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
Janice Thacker, Sumner, IL Acts 1:8
But you will receive power
when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.”
Julie. Webb Ciry, MO
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:19 NLT
Sandra Kent, Gwinn MI
James 1:4 NASB
And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Redfield, AR
Ephesians 6:14 (NKJV)
[14] Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Riche L. Irving, TX Psalme 91:12 NIV
“they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
Duvall, WA
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 NIV
Luke 1:45 NIV
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.
August 15
June Greenstreet
Bradford Ontario
“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.”
Philippians 2:19-20 ESV
Laura Stiehl in Bedford, TX
But since we have the same spirit of faith as that shown in what has been written, “I believed; therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak. We do so because we know that the one who raised up Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus and will bring us with you into his presence.
2 Corinthians 4:13-14 (NET)
Kathleen Ottawa ON Canada
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who loves him, who have been called according to his purpose.” NIV
Julie Bock, Columbia city,IN
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Phil 2:13 (NLT)
Ashley G.
Royal Oak, 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
Melissa Teakell
Wichita, KS
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
Someone else, and not your own lips.
Proverbs 27:2 NIV84
Janet, Torrington,WY.
“We loved you so much that we shared
with you not only God’s Good News
but our own lives, too.” I Thess.2:8(NLT)
Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Eph 6:10 (HCSB)
Lorri Matthews Phenix City, Al
Psalm 138:8 The Living Bible
The Lord will work out his plans for my life- for your loving-kindness, Lord, continues forever. Don’t abandon me- for you made me.
Lynn
Humble, Texas
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV
Linda G. Crawfordsville, IN
2 Cor. 10:5
We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
(NASB)
Lisa H, Round Rock, Texas
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phillipians 4:6 NIV
But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because You have rescued me. Psalm 13:5 NIV
Barbara Severns, Eagle, Idaho
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hyms and spiritual songs, singing with thanksfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16 NASB
Claudia, Franklin, TN – “”Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.” James 5:13 NLT
Karen Wright, Shelton, WA
A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
Ecclesiastes 3:5 NKJV
Megan, St. Louis, MO
“The LORD your God is in your midst, a might one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
Annette Baal, Stouffville ON Canada
Jude 16
These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. NKJV
judy Conn, Ashland , ky:”But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.” Psalm 13:5 NLT
Sarah, Lincoln, NE “Even so faith without works is dead.” (James 2:17 BBE)
” The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me
Because th Lord has anointed me
To preach 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
Linda, Fort Collins, CO
In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. (Eph. 3:12 NIV)
Carla, Coweta. “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called-his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.” Ephesians 1:18 NLT
Billie, Greenville, “for He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source, that is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, ‘I will tell of YOur name to my brothers in the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise.'” Hebrews 2:11-12, ESV
Wendy Houston, Rocklin. CA
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18. NIV
Terryl Arola- Pine City, MN
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35 ESV
Shan Copeland, Salina,KS
“Choose for yourselves TODAY the one you will worship.”
Joshua 24:15
Philippians 2: 4-5 ESV Providence, RI
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a].
Karen Collier from the Eastern Shore of Maryland
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” Psalm 18:32 (NIV)
Martha, Asheville, NC
“As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God!”
(Psalm 40:17 ESV)
Cathy from Loxahatchee, Florida
Ecclesiastes 9:10 NLT
Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.
Gabriella Houston, Rocklin CA
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” Mark 10:35. Faith Girlz NIV
Rose K., Oneida, TN-
“The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.”
Proverbs 12:12 (KJV)
Alisha Hoschton, GA
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 NKJV
Melanie Miller, Armuchee, GA
Your word is very pure;
Therefore Your servant loves it.
Psalm 119:140 NKJV
Nicole S., Oviedo FL, Gal 6:9 NIV “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Joanna Trauger, Greer, SC
Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from Gods love for them.
Jonah 2:8 NIV
Cris, New Lenox IL
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me”
Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
“O love the LORD, all you His godly ones!
The LORD preserves the faithful
and fully recompenses the proud doer.
Be strong and let your heart take courage,
all you who hope in the LORD.” Psalm 31:23-24
Noel Carlton Clarksburg MD
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 NIV
Noel Carlton, Clarksburg MD
“For all have sinned and called short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23, NLT
Gloria Davis, Mansfield, OH
“Worship the Lord your God, and His blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you.”
Exodus 23:25 (NIV)
Diane E., Charleston, IL
Gen. 1:27 NIV
So God created man in his own image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.