**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.
Becky
Westerville, OH.
This is perfect for right now –
“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.”
II Timothy 2:24-26 NET
Sorry it’s late – mission trip and then vacation
Wow what a powerful verse. Thank you for posting it and inspiring me. I pray you have a great week as you put this into your heart and mind.
Lindsey, McKinney, TX:
Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
The fear of the LORD leads to life;
then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
Prov. 19:21,23
Jill, Spring, TX. “We are made holy through the sarifice Christ made in His body once for all time.” Hebrews 10:10
Stephanie, Wise
“See I have inscribed you on the palms of My Hands; your walls are continually before Me” Isaiah 49:16 NKJV
Lindsey, Lincoln, NE
Therefore let us stop passing judment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way. ~Romans 14:13 NIV
Colleen, Cape Town, South Africa (late because I’ve been away)
I’ll give her bouquets of roses. I’ll turn Heartbreak Valley into Acres of Hope. Hosea 2:15, The Message
Don’t you just love it. What a God we serve, certainly there is no other.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever seperate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries for tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away.
Romans 8:38
Jennifer
Loveland, Co
Victoria
Conway AR
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21 NIV
(Better late than never, right?!?!) 🙂
Immedidately the boy’s father exclaimed,”I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24 NIV
Katherine The Colony, TX
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
Genesis 50:20 ESV
Susan, Atlanta, GA
Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.
Deuteronomy 6:7 NLT
Celeste, Laguna Niguel, CA He is your constant source of stability; he abundantly provides safety and great wisdom, he gives all this to those who fear him. Isaiah 33:6 NET
Needing this to cling to.
Emily, McKenzie TN
A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a sweet honeycomb to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:23-24
Diane, Lumpkin
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
Hebrews 6:10NIV
Marysue, Fla & NC, “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
Alison, Norman, OK
You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. You have come to Jesus, the One who mediates the new Covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood which speaks of forgiveness, instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:18,24 Whoo! Amen!?
NLT. =)
Kristy – MB Canada
“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 14:27 NIV
A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11 NIV
Cheri
Louisville, KY
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 KJV
Patti, Clemmons, NC
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. II Peter 1: 5-8 HCSB
Carol – LaGrange, Ga – Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 4:12 NIV
Hayley, Seymour, TX
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1 ESV
“For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.”
Ephesians 1:4 NIV
Heather
Mosinee, WI
Rhonda, Newnan, Ga. John 16:33
New Living Translation (NLT)
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Lee Ann, Brentwood, TN.
…so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 1Thes 2:8
Soorin
Eugene, OR
A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11 NIV
(So sorry it’s late…)
Lynn, Red Deer, Alberta
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a (wo)man’s heart,
but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
Bev, Glasgow, KY
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) 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.
LuAnn Barton, Port Huron, MI Genesis 16:13 She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me. NIV
Lana, Nebraska
The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. Deut. 30:6 (NIV)
Jacksonville, FL “Therefore brothers, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble.” 2 Peter 1:10 NKJ
Prov 14:29 NLT
Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes.
Oh I so need to remember this…so I can keep myself out of some hot fires:)
Beth, Johnstown, OH
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. Col. 3:17 NIV
Tina Marie
Gig Harbor, WA
Jonah 2:9
But I will sacrifice to Thee
With the voice of thanksgiving.
That which I vowed I will pay.
Salvation is from the Lord
NASB
And, because I missed verse #12 while driving home from a visit with my grandson in California…
Acts 1:8
“but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
NASB
Ti-Leigh
Orlando, FL
A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Prov. 18:24 NIV
Connie
Austin, TX
and where the spiit of the Lord is there is FREEDOM!
2 cor 3:17
I am alittle late. Just got back from Israel and the Grand Tetons. The Lord is glorious!
Yvonne
Fresno, CA
Psalm 18:46 NIV
The LORD lives! Praise to my Rock! Exalt God my Savior!
Amanda Rearden, Windermere, FL (Orlando): “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:13 NIV
Leah, Little Falls
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto
thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
Sr. Rebecca, Clyde, Mo
My love shall never leave you nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the LORD who has mercy on you. Is. 54:10 New American Bible
sr. nancy rose, clyde, mo
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. Matt.28:20 New American Bible
Selena- Albany, GA
Whom do I have in heaven but You? And I desire nothing on earth but You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.
Psalm 73:25-26, NKJV
Di, Cowpens, SC
“But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory,the One who lifts up my head.
I call out to the Lord,
and He answers me from his holy mountain.”
Psalm 3:3-4 NIV
“Give thanks to the LORD for He is good, His faithful love endures forever.” Psalms 118:1 HCSB
Mine is late too –
Debbie in El Paso, IL
Psalm 150:6
Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord.
Shonda Aurora, SD
Learn the unforced rythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Matthew 11:30 The Message
Karen, Hewitt
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 NIV
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
Matthew 21:22 NIV
Sorry this is late – I was in Washington state at a teachers’ camp. I am claiming this verse for our son.
M.J. in Lovington, NM
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. Ephesians 3:20
Tami K<, MO
Isaiah 43:18 NLT
But forget all that-it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.