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
Bobbie Lutz
College Station, Tx
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God stands forever.
Isaiah 40:8 NIV
Brenda Rowland, Mint Hill, NC, 8/15/15
Pas, 5:12. For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous. With favor You surround him as with a shield
NKJV
Joan Wetzel, New Orleans, Louisiana,
Matthew 22:5 (NASB)
“But they paid no attention and went their
way, one to his own farm, another to his
business,”
Linda Rivet, Bartlesville, OK
“Anyone who listens to the Word and does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror”
James 1:23 NIV
Sarah Whitt, Fort Worth, TX
“Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12 AMP
Samantha Zumbro, Golden, CO
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know”. Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
“The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here.”
Psalms 103:16 NLT
Jenny- Shelby Township, MI
Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. Habakkuk 1:5 NIV
Dawn – Goliad
God will make a way.
Isaiah 43:19
Susan, Andover, KS:
“When they kept on questioning (Jesus), he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let any of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7 (NIV)
Doris Ann Barnes, Manchester, GA
These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 15:11 (KJV)
Sarah, Queretaro, Mexico
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)
What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks,
to sing an anthem to you, the High God!
To announce your love each daybreak,
sing your faithful presence all through the night… Psalm 92:1-2 message
Meagan st Augustine, FL
Laurie Watkins Arlington tx
Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church.
And let them pray over him anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
James 5:14 KJV
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guie me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139: 7-10 NIV
Geri, Deer Park, TX
Colossians 2:1 ESV
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,
Bette Eckel from danville,pa
Judges 5:21b NIV
March on my soul; be strong!
Fawnda Dooley – Denton, TX
This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty.
Zechariah 4:6 – NIV
Catherine Lesley, Waterdown, Ontario
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 (ESV)
Daura Crawley, Conway, AR 2 Cor. 13:3-4 ESV
“Since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.”
Ashlyn Crawley, AR JOSHUA 1:9 ESV
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Dana McKinney, Starkville , MS “Be joyful in hope , patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Psalm 139:21,22
Tangila, Pearland TX
“But the LORD is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him.””
Habakkuk 2:20 NLT
but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42. NIV
Candice Kindrick Simpson
Bloomington, Indiana
” Consider it great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” James 1: 2-3 (HCSB)
Meredith B.
Collierville Tn
….and do not be grieved for the joy of The Lord is our strength.
Nehemiah 8:10 Life Application New Revised Stanard Version
Anita, Miami, FL
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)
Madelyn Crawley, Conway, AR Isaiah 26:3 ESV
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Nitsa, Eugene, OR “For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees all his steps.” Job 34:21 ESV
Ashley Lewis, Marshalltown, Iowa
2 Peter 1:10 (HCSB) – Therefore, brothers, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble.
Kaylee Taylor – Stephenille, TX
““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Matthew 5:14 ESV
16 Colossians 3:13 NLT
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Pati S, Macomb, MI
1 John 3:20 (NASB)
whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart.
Courtney, Lima, Ohio. “For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything He does.” Psalm 33:4 (NLT)
Linda O’Neill, Elk Grove, CA
“Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.”
Psalms 91:6 NLT
Debi Detroyer
John 14:6 NLT
Jesus told him “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
Marie, Kinard, FL
Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)
For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
Kris Braun, Shakopee, MN
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:3 NIV
Melissa Sacramento, CA
“We always give thanks for all of you, remembering you in our prayers. We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your work of faith, labor of love and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 HCSB
Elsie -Scottsbluff, NE
Psalm 57:7 ESV
My heart is steadfast, O God,
My heart is steadfast!
I will sing and make melody!
“For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths.”
Proverbs 5:21 NIV
Terri Plumlee, Stamford, Tx
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3 NIV
The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it. Proverbs 10:22 NIV
Deborah Bell, Bridgeton, New Jersey
10). And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
1 Peter 5:10 ESV
Jennifer Lane, Grand Rapids, MI
Philippians 2:16 NIV
“As you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.”
Tarsha, St. Petersburg, FL “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
Mary Saul
Houston, TX
Psalm 25:16 NIV Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
Tammy Cosby/Siloam NC……Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all you heart. (NIV)
San Bernardino Ca.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me ,your rod and your staff they comfort me.Psalm :23:4 Esv.