**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.
Dianne, Fairfield, CA – “Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1 (NASB)
Dyane, Edmond, Oklahoma. “…for I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12 KJV
Vickie
Russellville ar
Isaiah 32:17
The fruit of righteousness will be peace. The effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
NIV
Maureen, St. Clair Shores “The Lord trains those He loves. He punishes everyone He accepts as son [daughter]”
(Hebrews 12:6, NIRV)
Shannon, Kissimmee, Florida
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he willl ift you up. James 4:10 (NIV)
OOPS ..
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10 (NIV)
Tracy, Hobe Sound,FL “Oh, blessed be God! He didn’t leave us defenseless, helpless…God’s strong name is our help, the same God who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:6,8 The Message
Julie, Winterville, NC
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10, NIV
Avayd Lacy Merriam, KS The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise and watch over you. Ps. 32:8 NLT
Joy – Salina, KS
“But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.” Colossians 1:22-23 NIV
Rebecca, Berlin, GA
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others above yourselves.
Philippians 2:3 NIV
Karyn, Elberfeld, IN – Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 (NASB)
Tatia, Elkridge, MD:
“O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.” Psalm 139:1-4 (NLT)
These verses are for all of July…I’ll be at one of God’s beautiful beaches mid month!! How I love my quiet times on the beach 🙂 I hear Him speak in those mighty ocean waves.
Ahvy. Olathe, Ks.
James 4:7 The Message
So let God do His will in you.
Shout a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper.
susan, ky. 2 timothy 2:24-26. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. 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.
Proverbs 21:2 Amplified Bible
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs and tries the heart.
rachel, alexandira ky currently in Africa on medical mission trip. 1 john 4:16. God is love, and He who abides in love abides in God and God in Him.
Valerie
Sparks, Nevada
But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.
Psalm 146:5 NLT
Emily – Des Moines, IA
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36, NIV
susan Ky. 2 timothy 2:24-26. NLT A servant of the Loard must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. 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.
Addie,sulphur. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mattew 5:3. American standard version
Lisa, Olympia, WA
“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” Jude v 20 (NIV)
Debbie, Hattiesburg, MS:
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14 (NKJV)
Audrey, Ohio
Ephesians 1:7-8 HCSB
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.
Carol, Cashion, “The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!” Habakkuk 3:19 Amplified
Romans 12:12 (ESV) “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
And for June 15…Deuteronomy 31:8 “It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Shannon
Katy, TX
(I wasn’t able to post last time…we were in Ethiopia adopting our newest daughter! We’re home now, and I’m trying to get back on track with my memory work. I need it now more than ever!)
Tracy Carden, Whitesburg, TN
In repentance and rest is your salvation,
In quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it.
Isaiah 30:15
Siesta from Virginia, “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. Ephesians 4:1-2 NIV
Megan, Edina, MN
“From Him and through Him and to Him be all things. To Him be the the glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36, NIV
Deborah, Kennewick. “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you.” Ephesians 1:18 NIV
Angie – Aberdeen, SD
“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
The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall i fear? Psalm 27:1 NIV
Cindy, Grapevine, TX
Titus 2:13-14 (NIV) “…while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”
Marie, Harrison; “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
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12, NIV
Melle, Waco, Tx.
1John 1:7 As we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his son purifies us from all sin. (niv)
Vicki, San Angelo
Romans 10:17 NIV
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Vicki
Chehalis, WA
Such wisdom does not come down from heaven, but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.
James 3:15 NIV
Katie (Firestone, CO)
“For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” James 3:16-17 (NKJV)
RaeLeen, Greenwood,
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Proverbs 31:26 (NIV)
Emily from Birmingham, AL {formerly Washington, DC!} … “Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.” Jeremiah 33:3 The Message
Ashley, Tampa,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 NIV)
Kristi, Scottsdale, AZ
Proverbs 14:1 “A woman’s family is held together by her wisdom, but it can be destroyed by her foolishness.”
Ann, San Antonio, Texas – “And we exhort you, brothers: warn those who are irresponsible, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” 1 Thess. 5:14 (HCSB)
I was on vacation and didn’t post on the 15th so I’m doing it with this one.
June 15
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
Psalm 121:7 (NIV)
July 1
8 The LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121:8(NIV)
Stephanie
Cynthiana, Ky
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 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
Amanda, Pine Bluff, AR
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9, NLT
There are 3 of us, and we are coming in January. We reserved our hotel just yesterday as a little incentive to keep going and make it through. So excited!!
Mandy, Idabel, OK
14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Patti, Ft. Walton Beach, FL, “He said to me: ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.” Revelation 21:6-7, NIV
I’m behind, so I’m posting two from my favorite chapter in Romans: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28, and “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
Karen from AZ where it was 118 degree’s today, shew!
Robin, Tracy CA
The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. Psalm 145:9 NIV