**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.
Christy, Summit, MS; “for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” Philippians 1:19 NIV
Dolly, Middletown, OH
Thus sayeth the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts, I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. Isa. 44:6 KJV
Amen and Amen!
Marie, Easley, South Carolina
Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
Proverbs 19:14 (NKJ)
christina, Plano TX-
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.
Psalm 149:4, NASB
Jill Z., Gulfport, MS – “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
Karen from Sinclairville, NY
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding. NKJ
Kem, Memphis
You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.
Psalm 92:4 NLT
Joyce, Lebanon, Tennessee
By wisdom a house is built and through understanding it is established.
Proverbs 24:3 NIV
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Heb 11:6
Lynda, Ocala, FL: Isaiah 41:13 (NIV): For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid.” 🙂
Sarah, Euharlee
Do everything without complaining and arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like starts in the universe as you hold out the word of life in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. Phil 2:14-16 (NIV)
Vevay, IN
COLOSSIANS 3:17
And whatever you do in word or deed,
do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Lynette – Aurora, CO
Psalm 51:12 NLT
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.
Mary, Chattanooga – I Thessalonians 5:12-13 NIV
“12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.”
Carla, LaFayette,Al.
Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7
Shannon, Birminghm, AL
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently fir the LORD. Psalm 27:14 NLT
Kathi, Jacksonville, fl
“And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” NIV 2 Timothy 2:24
Pam – Hatton, MO
Hebrews 4:16
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Jennifer, Florida “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty.” Jeremiah 15:16
Jenifer B.
Frisco, TX
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4 NIV
James 5:15 NIV
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.
Hebrews 4:16 NASB
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Holly
Geita, Tanzania
Rayeanne, Round Rock:
TRUST in the Lord and do good,
DWELL in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
DELIGHT yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
COMMIT your way to the Lord.
TRUST in Him and HE will DO it.
Psalm 37:3-5
Amy, Dayton, OH:
“Let your roots grow down into Him and draw up nourishment from Him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all He has done.” Col. 2:7 (NLT)
Hannah TX, 1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
Romans 6:10 – “For the death that He died, He died for sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.” (NASB)
Jeremiah 6:16 NIV
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. “
Sheilah, Melbourne, FL
Ephesians 1:18-19 (NIV)
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”
Beth, Fountain Inn, Psalm 147:11 – The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.
Kayra, Hazlehurst, MS
Colossians 3:17 (NLT)
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father”
Allison
Washington, DC
Luke 7: 23 (Amplified Bible)
“And blessed (happy–with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, apart from outward conditions–and to be envied) is he who takes no offense in Me and who is not hurt or resentful or annoyed or repelled or made to stumble [whatever may occur].”
Tina – Chesapeake, VA: “But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now.” Joshua 23:8(NIV)
Shane, Russellville, Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O Lord have never forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9:10 NIV
Diane, Montgomery,Al.
Proverbs 31:8,9. Open your mouth for the dumb, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy. NAS
Look out world, I feel a stirring going on inside of me over this verse!
Gretchen, Madison, MS
“guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. NIV Ps. 25:5
Vicki, Indpls
Your daughter-in-law who loves you is better to you than seven sons
Ruth 4:15
Meagan, Austell, GA
“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?”
Numbers 23:19 ESV
Leah, Indpls
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:1-2 NIV
sherrylu, poweder springs, ga
Jesus wept. john 11:35 nasb
yeah, i know….it’s hot, i am tired and my brain is fried, but He is faithful!!
Valerie, Fultondale, AL
“The lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;”
Psalm 121:7 NIV
Alexia- Champaign, IL
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
Psalm 59:16-17
But I will sing of Your strength in the morning
I will sing of Your love;
For You are my fortress,
My refuge in time of trouble.
O my strength, I sing praise to You:
You, O God are my fortress, my loving God.
Karen Smith, Denver. “You’ll watch over every step I take, but you won’t keep track of my missteps.”
Job 14:16 MSG
Kim, Chicago, Il ” And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Matt.6:12-13 NKJV
Lisa Steinbach, MB
1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)
Above all love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Kelsie, Corpus Christi, TX
18 But forget all that- it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. 19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43: 18-19
Amberley – Pasco, WA
“Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
~Hebrews 4:16 NIV
” 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 NKJV
Angela, Frankfort, KY
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. ~ Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
Brianna San, Antonio, TX: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV