**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.
Johannah
Alexandria, LA
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Tim. 1:7 nlt
Traci from Lakewood, WA:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.(NIV)
Stephanie
Corvallis OR
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord have never forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:10 NIV
Barb, St Cloud MN ~ So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Cheryl – Concord, NC
“Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into His Presence with singing!”
Psalm 100.2 ESV
Hebrew 13:6 NIV
Lisa, Jackson, MO
I willl praise Your name Lord, because it is good. For he has delivered me from every trouble. Psalm 54:6-7
HCS
Debbie Laureen, New Port Richey, FL
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV
Kay, Everett, Wa
He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40:3 NLT Bible
John 14:14 NIV
You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Jane, Cuba, MO
(My 2 yr old grand-daughter and I did Phil. 4:4 last time, but I missed posting it.)
Phil 4:4 NIV
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Ephesians 1:17 NAS
…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him…
Evangeline, Loveland, CO
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3 NIV
Linda Mazzei Spring Tx
Ps. 91:1 NIV
He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the almighty.
Erin, Bothell, “If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8,9 NRSV
Kathy, Bradford
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
Debbie, Olathe, KS
Psalm 118:17 (NIV 1984)- “I will not die but live and will proclaim what the Lord has done.”
Just happened to check the blog and THAT verse is a WORD to me like I”ve never heard. Thank YOU Jesus
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 17:8 NIV
1 Peter 5:7 NIV “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
Elizabeth
Grand Junction, CO
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes, its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8
Beth, that was my last months verse (didn’t post online last month but still memorized)- Oh! It is a good one!
Melissa, Clovis, CA “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
Betsy in Birmingham, AL
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
Katherine, Houston
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'” Matthew 22:37 NKJV
Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)
The heart of man plans his way; but the Lord establishes his steps.
Nicole, Stuttgart: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Diane, Rockford MI
The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:6 NIV
I Peter 4:8 NIV
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Tracy
Fort Mill, SC
Proverb 18:23
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.
NKJV
I’ve been his wife for almost 44 years!
Tricia, Tucson, AZ.
Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. (NIV)
One short note, a close female co-worker of mine took her life on Tues. Please pray for her family (her husband also works in the same office as us) and all involved during this time.
Thank you
Tricia
I am so sorry for your loss. We lost a dear friend the same way a few years ago. I pray that each of you will be comforted with the same comfort God gave us during that very difficult time.I will be lifting each of you up in prayer, Cheryl
Heather, Shokan, New York
What do you conspire against the Lord? He will make an utter end of it. Affliction will not rise up a second time.
Nahum 1:9 NKJV
Robin – Thorndale, PA
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)
Dallas, GA
But some will say, “You have faith; I have deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even demons believe that- and shudder.
James 2:18-19 NIV
Karen, Wildwood, MO
“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Deuteronomy 4:9, New International Version.
Joelle, Abilene TX
“…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
Heather from Florence, SC: “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished.” Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
Melanie and Kara Miller, Nampa, Idaho
M–Eph 1:14 Â The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us everything he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. Â This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God.
K–Ps 103:12 He has removed our lawless acts from us as far as the east is from the west.
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Joy – Georgetown, TX – Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Patty
Talbott, TN
Never stop reciting these teachings. You must think about them night and day, so you will faithfully do everything written in them. Only then will you prosper and succeed. Josh. 1:8
NIV
Valerie ~ Oklahoma
“From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the LORD’S name is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from the beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11
Brittany, Dallas
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15, NIV)
Judy, Tehachapi. Psalm 84:1-2 How lovely is Your tabernacle,O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints
for the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. NKJV
Sandra, Swainsboro, GA
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
Susan- Nova Odessa, Brazil “For the mountain maybe removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you an My covenant of peace will not be shaken says the Lord who has compassion on you.”
Laurie, Spokane
Hebrews 4:13,16: And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
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. NASB
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do no see. (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)
Julie Jackson, MS
Carisa, Hillsboro, KS
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thess 5:16-18 NIV
Cassandra, Crawfordsville, IN “Let the rivers clap their hands, Let the mountains sing together for joy Before the LORD, for He is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness And the peoples with equity.” Psalm 98:8-9 NAS
Thomasine Rio Rancho, NM
A fool is quick tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. Proverbs 12:16 NIV