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
Tammy, Dothan, Al. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NIV
Judy Cottageville, WV
Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger & thirst after rightousness: for they shall be filled.”
Mathew 5: 5 NIV: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Shannon, Columbia, SC
“Because he bends down to listen,
I will pray as long as I have breath!”
– Psalm 116:2 (New Living Translation)
Amy Storms
Joplin, MO
Psalm 80:19 (NIV)
Restore us, Lord God Almighty;
make your face shine upon us,
that we may be saved.
Yael hernandez New York, ny
Romans 16:20 NASB
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. Thr Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Andrea in Independence, KY
Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Beverly Welch, Dallas, NC
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)
Lou Ann Smith, McAllen, TX
And this is My covenant with them, ” says the Lord. “My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children’s children forever. I, the Lord have spoken! Isaiah 59:21 NLT
Alice, Lichtenvoorde, Holland
“Toen Jezus dat hoorde, zei hij: Nog één ding ontbreekt u. Verkoop alles wat u hebt en verdeel de opbrengst onder de armen, dan zult u een schat in de hemel bezitten. Kom daarna terug en volg mij!”
Lucas 18:22
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Luke 18:22
Susan Brown, Mandeville, LA.
Psalm 40:2 “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”
NIV
Diane from Cypress, Tx
Psalm 96:4 (NIV)
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods
Susan Clements, Seale, AL
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 NIV
Brenda, Greenville sc
Eph 3:20 NIV
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more that all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us
Tonya, Apex, NC
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. James 1:2-3 (NASB)
But that is not the way you learned Christ!
Ephesians 4:20
ESV
Brenda, Greenville SC
Eph 3:21 NIV
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever, Amen.
Brenda, Greenville SC
Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
Kathleen. Saint Joseph, Michigan
Ephesians 4:20
But that is not the way you learned Christ
ESV
Stacey DeYoung-Morocco,In.
Nehemiah 1:11 NIV
“Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. “
“Have faith in Him in all circumstances, dear people. Open up your heart to Him: the true God shelters us in His arms. ” Ps. 62:8 (VOICE)
Minnetonka, MN
Isaiah 30:15 NIV
In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.
Florence, Rancho Cordova, CA
“Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.” Isaiah 40:30-31a (NIV)
the Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants so that you may love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. Duet. 30:6 NKJV
Amy Guth, Canton, MS
“For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.”
I Corinthians 3:9 ESV
Esther. Jonesborough, TN. Romans 15:5 ESV. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus.
Sherri Huff, Mechanicsville VA
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5 KJV
“So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 5:21 NLT
Karin – Toronto, Canada
“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him and he cannot understand them, for they are spiritually discerned”
1 Cor 2:14 (NIV)
Ellen, Moneta VA
I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing. -Galatians 2:21 (NIV 1984)
Tonya Thibodeaux, DeQuincy, Louisiana
Matthew 16 : 25 – ” For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
2 Cor. 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. NIV
Jenni Johnson, Murray, KY
“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
2 Timothy 2:22 (ESV)
Crystal, Livonia, Michigan
“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3
Morgan, Arlington VA
“But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the House of God. I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever. I will praise You forever, O God, for what You have done. I will wait for Your mercies in the presence of Your people.” Psalm 52:8-9 (NLT)
Fay, Springfield, MO
Mattew 11:28 NIV
Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Jessica, Shelby, NC; “fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works,
I will meditate.
Psalms 145:5
ESV
Pensacola, Fl.
“Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.”
Isaiah 26:8 NIV
Kristetta, Pineville, LA for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:20 (NIV)
Phil 2:7
But made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. . . .
Lea Ann Frank from Hales Corners, WI
Galatians 5:6 NIV
“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
Attended LPL:Milw- What a blessing!! Thank you!!
Lori smith little rock ar
“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.”
Romans 8:28 NIV
susie McNeely Russellville ar
“‘For in him we live and move and have our being’”
Acts 17:28 NIV
Chula Vista, CA “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” Ephesians 4:31 NAS
Denise, Winfield, MO
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Lori Leija, Austin, Tx
“For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.”
1 Corinthians 3:9 ESV
Deanna Ellis, Lexington, SC “and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;” 2 Peter 1:6 (NIV)
Shannon, Mandeville LA, “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.” Prov. 28:26 TNIV