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
Julie, Madison, GA
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10 ESV
Because he bends down to listen,I will pray as long as I have breath!
Psalm 116:2, NLT
Susan Paine, Hillsboro, KS
Phil 3:21 “who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” NIV
Kelley, Houston Tx
But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Luke 18:27 (ESV)
Joan Vanderwall, Orofino, Idaho
“There is no fear in love; But perfect love caseth out fear. Because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” I John 4:18 (KJV)
Susan, Wynne
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Colossians 3:12-13
Kay Martin
Tupelo, MS
“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy making wise the simple.”
Psalm 19:7 NIV
Joan Baile, New Windsor, MD.
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. 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 1:5-6
Peggy, Corpus Christi, TX
Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Anyone who hears should say, “Come!” And the one who is thirsty should come. Whoever desires should take the living water as a gift.
Rev 22:17 HCSB
Connie Walker, Houston, TX
When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
Psalm 56:3 HCSB
Patti Knobbe from West Point, NE
“A great road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-minded people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways.” Isaiah 35:8 (NLT)
Kaye from Hamburg,AR
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ” Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Carolyn Dover, Ohio
“…the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them – the LORD, who remains faithful forever.” Psalm 146:6 NIV
May I throw in here quickly that I really love the idea of the journaling as to why we chose the verse(s)? thank you!
Dawn Atwood, Colleyville, TX
May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the LORD answer all your prayers. Psalm 20:5, NLT
Sallie Russ, Greenwood, SC
“In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.” James 1:18 NASB
Stephanie, El Cajon, CA, 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV): “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
Dallas, GA
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on. however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Heb. 12:11
Gigi Parisi
Mullica Hill NJ
They will be my people and I will be their God.
Jeremiah 32:38 NIV
God is faithful to His people. He will gather them, protect them and let everyone know these are mine. He will call us by name one day to eternity and I will make sure that He is my God!
Psalm 34:17. The righteous cry and The Lord hears , and delivers them out of all their troubles. NAS
Cheryl Paganelli, Medford,New Jersey, “Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
John 7:38 (ESV)
Valarie, Cincinnati- “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
II Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Isaiah 43:1b-3a (KJV)
Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest throught the fire, thou shalt not be burnt; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, they Saviour.
Deborah Harney, Columbia City, IN, “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,” Ephesians 4:26 NIV
August 15,2015
DeLand, Florida
Proverbs 3:21 ( NLT)
My child, don’t loose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them,
Caitlin, McKinney, Texas
A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones. Proverbs 14:30, MSG
Carol Rice Deer Park, Texas
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.
John 16:33 HCSB
Darlyn Knapp -Singer,LA- “Many are the plans in a persons heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning Psalm 30:5
Lisa, West Des Moines, IA “What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” Galatians 5:6b (NLT)
Julie P Tierra Verde Fl
Ephesians 4:4 NET
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the one hope of your calling,”
Ann from Odessa Fl
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5 ESV
It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65: 25. (NASB)
Kathy from Bethlehem Pennsylvania
Isaiah 41:10 KJV
Fear thou not;
For I am with thee:
Do not be dismayed;
For I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will uphold thee
with the right hand of my righteousness.
I really needed this verse this week! Isn’t it amazing my sisters, how God meets us right where we are every day, everywhere? He is our amazing heavenly Father present here on earth…
Dottie Morrow, Mansfield, TX
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6 NKJV
Joan Portage, MI
“The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. ” Proverbs 12:16 ESV
Posting from LPL Milwaukee!
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift from God – not by works, so that no one can boast.
Barbara Smith – San Antonio, TX
“But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death, and keep them alive in famine.” Psalm 33:18-19
Shiffra, Kalamazoo, MI
And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39 ESV
Traphill, NC
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NIV
“Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead.”
Mark 8:31 NLT
Toni Schumacher Amarillo Texas
But when you ask,you must believe and not doubt, because you who doubt are like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6 NIV
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, Whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever are of good reprt; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ~Philippians 4:8
James 3:9 (NIV)
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.
Mary Lupo, Novi, MI
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which you have been called,” Ephesians 1:17-18 NIV
Valerie, Ontario ( Mansfield ), OH
Moses gave us the Law, But Jesus, The Annointed One, unveils truth wrapped in tender mercy. John 1:17. (tPt)
Margaret, Kingsport, TN
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Colossians 3:23 NLT
Judy, Satellite Beach, FL
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
Kay in Muscle Shoals, AL
“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
Terri, Harrison Township, MI
Colossians 1:9 (NLT)
So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Ann Seaney, Marion, Indiana
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”
Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)