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
Christy, Granger, IN “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away frm you, with all malice.” Eph. 4:31 (NKJV)
Stephanie O., Alexandria VA. “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 ESV
Brenda
Lindon,Utah
Hebrews 12:2
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of FAITH. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning it’s shame,and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Christy Billingsley, Hattiesburg, MS
“Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.
Give me understanding, so that I may keep your
law and obey it with all my heart.”
Psalm 119:33-34 NIV
Adrienne
Jasper, TN
Continuing on in 2Cor4….
“…persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2Cor4:9 NIV
Walker, LA
…“And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.” (Matthew 28:20b GW)
“Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.” Micah 7:8. KJV
Carole from Kingwood Josh 1:9 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.”
2 Pet 3:9, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (NIV)
Psalms 37:8 ERV
Don’t become so angry and upset that you, too, want to do evil.
Janet, Sykacauga, AL
“Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 HCSB
Rachael from Maine – (memorizing Matthew 5) – 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’[f] 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.Matthew 5:38-42
Margaret Neil , Jackson, TN
Ephesians 3:19
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. NIV
Kendra from Fort Wayne, IN “…in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist,” Romans 4:17b
Jenny
Covington, KY
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Psalm 5:3, NIV
Jen B, Santa Maria, CA (NASB) Ps 92:4 For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.
Paige Storlie, Amarillo, TX
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
“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 NIV
Kathi Crowder from Yorktown, Virginia: “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2 NIV
Susan Sarver, St. George, UT
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.”
Psalm 103:13 HCSB
Mindy – McDonough, GA
2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
Andrea Cox, Howe, TX
2 Corinthians 4:9 NIV
persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Michelle, Chesapeake, VA
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:2 (NIV)
Phyllis, Irvine,CA
“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation in love, if there is any fellowship of the spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” Philippians 2:1-2 (NASB)
Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8
NIV
I chose this because the heart here means mind, and soul. I too am sending off an 18 year old boy to college hoping his heart to stay pure.
The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:8 NASB
Mary Jo Stayton, Independence, MO
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105 NKJV
Melanie Groff, Katy, Tx, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Angel M., Tulsa area
1 John 4: 18-19 NKJV
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.
On the day I called you answered me; my strength of soul you increased
Psalms 138:3 ESV
Linda H., Buckeye, Az
“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you” Psalm 143:8 NLT
Anne, Simpsonville,SC “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” Colossians 4:2 NLT
Carrie, Liberty, TX
“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.” Proverbs 13:3
Kimberly Moore, Austin TX
Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.
—Psalm 55:17 NIV
Michone, Butte, MT
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Is. 43:19, ESV
Franklin, TN
“The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.” Psalm 103:13 NLT
Gretchen, Gahanna, Ohio–Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits–who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.
PSALM 103:2-4 NIV
Allison, Pittsburg, Tx
For it is God who works in you to will and to
act according to his purpose.
Philippians 2:13 NIV
Christy Kirby, Plano, TX
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
Pam Mayer from Apple Valley, MN: “Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.” Psalm 2:11 NIV
Marie Markward, Van Wert, OH
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” Phil. 1:9,10 NIV
Susan Jasper, TN
Isaiah 33:2 (NIV)
Lord be gracious to us; we long for you,
Be our strength every morning,
Our salvation in time of distress.
Sharon from Van, TX
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
Psalm 119:15 NIV
Lindsay Loper, Chattanooga, TN
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:17, ESV
Susan Turner, Shelby, NC
“Do not quench the Spirit.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:19, 23 NIV
Jen Z. Greensburg PA
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7
Stephanie Marchbanks from Ennis, Texas. Still learning Isaiah 53. Verse 15 for me is
Isaiah 53:9
9 And they made his grave with the wicked
and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Rhonda Nelson Grapevine, TX
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
Donna, Indianapolis, IN ~ “Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty— he is the King of glory.”
Psalm 24:10 NIV
I Cor 16:13-14 Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong and do everything with love. NIV