Hey sweet siestas!
How much fun is this? Can we all just stop for a minute and thank our beloved leader, Bible teacher and yes, friend, for spurring us on in this world of scripture memory? I fail every time on my own. We need our people to conquer this task, don’t we? I’m good for a couple of months and then I flat out quit and blame it on something other than myself. But, I won’t quit if I have y’all! I’m thankful for this community. I’m thankful for the accountability. Memorizing scripture has transformed my heart and mind…the Word is living, and we have the privilege to breathe it in when we open those sacred pages and be changed from the inside out.
Something that I have done as I have memorized scripture is to write a brief synopsis of why I chose the verse on the back of the index card. I also date it. At the end of the year, it’s so powerful to go back and read a mini-journal of God’s faithfulness and the journey you’ve taken together that particular year. Go back and do that if you haven’t done it already. I’ll bet it won’t take you long to recall why you picked a particular verse. It will be a sweet gift to read through at the end of 2015.
Ok, my name is Fran Thomas and I’ve been married to Chip for 21 years! That’s crazy to me! I swear I’m still 30-something. We have 3 teenage boys. That’s another kind of crazy! Our oldest is 18. (Insert tears of high school graduation, starting college and hoping you can cook and do laundry on your own) It’s nuts, y’all. Savor the moments, mommas. It flies.
We are living life in Jackson, TN, and I love our community of people here. I work at Union University, teach college girls on Sunday mornings, sing in the choir, and serve with our jail ministry at Englewood Baptist Church. I am also a partner in a non-profit ministry with my two best friends, Christy and Robyn, that we founded called “More than a Mission Trip.” Our heart is missions in every form and fashion. Our heart is for the lost, the saved who are lost, God’s precious people at the ends of the earth and those who are around the corner. Our desire is to encourage other women to serve God locally and globally…there is no better time than NOW to love, obey and serve Him with all we have! We can’t question or delay what God clearly calls us to do.
So how appropriate for me to choose a verse that has me in a season of being scared to death of what God has called me to do. Would this be the Christian “pot calling the kettle black” or what? I like safe and comfy just like you do. It’s predictable and doesn’t make my stomach hurt. I know the scriptural promises from Him, but there is simply something terrifying about taking new steps with Him after a season of predictability. *sigh*
So, we press on, sisters. We believe Him and take Him at His word. I’m doing this even with the butterflies alive and churning about! Unfortunately, I think I have an unbelief issue right now, but I’m choosing to believe Him for this season because He is able! He is faithful… Me? Not so much. He never fails. NEVER.
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6
I don’t want to doubt or be tossed around because of my unbelief. I want my feet to be steady and secure in Him, His voice, and His direction. I really want to believe Him and trust Him even with these butterflies during this new season. I don’t just want to say, “Yes, Lord I believe you,” but it only be a temporary belief or trust. We’ll start strong and then fade, don’t we?
Lord, help my unbelief.
It’s easy to say, “Sure, I’ll get out of the boat, and walk toward Jesus,” but it’s a whole other thing to actually put the feet into motion, isn’t it? Let’s not be tossed around, sisters. Let’s walk by faith and take Him at His Word. Let’s choose to believe Him girls!! Declare it even when we don’t feel it. We’ll begin to believe what we know and speak over that situation. Let’s declare the Truth that we are hiding in our hearts.
Y’all are such a blast! Hang in there and march on strong and steady because we are MORE than conquerors! We CAN do this because He WILL show us the way! He will NOT leave us! He WILL show Himself faithful! He has good plans for this season! He will NOT harm us! And on and on and on the promises go. Declare them. Believe them.
It’s such an honor to journey alongside you. I will be your biggest fan and cheer you on like nobody’s business. Fix those pretty eyes on Jesus and let’s run our race well. I’m praying for us all. I desperately need Jesus and His Word.
Love y’all,
Fran
Vicki, Surprise, AZ
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4:2 NIV
Jennifer, Topeka, Kansas
“Even there Your hand shall lead Me, and Your right hand shall hold me”. Psalm 139:10 NKJV
Search for the Lord and for His strength;
seek His face always.
