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 Lord gives strength to His people; The Lord blesses His people with peace.”
Psalm 29:11 NIV
Stephanie V., Tulsa ok.
*Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness the Lord will be a light to me. (Micah 7:7-8, nkjv)
Cheryl, Coffeyville, KS
“Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.” Psalm 105:2
Julie P Tierra Verde FL
Colossians 4:2 NET
Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.
Sandi from Morristown, TN
Hebrews 11:6 MSG
It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that He exists AND that He cares enough to respond to those who seek Him.
Norfolk, VA
Deut. 32:3-4
I will proclaim the name of the LORD, Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
NIV
Cindy – Houston
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalms 119:130 NIV
Linda, Mandeville, LA
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Mikala, Boston
Psalm 16:6 (NIV)
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
Christy, Conifer, Colorado
Lamentations 3:22-26 NIV
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.”
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.
Janice, AR
“But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities;
the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well- being for us was upon Him,
and with the stripes that wounded Him we are healed and made whole.”
Isaiah 53:5. AMP
Tina from Chesapeake, VA – “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” I Corinthians 16:13(NIV)
Jennifer B from Gaithersburg, MD
“I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief.” Mark 9:24b NIV
Holly Burlington, IA I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13 NIV)
Cynthia, VA
For a child will be born for us,
a son will be given to us,
and the government will be on His shoulders.
He will be named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
The dominion will be vast,
and its prosperity will never end.
He will reign on the throne of David
and over his kingdom,
to establish and sustain it
with justice and righteousness from now on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7 HCSB
Kay,Sheridan
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:7-8 NIV
Lyn Steriti
Littleton, NH
And hope does not disappoint because the love of God
has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy
Spirit who was given to us.
Rom. 5:5 NASB
Erin, Bella Vista Ar
I will give thanks you, Lord, with all of my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 9:1
Susan, Overland Park, KS ” May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Ps. 19:14 NIV84
Vicki
Murfreesboro, TN
Matthew 1:23b (HCSB)
“…and they will name Him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”
Karen C. Carmel IN, “I know my Redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God, I myself will see him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:25-27 NIV
Kristi. Rogersville,TN
NIV Psalm 139:11
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light becomes night around me,”
Caroline, Rio, WI
“…Be strong and of good courage. Dread not and fear not, be not dismayed.”
1 Chronicles 22:13 (NIV)
He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
John 3:30 NLT
Susan, Atlanta, GA
And, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15 ESV
San Bernardino Ca.
The Lord Is both kind and fair that is why he teaches sinners the right way to love..
Ps:25:8 (Net.)
Nitsa, Eugene, OR. “I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, and in His Word do I hope.” Psalm 130:5 NAS
Tina, Zalma, The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1 (NIV)
Lynette, Nashville, TN
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23 ESV
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.
Isaiah 40:8 NIV
Carolyn
Oceanside Ca
Kim K., Columbus, OH area
” O you afflicted one,
Tossed with tempest, and not comforted,
Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems,
And lay your foundations with sapphires.
I will make your pinnacles of rubies,
Your gates of crystal,
And all your walls of precious stones.
All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
And great shall be the peace of your children.”
Isaiah 54:11-13 NKJV
Helen Crystal City, Manitoba Canada
1 John 2:13b
I am writing to you young men, because you have overcome the evil one.
Carla, LaFayette,Al.
Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble and always be prayerful. Romans 12:12
DeeDee.Katy,Tx
Titus 2:3 NIV
Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.
Stephanie King – Richardson, TX
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Price of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 NIV
Linda – Spring, Texas
Have mercy on me, O GOD, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. Psalm 57:1 NIV
Judy, Panama City, Fl 1 John 2:15 (NLT)
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.
Pam Hendersonville NC
“I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Psalm 139:14 KJV
Betty, Wendell, NC
Psalm 118:14 NET
The LORD gives me strength and protects me;
he has become my deliverer.
Christy, Summit, MS; “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
The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29 NIV
Holli from Corona, Ca.
“Wait for the Lord. Be strong, and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 ESV
Lu, Garner NC, Romans 15:13 ESV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Jane from Geneseo, Illinois
Matthew 10:8b
Freely you have received, freely give.
(NIV)
Annette, Stouffville ON Canada
But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.
1Corinthians 12:20 NKJV
Joan, Carter Lake IA
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NIV)
“It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” (Romans 9:16, NIV’84)
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11 ESV
Jill, Williamsburg
Rejoice in The Lord and be glad , you righteous;
Sing , all you who are upright in heart!
Psalm 32:11
Terry in Louisa, VA
I Peter 5:5b-11 NIV
“And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”