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
Beth, Wynnewood, OK
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”
Jeremiah 31:3 NIV
Psalm 130:5 NLT
“I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on Him. I have put my hope in His Word.
Amy–St. Pete, FL
Natalie, Grand Prairie, TX
Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.
Daniel 10:12 NIV
stacy, Carmel, IN Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 ESV
Teresa, Orange City. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is your life because of righteousness. 11 Moreover if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit who lives in you. Romans 8:10-11 NET
Barbara Severns, Eagle, Idaho
Thou hast taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Thy bottle; are they not in Thy book?
Psalm 56:8 NASB
Colleen Duebber. Cincinnati, Ohio.
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Tim. 3:16-17. NIV
I have read so long insecurity probably four times since I purchased it on my kindle. Gosh, it is so real and I dug some serious garbage out of my heart. The etiology of my insecurities were revealed and continue to be revealed. I have three daughters and hope to break some of this junk in the generational cycle. I am a rn and see this across the board in females of all ages. We have to be nicer to each other. We are so bombarded 365 degrees. I especially liked the mint situation at the lingerie store, it sounded like just the thing that I do with my daughters. It angers me so much that females are valued for physical traits and we ourselves value ourselves that way also. It is a direct result of the bombardment of this sexual world. I hold my head very high and major changes are happening in my life. I am excited. I talk this chatter to my daughters and girls continually but not wacky like. Thanks for being so candid and not all churchified.
 Olda, Huntsville
So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Â 2 Timothy 2:1 (NET)
“…always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Eph. 5:20, NIV1984
Oops! Forgot last name and location. Plano, Texas, y’all.
Elsie – Scottsbluff NE
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. James 3:17 NASB
Dutchess of Winterville, NC
In the morning,Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3
NIV
Kimberly, Fresno, CA
“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.”
Lamentations 3:25-26 (NIV)
donna huneycutt mt. pleasant, nc
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil.
Hebrews 6:19 NASB
Karen, Lynnwood, WA
“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” Psalm 86:5 (NIV)
“Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 NAB
Jamye L., Greenbrier, AR
The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night.
Psalm 121:5-6 NASB
Ps. 9:10 NIV
Those who know your name trust in you for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Hannah, Miramar Beach, “The Lord gives strength to His people; The Lord blesses His people with peace.” Psalm 29:11 NIV
Tiffany, Chesterfield:
Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God’s favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God. Romans 5:2, AMP
Karla Dumal
Gulfport, MS
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me”? Jeremiah 32:27 KJV
Chris
Canton, NC
“It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”
Lamentations 3:26
NIV
Keely from Hermann, Psalms 86:11 (NLT) “Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may relay on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided and focused heart; teach me to serve You with complete devotion!”
Debbie Nicholson
Gulfport, MS
Jesus said unto them, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.”
Matthew 22:37-38 KJV
Brenda Kelley, Taylors, SC
“Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:23 NLT
Nancy, from West Grove, Pa.
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Psalm 3:3 ESV
Thank you for this today. I needed to hear this, as I have just come back from a meeting with my daughter in law. Whom I love dearly. She and my son are facing some difficult times. He has turned back to God and seeking his will and forgiveness in some thinks. She however is not a Christian and told me over and over today that it is not going to happen. That she is just not a believer. I am saddened and overwhelmed, but my son feels he can somehow reach her. We can not give up on her. Please pray that we can not drive her away but show her Gods love. Also that my son will stay strong and follow Gods will.
Thanks Beth!
linda, colorado springs.
for the kingdom of god is not a matter of talk but of power.
1 corinthians 4:20 (niv)
Amy from Everett, WA
I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:
You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
you have made known to us the dream of the king.
Daniel 2:23 (NIV)
Marilyn — Seattle
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy. (Psalm 107:21, 22 NIV)
Christy from Holland, MI
“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” Isiah 11:1 NIV
Kim
Warrensburg, MO
James 4:11-12(NLT)
11 Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. 12 God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?
Nancy Coffey
Barboursville, WV
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!”
Luke 1:45 NIV
Lilburn, GA
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. (Galatians 6:9 NASB)
#23 ‘Though I sit in darkness, The Lord will be my light’. Mic 7:8b. LASB
Linda, Dora, Al
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8 NIV
Sandy E.; Kansas City, Missouri:
“But you, LORD, do not be far from me, You are my strength, come quickly to help me.” Psalm 22:19 NIV
“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.” I John 3:8 ESV
Cindy – Gilbertsville, KY
Matthew 2:1-2 ERV
Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea during the time when Herod was king. After Jesus was born, some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. They asked people, “Where is the child who has been born to be the king of the Jews? We saw the star that shows he was born. We saw it rise in the sky in the east and have come to worship him.”
Joan, Portage, MI
“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you & those at Laodicea & for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding & the knowledge of God’s mystery which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom & knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order & the firmness in your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted & built up in him, & established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy & empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, & not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, & you have been filled in him who is the head of all rule & authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:1-12 ESV
I am splitting this up for the whole month…
“Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice – alive, holy, and pleasing to God – which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1 NET
My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, (James 5:19 NIV)
Margo, Burlington On
Yet, I will rejoice in The Lord, I will be joyful in God my saviour. Hab 3:18 NIV
Emily, Topeka, Kansas
“Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.”
Psalm 25:4-6 (NIV)
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12
So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” (Luke 11:13 NLT)
Pam, Brighton CO
Michelle Parma, Ohio
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
Lisa, Garland, TX Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:29 NIV)
Debbie from Amarillo, Texas
“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and peace will never end.”
Isaiah 9:6-7
Kim, Corning, NY. “Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word” (Psalm 119:17 ESV).