**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.
Tammy, Greenville
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak”
Matthew 26:41 NIV
Jennifer M from mass, So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. 1 Peter 1 13-14
Stephanie – Tampa, FL
Isaiah 43:2 NLT
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. Hebrews 10:18
“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
liz gladstone or
using your verse beth scary how this really hit home
Patty from Vicksburg, MS
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit withinn me”. Psalm 51:10. NIV
Kendall-Huntsville, AL
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 (NASB)
Suzanne, Decatur, Texas
24 “To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy– 25) to the only God our Saviour be glory,majesty,power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord,before all ages,now and forevermore! Amen.”
Jude 1:24-25
Beth, WNC
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” 1 Peter 3:8 ESV
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope. Psalms 130:5
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 1212 NIV
Linda, Carolina Beach, NC
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us.”
Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Richmond, VA
Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.
Romans 12:21 HCSB
“Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will
be saved, for You are The One I praise.”
Jeremiah 16:14 NIV
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26, NKJV
I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-4 NIV
Mary, Seymour, TN
Micah 7:7 NASB
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
Jane, Gulfport-“The Lord said: I will certainly set you free and care for you. I will certainly intercede for you in a time of trouble, in your time of distress, with the enemy.” Jeremiah 15:11 (HCSB)
Jennifer S. Oklahoma City, OK
However, as it is written; No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. 1Cor 2:9 NIV
Beth, London ON
Run after mature righteousness – faith, love, peace – joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights. God’s servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth.
(perfect passage, thanks Beth!)
Macey, Whidbey Island, WA
“You are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.” Isaiah 43:4b
Yanna, Bryan,Tx “My salvation and my honor depend on God he is my mighty rock, my refuge.” Psalm 62:7 NIV
Hannah K.; Maryland; Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the poor; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”
KJV, I changed the word meek to poor.)
Marilyn, Bradenton, FL
Psa. 143:10 (NIV) “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”
Karen, Centralia, Mo Turn my eyes from worthless things and give me life through your word. Ps 119:37 NLT
“The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still” Exodus 14:14 NIV
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12;12 NIV
Carrie- St.Cloud,Fl
” Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6 net
Anne Marie; Woburn, MA;
“But blessed is the man who trusts me, God,
the woman who sticks with God.
They’re like trees replanted in Eden,
putting down roots near the rivers—
Never a worry through the hottest of summers,
never dropping a leaf,
Serene and calm through droughts,
bearing fresh fruit every season.” Jeremiah 17:7-8
Kristi, formerly of North Webster, IN, just moved to Seagrove Beach, Fl
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Prov. 16:3 NIV
Jen, Auburn, OH: Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31, NIV.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.” Psalm 19:1-2
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
Jennifer Monroe, Ga
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2
Sarah, Ames, iA
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is a gift from God, not by works so that no can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Pam, Austin, Gal. 5:25, NKJV
If we live in the Spirit, Let us also walk in the Spirit.
Beverly, Vicksburg
Job 9:10 NIV “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.”
Melanie – Lebanon, KS
Hebrews 11:16 (niv)
Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
Kathryn, Glendale AZ, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” Hebrews 13:8 KJV
Karen Basham, Lutz, FL: “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” John 17:3 (NASB)
Juliana
Livermore, Ca
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act
Psalm 37:5 HCSB
Martha, Catawba, NC
Titus 2;14 NASB
(Christ Jesus) who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Patty – Glendora, CA
“How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.” Psalm 31:19 NLT
Three Rivers, MI. “I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.” Romans 15:13 CEV
Robyn Wright
Topeka, Kansas
“Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” Proverbs 30:5 (NIV)
T. Cooper from Amarillo, Texas.
Your word, Lord, is enternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Psalm 119:89 NIV
Susan – Maynard, MA
Romans 6:10-11
“For in that He died, He died to sin once for all; but in that He lives, He lives to God. So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Emily Jordan
Virginia Beach, VA
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17 (NIV)
“Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.” 1 Peter 4:1 (NIV)
For I can never forget these awful years; always my soul will live in utter shame. Yet there is one ray of hope: His compassion never ends. It is only the Lord’s mercies that have kept us from complete destruction. Lam 3:20-22 TLB