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
Michelle, Houston “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 (thank you Fran – great post and timely verse!)
Stacey M.
Clayton, NC
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 NASB
Linda Marty; Colorado Springs,CO
Colossians 1: 17-18 ESV
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Sheryl Potts, Monroe, LA
“This is what the Lord says, ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.'” Jer.6:16 NIV
Deena Wahl, Lumberton, Tx
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”
Galatians 6:7-8 NKJV
Denise Wilkin
The Woodlands, Texas
Romans 12:2
“Do not be conformed 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.”
Sally Bradford, Mayfield, KY
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. Deuteronomy 6:6-7, ESV
Jenni Neal, Dunn, NC
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12 KJV)
Kandis Nucla, Colorado
In God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?
Ps 56:11 NIV
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Veronica-Atlanta, Georgia
” I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalms 32:8 (NIV)
Katelyn Kraft, Columbus, OH
” I will for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”
– Psalm 130:5 (NIV)
Mary, Lilburn Ga Josh 1:5. NIV. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you.
Stephanie, Paris, TX. “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”. Psalm 51:12, NIV.
Misty Weare, Alliance,NE
2 Thessalonians 2:13, ESV
But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
Allison, Austin
For you created my in most being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Ps 139:13-14
Jackie Watson, Marietta,Ga. “For this God is our God forever and ever; he will be our guide, even to the end.” Psalm 48:14. NIV
Sheri – OR
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifice with strife. Proverbs 17:1 KJV
Richmond, TX
Zechariah 4:6 NIV
‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
1 Thessalonians 5:16
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all
circumstances, for this is God’s will for you
in Christ Jesus.
Amy, Arlington, VA “Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV
Allison H.
Wilmington, NC
“Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”
~Romans 12:16 (NKJV)
“You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them.”
Psalms 10:18 NLT
Kelly Cut-n-Shoot Tx
Ps 23:3 AMP
“He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him–not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake.”
Marianna, San Angelo, TX.
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, an it will be yours. Mark 11:24 NIV
Sissy Youngblood Ruston, Louisiana
so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.
Colossians 1:10 NIV
Brooke Rosetti, Wiggins, MS
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Julie F.
Ann Arbor, MI
He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation.
Colossians 1:15 (NASB)
Brenna Wiggins, Ms
“These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
1 Peter 1:7 NIV
Corpus Christi, TX:
“So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7 NAB
And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Exodus 33:14 ESV
Annette Green, Roach, MO
Romans 15:13, NIV. “Now, may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Melanie Anderson, Groesbeck, TX
“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.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV(1984)
Kathy, Albuquerque, NM
Philippians 2:13 HCSB
For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose.
Romans 8:28 NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who
love Him,who have been called according to his purpose.
Finally Brothers Whatever is True, Noble, Honest, Just, Pure, Lovely, Commendable, & Excellent- if anything is worthy of praise- Think on These Things. Philippians 4:8 NIV
Do not conform 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.
Romans 12:2 NIV
Cindy Barger
Houston, TX
Anne Eppright, Round Rock, TX
“His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promise, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants of the divine nature.” 2Peter 1:3-4 ESV
Psalm1:1-2 NIV
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.
Luke 15:10
“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” KJV
Jane from Calgary, Alberta
“That it might take hold of the ends of the earth
And the wicked be shaken out of it?” Job 38:13 (NASB)
Erin Keel, Chesnee, SC
“Lord, I have heard of Your fame;
I stand in awe of Your deeds, Lord.
Repeat them in our day,
In our time make them known;
In wrath remember mercy.”
Habakkuk 3:2 NIV
Revelation 17:14 NIV
They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
Corrie Crouch, Silsbee, Texas
2 Corinthians 4:8-9.ESV We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
Fruita, CO
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.
1 Timothy 2:1 NLT
Psalm 119:1-2 NKJV
Blessed are the undefined in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord!
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart.
Paulette P. Mays
Elmer, La
Isaiah 52:13
See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and greatly exalted.
Tori Mays
Elmer, La
“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth. When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your hands, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that you take thought of him.”
Psalms 8:1, 3, 4
Suzanne Carlson – Ridgefield, WA
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age Titus 2:11-12 NKJV
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 118:1
New Living Translation