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
Debbie, Ringgold, GA.
I will trust in YOUR unfailing love, my heart rejoices in YOUR Salvation. I will sing unto the LORD for HE has been good to me. Psalm 13:5-6.NIV
Kathy, Woodstock, Ga
John 1:16 ESV
For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
Diana, Round Hill, VA
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:6 NRSV
Linda Hunter, Lumberton, TX
But the love of the Lord remains forever
with those who fear him.
His salvation extends to the children’s children
Psalm 103:17 NLT
Lora Leftwich, Indian Land, SC
The Rock—His work is perfect, all His ways are entirely just.
A faithful God, without prejudice, He is righteous and true.
Deuteronomy 32:3-4(HCSB)
Kristi, Pensacola, FL
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:7 NIV
Trish – Clover, SC
25. To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” Says the Holy One.
26. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:25-26 NIV
Laquita, Athens, Tx
Isaiah 26:9 “My soul yearns for You in the night, my spirit within me earnestly seeks you.” Isa. 26:9 ESV
Be determined and confident. Do not be afraid of them. Your God, the Lord himself, will be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.
Deuteronomy 31:6-8 GNT
I need this verse on my mind and in my heart; I start a new job next week, teaching in a tough, inner city middle school.
Corydon, IN
John 15:9 NIV
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love.
2 Chronicles 7:14
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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
Denise from Snowcreek, VA. Romans 12:3 Amplified For by Grace [unmerited favor of God] given to me, I warn every one among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgement, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.
Maria from Tallmadge, Ohio
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)
Margie Snyder, Groveland FL
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”[a]—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
Sandra Arnold, Paris, Tennessee
“You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your Presence is fullness of joy;
In your right hand there are pleasures forever.”
Psalm 16:11 (NASB)
Kim – Columbus NC. Ephesians 4:20 ESV
“But that is not the way you learned Christ.”
Sue Middeldorf – Troy, Michigan – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Soni from Gulfport:
2 Corinthians 3:18b TLB (8/15/15)
“As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him”
Olda, Huntsville
“he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.” Daniel 2:20 ESV
Bobbi Mooney, Houston, TX
Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
Judy of Marietta,GA says: How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Psalm 19:12. NLT
Irene, White Pigeon MI – I will pray to the Lord,and he will answer me from his holy mountain. Psalm 3:4 NCV
Brenda Russell – Hendersonville TN
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful. Joh 14:27 HCSB
Clearwater, FL
In the same way, the spirit helps us in our weakness, we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Rhonda Beck Winston Salem, N.C.
“May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (ESV)
Kim Foley, Arnold, MD
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed- a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Romans 1:17 (NIV)
Kristine from Welland, Ontario
John 15:5 (MSG)
I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant.”
Lisa Snyder in Montgomery, TX
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
Ephesians 5:3 (NIV)
Connie Johnson; Pittsboro, NC
Isaiah 61:3
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
New International Version (NIV)
Clearwater ,FL
In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Romans 8:26 NIV
Robin T. Laureldale, PA
But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)
Cindy b, Alton NH 2 peter 3:9 the Lord is not slow in keeping his promises as some understand slowness. He is patient with you not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. NIV
Debbie, Orlando
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:13 NIV
Lynn P., Fairview, OK – Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
our God is merciful. ~Psalm 116:5
Kim Beechem from Idabel, OK:
“And giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.” Colossians 1:12 (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:11—12!
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare & not for evil, to give you a future & a hope. THEN YOU WILL CALL UPON ME AND COME AND PRAY TO ME AND I WILL HEAR YOU.
Ingrid from Omemee, ON, Canada
Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
Rom 11:33 NIV
Midlothian Tx
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Psalm 20:7 NIV
Diane Perkins Rockford Mi
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
Julie Brock, Myrtle, MS “I give you the keys of The Kingdom of Heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven.” Matthew 16:19 (NIV)…in red letters! (Isaiah 22:22×)
Jeanine, Augusta, GA
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.”
Psalm 34:4-6 NIV
Sharon, St. Louis
Psalms 46:1 NKJV
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
Karen, Dallas, TX:
Unless the LORD had given me help,
I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
Psalm 94:17 (NIV-1984)
Tricia Dubbe, missionary in Germany
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Cor. 5:21 KJV
Philippians 2:11 NIV
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Lynda S. from Brockville, Ontario, Canada
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Jamie Cormier, Lufkin TX
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; For I shall again praise him, my Salvation and my God.”
Psalm 42:11, ESV
Karen Laughlin, Dewyville
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
(Mark 14:38, NIV)
Lori Thompson
McKinney, Tx
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. (Psalm 139:10 NIV)