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
Karen, Christy, Cheryl A Cord of Three Strands
Jay, OK
For everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. Romans 10:13 NIV
Lana, Bryant, AR “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Sharon, Barrington
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Cor 10:5 ESV
Jo, Columbia, Missouri
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
My hope comes from him.
Psalm 62:5 NIV
Melia
Loganville, GA
I will exalt you, O Lord, for you have lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
Psalm 30:1. NIV
Morgan Roberts
Brandon, MS
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.” Jeremiah 3:22 NLT
It’s actually Lamentations not Jeremiah (although Jeremiah said it!).
Shari Valdez, Long Beach, California
The king’s heart, is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it whenever He wishes. Proverbs 21:1 (NKJV)
Rachel, Dallas, TX “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance” Psalm 16:5-6 (ESV).
Donna R. Burleson Tx. rom.10.8-9.nkjv
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Kimberly Barrett, Camden, Arkansas
For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obedyed Abraham and called him her master. 1 Peter 3:5,6 NIV
Logansport, IN The Lord God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He wiltl be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. Zephaniah 3:17. NASB
Christene from London, Canada
I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 ESV
Kathy Rowland
Fort Wayne, IN
Psalm 119:18 (ESV)
Open my eyes that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.
Mindy Habelt, Williamson, GA
Matthew 5:3-6 (NIV)
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.”
Terri, College Station, TX
Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it
“But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.”
I Thessalonians 2:7 NKJV
Lana from Mishawaka, IN
Job 37:24 (ESV)
Therefore men fear Him; He does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.
… For such a time as this.
Esther 4:14 NIV
Tara G.
Sherwood, AR
And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
Malachi 3:18 (NIV)
Becky, Alberta, Canada
Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil. Hold on for dear life to good. Rom.12:9. The Message
Alaina // Tyler, TX
Eph 3:19 NIV
…and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Shauna, Aurora, NE
“Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.” Proverbs 4:13, ESV
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6
Sandra Larranaga Bowe San Jon NM
1 John 3:1 NIV
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
Angela T., Albuquerque, NM
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”
Isaiah 43:18 NIV
Nicole Eckblad Auburn, WA
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.”
Romans 15:4 NIV
Erika Powell -Celwbration FL
“We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.”
1 Thessalonians 2:8 NLT
Becky Frazier, Stromsburg, NE
Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV
Be very careful, then, how you live– not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Sandy Shiflett Deming NM
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:17 NIV
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads tho death. Romans 8:1-2 NLT
Brianna from Jonesboro, AR
Let me experience Your faithful love in the morning, for I trust in You. Reveal to me the way I should go because I long for You.
Psalm 143:8 HCSB
Charlotte Wilson Stedman, Austintown, Ohio
“Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart; lean not unto your own understanding.” Prov.3:5 NAS
PSALMS 118:5,6 AMP Out of my distress I called upon the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free and in a large place.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? [Heb. 13:6.]
Coshocton, Ohio [NASB] Phillipians 4:4,5,6,7 Rejoice in the Lord always;again Iwill say rejoice. 5Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.6 BE anxious for nothing,but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgivng let your requests be made known to God.7And the peace ,which surpasses all comprehension,will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Pam Tucker
Fairhope, AL
I all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the faming darts of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:16 ESV
Christy
Fayetteville, AR
2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
Karen
Flower Mound, TX
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
1 Cor 13:4-5. NIV
Abbie, North Platte, NE
Psalm 34:4 (NIV)
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Fresno, California
But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Rachel-Cumming, GA
Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always.
Psalm 105:4 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:65 NKJV
Cindy, Beaumont, TX. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 3:10 NKJV
Matthew 11:28 NIV
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Hebrews 12.2 KJV
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Mary Jo, Las Vegas, NV
1 Cor. 13:12, ESV
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
Cindy
Rising Sun In
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6 NLT)
Sheryl Rocky Mount NC Psalm 57:2 NIV I cry out to God Most High, to God, Who fulfills His purpose for me.
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20(NIV) Twyla McAmis, Cleveland Tennessee.
Acts 20:30 (NLT)
Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.
Linda, Bartelso, IL. Jeremiah 32:40 (NKJV) And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good: but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.