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
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:12-13 NIV
Rita Ford, The Woodlands, Texas “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” Psalm 46:2 NIV
Penny Ritter, Vian, OK
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psa 51:10 KJV
Natalie, Houston
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19 NIV
Beth, Lansing, MI
Phillipians 4:11 ESV
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Kandy Hall, Huffman, TX
1 Corintians 10:13 (ESV)
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Jordan LaRoche, Kingwood, TX
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Barbara Dunton
Midland, Texas 79707
Psalm 103:21 (ESV)
Bless The Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
Lois, Southbury, CT
Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?
Psalm 2:1 NIV
Romans 12:2 NRSV
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Elisabeth
South Africa/ Modesto, Ca
“Your eyes saw my unformed body,
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.”
PSALM 139:16
Barbara, Atlanta, GA
John 15:5-8 NIV
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Kristi. Rogersville,Tn
Romans 13:14 NASB
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ
And make no provision for the flesh
in regard to its lust
Joan Anderson, Dousman, WI
And if we know that He hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of Him.
1John 5:15 NIV
Carol Headen, Humboldt, TN
Just started this today!
May you be strengthened with all power, according to His might, for all endurance and patience, with joy.
Col 1:11 HCSB
Vikki Stemler, Jeffersonville, Indiana
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, Hebrews 12:1, NIV
Jennifer Brosdahl, Menahga, MN
“When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.’ ” Judges 6:12
**Dedicated to my son Zach, currently at Marine boot camp in San Diego, CA HOORAH!!!
Pam, Campbellsburg,In..Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name. NKJV. NSFL
Candra Brasel – Huntsville, AR
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” 3 John 4 NKJV
When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
Psalm 91:15 NLT
Candra Brasel – Huntsville, AR
“You therefore must endure hardship as a good follower of Jesus Christ.” 2 Timothy 2:3 NKJV
Vicki Smith, Cleveland, TX. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Troy, Ohio
August 1st and 15th!
Ephesians 4:20 (ESV) But that is not the way you learned Christ.
Psalm 71:14 (NIV) As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.
Cynthia, Missouri
So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:12 ESV
Lyn, Tulsa, OK
“Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Psalm 100:3 NKJV
Susan, Atlanta, GA
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Eph. 6:10-11 ESV
Tanya, from Lorton, VA
(HCSB) Psalm 121:7-8
The Lord will protect you from all harm, He will protect your life. 8-The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.
1 John 4:18-19 (ESV), “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because He first loved us.”
Sally H., Port Orchard, WA
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strong
holds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10: 4-5 NIV
Stephanie, Fort Worth, TX:
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
Isaiah 53:4 ESV
Amanda T. Genoa City, Wi
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire,you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)
Marie from Post Falls, Idaho –
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1 (NKJV)
But the one who hates his brother is the darkness and walks in the darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His names sake. 1 John 2:11-12
Kristi ~ Clovis, 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
Anna, Elkhart IN
Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us
2 cor 10:12b
when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.
Sheryl(59) Bella(8) Parker, KS
Isaiah cries our concerning Israel:
“Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.” Rom 9:27, Isaiah 10:22,23 NIV
Deb Bryan, Topeka, KS
Psalm 19: 9-11 HCSB
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are reliable
and altogether righteous.
They are more desirable than gold—
than an abundance of pure gold;
and sweeter than honey,
which comes from the honeycomb.
In addition, Your servant is warned by them;
there is great reward in keeping them.
Liza Kirschner Monmouth Junction, NJ
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8 NIV)
Sonya Ryder, Baton Rouge, LA: “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.” – Eph. 4:31-32 (ESV)
Woodstock, Ontario Canada
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Joyce Grimes
Pace, FL
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Colossians 4:6 NKJV)
“Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped.” Psalm 124:7 (NKJV)
Living Bible-2 Corinthians 9:15
“Thank God for His Son – His Gift too wonderful for words.”
Gale
Montgomery TX
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Colossians 3:23
Carolyn Valente, Chicago, IL But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15 NIV
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 ESV
Kathy B. Albany, GA
II Corinthians 4:16.
“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day”
NASB
Tonya, Searcy, AR
The LORD says, “I am the one who comforts you.”….
Isaiah 51:12a
Laura Berg from Carlsbad, CA,
“Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:7-10. NIV