**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.
Staci – Wichita KS
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalm 19:1 NIV
Annette, Toronto ON
…know God…and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you…
1 Chron. 28:9 NKJV
Joshua 1:9b NIV
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discourage, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Your reward depends on what you say and what you do; you will get what you deserve.
-Proverbs 12:14 [GNT]
Michelle Calgary (Airdrie) Alberta Canada
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Colossians 4:6
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Phil 2:2 NKJ
Karla – Cedarburg, WI : “These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Pete 1:7 NIV
Melissa, Perry,GA
Psalm 33: 20-22 NIV
20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.
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
Ellen M.
Camden, DE
Sandra Stamey, China Grove, NC
Therefore, humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you. 1 Peter 5:6 (AMP)
Katie, Gig Harbor WA *I don’t know why I had SUCH trouble getting online to post this!!* š
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3:13-18 ESV
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Godās will for you in Christ Jesus.
Savanna -Atlanta, GA
Preserve sound judgement & discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, and ornament to grace your neck. Proverbs 3:21-22 NIV.
The he, (Jesus), opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:45 NIV
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:8 NIV
Diane H.
Dallas, Tx.
Dedra Herod, Madison, AL
“Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances for this is Godās will for you in Jesus Christ.” 1 Thes 5:16-18 NIV
Bettye from Southlake, TX
“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
Julie, Lexington, KY
For this is what the High and lofty One says- He who lives forever, whose name is Holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with Him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15, NIV
Becky, Alberta, Canada
Stay alert; be in prayer so you don’t wander into temptation without even knowing you’re in danger.
Matt. 26: 40 The Message Bible
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus. So we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Eph. 2:10 NLT
Jess, Auburn, AL.
“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:7-8, NIV
Hannah, Austin –
Isaiah 46:4 NASB-
Even to your old age I will be the same,
And even to your graying years I will bear you!
I have done it, and I will carry you;
And I will bear you and I will deliver you.
Sue, Pasadena, TX: Romans 1:16 NIV
“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.”
Michelle
Loveland, CO
Psalm 71:19 NIV
Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
you who have done great things. Who is like you, God?
Johanna- Forsyth, MT: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13 NIV
Skylar, Collinston, La. For God has not designed us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 ESV
Cindy, Yakima,WA
Ephesians 1:18 NIV
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”
Kim – Huntsville, AL “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” Acts 23:11 (NIV)
I know this seems like a strange verse to work on, but we are studying the book of Acts, and our teacher really camped out on this verse this past week. It really spoke to my heart.
Christina, Egenhausen: But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her[a] for a covering. 1 Corthians 11:15 NKJV (cuz my man like long hair and i’m feeling like cutting it. again.)
Melany, Garrison, MO: Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgements, and His paths beyond tracing out! Romans 11:33 NIV
Sandi
Duluth, MN
Eph. 1:4 The Message
“Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had me in mind, had settled on me as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love.” (personalization mine)
Anita, Purcellville, VA
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 NIV
(Sorry so late! I was gone on a trip!)
Philippians 2:6,7 NIV
(Jesus)Who, being in very nature(in the form of)God
did not consider equality with God something to
be grasped, but made Himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness.
Janelle, Dallas, TX
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.
Psalm 86:5-7 ESV
Dana-Houston – “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:14 ESV
My grace is sufficient for you.
Colossians 3:17 (NIV) “And whatever you do,whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Pam – Wadesboro
1 Thessalonians 5:24 NKJV
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
Sorry I’m late. I was out of town for the 4th.
Deb, Lexington, TX
2 Chronicles 20:12 (ESV)
O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.
Sue R…Magalia, Ca
Proverbs 31:10 – 11 NIV
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
Marta
Southlake, Tx
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1 NIV
Sheryl, Rocky Mount,NC, Psalm 28:7 (AMP), The Lord is my Strength and my (impenetrable) Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped, therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.
Tanya, Sheffield, AL “8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
1 Peter 3:8-9 NIV
Rebekah, age 10, St. Paul, MN
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I thessalonians 5.16-18
Cindy
Alton NH
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Psalm 23:3 KJV
Shana, St. Paul, MN
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. {I Thessalonians 5.16-18 NIV}
Judy – Cottageville, WV Eph 1:4 KJV According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.
Anita – Lynchburg, VA According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Eph 1:4 KJV
Stephanie, Austin, “There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:18, NIV
Cassandra – Raleigh, NC Eph. 1:4 KJV According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.