**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.
Rosalie, Cincinnati
“For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” Jeremiah 2:13 KJV
2 Cor 1:11 (NAS) you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.
Amy, Las Vegas, NV
Michelle Ontario, Canada
Glory in his holy name; Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Ps 105:3 NIV
Kathryn, Tempe – Isaiah 36:3-4 NIV
Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, be will come with vengeance, with divine retribution he will come to save you.”
Petra, Ceres, CA
Luke 24:44-49 (NIV)
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13 NIV
Michelle, Morristown, “Set a guard, O LORD over my mouth; keep watch over the doors of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 (NKJ)
Wanted to say that the enemy has been trying to discourage me from memorizing with LPM. The lie I’ve been hearing goes something like this, “You can’t just pick a random verse. You are really forcing this thing. The verse you picked doesn’t really fit your situation right now.”
The TRUTH: 2 Timothy 3:16
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…”
Kathryn, Tempe: Isaiah 35:3-4 NIV
Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengence, with divine retribution he will come to save you.”
Priscilla, Mesa, AZ Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Romans 8:5 NIV
Janet,Longmont,CO
“…This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the the flock?”
Ezekiel 34:2b NIV
Anita, Big River, Saskatchewan
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:12-14 NIV
Stacy Indianapolis, IN ESV Hebrews 12:1-2 Therfore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight,and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Kristie
Sandia, Tx
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. I Peter 4:8 (NIV)
Jody, Mission Viejo, CA
As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:9 (NIV)
Kathy from Dayton, Nevada
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”
~~Romans 12:16 [NIV]
Houston, TX
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3 NIV
Johnstown, CO
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3 NIV
Maria from North Dakota
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Eph. 5:1-2 (NIV)
Niccol, Wilmette
“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.”
Psalm 61:2-3, NIV
Krista, Birmingham
“answering before listening is both stupid and rude” proverbs 18:13 The Message
Cynthia, Massanutten, VA
“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
Cheryl-Uganda
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 (NIV)
Natalie Christopher, Olympia, Washington
But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
Luke 8:15 NIV
Morristown, TN
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 KJV
Beckie, Florence, SC
Psalm 103:19-22
The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,And His sovereignty rules over all. Bless the LORD, you His angels,
Mighty in strength, who perform His word,Obeying the voice of His word! Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will. Bless the LORD, (I)all you works of His, In all places of His dominion; Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Now I will always have Psalm 103 in my heart and mind! YES!
And God is able to make all grace abound to you,
So that in all things, at all times,
having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Cor 9:8
For my husband and son that are doing His work in Peru.
Sharoni, Houston. “Praise GOD everybody! Applaud GOD all people! His love has taken over our lives; GOD’s faithful ways are eternal. Hallelujah!” Psalm 117, The Message
Denise – Meredith NH 2Tim 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”. (NIV) Praying for you Beth as you conclude one chapter of your Journey with James as we know God will continue to bless you with all that you’ve learned from teaching all of us!
Erika, Chester VA
2 Corinthians 9:8 NAS
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.
July 2, 2011
Psalm 127:1. NIV
Unless the lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
Pam
Greenville, SC
Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. -Psalm 37:5 NKJV
“Be Still And Know That I Am God.” Psalm 46:10
Cowpens, SC
Carrie – Kitchener, Ontario, Canada – “My dear brothers, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19-20 (NIV84
Lyn
Littleton NH
Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my song, and He has become my salvation.
Is. 12:2
Janifer, Glen Burnie, MD
Psalm 143:8, NKJV
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk. For I lift up my soul to You.
Emily
Fuquay-Varina, NC
Siesta Scripture Verse #13: Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first commandment. And the second is like it, love your neighbor as your self.”
Oshkosh, WI
But as for me I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.
Micah 7:7 NASB
Tina, Cincinnati, OH: Romans 12:12 – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. NIV
Marybeth from Norcross: Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. – Hosea 2:14 TNIV
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Phillipians 2:4 NIV
Lisa, Fredericktown
Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8, NIV
Terry in Louisa VA
Psalm 16:1-2 NIV
Keep me safe, O God, for in You I take refuge.
I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.”
Sharon Meekins
Richmond, VA
“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
Becky, Jacksonville, FL
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29.
Jenny, Des Moines, IA
Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you. Josh. 3:5 NIV
Mary, NH
1 Chronicles 4:10
New King James Version (NKJV)
10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.
Gwen, Kennesaw, GA: Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants. Ephesians 5:17. The Message
Jeremiah 32:17 (NET)
Oh, Lord God, You did indeed make heaven and earth by Your mighty power and great strength. Nothing is too hard for you!
Traci
Knoxville, TN
Amber, Lincolnton, NC
“Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.” – Lamentations 3:23, NLT
Barbra, Oxford, PA
Revelation 22:1-3 NIV (1984)
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.