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
Jamee Miller, Sanford, FL “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” Romans 12:9
Lynne VP Des Moines, Iowa
“Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”
Psalm 34:5 NIV
Melanie Toups
Bridge City, Texas
In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch. –Psalm 5:3 NASB
Fran, thank you for sharing your heart with us. I wasn’t sure who the guest blogger would be this month, but I’ve been praying for you.
Debra from Zachary, Louisiana
“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit”, says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 4:6b NIV
Stacie in Collins, MS
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.””
John 16:33 NKJV
Desiree Reimer, Calgary, Alberta
They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed.
Psalm 34:5 ESV
Alissa; Lexington, SC:
“All my longings lie open before You, Lord;
my sighing is not hidden from You.”
Psalm 38:9 (NIV)
Betty, Austin, TX, Psalm 139:16 NIV
Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Susannah Hotchkiss from Cypress, TX
2 Tim. 4:5 ESV
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Lisa Griifin, Lincoln City, OR:
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7 (ESV)
Julie Holloway, Lafayette, LA
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 I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
Jamie C. Irvine, Ky.
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
Vickie, Poplar Bluff, MO.
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 NIV
Laura Hagedorn, Rib Mountain, WI., This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrew 11:2-3 NIV
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 NIV
Jessica Sanders, Broken Arrow, OK.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1 NIV
Valerie
Clinton, Me
“Praise be to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are his.” ~Daniel 2:20 (NIV)
Cheryl A. From Dunn, NC
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 KJV
The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the good news.
Mark 1:15 NIV
Cherie, Joseph OR. “When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.” (Psalm 94:19 NLT)
Lisa Zink
Chickasha, OK
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7 NKJV)
Anne Boone, Chesterfield, MI… You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:16
Angie Gates, wiggins, ms “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,”
Ephesians 3:16 NIV
Cheryl Swanson – Tulsa, OK
Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Donna Rose. Jayess, MS. The Lord directs our steps so why try to understand everything along the way? Proverbs 20:24 NLT
Show me Your ways, O Lord, Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. Psalm 25: 4-5. NKJ
Kim Lee, Faison, NC: If indeed you have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus. Ephesians 4:21 (NKJV)
Dawn in Monett, MO
Psalm 62:5 NIV Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
Nancy Huebner, Spring Hill, TN
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills–
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip–
He who watches over you will not slumber;
The Lord will keep you from all harm–
He will watch over your life;
The Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.”
Psalm 121:1-3,7-8
Kelly Aylward, Missouri City TX, “The Lord says’ “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life . I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 NLT.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ”
Romans12:12 NIV
Paula Hale, Brownwood, Tx
“She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.”
Proverbs 31:17 AMP
Prov 19:23
“The fear of the Lord leads to life, And he who has it will abide
in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.”
(NKJV)
Misty Sanders, North Charleston, SC
“Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.”
Isaiah 30:21 NLT
Denisha Bonds, Boynton Beach, FL: “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”
1 Peter 3:15 ESV
Susan
Tyler, Tx
August 15, 2015 at 10:19 p.m.
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, naked I will return to the womb of the earth. God gives, God takes. God’s name be ever blessed.”
Job 1:21 (MSG)
Liz, Round Rock, TX
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
1 Peter 2:1-3 NASB
Shelly and Sienna Colorado Springs, CO August 15, 2015
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19 NKJV
Lindsay Newman, Prophetstown, IL. ” And the peace of God, which transcsends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7, NIV
Tessa Oestman, Alliance, Nebraska
“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.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
Faith from Coeur d’Alene, ID
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
Titus 2:11 NKJV
Yet I will rejoice in The Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.
Hab 3:18 NLT
Linda, Longview: “Everything is permissible” – but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible” – but not everything is constructive.
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 NIV
Gina Campbell, Katy, TX.
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 NIV
Lesa, Garden City, Kansas
John 10:11 NIV
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Diane S., Macungie, PA
““Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 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 10:41-42 NIV
Romans 12:12 (NIV) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Kelli Hall ~ Sherwood, Oregon
“Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.” Isaiah 58:9 (NIV)
“The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14 NIV
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. ” Psalm 118:24 NIV