**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.
Traci – Corona, California
1 Peter 5:7 (ESV) – casting all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.
Julia, 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
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose hope is in the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green and will not be anxious in the year of drought nor will cease yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV
Lorraine Banks, Tyler, Texas
“Above All, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” I Peter 4:8 NIV
Bettie Pasadena, TX
Micah 7:7 NIV “But as afor me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”
Jenna,
Spartanburg, SC.
“Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12
Kelly, Kimberly: In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
Carole, Imperial, CA: “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV)
Jessica from Rockvale, TN
Psalm 139:14 (NIV) “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Vickie, Louisville. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:24 & 25 NIV
Lynn, Louisville 1 Peter 4:8 (NASB)
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Michelle, West Des Moines, IA
Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
Crystal -Everett,Ontario (Canada) – You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:14 NIV
Cassandra Marienville, Pa
Psalm 86:11
“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” (NIV)
Heather, Shiloh, NC
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Celeste Land O Lakes, FL A fool give full vent to his anger but a wise man keeps himself under control. proverbs 29:11 NIV
Lauren, Kansas City, MO
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Tim. 1:7 NLT
Becky, Springfield, MO
Ephesians 1:7-8
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.
Paula- Albertville, AL
And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”
Joshua 3:5 NKJV
Gay Beck, Plain City, OH
Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Lori, Pine Island, MN
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1 NIV
Judy from Lake Charles, LA – “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”James 5:16 (NLT)
Julie Tuttle, Chico, CA: “I’ll make a list of all of God’s gracious dealings, all of the things God has done that needs praising.” Isaih 63:7 MSG
Crystal, Munford, TN
Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel.
2 Chronicles 20:16
On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.
Psalm 138:3 ESV
Laura, Little Rock. “Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.” Psalm 43:3 (NIV84)
I take Joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart. Psalm 40:8 (NLT)
Janice R Steinbach, MB- “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
1 Co 10:3-4 NIV
Jamie, Phoenix: 1 Timothy 6:12 NIV
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days”
Psalm 90:14 (NIV)
Lynn
Rochelle, GA
Becca
Salem, OR
Proverbs 22:6
(NIV)
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound, they shal walk, O Lord in the light of thy countenance. Psalm 89:15
John 14: 1, 27
Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. NASB
Powder Springs, GA
Lisa, Enterprise, AL
~ Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
— Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Amanda, Westfield, NC: When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2, HCSB
Anita, Lehigh, “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)
Joy – Whitehouse, TX
Persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Cor 4:9 NIV
Kelly- Erwin, TN
Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
Shannon, Parker, CO
“Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.” Matthew 23:26
Sandi H. (Holt, MO) — “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide & easy that leads to destruction and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
Alisa,
Clinton, MS
I will instruct you and teach you in the way in which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
Hebrews 32:8 NASB
Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. Psalm 32:7 KJV
Judy, Spokane, WA
“Commit your works to the LORD
And your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3 NASV
Faith
Eau Claire, WI
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Hollly Smith
Monument, CO
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 ESV
“So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
Melissa, Atlanta: Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. Psalm 42:5 RSV
Tammy Elrod, Mechanicsville, VA
My sheep listen to my voice, I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27 NIV
Midge, Florence: “So, every healthy tree bears good fruit; but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.” Matthew 7:17 (ESV)
Jenifer, Sunnyside, WA – “The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
Ps 121:7-8 ESV
Romans 12: 9-13 (I am going to memorize one verse every two weeks until I complete the passage.) I’m struggling with retention for the verses I have previously memorized, but I faithfully review all the verses on my note cards and IPhone app. Isn’t technology helpful? ;0)
Week 1, verse 9 – “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good.” NIV