**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.
McDonough, Ga
Psalm 66:1-2
Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!
Lu, Raleigh,NC
Revelation 12:11
They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
“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 NIV
Melissa Irwin; Nashville, TN
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV
Janel, Valrico FL – Deuteronomy 33:12, NIV:
“About Benjamin he said: 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.”
Jaye – Keller, TX
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
1 Chronicles 29:11 (NIV)
YES Beth! thanks for those verses–I needed them today.
Carla Lee
Corryton, Tn.
Jer. 31:3 NASB
“I have loved you with an everlasting love,I have drawn you with loving kindness.”
Roberta, Fanshawe, OK
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Jennifer, Portsmouth, VA: “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”
– Matthew 6:24 NIV
Kathy
Princeton TX.
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
1 John 4:12 NIV
Beth, I don’t have a verse today but wanted to comment on something that you said that struck a chord with me. You stated something about a period of depression after you finish the study of James. That so hit home with me right now because our church has just finished VBS. I was the director this year (my first time to do that) and I am going through such a state of depression this week. What is that? Just was interested to hear your comments -I have so much respect for you. You have helped me and so many others and I just thank God for you and your ministry.
Stephanie; Ogden, Utah; “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him.” Psalm 37:7; NIV
Sue, Newnan
“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 Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Judy, Houston
35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Hebrews 10: 35-36 NIV
ANITA- GARDNER, KS
We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ
2 COR. 10:5 (NASB)
Carrie, Boston
“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:7-8 ESV)
Karen,Ocean Springs “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37. NIV
June, Coarsegold, CA. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT
Terra from Owasso,Oklahoma
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded, YOU NEED TO PERSEVERE so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV
Anita, Lawrenceville, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” Ephesians 6:10 ESV
I needed this word in the WORST way today–so I’m making it my own.
Miquela, Knoxville:“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
Bobbie
College Station
John 16:33 (NIV)
 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Catherine, Montgomery.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31:26 The NET Bible
Carmen,Knoxville
Romans 12:1 NIV
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.
Lynette, Nashville, TN
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
Psalm 16:6 NIV
Kellie Norris, Mobile, AL. Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. Proverbs 29:11 NLT
Debbie
Millen, GA
Romans 8:9 NLT
But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.
Margie Allen, TX
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
John 7:37-38 NIV
Marie Norton
Orange, TX
Ps 89:15 NIV
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.
Amy
Houston Tx
Every word of God is pure-it proves true and is faultless. He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him
Proverbs 30:5
(first part of the verse is a combination of The Living Translation and ESV-they were both just too good!!)
Tami, Michigan
“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” Galations 5:13
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.
Psalm 139:4 NIV
Cindy – Henrietta, TX
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.
Psalm 139:4 NIV
McKenna – Henrietta, TX
(for the 1st and 15th of July :0)
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
Michele ~ Kenosha, WI
correction–combination of New King James Version and ESV for the 1st part of verse, sorry about that 🙂
Tami, Columbus, Ohio
Do all things without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
Philippians 2:14-15 NLT
The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
-Proverbs 16:21 ESV-
Meredith; Gridley, CA
Psalm 104″33-34
I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the Lord.
Psalm 125:1 (NIV). “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be shaken but endures forever.”
Carol, Santa Maria, 2 Corinthians 9:7-8, NIV, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under cumpulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”; “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Erin, Lolo, MT “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 NIV
Karen H., Stephenville, TX
Isaiah 49:15b – 16a (NASB)
I…..will….NOT….forget….you.
Behold…..
I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.
Rome, GA
Psalm 25:5 (NIV)
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.
Karla~Sedro-Wolley, WA~ 1Peter 5:10-11~HCSB~
“Now the God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. To Him be the dominion forever~AMEN”.
Ashley, Charlotte, NC
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” – Deu 31:6 NASB
Lisa, West Des Moines, IA: “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17 (NIV)
Janice-Abbeville, AL
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9 (NKJV)
Marie, Denver: Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10, NIV
Amanda
Guernsey, WY
“Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, my Help and my God.”
Psalm 42:5 AMP
Heidi in Whitefish, MT
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29 NIV