
2 Pierre 2:9 (Segond 21)
Ainsi donc, le Seigneur sait delivrer de l’epreuve les hommes pieux et garder les injustes pour le jour du jugement ou ils seront punis.
1 Timothy 6:6-7 (NLT)
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.
James 3:18 (NIV)
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
Soni in Gulfport, MS. Proverbs 30:8-9 RSV
“Remove from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty or riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God.
Jane, Houston, Texas
“Wait for The Lord;
be strong and courageous.
Wait for The Lord.”
Psalm 27:14 (HCSB)
Joy from Lubbock, TX
“Know that the Lord is God,
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.”
Psalm 100:3 NIV
Susan ,Bradenton, FL
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
Carrie, Cary NC:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good and his loyal love endures! (Psalms 118:1 NET)
Tempa, Palm Bay, Florida
“This is the assurance we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according
To His will, He hears us.” I John 5:14,15 NIV
Marilyn, Mission Viejo, CA John 14:3 ESV
If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-2, 14 NIV
Alice, Dallas: “Oh, give thans to The Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” Psalms 118:1 NKJV
Terri from Mechanicsville:
‘They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings and with Him will be His called, chosen, and faithful followers.’
Revelation 17:14
Ashleigh, Lewistown, MT “But there is something I’m looking for: a person simple and plain, reverently responsive to what I say.” Isaiah 66:2b MSG
Marcia from Windermere, FL
“The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know what to say to all these weary ones!”
Isaiah 50:4 (NLT)
Stacey, Omaha, NE and Ally (age 11)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)
Emily (age 13)
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
Proverbs 15:1 (NLT)
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1, NIV
Jordin, Albuquerque
“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—”
Isaiah 11:2, NIV
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 NIV84
1 John 3:8
English Standard Version (ESV)
8 (A)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 (B)to destroy the works of the devil.