**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.
Isn’t that the truth. Satan is ruthless but praise God-He is stronger and more powerful that anything Satan hurls at us. Great scripture to memorize.
Shawna in Alabama “You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even berfore a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD you know it altogether” Psalm 139:3-4 ESV
“This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and conrite in spirit, and who trembles at my work.” Isaiah 66:2
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 NIV
Susie, Whitehouse, TX
Central, LA.
Walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us. Ephesians 5:2
Kelly, Appleton, WI
For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
Psalm 33:4 (NIV)
Kathleen, Tallahassee:
“He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly.”
Isaiah 40:29-30 (NASB)
II Timothy 2:24-26 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 help captive to do his will. The NET Bible
Alison P.
McComb, MS
“You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything I have learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
John 15:14-15 (NIV)
Anne, Simpsonville,SC Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 NLT
Holly, Beaumont, CA “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV
Rachel
Tucson, AZ
2Cor. 3:17 NIV
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
Nicole, Florissant, Mo: Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
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.
Jenn
Frederick, MD
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Isaiah 40:11
NIV
Proverbs 31:26- “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness”, NKJ.
Debbie, New Delhi India: See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Heb 12:15 NIV (sorry it’s late…have had internet issues!)
Cindy- Sheridan, WY
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Isaiah 12:4 NIV
robin, scottsdale, az
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
“bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13: 7, NASB).
Lisa, Simsboro, LA
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the LORD forgave you. Colossians 3:13
Rhonda, Searcy, AR
“You’re all I want in heaven! You’re all I want on earth!” Psalm 73:25 msg
“I will both lie down in peace, and sleep,
For You alone, O Lord make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 4:8 NKJ
Jennifer, Las Vegas: “…For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12, NIV)
“The LORD GOD is a Sun and Shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in You.” Psalm 84:11-12 NIV
Karina, Baton Rouge
“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”
Psalm 34:8
NIV
Ruth, Odin, IL
He says, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God!
I will be exalted over the nations!
I will be exalted over the earth!”
-Psalm 46:10 (NET)
Therefore God has also highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those in earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2: 9-11 NKJV
Amy 7634, SF Bay Area, CA:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”
Romans 1:16 (NIV)
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
~ Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
Hollie R. – Granbury, TX
Laura,Perth,Australia
2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV
‘…This is what the LORD says to you: Do not be afraid or discouraged, because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’
Rebekah, Perth, Australia. “I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand…” Isaiah 51:16, NIV.
Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ. 1 Thes 5:16-18
OOOOHHHH! Kelley!! I’m joining you in this one! 🙂
Beth, Mt. Holly, NC
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. (Proverbs 3:27 NIV)
“For Christ also suffered once for our sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:18a ESV
Chrystie C
Piedmont, SC
Sue
St. Louis, MO
Proverbs 31:14-15 NASB
She is like merchant ships, she brings food from afar. She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and portions to her maidens.
Melissa Stauffer, Centerville, Michigan
If only you had paid attention to My commands. Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like waves of the sea.
Isaiah 48:18 HCSB
Kerry, Apple Creek, Ohio
I know I’m a little late…
Psalm 127:1 NCV
If the Lord doesn’t build the house, the builders are working for nothing. If the Lord doesn’t guard the city, the guards are watching for nothing.
Pamela, Missouri
For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. ~ 2 Tim 1:12 (NKJV)
Ashley – Huntsville, AL: “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
Jennifer P. – Russellville, AR
Job 23:10 HCSB
Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
NIV Jeremiah 32:27: “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything to hard for me?”
Heather, Whittier, CA
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
NIV
Barb, Prescott Valley, AZ
Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
Janet, Lenoir, NC. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are WITHOUT EXCUSE (emphasis mine).” Romans 1:20 NIV
Meredith Sloan
Greer, SC
However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him”
Okie Sisters–C-Town, Ok!
I love you, O LORD, my strength! Psalm 18:1 NIV
I know it’s short, but this is an intense time with my son’s wedding coming up in less than 3 weeks and there’s so much to do. (Oy!) I’m needing the Lord’s strength now if ever!
Marla, Columbus OH
Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom; she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.
Ezekiel 16:49 ESV
For the Lord God is a sun and shield, the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
-Psalm 84:11
Nakeisha
Houston, TX
Vicki from Elizabethtown, KY
…We have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Colossians 1:9
ESV