**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.
“Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation.” PSALM 61:1 (NKJV)
Corpus Christi, Texas
“The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance to come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap, having been captured by him to do his will.”
2 Timothy 2:24-26 Holman Christian Standard
Lisa
Van Buren, AR
John 10:10
A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
Holman CSB
Becky, Charlotte
“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6, ESV
Katharine Lee, Jonesaboro Arkansas, NIV
Hosea 10:12 “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers righteousness on you.”
Jolynn Harwell in Rowlett, Tx
“Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.”
Romans 12:16, NASB
Kathy, Gainesville, VA
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. I Peter 1:3-5 NAS
Bonnie, Alexandria, LA
Jeremiah 9:23-24
New Living Translation (NLT)
“This is what the Lord says:
“Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom,
or the powerful boast in their power,
or the rich boast in their riches.
But those who wish to boast
should boast in this alone:
that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord
who demonstrates unfailing love
and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,
and that I delight in these things.
I, the Lord, have spoken!
Sedrone Harwell, Arp, Tx
“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God”
Psalms 46:10a, NIV
Lauren, Arlington, TX
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.”
Psalm 62:5 NIV
Cassie McLelland, Mansfield, TX: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10
Melissa, Sulphur, LA
“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)
Sahar, Gainesville, VA
Now I commit you to God and to the Word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:32 NIV
Amy Storms
Santa Clarita, CA
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)
Lindsay Albion, IL “For He choose us in Him, before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight” Ephesians 1:4
Lindsee
Houston, TX
Because I’ll be using it all week to share the gospel with strangers in NYC…back to the basics.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (NIV)
And I did that by memory. : ) If y’all think of it, would you pray for the hearts of those in NYC? That they would be open to the gospel? Or even just a conversation. Thanks, y’all.
Julianna price (raleigh, nc) but be sure to fear the lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 1 samuel 12:24 (niv)
Lynn, Springfield, MO – 1 Peter 5:6-7 (MSG) So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.
Sarah, Isle, MN
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand,
that he may lift you up in due time.
1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)
Jana, Tampa. “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)
Kari, grand rapids mi
Psalm 143:8 NLT.  Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting in you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you
Leslie
Alpharetta, GA
2 Timothy 2:24-26 NET
“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.”
Becky from Wixom, MI
“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
Believing and praying this for an awesome woman of God and dear friend who said goodbye to her 3 yo son last week till Jesus comes and takes her home.
Pauline, Kearney NE,
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3 : 17 NKJV
Susan, Wake Forest, NC
1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV
If I have the gift of prophesy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Laurie – Chester “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. NIV
Mary Kay
Fulshear
Romans 12:13
“contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”
NASB
Deena,Corona,CA
Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. Proverbs 15:16,NIV
Proverbs 11:30Â (NKJV)
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.
Laura, Savannah, GA
2 Timothy 2:23 “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.” (NIV)
Olivia, Tennessee. 🙂
Hebrews 4.12 NIV’84
For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Romans 1:20
Melissa, Locust Grove, GA
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 8:25 ESV
Meredith, Valdosta
Isaiah 53:1-2 (NASB)
1 Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.
Lanie Beth, Locust Grove, GA “The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are rightous.” Psallm 19:9
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7, ESV
Courtney, Houma, LA
Lena, Wilmore
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be compforted. Matt. 5:3-4 (NIV)
Lisa Elmhurst, IL
“He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30 NIV
Angie Kendall, Cynthiana, KY
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13 NKJ
Cheryl, Everett
“God is striding ahead of you. He is right there with you. He won’t let you down, He won”t leave you. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t worry.” Deut 31:8 Message
Brittany Kay, Gainesville, Fl: For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. -2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (ESV)
“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
Leslie
Clinton, UT
Thank you Debbie from Florida for posting that word…I have a huge project looming over me this week-end and needed an encouraging word to hold onto!!!
Anna Mitchell, Tyler Texas
Psalm 103:8
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
ALSO POSTING FOR MY DAUGHTER:
Ella Grace, Tyler Texas
Psalm 103:8
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
Edie
Mobile, AL
Habakkuk 3:19 NET
The sovereign Lord is my source of strength.
He gives me the agility of a deer;
he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.
Anne, Squamish BC Canada
Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.
Isaiah 49:15-16 NIV
Donise, Longmont, CO I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song;He has become my salvation. Psalm 118:13-14 NIV Sarah, Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 NLT
Kate, Ottawa area, Ontario, Canada
“But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.” Colossians 3:8-9 NLT
Newport News, Virginia
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should reach repentence.
ESV
Jackie, Brockville, ON Canada
“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
Vanessa, Rio Rancho NM
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3 NIV