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
“Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and feed on faithfulness.”
Psalm 37:3 ISV
Debbie, Lancaster, TX
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment,
You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants
Of the LORD, and their righteousness is from me,
Says the LORD. “
Isaiah 54:17 KJV
psalm 19:14 NLT
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lotd, my rock and my redeemer.
Mary Goins from Bluford, IL
“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
But none of those things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy,and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:24 KJV
Julie Lee – Calgary, AB
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways
Psalms 91:11 (NIV)
Debbie
Olathe, KS
John 13:34- “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Mary Wood, Fort Worth, TX
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 NIV
Rebecca- Eagle Point, OR “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:15
Cristy-Monroe, Ohio
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 ESV
Kerri Eyler, Woodsboro, MD The God of heaven will give us success. Nehemiah 2:20 NIV
Proverbs 4:2
If you live a life guided by wisdom you won’t limp or stumble as you run.
NLT Catholic
Lori Anthony, Pine River, MN
“I call upon You, for You will answer me, O God; incline Your ear to me; hear my words.” Psalm 17:6 ESV
Sheila Oakes
Cary, NC
Revelation 5:12 NLT
And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered — to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”
Lexington, Ky
Pro. 30:8-9 NLT
Give me neither poverty nor riches!
Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.
For if I grow rich,
I may deny you and say
“Who is the Lord?”
Tanya from Kenosha Wisconsin
Hope its not to late to post this. I was in Milwaukee to see Beth this weekend and ironically forgot all about scripture memory changeover
Hosea 12:16
Therefore return to the Lord your God, observe kindness and justice, and wait for your God continually.
Erin Hall, Magnolia TX., ” I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18 NIV)
Amanda Singleton, Drexel, NC
Hebrews 4:16 NLT “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Rebecca, Akron OH
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3, ESV
Linda Gammon, Blue Springs, MO
Colossians 1:9 NKJV
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
(I thought I posted this yesterday but don’t see it, so I’m sending it again. Sorry if there is a duplicate.)
Patti, Tampa, Florida
Hallelujah!
You who serve God, praise God!
Just to speak His Name is praise!
Just to remember God is a blessing – now and tomorrow and always. From east to west, from dawn to dusk, keep lifting all your praises to God! Psalm 113:1-3 (MSG)
In a storm, and praising my way to victory! Prayers appreciated, because you see how late this verse is posted.
For all has sinned and fall short of the glory o God.
Romans 3:23
Patty Pierce
Searcy,AR
Psalm 85:6 ESV
“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?”
Psalm 85:6 ESV
Beth Smyth, Perth, Western Australia
Ephesians 6:16-17 (NIV). In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Terri Fullerton, Abilene, TX
O Lord, you examine me & know. You know when I sit down & when I get up; even from afar you understand my motives. You carefully observe me when I travel or when I lie down to rest; you are aware of everything I do. Ps 139: 1-3, NET
Candis Oswalt South Bend IN Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Psalm 42:7 KJV
Melissa Emma, Scarborough ME: “But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.” Deuteronomy 30:14 ESV
Shelly Higgins, Pikeville, Tn.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (Philippians 2:14-15 ESV)
You know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great! Job 38:21 (ESV)
Penny – Loganville, Ga
Proverbs 18:10
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous runs into it and is safe.”
NASB
Bethany, Magnolia, TX
“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.”
Romans 8:6, NASB
Judith, Scott, La.
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
Susan Thomson, Crockett, TX
“Every WORD of GOD is flawless. HE is a shield to those who seek refuge in HIM.”
Proverbs 30:5 NIV
Dana Johnson, Waterford WI
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Ps 90:12 NIV
Jacqueline Davidson Sarnia ON
Jeremiah 32:37
” Behold , I am the Lord, the God of all flesh, is anything too difficult for Me?”
Elizabeth Peck, just-moved-from-Fairfax-Station-VA-to-Oak-Ridge-TN: Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord, with all of my heart; I will glorify your name forever. Ps 86:11-12 NIV 1984
LaMoniqué J. Katy, TX “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.”
Psalms 30:5 NKJV
Kelly Snodgrass
Rogersville, TN
1 John 5:21 HCSB
Little children, guard yourselves from idols.
Amy Seiford
Buda, TX
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1: 3-6 NIV
Gwen of Doylestown, PA
“For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12 NLT)
Karen: Souderton, PA
Philippians 4:13 NIV
I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
Diane, Nowata, OK
“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Psalm 61:2 NIV
Marilyn Brown in The Plains, OH says:
” In the last days the mountain of the temple of the Lord will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.”
Micah 4:1
I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalms 121:1-2. (NIV)
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”
Colossians 3:23-24 NASB
Bethany Sullivan from Converse, IN
Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Psalm 145:15 NIV
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
Alison Sparre, Sacramento, CA
Isaiah 46:4
4 Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (NIV)
Jewel from Florien, LA
I chose 3 verses on Aug. 1 and am continuing with those verse for this time since they need to be learned together:
Psalm 91: 8-10 – Only with thine eyes shalt thou see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. KJV
Pelican Rapids, MN. 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 NIV