**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.
29:13
NIV Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jennifer, San Antonio: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Â I do not give to you as the world gives. Â Do not let you hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
Proverbs 3:5-6King (KJV)
5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Allie, south pasadena CA
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has promised, “Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Jane W., Charlotte, NC
“Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.” Matthew 7:7-8 NLT
“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” Proverbs 27:19, TNIV
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” – 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)
Deaune, Topeka “Surely You desire truth in the inner parts. You teach me wisdom in the most inmost place.” NIV
Glorify the LORD with me;let us exalt His name together.
Psalm 34:3 NIV
Charlotte, Houston
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 4) NIV
Deaune, Topeka “Surely You desire truth in the inner parts. You teach me wisdom in the most inmost place.” Ps 51:6 NIV
Conyers, GA
Luke 6:37
Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Monique, Elizabethtown, KY – The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Bird – Cypress, TX
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and He is more powerful than anyone else.] No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” John 10:28-30, NLT
Kris, Montesano, Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. NIV
Vicky, Enders
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
Matthew 9:35 NIV
Proverbs 14:26Â “In fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place for refuge.”
Rebekah – Fulton, Ms
“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 also in Him, and He will do it.”
Psalm 37:3-5, NASB
Susan, Jonesboro, Arkansas
Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace.
Ephesians 4:3 AMP
Julie from Abilene
Ephesians 1:17
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious FAther, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
Susan
Windsor,CA
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 ESV
“A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.”
2 Timothy 2:24-26
New Living Translation (NLT
Cherie, Odessa TX. “[Jesus] said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'” Mt 9:37-38 NIV
Phyllis Charlotte,. “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
Teri-Boise
“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures a your right hand.” Psalm 16:11 NIV
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
Psalm 62:5 NIV
Jerri-Cookeville,TN
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 NIV
Sarah, Topeka “Surely You desire truth in the inner parts. You teach me wisdom in the most inmost place.” Ps 51:6 NIV
Buffy
Rogers
Let your love, God, shape my life with salvation, exactly as you promise!
Ps. 119:41 (MSG)
Jeri, Stillwater, Ok
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)
Sheree, Phoenix
“Serve the Lord with gladness, come before His presence with singing.” Psalm 100:2 ESV
Letty, Puyallup, WA
“If the Lord delights in a man’s way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV)
Lisa Auten: Rogers, AR: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.” Rom. 12:6 NIV
Meg, Columbus, OH: “To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.” Proverbs 16:1 NIV
“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.”
Proverbs 23:17 (NIV)
Odessa, TX
Psalm 23 NKJV: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Jenn, Beaverton, OR “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.” Psalm 37:3
Brittney, San Angelo “Blessed are you when men cast insults at you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely on account of me.” Matthew 5:11 nasb
Carolyn, Maryville,TN Esp 1:4 For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.
Of your heart, truth and wisdom I will never tire. Thank you for going before us and laying down your life at the foot of the cross of Jesus.
Beth S. Coon Rapids, MN
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Ephesians 1:4 NIV
Dios nos escogiĂł en Ă©l antes de la creaciĂłn del mundo, para que seamos santos y sin mancha delante de Ă©l.
Efesios 1:4 NVI
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior;my God will hear me.
-Micah 7:7 (NIV)
Nancy, Springdale, AR
“He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30, NIV
Kay from Modesto, CA: Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. Deuteronomy 30:11 (NIV)
“The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.” Proverbs 29:25 MSG
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Tim. 1:7 nlt
Krista
Centennial, CO
Jana, Fresno
I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 HCSB
Pat, Littlefield, Tx……”He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty!”
Psalm 91:1 NIV
“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ…” Philippians 1:9-10