**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.
Whitney, Ames, OK — “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 (ESV)
Port Huron, MI
Stop being angry! Turn from your rage!
Do not lose your temper- it only leads to harm.
For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land.
Psalms 37:8-9 NLT
Mary Lisa, Glenwood MN: Psalm 121:7-8 (NIV) The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and gong both now and forevermore.
Diera, Austin
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Karla, Broomfield, CO
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Rom. 10:17 ESV
Oh, dear. In addition to watching over my gong — and I’ll have to check the basement to see if I have one — the Lord will watch over my “going both now and forevermore.”
hahhaaa..
Whether I turn to the right or to the left, Your voice is behind me saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Maria, Whitmire, SC
For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Micah 3:6 (KJV)
Katherine, Charlottesville, VA: “I love You, O LORD, my strength” (Ps. 18:1, NASV).
Tracy from Wheeling, WV
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 1 Peter 2: 1-3 (NKJV)
Nancy, Bridgewater, NJ
John 3, verse 3, The Message
Jesus said, “You’re absolutely right. Take it from me:
Unless a person is born from above, It’s not possible
to see what I am pointing to – to God’s Kingdom.”
“Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel:
‘My way is hidden from the Lord, and my just claim is passed over by my God’?
Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
the Creator of the ends of the earth,
neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
and to those who have no might,
He increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:27-31 nkjv
Martha, Asheville NC
2 Timothy 1:6-7, TNIV
“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 the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
Kristy, Wake Forest, NC- “All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded.” Exodus 35.10 (NIV)
Sandy from Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Proverbs 18:9 NIV
One who is slack in his work
is brother to one who destroys.
Rosa, Sulphur Springs, TX
“But the Holy Spririt produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22 NLT
We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 ESV
Leslie, Decatur, TX
Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 1 Peter 5:8 HCSB
Gillian Oshawa, Ontario Canada
Let us know the LORD; let us press on to know the him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. Hosea 6:3NIV
Autumn, Foster, KY
Galatians 6:8 NIV
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Is26:3 ESV
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You.”
Have been preoccupied with flooding concerns in our community with thousands of people homless right now. Am trying to do volunteer work as I can. Have thought of printing the verse and attaching it to water bottles to hand out. Fresh water is a luxury right now as water mains have burst under 5 ft of water in some instances and there is a boil water order in effect now.
These people really need our prayers now as many houses will be condemned.
Karen, Cottonwood
“may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide & long & high & deep is the love of Christ,” Eph. 3:18 NIV
Tami, Palm Coast, FL: How Great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! I John 3:1 (NIV)
Carolyn Terrace BC Canada
Psalm 32:8 (NIV)
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go: I will counsel you and watch over you.
Cathy,Rhinebeck. “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:26-27 NIV.
Christina, Hanover, MD
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. Proverbs 3:25, NKJV
Charlene, Houston
…that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
Ephesians 3:16 NAS
To be continued
“I know that my Redeemer lives and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.
Job 19:25
Karen, Scottsdale
“The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” Ps. 28:9 NLT
Evie, Cedar Creek TX
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
For you are great and do marvelous things, you alone are God.
Psalm:86 10 NIV
And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
2Timothy 2:24 NIV
Kathie, Aiken SC
Melodie, Orlando
Micah 7:7, MSG
But me, I’m not giving up. I’m sticking around to see what God will do. I’m waiting for God to make things right. I’m counting on God to listen to me.
Robin, Landing, New jersey
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield, the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
Psalm 84:11 KJV
Psalm 25:8 – 9 (NIV)
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
MaryS
Houston
Amy Toney, Houston: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” – Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV
Jodi Alley, Humble, TX – The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged. Psalm 34:18 NET
Cindy in Mt Pleasant, SC
Hosea 2:19-20 NIV
I will betroth you to me forever;
I will betroth you in righteousness and justice,
in love and compassion.
I will betroth you in faithfulness,
and you will acknowledge teh LORD.
Sonjia, Raleigh, MS: “And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” 2 Timothy 2:24
Donna, Raleigh, NC Galatians 6:8 NIV
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Jeremiah 29:11
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)
Denise, Ocean Springs,MS – May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV
Josie, Tucson
Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.
John 6:26 (NIV 1984)
Kristen, Austin, TX
Ephesians 1:7-8, NIV
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.
Vacation makes getting on-line hard
Marla Lame Deer, MT
Colossians 4:6 Let your conversation be always full of grace seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. NIV
Becky
Willowick, OH
Phil 4:8
Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
Jennifer, Frederick, CO
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
Rachelle, McAlister, NM
Jeremiah 33:3 NASB
‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
Katherine, Shiremanstown, PA
In the multitude of wards sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise. ~Proverbs 10:19 (NKJV)