**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. Itās 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. Itās hard to watch your children go through it. I tell them all the time (and they donāt need convincing) that enduring is so worth it but, man oh man, as many of you know, the fire is hot. And itās often very personal, donāt you think? Satan goes for the psychological jugular.
I have had a great ā almost life-stopping ā 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 itās over.Ā (Iāll 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. Iām 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, Iām still choosing verses out of 2 Timothy. I couldnāt split these four verses up without shortchanging the context so Iām posting the whole segment.
Beth, Houston. āAnd the Lordās 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 devilās trap where they are held captive to do his will.ā 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, weāre 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. Letās hear your 13th verses. While youāre at it, remember that what weāre doing here is IMPORTANT! Weāve got to protect these minds of ours! Thatās where our battles are won or lost. You will never waste a single moment rolling Godās 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.
Iām crazy about you. Keep your eyes to the skies.
Melissa, Rancho Cordova, CA
“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2 NIV
Lee Ann, Wewahitchka
“Make me walk in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.” –Psalm 119:35
Jessica, Carlsbad, CA “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 NIV
Bridgette Jencks
Panama City Beach, FL
Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come so that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Joanne
St. Petersburg, FL
She opens her mouth with wisdom and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Proverbs 31:26
AKJV
Pam H., Naperville, IL “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;” Romans 5:3 NIV
Sarah, Little Rock
“‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'”
John 8:12 NIV
Psalm 94:14 NIV
For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.
Beth, Oxford,MS
Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
Bethany Clyde, TX
Romans 4:25–
“He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”
late post – road trip with bad wifi š
Sue, Groveport, OH Colossians 2:11-12 NIV
“In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.”
Tammy/Siloam NC:Show me your ways,O Lord teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Valerie, Omaha, NE
And the Lord will protect you from all sickness.
Deuteronomy 7:15
Shannon Michaelis, Houston, TX
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
Donna, Marina, Ca
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Stacy, Magee, MS So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 NIV
Kim Banks, Newbury Park, CA
Matthew 11:28 NIV
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Kelly, Eupora, MS
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12: 1-2, NIV
I’m sorry, but I have to change my verse for this two weeks…
Laura, Del Rio, TX
“And a voice came out of the cloud saying, “THis is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!””
Luke 9:35 NASB
Sorry to be so late..we are visiting family and had no internet connection! Hope this is still accepted.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather serve one another in love.”
Galations 5:13 NIV
Heather G
Charlotte NC
STACY, CHAPIN
I CRY TO YOU, O LORD, I SAY, YOU ARE MY REFUGE, MY
PORTION. PS 142:5 NIV
Cindy C.,
Newton Tony, England
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lordās holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
and to know this love that surpasses knowledgeāthat you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:14-19
Diana, Surrey, BC Canada
“Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” Isaiah 60:1 NIV
Janae – Riverside,PA Psalms 9:10 (NIV)
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Lindsay, Rogers, AR – Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my soul be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength and redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Heather, Ontario, Canada
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8). NIV
But I trusted in, relied on, and was confident in You, O Lord; I said, You are my God. (Psalm 31:14 AMP).
Nancy, Perry, GA
“He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.” Isaiah 51:3b NKJV
Amy
Whiteman AFB, MO
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.
Psalm 37:23-24
Ruth – Shawnee, KS
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:24 (NIV)
I’m praying for you both as you do the finishing touches on the study of James.
1 Corinthians 9:27 NASB
27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Marie
Byhalia, MS
Tammy, Manitoba, Canada
Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given to me that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel. Pray that I am may declare it fearlessly as I should.
Ephesians 6:19+20b NIV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowlege him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6(ESV)
Sorry I’m late…was traveling and had no access to computer…
Teresa/Naples, FL
Deuteronomy 8:3 NIV
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna,
which neither you nor your ancestors had known,
to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but
on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. (NIV)
Week 12 (Vacation!)
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God. (NIV)
Week 13
Psalm 93:1,2: The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. (NIV)
Leanne, Billings, MT
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10 NIV
Jennifer, Garland, TX
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. 2 Tim. 2:24-25a MSG
Runia, Silsbee TX, āCreate in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit withinn meā. Psalm 51:10. NIV
Karen- Cookeville,TN. Psalm 8:1 NKJV
O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, You who set Your glory above the heavens!
Jessie, Meriden, CT
“Whom have I in heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.” Psalm 73:25-26, NLT
Pat, Woodstock, Al The Message 1 John 3:20
For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.
Romona, East Alton
My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings.Ā
Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart for they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. Proverbs 4: 20 – 22 (AMP)
Jennifer, Monroe, GA
He is the image of the invisable God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visable and invisable, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for HIm.
He is before all things, and in HIm all things hold together. Colossians 1:15-17, NIV
Nicole, Ocean Springs, MS – “Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air.” (1 Corinthians 9:26 NASB)
Troy, OH
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
Kaye, Stone Mountain, Ga.
“One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4 NIV
Donna
Loganville, PA
Psalm 119:32
I run on the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.
NIV