**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.
Melissa, Scarborough, ME: “So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” Genesis 50:21 NIV
SIDENOTE: Today my husband was offered a new job! Praise you LORD! 🙂
Karie, Glen Allen, VA “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23a
Carolyn from St. Peters MO
Psalm 121:3-4 NIV
He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Suzanne, East Bernard,TX
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14 NIV
Jill H. – Aurora, IL – Psalm 139:15 – My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, (NIV)
Deborah,Marshall. Because of the Lords great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
Debra, Dahlgren, IL
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 NIV
Dawn ~~ Clever, MO
Hebrews 7:25 (ESV) “Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
I hope I’m not too late to get my verse in. I forgot to log my verse in, but I’ve been memorizing it
Janice
Nova Scotia
Teach us to number our days carefully
so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts
Psalm 90:12
Delores, Columbia TN, NKJV
Luke 22:42 ” Father, if it is Your will,
take this cup from Me; nevertheless
not My will, but Yours, be done.”
Nicole, Odessa, FL: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a Godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”
2 Peter 1:3 NIV
Ruth, Bloxom, VA “I love the Lord because He hears my prayers and answers them. I will pray as long as I breathe!” Psalm 116:1-2 NIV
Christine
Wichita, KS
“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”
Psalm 105:4
Hi Christine
I am from the Wichita area too.(Actually- Valley Center) What part of town are you from? Nice to see someone close posting. Love the verse you chose!
Jamie from Georgia:
Numbers 24:21 (ESV?RSV)
Enduring is your dwelling place,
and your nest is set in the rock.
Rebecca, Stamford, TX “I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.” Psalm 119:45, NLT
Psalms 42:8 (NASB)
8 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; and His song will be with me in the night. A prayer to the God of my life.
Rene Abilene, TX “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14 NIV
This is late because I was on a mission trip to Ghana! What a blessing!!!
I know I am crazy late – but my computer crashed and we just now got it back. But I have been working on this verse since the first of July.
Suzy – Atlanta
Ah, Lord God, it is You who has made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for you!
Jeremiah 32:17 ESV
Tanya A., Englewood, OH –
“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.”
I John 3:18 (NIV)
Eva ~ Colfax NC “Bring all the tithes into the store-house so that there will be food enough in my Temple; if you do, I will open up the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in.” Malachi 3:10 TLB
Gloria, Cypress, TX – “The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in it request”. James6:16b HCSB
Barb Blair Ontario Canada
“Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him,and He shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5 NKJV
Vicksburg Colossians 3:17
New International Version (NIV)
17 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.
Sherie
Spring, TX
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2Corinthians1:20 NIV
2 Corinthians 12:10
That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Rebecca Boehm, New Kensington, PA: Matthew 7:7(NIV) “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Shelby Ft Myers Fl “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
Greenacres, FL
And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Romans 8:17 NLT
Kathryn, Austin, TX
“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23, NIV
Brandi, Chiquimula, Guatemala
“For God is the One who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, He will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity [righteousness] in you.” 2 Corinthians 9:10
Rhonda ~ Portage, Michigan
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord, forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 26:4 NIV
Lindsay, Wenatchee, WA
My soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation. Psalm 35:9
“So fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
Donna, Norman, OK
Isaiah 58:11 NASB
The LORD will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.
thank you so much for sharing this 🙂 what an encouraging promise!
“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17(NIV)
Kristin, Clearwater, FL
Janet, Holmes Beach, Florida
Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.
Psalm 115:3 NIV
Gwen Vicksbrg, MS And we know that all tings work ogether for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose Romans 8:28 KJV
Katie
Frisco, Texas
” Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,
but dwelling on it separates close friends.”
Proverbs 17:9 NLT
Jeannie Nashville
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Ps. 18:10 NIV
Cheryl, Chadbourn. Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3 ESV
“Only fear the LORD and serve Him in truth with all your heart, for consider what great things He has done for you.”
I Samuel 12:24 (NKJV)
“You have thought all along that we were defending ourselves to you. No, in the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and everything, dear friends, is for building you up.” – 2 Corinthians 12:19 HCSB
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Karen, Virginia Beach, Virginia
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Eph 1:4 (NIV)
Kathy @ Wilmington NC
Isaiah 43:1 NIV
“But now, this is what the Lord says, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel; Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.”
Barb Hermitage, Pa “So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” Genesis 50:21 NIV
Bunnie, Hume, CA.
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NASB
13 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 NIV
Inez barnes
Hamburg AR
Jenny, Frankfort, “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and out his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 2 Cor: 1: 21-22 NIV