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
Amy Cobb, Murfreesboro, TN. “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
Margaret Cate, Vienna VA
Isaiah 30:18 – “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you…” NIV
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.–Isa 26:3 NIV
Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:10-11 NIV
Debra
Baraboo, Wisconsin
“For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me.”
Colossians 1:29 ESV
Plano, Tx “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Colossians 1:17 NIV
Lisa Rogers, Valley Center, ks “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—”
1 Timothy 2:1 NIV
Deneen Horne, Jacksonville, Florida
“The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.”
Psalms 118:14 (NKJV)
Cheryl in Fairhope – “The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ (Numbers 6:24-26)
To grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousnes, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
Isaiah 61:3
NAS
Diane, Harker Heights, TX. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 NIV
Deby
New Carlisle, OH
Whatever you do work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord not for human masters.
Colossians 3:23
Bethany Mowat, Evart,MI For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide [even] until death. Psalm 48:14AMP
Angela Dedman, Murfreesboro, TN. “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
Marian Garcia – Springfield, Mo
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander
be put away from you, along with all malice.
Ephesians 4:31. ESV
Becky Cleveland., TN
Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16
janelle MacKay, Malta, NY “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
“For they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles.” -Isaiah 40:31
Joyce Smith ~~ Mount Juliet, TN ~~ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; (Hebrews 10:23 NASB)
John 1:12 (NIV)
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
Danyelle
Beavercreek, OH
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8 (NIV)
Kathy, Leamington, Ontario, Canada
“He who calls you IS faithful;
He will surely do it.”
1 Thess. 5:24
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household.” Acts 16:31
Amy Flanagan Santee, Ca
HEB 10:24 ESV: Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.
Mandi… Edmond, OK…”… I do believe; help my unbelief.” Mark 9:24 NASB
Tempa BABINGTON, Palm Bay, Fl
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV
Dawn Tolley, Appomattox, Va “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)
Paula Weatherly
Huffman, TX
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NASB)
Marge Turner, Chili Wisconsin
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
NIV
Willa, Rock Springs, WY
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Ezekiel 36:26-27
Lisa Cummings
Joaquin, TX
“Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:21 KJV
Matthew 6:34. NIV
Do not worry about tomorrow,for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Vickie Henderson
Russellville, Ar
2 Corinthians 1:5
For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
ESV
Sherree -Lilburn, GA
2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Melissa Rausch, Blue Springs,MO
Listen carefully, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2chronicles20:15. HCSB
Amber Anderson
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Lisa from Hutchins,TX
I Corinthians 6:19-20 NASB
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
luk.6.38.ESV give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Taryn Schairer, Lititz, PA
“But now, this is what the LORD says, he who created you Jacob, he who formed you Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1
Crystal Sparks, Andrews, NC – 2 Tim 2:24 “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil” ESV
Rolanda Hairston Ft. Worth, TX
“Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” Psalms 103: 2-5 NLT
Lynann, Artesia, N.M.
Revelation 3:8 NKJV
I know your works. See I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept my word, and have not denied My name.
Holly Tabor, Nixa, Missouri
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Romans12:18 NIV
Joshua 1:9
Be strong and courageous. For the Lord
Your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 NIV
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3 NIV
Terri, Orange TX
“But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed about.”
James 1:6 NASB
Judy Madison
Beaumont, California
I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you Do not fear: I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13 NAS
Chelsea McNary, Lima, OH
Psalm 139:23–24 (NLT)
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Marlena Cantrell, Alabaster, AL
“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:25-26 ESV
Linda Wright, Sugar Land, TX
1 Thessalonians 5:5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. NIV