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
Cynthia – Gainesville,Ga
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Patrice, Midland, TX
Colossians 3:16 (KJV)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
James 1:6 – “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.”
I needed this this month!
Natalie, Cumberland Gap, TN
Ephesians 4:3 KJV
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Beverly Cumberland Gap, TN
Psalms 2:1 KJV
Why do the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing?
“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 1:6
(NIV)
Sandy, Brookshire, Tx. Col 3:13-14. Bearing with one another and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. (Nash)
James 1:5
5 If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.
James 1:5 CEV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB
Nikki McGregor, Radford, VA
Lev. 19:18 Love your neighbor as yourself.
It is my daily prayer that God uses me in any way He wants. I just finished a quilt for a friend who’s mother started it for her over 40 years ago.
1 Peter 1:9
“Receiving the end of our faith, even the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:9
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good: his love endures foreverPsalm118:29
Belen- San Juan Capistrano,Ca.
1 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
Psalm 116:1-2 (NIV)
Jessie, Wellsville, PA Psalms 34:11-12 “Come, O Children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is there who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?”
Linda- Xenia, Ohio
“There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-”
Ephesians 4:4 (ESV)
1 Corinthians 15:57 RSV
Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Bayport, NY
Psalm 66:8,9
Bless our God, O people’s; let the sound of his praise be heard.
Who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip!
Laura Hix – Grand Saline, TX
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
September 1, 2015
PSALM 33:14 (NIV)
From his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth-
psalm34:18. The Lord is near to the broken-hearted , and saves those who are crushed in spirit. NAS
Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinithians 11:1
College Station, Texas
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
Jennie. Chapel Hill, NC
In the day of trouble I will call on You,
For You will answer me.
Psalm 86:7. NKJV
Julie Wagner, Nederland, TX
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Proverbs 21:2
Peggy Hodge, Monroe,LA, – “All things were made through Him and without Him nothing was made that was made.” John 1:3 (NKJV)
1Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Laquita; Athens, Texas
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Kristen, Liberty, MO
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
Do not repay evil with evil, or insult with insult,but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:9 NIV
Dawn – Orland Park, IL
“May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.” Psalm 119:171 (NIV)
Emma Mierta Davison, Michigan 2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Threrefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. NIV
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”
2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV
Julie Grissett, Sugar Land, TX
“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.”
Psalms 116-1-2 NIV
Gina Rosamond, Ca
Psalms 119:18
NASB
Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from your law.
Wendy Tunison Caldwell Idaho
2) COUNT IT ALL JOY, MY BROTHERS, WHEN YOU MEET TRIALS OF VARIOUS KINDS. 3) FOR YOU KNOW THAT THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES STEADFASTNESS. 4) AND LET STEADFASTNESS HAVE ITS FULL EFFECT, THAT YOU MAY BE PERFECT AND COMPLETE, LACKING IN NOTHING.
JAMES 1: 2-4 ESV
BRENDA
LINDON, UTAH
1 THESSALONIANS 5:17
PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.
Psalm 94:19 NIV
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.
Melissa Stevens, Kingwood TX
Carol Marshall, Gilbert, AZ
Psalms 5:3
O’Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. ESV
Melissa ~Black Creek, GA
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,”
1 Peter 5:6 ESV
Helen Roseberry, Riverside, CA,
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;” Ephesians 4:22 NIV (From passage Eph. 4:17-32)
Vonda Schwarz, Bertrand, NE “I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look at Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” Psalm 34:4-5 NIV
Laurie – Albany, Ga.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord,” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Eleanor
Memphis, TN
Psalm 119:6 ESV
Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
Romans 8:18 ERV
We have sufferings now, but these are nothing compared to the great glory that will be given to us.
Anne, Athens, Greece
Psalm 119:50 NLT – Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.
Rosa – Cypress, TX
Psalms 119:40
Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
I’ve lost track! Going with the verses my soon-to-be 3rd and 4th grade Bible Class will have to memorize this year. Our verse 1, my SSMT verse 16:
Jennifer, Fairfax VA
I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. John 11: 25-26 (NASB)
Susan Brown, Mandeville, LA
Romans 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” NIV
Lindsey Ehle – Kingwood, TX
“Everything is permissible for me” -but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me” -but I will not be mastered by anything.
1 Corinthians 6:12
Beth from Sumter:
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22