**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.
Mary from Columbia, PA
“…be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God’s sight.” James 1:19-20 (NLT)
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Rom. 12:2 (NIV)
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—
for your love is more delightful than wine. (Song of Solomon 1:2 NIV)
Teresa, Peoria, IL
1 Timothy 4:7-8, NIV: “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
Forgot!!! 🙂
Jennifer 🙂
Enterprise AL
Marilyn,Amarillo TX: “Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles…..” I Chronicles 16:12 (NIV)
Starla, Parsons
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
Kirsten, Heavener- “Bless the Lord, O my soul,and all that is within me,bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul,and forget not all his benefits.” Psalm 103: 1,2
Melisa, Roanoke, VA
For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. – 2 Corinthians 4:17 CSB
Beth C. Huntsville, AL
I sought the Lord’s help and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears. Ps. 34:4 (NET)
Lahna, Burkburnett: For you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9: 106 NKJV
Lacey, Keller TX: “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matt 17:20 NIV
Lindsay, Grapevine, Tx: Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
Nancy, Oxford,Florida
Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
2 Timothy 2:16, NIV
Terrie, Birmingham, Alabama
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3
NIV
Patti, Colorado Springs
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.”
1 John 4:18 (NKJV)
Victoria B., Fort Worth TX, “You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently.” Psalm 119:4 NKJV
Mindy, Van
Hebrews 13:12-14 ESV
So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.
Charlene, Santa Fe, TX; Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of the lips that confess His name. Hebrews 13:15
Jan in Tulsa
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:4-5 (NIV)
Andrea Hart Orlando, FL
1 John 2: 5-6 NIV
” But whoever keeps His Word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.”
Becky from Marietta, GA
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline.
2 Timothy 1:17 NIV
Amber, Euless, TX; Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 HCS [Amber gave me her verse to post. She is having a precious baby boy today!] vb
Leila in Carrollton, GA
Rev. 19:14 NIV
The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses, and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.
Martha, Lynchburg, VA
Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NASB
Lawan- Lawton, OK
The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,
but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things. (Proverbs 15:28 HCSB)
Joy, Altadena, CA
I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free. Psalm 119:32 NIV
Kim B., Clayton,NC
Since I am at Centri-Kid this week w/20 kids my verse is:
And my God will meet all your needs according to his
glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 NIV
Amber, Marysville, WA
I John 2:3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. NIV
Kathleen Marietta, GA
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12
NIV
Jeremiah 6:16 NIV
This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Kendra, Middle East
“You are my friends if you do what I command.” John 15:14 NIV
Leigh,Montgomery. “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers – most of which are never even seen – don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?” Matthew 6:30 MSG
Anna,Montgomery. “You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other.” Matthew 6:24 MSG
Robin, Indialantic, Fl 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
For God gave us a Spirit not of fear, but of power & love & self control.
2 Timothy 1:7
God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6 NIV
Karin, Johannesburg, South Afrijca,
Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
(NIV)
LOIS, CRYSTAL SPRINGS, MS
COLOSSIANS 3:17
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.
Luann, Grand Junction CO
so, even though i’m still behind on the last verse… i’m still moving forward with this verse from bible study this past week. i need this one in the forefront of my mind;
Philippians 4:8
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
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. Joshua 1:9 NIV
Cindy, Clarksville TN
Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble need and make straight paths for your feet so that what is lame will not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
Hebrews 12:12 NKJ
Hazlehurst: And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:17 KJV
Gretchen, Kearney, MO “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
Kristi, Mobile, AL. “Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall.” Psalm 55:22 NIV
Sacha, Midland, TX
Proverbs 29:25 (ESV)
“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.”
Linda H., West Des Moines, Iowa
“…provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair.” – Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)
Deb, Becker
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. 2 John 6a (NIV)
Erin, Albion, IL
Psalm 62:1
I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. (NIV)
Stephanie Winder, GA
Psalm 103:8 (ESV)
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love.
Kelly, Lees Summit MO
“We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” Eph 1:7-8 NIV