**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.
Sue, Atlanta “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:14 ESV
Colleen, Lyndonville, NY
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Jer 33:3 NIV
Allyson, Winnsboro, SC:
“This is what the LORD says:
‘Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.'”
~Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)
Marilyn Horton
Fort Smith, AR
“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”
-1 Corinthians 14:33, NIV
Lynda, Monterey
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” ~Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
Psalm 119:25-26, NLT
I lie in the dust
revive me by Your Word.
I told You my plans,
and You answered.
Now teach me Your decrees.
Roxie, Jerseyville, Isaiah 62:6-7, NIV
“I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, giver yourselves no rest and give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.”
Sisters pray for the peace of Jerusalem now more than ever.
Gretchen, Gahanna, OH — 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 (KJV)
Carol, Pekin IL
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings. PS 17:8 KJV
Stefanie Dailey-Parrish, FL
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. 1 Cor 1:25 NIV
Cindy, Lexington, KY – Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 NASV
Michele, Pearland, TX “He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.” Psalm 121:3-4 HCSB
Patty, Granite Bay,CA Luke 8:7 NIV “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?”
Jenell, Springfield, MO: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9-10(NIV)
Brigid – Johannesburg (SA)
“For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.”
Act 28:17 (NIV)
Jennifer, Avon Park, FL
The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Robbyn, Dickinson, North Dakota
Gal. 1:10 (NIV)
“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Diana, East Peoria, IL
You are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful,
slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love.
Nehemiah 9:17 NLT
“Surely God is my salvation.
I will not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord is my strength and my song.
He has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 12:2, NIV
Linda, Ft. Collins, CO
Karen, Dover, NH “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10 (NIV)
Bethany Silva
Modesto, Ca.
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden. The God who is our salvation.
Psalm 68:19 (nasb)
The LORD protects you,
The LORD is a shelter right by your side.
Psalm 121:5 (HCSB)
Jan, Denton, “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, to Him be glory in the church and in Jesus Christ throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Nitsa, Eugene, OR.
“And the Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26 NAS
Beth from Platte, SD: He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. Isaiah 33:6 NIV
Cary Hendricks
Celina, TX
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
-Matthew 5:16, NRSV
Barbara, Arcadia, CA …she is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future… Proverbs 31:25 (NLT)
Linda ,Westport
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction that though pereverance and the encouragement of the Scipirtures we might have hope.
Romans 15:4
Heather Maise, Glencoe, AL;
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Kara, Ponca City, Oklahoma
Esther 4:14 nkjv
For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Lisa, Rainbow City, Alabama:”It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 NIV
madeleine padilla,corrales As for God his way is perfect,the word of the Lord is flawless.He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 2 Samuel 22:31 N.I.V.
Linda, Bartelso, IL Jeremiah 17:14 (HCSB) Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me, and I will be saved, for you are my praise.
Lisa – Seattle:
“…be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry. Your anger can never makes things right in God’s sight.” James 1:19-20 (NLT)
Linda Bend, OR Psalm 9:106 NIV
For you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Debbie – Walpole, MA
Psalm 121:2 (I’m doing the whole passage) NIV
“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Amy; Tacoma, WA
“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, now and forever more.” Ps.125:2 NIV
Kelly, Charlotte, NC
Psalm 37:7 NIV
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Becky B, Beaverton OR
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
Romans 8:25-26
NIV
Wendy, Elm City
Deut. 33:12 (NIV)
… “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.”
Melissa Vevay IN Therefore take up the full armour of God so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:13 NASB
Terri, Kirkland. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39, NIV.
“Let Your love, God, shape my life with salvation, exactly as You promised.” psalm 119:41 the message
nancy – LPM
Houston
Georganne, Piedmont, Oklahoma Habbukah 2:3 Living Bible
But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!
Linda, Dallas, TX
Philippians 4:6 NLT
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Beth, Gig Harbor
Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence, and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8 (NASB)
Oh Lord for the Moore family and any of the rest of us walking through the fire…let it be like the three in the furnace….our bonds loosed and you revealed!
Susan,Statesville NC – Pray without ceasing. I Thess. 5:17
Rene, Overland Park, KS
“Before they call I will anwser; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24 NIV
Casey, Ooltewah, “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.” Rev. 19:11 NIV