Ps. 105:4 HSCB
Krista Winchester, VA
Buffalo, NY
For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.
Psalm 48:14. NIV
Tammy Martinez, Burleson, TX
He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)
Martha, Cocoa, FL
Micah 6:8
ESV
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice , and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Linda, Las Vegas, NV
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
Psalm 73:24 NIV
Lynda from Dallas, TX
“I will say to the L-rd, “My refuge and my fortress, My G-d in whom I trust!””
Ps. 91:2
Diane from Chesapeake, VA
Colossians 1:17 (NIV)
” He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
“Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action.” I John 3:18
Jill Steele, Bridgeport, WV
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:14-15 (NIV)
Sharon, McKinney, TX
Be joyful always.
I Thes. 5:16
Judy Williams, Round Hill, Virginia
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Ginger K. ~ Shelby Twp., MI ~ II Timothy 4:2 (NIV) ~ “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.”
Judy Williams, Round Hill, Virginia
“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
Psalm 86:15 NIV
17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together. Colossians 1:17
Jodi, Lubbock TX, “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:14 NIV
Pam Williams, Olive Branch, MS
Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!
1 Samuel 12:16 NIV
Mary Joy, Dayton, OH.
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ”
Philippians 4:5 (NIV).
Danielle, Beaver Dam, WI
“One thing have I asked of The Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of The Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of The Lord and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 27:4 NIV
Catherine Lisle, Albuquerque NM. 1 Corinthians 13:6 ESV “it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”
Vickie Gray
Wichita Falls,Tx
Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now
come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.
Ephesians 3:12 NLT
Nell Brinkley chattanooga tn. When the lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Revelation 8;1. Esv
College Station, Texas
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Psalm 13:5 (NIV)
Rachel, Mt. Carmel, PA – “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” – Psalm 139:16b, NIV
Heather, Colorado Springs, CO The wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. Ps. 103:16 NIV
Katie Nicholls ~ Tucson, AZ
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deut 6:6-7 ESV
Barbara Bollman
West Fargo, ND
Every word of God is flawless: he is a sheild to those who take refuge in him.
Proverbs 30.5 NIV
8-15-15 Pat Wagar Huntsville, AL
“You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12 NLT
Jodell, Frankfort, “Be patient & and stand firm for the Lord’s coming is near.” James 5:8 NIV
Tshaka; Belgium; Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 NIV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ the new creation has come. The old has gone the new is here!
2nd Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Rural Hall, NC
“Those who hear the Word of God and keep it (obey it/ do it) are blessed!”
Luke 11:28 (HCSB)
Chris
Canton, NC
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
James 1:6 NIV
Darcy, Spokane, WA
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in You.” Psalm 84:11-12 (NIV)
Denise Ramser: Gambier, Ohio-Heal me, O LORD and I shall be healed, save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise. Jeremiah 17:14 ESV
To the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.
Ephesians 1:6 NIV
Peggy C Crews
Starke, Fl
Anna, Cincinnati, OH
“…to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion–” Isaiah 61:2-3a (NIV)
Leah Kuor, Salem OR
” All Scripture is [a]inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim 3:16-17 (NASB)
Therefore strengthen the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Hebrews 12:12-13 NKJ
Jennifer Tinsley, Indianapolis, IN. “March on with courage, my soul!” Judges 5:21 NLT
Lindsay, Los Alamis, nm
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Terri Lundskow, Highesville, Maryland
Psalm 23:5 (ESV) – You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Mary Beth – Hudsonville, MI
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27 NIV
Jana, Altus, OK
Isaiah 41:13, ESV
“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Yvette Palmer Mesa, Arizona
The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed,
a refuge in times of trouble.
Psalms 9:9 KJV
Charlene
Alabaster, AL
Jeremiah 29:13 (NKJV)
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jackie, Noblesville IN
“Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.”
Mark 2:9-10 NLT
Karen, New Prague, MN
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
Jacquie Terada from Mount Vernon WA
If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. Psalm 139:9-10 NIV