**Siesta Celebration is January 20-21, 2012**
Hey, you Scripture memory freaks!
Your mama needs a hall pass in the worst way for a while regarding lengths of posts. We are now only about 6 weeks from the LifeWay deadline for all things James. To say that Melissa and I are under the gun is an understatement and, of course, so are all our friends on the publishing side. It’s stressful for everyone concerned this close to rolling the press. You will not waste a prayer on us, or on any member of our family, for that matter. Amanda and Curtis are finding out what kind of warfare you sign up for when you determine to get out there where the wind of the Spirit is blowing and dare to fulfill your calling. It’s hard to watch your children go through it. I tell them all the time (and they don’t need convincing) that enduring is so worth it but, man oh man, as many of you know, the fire is hot. And it’s often very personal, don’t you think? Satan goes for the psychological jugular.
I have had a great – almost life-stopping – time poring over James for well over the last year and I will miss the process so much. I love the intensity an in-depth journey demands and I genuinely fight a wave of depression when it’s over. (I’ll ask for your prayers about that at the time.) But, the fact is, push is about to come to shove. I no longer have the luxury of taking all the time I want. This baby is almost due. Thank you for any spare prayers! I am not in a bad way or in a contentious state. I’m just wide-eyed and aware that a very loud clock is ticking. So is my baby girl. I know some of you must be getting so tired of hearing about it! Stand with me a little longer, in hopes that Jesus may be glorified.
In my memory work, I’m still choosing verses out of 2 Timothy. I couldn’t split these four verses up without shortchanging the context so I’m posting the whole segment.
Beth, Houston. “And the Lord’s slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth and they will come to their senses and escape the devil’s trap where they are held captive to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26 The NET Bible
This portion of Scripture and others like it seem altogether ignored or dismissed in a culture where believers stay embroiled in one heated dispute after another. Scripture tells us how to differ without ripping the fabric of our common faith to shreds. In the segment above, the Apostle Paul uses words like kindness and gentleness. When we tend to think that carnality is the only kind of sin that can keep the church from revival, we’re overlooking the steady stream of commands in the New Testament about how to treat one another. Disunity can shipwreck the whole lot of us right there on the shore of disgrace. We can even be right and fall into the chastisement of God because our hearts were wrong. May God forgive us, heal us, and help us.
OK, Sisters. Let’s hear your 13th verses. While you’re at it, remember that what we’re doing here is IMPORTANT! We’ve got to protect these minds of ours! That’s where our battles are won or lost. You will never waste a single moment rolling God’s Word around in your sweet head. Your health will be the better for it. Your marriage will be the better for it. Your job will be the better for it. Your relationships will be the better for it. Your obedience will be the better for it. Your calling will be the better for it. YOU will be the better for it.
Me, too.
I’m crazy about you. Keep your eyes to the skies.
ἀκουστὸν ποίησόν μοι τὸ πρωὶ τὸ ἔλεός σου, ὅτι ἐπὶ σοὶ ἤλπισα, γνώρισόν μοι, κύριε, ὁδὸν ἐν ἧ πορεύσομαι, ὅτι πρὸς σὲ ἦρα τὴν ψυχήν μου. Ps 143.8, Lexham Gk-Eng Interlinear LXX
Michele
Liverpool, NY
Oh, yeah, had to be first didn’t you?! Brown-noser! JK Love you, Michele!
Abi, Apopka: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 NIV
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge, his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91:4 NIV
Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
Proverbs 10:18-19
Gena, Houston
Joel 2:12 (NLT)
That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping and mourning.”
Therefore I urge you, brethren; by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Romans 12:1 NAS
Candice
Evanston, IL
Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so that we may obey it?”
No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
Deuteronomy 30:11-14 (NIV-1984)
Vicki Knott, Greenwood, SC
The command we have from christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both. 1 John 4:21 (The Message)
Judy, East Chain, MN “And the Lord’s slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth and they will come to their senses and escape the devil’s trap where they are held captive to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26 The NET Bible
Angie, Kansas City, Missouri: Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8 NIV
“Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live.” Isaiah 55:3 NIV
Laurie, Gibsonville, NC
“And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you,(then) He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you” Romans 8:11 (AMP Bible)
Julie in Casper, WY
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Vicki Knott, Greenwood, SC
The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both. 1 John 4:21 (The Message)
Jan
Bemus Point, NY
Isaiah 43:1b-2 (NLT)
Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
And in French:
Ésaïe 43:1b-2 (Colombe)
Sois sans crainte, Car je t’ai racheté,
Je t’ai appelé par ton nom : Tu es à moi !
