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
Karen Bingham Lake, MN
Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.
Hebrews 4:16 ESV
Springfield MO
If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.
Isaiah 7:9b TNIV
Liane Kent – Harlowton, MT – “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.””
Joshua 1:9 NLT
Liane-
I love this verse from Joshua 1:9. I needed to be reminded of this verse, to be strong and courageous and to not be afraid or discouraged. That the LORD is with me wherever I go. My grandmother Carolyn was just diagnosed with lung cancer. And I am praying to God for strength and courage. Also, my husband just got orders to England and we are moving across the world. I am reminded that the LORD will be with me wherever I go and it gives me peace. I am doing my best to stay strong and to trust in God’s promises. May God bless you as he daily makes ‘strong, firm and steadfast.’ 1 Peter 5:10
Karen from Las Vegas, NV. I will use this passage for August 15 & September 1, because of the length.
“Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Hebrews 13:20-21 NASB
Sandra Hicks. Houston
Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
Mark 11:22,23 KJV
Memphis, Tn.
Psalm 103:v 1 ESV
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
robin, Knoxville TN
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV
Jessica, Encinitas, CA “I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” Isaiah 65:24 (NLT)
Colleen – Phoenix, AZ – Colossians 3:12 (HCSB)
..accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must forgive.
Chris Wheeler, Bend, OR Finally brothers & sisters, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, –if anything is excellent or praiseworthy –think about such things.Phil 4:8 NIV
Chris-
This was my memory verse last week! It is a wonderful verse; however, you left out the most important part, “Whatever is true.” Love to you Siesta<3
La Grande, Oregon
1 John 4:18 NKJV
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
Kira Chaloupka
Auburn, AL
Rise up, Lord! O God, strike him down! Do not forget the oppressed! Why does the wicked man reject God? He says to himself, “You will not hold me accountable.” You have taken notice, for you always see one who inflicts pain and suffering. The unfortunate victim entrusts his cause to you; you deliver the fatherless.
Psalm 10:12-14 (NET)
Cindy Webster, Imperial Beach, CA For I know the plan I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Diana – Indianapolis – 1 Corinthians 16:13,14 NIV
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
Previously from Omaha, NE; NOW (as of yesterday!) from Denver, CO!! “He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.” Psalm 23:2 NASB
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.
James1 v6
NIV
Jacquie Engbrecht, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16 ESV
Christine- Kingsburg, Ca
Psalm 1:1-3
1 Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a treeplanted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
Kristen Schwark, Indianapolis, IN
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
~ Proverbs 3:3 NIV
Luanne Neely, Marshall, TX:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23-24 ESV
La Plata, MD. “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ” Ephesians 6:13 NKJV
Dacia Edmonson, Bullard, Texas
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Laura Grassi, Denver, CO
Psalm 1:1-2 ESV
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.
Meredith from Columbus, Ohio: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows. – James 1:16 (NIV)
Ashley, West Monroe, LA
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”
John 15:9 NIV
“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”
Ephesians 5:15-16 NLT
http://bible.com/116/eph.5.15-16.nlt
Shana,Milton, FL
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.
Tyra Sias – Atlanta, GA
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NKJV
Fort Worth, TX
Duet. 6:5 ESV
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Sue-Elise Flowers, Burkesville, KY – I am continuing to work on some verses from 2nd Corinthians: (NIV) – 2 Corinthians 4:9 – “persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed”
Louisville
Psalm 56:3 ESV… When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
Marissa – Seattle, WA
Romans 8:5-6 (NET)
For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlooks shaped by the things of the Spirit. For the outlook of the flesh is death, but the outlook of the Spirit is life and peace.
Sarah Winslow Franklin, TN
Psalm 16:5 NIV Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.
DeLene from Garland, TX
“The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight.”
Proverbs 15:26 NIV
Salley Sutmiller, Tulsa,OK
“To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.” —Psalm 22:5
Stephanie Morris, Norman Ok
“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.” Psalm 37:7 NKJ
Jeri, Missouri City, TX
Psalm 104:34 (NIV)
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
as I rejoice in the Lord.
Kelsey Long, Chickasha, OK
But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
-Matthew 5:22 NLT
Barb Faasse, Jenison, MI “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
Claudia from Edmond, OK
“Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods. I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood or even speak the names of their gods.” Psalms 16:4 NLT
Mindy H., West Lafayette, IN. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. (Psalm 139:5 NIV)
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous, Be strong.
I Corinthians 16:13 NLT
Laurie, Austin, TX
Shannon Pate
Little Rock, Arkansas
Joshua 21:45 (NLT)
“Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything He had spoken came true.”
Ana from Dayton, TX
Zechariah 9:12 (ESV)
Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.
Meredith Cox, Irmo, SC
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28 NIV
Don’t be deceived my dear brothers.
James 1:16 Life Application NIV
Kathleen Smith, Georgetown TX
Psalm 117:2 ESV
For great is his steadfast love towards us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Parise the Lord!
Erin Beil, Sneads Ferry, NC
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows. -James 1:17 NIV
Kristen Fowler, Marble, NC
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV
Pamela, Hendersonville, TN
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 4:23 NIV