**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.
Meggie, Colorado Springs, CO
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:3 NIV
Such a special verse! God is so awesome!
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power, his understanding has no limit.
Psalm 147:3-5
Judy, Apple Valley, CA
“But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.” Thank you Lord!!
Isaiah 50:7 (ESV)
Peggy. San Diego.
But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,
declares the Lord.
Jer. 30:17a
Sarah, Greensboro, NC
“He must become more important while I become less important.”
John 3:30 (GNT)
Proverbs 22:11 NIV
One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.
Adele, Fresno Ca
“The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to Bod! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:56-57
I missed the last posting, so posting 2 this time:
15 June – Debbie, RAF Mildenhall, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22, NIV
1 July – Debbie, RAF Mildenhall, “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” Isaiah 61:1, NIV
I sought the Lord,
and he heard me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4 NKJV
Nikki, Wichita
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
Isaiah 61:3 New King James
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Thessalonians 5:18
Janet, Fuquay Varina,
One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done. Psalms 62: 11-12
Sarah, Blairsville, GA. “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:5 NIV
Gena, Elgin, Texas
“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 will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and so 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
April, Vermilion
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but 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 40:29-31
Denise, Orange City. 2 Timothy 1:6-7 ESV For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Kendra, Sturgis MI “the LORD is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 NIV
April, Greensboro,NC-“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23(NIV)
Donna, Summerfield, NC
Proverbs 14:1 NKJV
“A wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.”
Lynne, New Milford: “O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” Psalm 34:8, NIV
Susan, Kansas Ephesians 1:17 “..and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength.” NIV
Lisa, Cumming, GA “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit set me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1
Susan, Barrie, ON, Canada
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8 NIV
Galatians 6:7-9
English Standard Version (ESV)
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Gloria, Aiken SC
“I seek You with all my heart;
do not let me stray from Your commands.”
~Psalm 119:10
Laura, Lexington, KY
Search me, 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. Psalms 13:23-24 NIV
Laura, Jefferson, ME
Ps. 57:1 “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by.” NKJV
Tracey Knight ~ Arkadelphia AR
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV
Deborah, Katy, TX
I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?
My help comes from the lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Amanda,, Katy, TX
I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?
My help comes from the lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Kara, Houston, TX
I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?
My help comes from the lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Josuha 1:9
Sam v.
Woodstock, VT
Tamela, Piedmont,SC: My help cometh from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2 NIV
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 NIV
Jami
Shelby, NC
“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
Gina, Atlanta: “Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37 NIV
Robyn, San Antonio
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 NASB
Anna, San Diego, CA
“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
Beth From Emmalena, KY
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11 (NIV)
Alli, College Station
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalm 51:10-12, NIV)
Heather, Austin, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Ephesians 5: 1-2, NASB
1 Peter 3:8-9 NIV
“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
1 Peter 3:8-9 NIV
“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
Kim, Detroit
“Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.”
Phil 4:6-7
Carol, Grove City, PA
“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.” Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Mandy, Grove City, PA
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42.5 (NIV)
Kim, Loveland, co
I will always show you where to go.
I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—
firm muscles, strong bones.
You’ll be like a well-watered garden,
a gurgling spring that never runs dry. (Isaiah 58:11 MSG)
Rachel, Blairsville, GA: Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. Psalm 116:7 NIV.
Linda, Cypress
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know”
Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Anita-Hartsville, TN – Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalms 51:12 NIV
The evil one is definetly working on my mind & making me feel defeated theses days. But my God is bigger and His word tells me different!!!Praise the Lord!!!