**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.
Michelle, Colorado Springs, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing” Phillipians 2:14 NIV
Debbie, Jacksonville
24 The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth. 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap, having been captured by him to do his will.
II Timothy 2:24-26 (HCSB)
Teresa, Odessa, Texas
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalms 100:4 NIV
Elaine, Bismarck, ND
You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandmeents, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him. Deuteronomy 13:4 NASB
Doris, Whiteville
Matthew 18:21-22 ESV
“Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times seven, but seventy times seven.”
Psalms 73:28 NLT
But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
I may have posted this twice, but I have been gone and without internet service so I wanted to make sure it got one here.
Isaiah 43:18 NIV
Forget the former things;
Do not dwell on the past.
Tori
Elmer, La
Isaiah 43:18 NIV
Forget the former things;
Do not dwell on the past.
Brennan
Elmer, La
Robin, Oak Harbor
In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12
Trisha Wall, Midland, TX: God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 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. Ephesians 2:8-10, NLT
April, Blacksburg, VA:
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)
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 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all of the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. ~ Psalm 139:15-16 NIV
1Samual 2:2 (NIV)
There is no one holy like the LORD
there is no one besides you
there is no Rock like our God.
Jeannie,South Georgia
Sheri
Portland, