**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.
Sarah, Port Angeles,WA: Revelation 17:14 (NASB) These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.
Tiffany, Chesterfield:
How can a young [wo]man keep [her] way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You. Psalm 119:9-11, NASB
Denise, Stillwater, OK
Phillipians 4:10 NIV
Finally, brothers, 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.
Jeanne, Albuquerque, NM “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV
Just checked in and watched the clock tick for a bit. Makes me philosophical – counting down to an event we are all excited about: Am I using my time wisely now? Where will we all be in 27.04.09.11.07 from now? Will more of us have broken free? Will we be more secure? Will Jesus come back before then?
I love Siestaville. ♥
Nicole, Winnipeg, Philippians 3:7 NIV
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
Rebecca, Durham: “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance . . . ” Provers 1:5 (ESV)
Judy from Dumas: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians5:22 &23 (NIV)
2 corinthians 3:17 NIV
Sydney Tucson, AZ
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
Cynda P
Newnan, GA
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
to make up for missing the 6/15/11 check in 🙂
Marcia, Vancouver, WA sorry so late – on vacation, no computers!
Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Psalm 37:3 NIV
Holly, Glendale, AZ:
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in now way be ashamed but have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:20-21 NIV
Teresa, Cincinnati, OH:
“Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
who forgives all your sins and heals all
your diseases…” Psalm 103:2-3 NIV
Elizabeth, Reston, VA. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8, ESV
Joyce
Sparta, NJ
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 (ESV)
Sorry I’m so late!
Lisa, Greenville, SC
“You will seek and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. proverbs 8:33
She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.
Proverbs 31:12
Sabrina
Lincoln NE
Corinthians 12:31
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
31 But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.
Pam, DeLeon Springs, Florida
“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
Linda says,
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 1Jn 4:11
Lisa Corbin.ky
Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices ; my flesh also dwells secure .
Psalm 16: 9 ESV
I almost burst into tears when I read your memory verse Beth. I’m going through some tough stuff right now and I feel so convicted! My first response is to scream and yell when I get upset. Seeing that scripture really made me start to think. I have never even read that in the Bible before. Living that verse is going to be no easy task but with God’s help I know I can change! Thanks so much!!!
BTW, that one is now mine too!!
Traci, Powell, OH.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but humility consider others better than yourself.”
Philippians 2:3 NIV
Alison, Richmond, VA
Proverbs 31:10-12 (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. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
Kay, Houston– A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34 NIV
Carol ~ Webb City, MO
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Karen
Rochester, MN
John 15:5 NLT
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Ps 46:10 NIV
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:2
Sarah
Newburgh, IN
Marlys, Hillsboro
“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.” Proverbs 3:27 NIV
Lydia; Norman, OK
“[Lord] turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” Psalm 25:16
Katherine, Atlanta: In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalms 5:3 NIV
Diane
Vinton, La
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
Tricia, Eldridge, IA
“The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 12:15 NIV
Mary from Connecticut
The eyes of all wait upon you, O LORD,
and you give them their food in due season.
NIV
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
1 Peter 3:4 (KJV)
Better late than never – I’ve been on vacation! 🙂
Beth – Birmingham, AL
“You will seek and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Sandy Cedarburg WI, For He shall give his angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways, Psalm 91:11
oak ridge, tn
‘Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6, holman
Gail, Ellensburg, WA
Ephesians 1:4(NIV)
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Rhonda, Trenton, Tx
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.
Psalm 139:1 NIV
Mary from Connecticut –
The eyes of all wait upon you, O LORD,
and you give them their food in due season.
Psalm 145:14
NIV
Mary from Connecticut
The eyes of all wait upon you, O LORD,
and you give them their food in due season.
Psalm 145:16
NIV
Becky, Rushsylvania OH
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2 NIV84
Marceil – Cedar Rapids – Colossians 1:17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. NASV
Peggy – Cheyenne, WY
My flesh and my heart my fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
Katie, Dayton OH
“They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them for he is Lord of lords and King of kings- and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Revelation 17:14 NIV
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Sue, Kingsport. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive.
It’s nearly time for the next verse. I am struggling keeping up.
1 Corinthians 10:23