Si tu traverses les eaux, Je serai avec toi,
Et les fleuves, Ils ne te submergeront pas ;
Si tu marches dans le feu, Tu ne brûleras pas,
Et la flamme ne te consumera pas.
“Correct me, LORD, but only with justice — not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing.”
~ Jeremiah 10:24 (NIV)
Suzanne, Harrisville, RI
2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God
Woodstock, VT
michelle
2 Samuel 9:8 nlt
Mephibosheth fell to the ground before the king. “Should the king show such kindness to a dead dog like me?” he exclaimed.
Joyce, Wahpeton ND
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12 ESV
Carrie, St. Louis, Mo:
Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their evil ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?’
Ezekiel 33:11 NIV
Tammy ~ Tampa, FL
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~ Colossians 3:17 (NIV84)
Laura, Englewood. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is power and effective. James 5:16 NIV
Dawn, Orland Park, IL “Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.” Psalm 34:12,13 (NLT) Note: I am trying to learn all of Psalm 34.
Jasmyn ~ Tampa, FL
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~ Colossians 3:17 (NIV84)
Rachel, Frankfort, IL
“For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.”
Psalm 71:5 NIV
Julie- Minneapolis MN
Galations 5:1 NET
Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery.
Selina B. Barbourville, KY.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Proverbs 28:13 KJV
Suzanne – Knoxville, TN: “Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” Psalm 116:7 NIV
Tammie, Columbia, SC
2 Chron. 15:7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.
Lauren, Malvern, PA
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4:15 (NIV)
Marilyn, Peterborough ON Canada
Phil. 4:12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
…HAPPY CANADA DAY fellow Canadians!!! A little history lesson about Canada’s motto FROM SEA TO SEA”, which is taken from Psalms 72:8 Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley, a Father of Canadian Confederation and twice the Lt. Governor of New Brunswick, rose each morning to start his day with prayer and Scripture reading. As the 33 founding Fathers gathered in 1864 at Charlottetown, PEI, there were many suggestions on what to call this new nation. That morning, as Tilley read from Psalm 72:8, he became so convinced that Canada should be a nation under God, that when he came down to the Conference session, he presented the inspired name “Dominion of Canada”. Our National Motto on our Coat of Arms “A Mari Usque Ad Mare” (from sea to sea) was drawn once again straight from Psalm 72:8. “He shall have dominion from sea to sea.”
I pray that God will one day again have dominion over Canada and that the freedoms we once had will be restored and GOD will be honoured and given the Glory he deserves.
Melissa, Naju, South Korea
Thus says the Lord: The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Jeremiah 31:2-3
Jan
Hawkinsville, GA
Ecclesiastes 4:6 (ESV)
Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.
Missy S, Winston-Salem, NC
The Lord said to his people: “You are standing at the crossroads. So consider your path. Ask where the old, reliable paths are. Ask where the path is that leads to blessing and follow it. If you do, you will find rest for your souls.” ~ Jeremiah 6:16a (NET)
Connie, Reidville, SC
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV
Hope, Northport, AL
“Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers righteousness on you.” Hoesa 10:12 (NIV)
Ashley Sullens
Kings Mountain, NC
Matthew 18:8-9 (NAS)
If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off ant throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire. if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy ways. Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
Becky Jo
Chesterfield, MI
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from GOD, not from ourselves.
2 Corinthians 4:7
Oops, sorry. That is the NLT translation.
Hannah from Albuquerque, New Mexico
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life
And whoever captures souls is wise.
Proverbs 11:30
ESV
Debbie Pinckney MI
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18 NIV
Ruth Cherry, Royse City, Texas
Psalms 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Barb – Chiang Mai, Thailand
“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”
Hebrews 10:14 (ESV)
Melissa, Thompsons Station, TN. This is what the LORD says — your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17 NIV
**Looking for a buddy to go with in January**
Paige, Overland Park, KS
“Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”
Hebrews 2:1 (ESV)
Lichelle Austin, Texas
Jermiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. NIV
Rhonda
Gilmer
Proverbs 27:7 (NKJV)
A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, but to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
Jayma, Ft Wayne, IN
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.
Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT
Delaney, Allen TX “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” Philippians 2:13 (NLT)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matt 6:33 (NIV)