**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.
Kim Anderson in Springfield, MO – Psalm 71:13 KJV
Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt. (Psalm 71:13 KJV)
Amy, Grand Rapids, MI
This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NLT
Juliana, Dahlgren
For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 2 Cor 4:11 NAS
Lisa S.
Kinston, N.C.
Psalm 146:5 NASB
How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God.
Patty from Northern Virginia: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
Donna, Franklin, TN
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” James 3:13 (NIV)
01 July 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Julie, Goldfield, IA
Philemon v.6 (NIV)
“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ”
Cary Forney, TX
Proverbs 31:26 Her mouth she hath opened in wisdom, And the law of kindness is on her tongue
Arlette, Cheney, WA
The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall,
for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Psalm 37:2-24, NLT
Portland, Oregon
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Kathleen-NM
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Gal. 6:9 (NIV)
Jeantelle, Lafayette, La
Jesus wept.
John 11:35 NIV
Megan, San Angelo: Lamentations 3:22 (NIV)
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
Karen, Martinsville, NJ
“My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show Me your face, let Me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet and your face is lovely.”
Song of Songs 2:14 (NIV)
Erika-Gadsden, Al
A man’s wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense. Prov 19:11NIV
Catherine ~ Grants Pass, OR
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NIV (VBS Day 5)
for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.
(1 John 3:20 ESV)
Tami, Arcadia, CA ~
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
“Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
James 5:16 TNIV
Diana from Nacogdoches, TX
Romans 8:1-4 (NKJV)
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the rightwous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
April, Lake Charles, LA
We give thanks to You, O God; we give thanks, for Your Name is near. We recount Your wondrous deeds. Psalm 75:1 (ESV)
Tasha,mission,tx, Luke 12:31 NLT
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
Nelly,mission,tx Luke 12:31 NLT
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him; for knows how we are formed, He remembers we are dust.”
Ps. 103:13-14 NLT
Joy, Cairo
Teresa – Austin, TX
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Kathy, Cochran, GA
The thing you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given to you.
Matthew 6:33 (NCV)
” They will enter Zion with singing, everlasting joy will crown their heads
Gladness and joy will overtake them and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”
Isaiah 35:10 (NIV)
Joy, Alpharetta. “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” Colossians 4:2,NLT
“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 perseverance the race marked out for us.” Heb 12:1 NIV
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
1Peter 3:8
NKJV
Nancy
Columbus IN
Devi
Geneva, Switzerland
For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
1 Corinithians 13:9 (ESV)
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
Psalm 33:4 NIV
Jana, Quitaque, TX, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Proverbs 11:27 NIV
He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it.
Patti, Roxboro, NC
“Stand at the crossroads and look, ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16
Lucia from Valdosta
Ephesians 5:6 (NIV)
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
Atlanta, Ga
‘Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.’ Psalm 143:8 NIV
Pam, Wilmington, Proverbs 3:26 NLT
The Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
Pam;Campbellsburg In. There is therefore now no comdemnation to thoes who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the spirit.
Romans 8;1 NKJV
Paula, Batavia, Ohio
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:5 NIV
Karen, Amarillo. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2.15 ESV
Kay Chester Va
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
John 15:13 NIV
Angie
Albertville AL
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor 15:58 NASB
Just got in town but I wrote down my verse on the 1st. No, Mrs. Beth, we would NEVER get tired of hearing about James. Can’t WAIT to dive into it with you!
Linda S
McCalla, AL
Continuing to memorize John 14
“And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” John 14:4-5 ESV
Deborah J., Clearwater, FL
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12, NIV)
Meggie, Winnipeg, Canada
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
Psalm 139:23-24 NLT
Matthew 36&40
I was naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me. And I the King will tell them “When you did it to these my brothers, you were doing it to me”.
The Living Bible
Larissa Simpson Benbrook, Tx
“But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” Psalms 3:3 (NIV)
Saskatchewan, Canada
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 perseverence the race marked out for us.
Hebrews 12:1 NIV