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
Danielle, Evansville, IN Hebrews 4:15-16 ESV
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of Grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Susie, Northville, MI
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything
James 1:4. NIV
Nancy Dal Pian, Port Charlotte, Florida
Philippians 2:8-9, NIV
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
Emily Bowden, Augusta, GA
“I will say to the Lord, My refuge and my
Fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2 ESV
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12 (ESV)
Robin Ivey, Meridian, MS
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19
KJV
1Cor 3:7 nkjv
So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
“When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.” ~ Psalm 94:19 NLT
Peggyann Calderwood
Crestview, Florida
This is the day the Lord has made,
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 NKJV Always Remember Jesus Loves You
Mark 7:34 nkjv
Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”
Sorry I sent the wrong scripture!! Whoops!!
Mark 7 is for the 15th!!!:)
Angie G
Albertville AL
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Col 3:17 NASB
Susan, Blacksburg, Virginia
“Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.”
Psalms 91:14 KJV
August 14 at 7:40 PM RuthyParish Stratton,CO
1Peter 2:1-3 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. NISB
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:4-5 NIV
Connie, Chariton, Iowa. NKJV I Chronicles 29:13 Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name.
Ann from Mandeville, LA
Ephesians 4:23 (NIV)
To be made new in the attitude of you minds.
Susan Lawrence (central IL) God, how difficult Your thoughts are for me to comprehend; how vast their sum is! (Psalm 139:17, HCSB)
Dawn, Orland Park, IL: “May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.” Psalm 119:170 (NIV)
Cecilia, Pflugerville, TX
Ephesians 4:31 NIV
“Get rid of all bitterness, anger and rage, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
Denise, Gardners, PA
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners… Isaiah 61:1 (NIV)
Jan Cleburne, TX
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalms 23:1 (NKJV)
Brandi Hunter. Memphis, TN.
You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.
Psalm 139:5 NASB
Kristie Lovely, Van Alstyne, TX
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12 ESV
Susan Smith,, Helena, MT
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5
Lisa Atkinson
Chappell Hill Tx
“I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.” Proverbs 8:17 (NIV)
Kristy Sanders; Madison, Ms; NASB Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.”
Ellen Hollenshead, Albuquerque, NM. They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs: You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy. Psalm 65:8, NASB.
Beth, Andover, MN: “But the LORD’s plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken.” Psalm 33:11 (NLT)
Margie, Camdenton MO: Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. Romans 12:15-17 ESV
Anne Roline, Morristown, TN
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Revelation 21:4 NIV
Wendy Karabensh
Vero Beach
If I go up to the heavens,
you are there;
If I make my bed in the depths,
you are there.
Psalm 139:8
(NIV)
James 2:1-4 old NIV
My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? James 2:1-4
Jennifer Mosher in Canfield, OH
Julie Ratcliff, Texarkana,TX,”“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,”
Colossians 3:12 ESV
Elmwood, Tennessee
“We pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ.” 1 Corinthians 10:5 (GNT)
Jana Stroud, Houston TX
My command is this…love one another as I have loved you…John 15:12 (NIV).
Deb McGuire Wayland, Iowa
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Psalm 119:37 ESV
Julie, Naperville, IL
There is no one holy like the Lord. There is no one besides You! And there is no rock like our God. I Samuel 2:2 (HCSB)
Carolyn Webb, Grand Prairie, Texas.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 NIV
When you ask, you must believe and not doubt. For the one who doubts is like the wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6
Mary, Atlanta – Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. Isaiah 5:20-21 (NIV)
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
Amanda Gozur, Albuquerque, NM
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
1 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)
1Corinthians 16:13 (ESV)Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be stong.
Perri Lee, Shallowater TX
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.
~ Numbers 6:24-26 NLT
Carrie Guion, Wentzville, Mo.
I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy. Habakkuk 3:2 NLT
Billie, Yucca Valley, CA
“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 (NIV)
Laurie O, Milton, GA
For in him all the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
Colossians 2:9-10, ESV
Tracy Fahs, Lake St. Louis, Mo.
You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode. Exodus 15:13 ESV
Shannon Davidson, San Juan Capistrano,CA “Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:11 NIV
Psalm 34:16 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
16 “The face of the Lord is against evildoers,
To cut off the memory of them from the earth.”
Syneva Mullins, Topeka, KS