Hi Siestas! It is such a joy to be able to talk to you! My name is Sherry McClure and I just love this community so very much. I live in the suburbs of Houston, Texas, and I work here at Living Proof Ministries. One of my responsibilities right now at LPM is to help moderate your comments and it brings me such delight. Thank you for letting me be a part of your life in that way. All of you have so much to offer and I love getting to know you through your comments here! I also have the joy of tending to many of you through Facebook and I love y’all so incredibly much.
A little bit about me: I have been here at LPM for just over 11 years and have had the opportunity to do many things here! I started working at LPM when I had only been married for 2 years and we didn’t have children at the time. As I have grown and changed, my responsibilities at LPM have changed as well. I have been married for 13 years to David and we have two boys –Sam (9) and Jacob (7). We have a lot of fun together, but life with boys is loud, fast, and sometimes messy.  I also have the privilege of serving my home church in our women’s ministry. Life is full and fun! Some of the things that I enjoy most in this life are playing with my kids, being outside, shopping, cooking, and most of all, studying God’s word. His Word is the absolute thrill of my life. The Lord has recently breathed a new passion for His word into my soul and it is what I wake up for everyday…to see the Lord in His Word.  He is the love of my life.
1 Samuel 12:24 (ESV)
“Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.”
This is one of the verses that the Lord has given me to focus on throughout the entire year. He broke it down for me like this:
Only fear the Lord: I am not to fear failure. I am not to fear what someone may think. I am not to fear the enemy. I am not to fear people I think are my enemies. I am not to fear things I imagine. I am not to fear man. My only fear should be of the Lord. There is safety in fearing Him.
Serve him faithfully: I am to be faithful in the ways that He has given me to serve. I am to work in excellence and do everything unto Him.
With all your heart: I am to give my all to the things that I am serving in. No settling for mediocrity. No half-accomplishing things. No “it’s fine.” No “this will do.” I am to give my whole heart.
Consider what great things He has done for you: I want to be living in a constant state of gratitude before the Lord. I want to be mindful that He rescued me from the dominion of darkness and transferred me to the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13). He indeed has done great things for us!
So, my dear sisters, I pray that you will only fear the Lord. I pray that you will serve Him with all of your heart. I pray that you will remember the great things He has done for you. He is everything and I pray you experience Him through His word as it sinks into your souls!
I love you all so much,
Sherry
Sandra, Rock Hill, SC
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Col. 4:2 ESV
Jann Sanicola Holtsville, New York
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Heather Wilkinson
Springfield, VA
Is 40:29-31 (NIV)
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Kathy, Middleburg Heights, Ohio “My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” James 1:9 NLT
Doris Ann Barnes, Manchester, GA. Then Jesus said to them, “Most
assuredly, I say to you,unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. John 6:53 NKJV
Psalm 46:5 (NIV) God is within her,she will not fall;God will help her at break of day.
Silver City, New Mexico
Susan Knowles, Bradenton, FL
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Col.4:2 ESV
Kristi – Clovis, CA
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22 NIV
Amanda, Santa Clara, CA
Then Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 (NLT)
Karen – Nesbit, MS
Romans 8:32(ESV)
“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? “
Emily, Loveland, Co – “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the Word of our God stands forever!” Isaiah 40:8 (NKJV)
Andrea Larmer, Hephzibah, GA
“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;”
Psalm 19:7-8 (ESV)
Deb, Loveland, CO – “Direct my steps by Your Word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133 (NKJV)
Kathi Griffin from Macon, GA: Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Psalms 1:1-6 ESV
Zeeland, MI
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:8 NIV
KristyTorres from Amarillo, Texas.
Psalm 31:19 NLT
How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.
Dianne, Fitzwilliam, NH
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
John 15:1-4
Carolyn Medlin Oceanside Ca. Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. Daniel 2:20 NIV
Susan Toney
Raymond, MS
Jeremiah 29:12-13
Then you will call on me and come and pray with me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Thanks for that word, Sherry!! I’m memorizing Psalm 103 for 2015,so here’s verse 4: Jackie Houser, Pikeville, NC. Psalm 103:4, NKJV, “Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,”
Ellen Hollenshead, Albuquerque, NM. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17 (ESV).
He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.
In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. (â€Psalms‬ â€18‬:â€19, 29‬ NLT)
Linda, Little Rock, AR “Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” 1 Samuel 12:24 (ESV)
Tracy, Sidney, Ohio
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness,because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 NLT
Amy McMillan, Macon, GA: Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Psalms 1:1-6 ESV
Dora polk Matthews Missouri
Philippians 2:3 ESV Do nothing from rivalry or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourself.
Julie Richardson, Grand Rapids, MI
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.—Matthew 9:36 NIV
Tillsonburg, Ontario “For there will be no mercy for you if you have not been merciful to others. But if you have been merciful, then God’s mercy toward you will win out over His judgement against you.” James 2:13 (NLT)
Shannon Davidson, San Juan Capistrano, CA- “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 ESV
Great post!! I really needed to hear the part about fear right now! So your verse is now my new memory verse
Dana, Paris, TN
Brandilyn Lowery. Clinton, MS. “For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.” Galatians 5:13 HCSB
Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141.3 NIV
Susanna Greenville, TX
J.J. Ehr, Longmont, CO
Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Michelle, West Des Moines, IA
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
Romans 2:4 NLT
Leigh Ann, Atlanta GA
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3 NIV
Megan S. –Kansas City, KS
He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.
Daniel 2:22 NIV
Kristy, Louisiana
John 15:4-5 NASB
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
Keri, Fresno, CA
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” ESV Philippians 4:13
Sandra M. Arnold, Paris, Tennessee
“The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.” Exodus 14:14 (NASB)
Amanda, Rockhampton, Queensland
I loved Sherry’s scripture and have chosen it too
Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things He has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24 (ESV)
Lori Keeton, Sheppard AFB, TX. “Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.” – Psalm 139:4 (NIV)
Pam Williams, Olive Branch, MS
He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. Psalm 23:2-3a
NIV
Crystal, Andrews, NC
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,”
Aurore Leigh Barrett, Las Vegas NV – No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone will see your progress. Watch your life and your doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:15-16 (NIV)
Sarah, Montrose, CO
Ephesians 6:16-18 (ESV)
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…
Lauren, Pittsburgh, PA
Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps. Discipline me, Lord, but only in due measure. Jeremiah 10:23-24 NIV
Evan, Charlotte NC
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 NIV
Heather, Colorado Springs, Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion Ps. 103:4 NIV
Martha McElhaney, Ooltewah, TN For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12: 34 HCSB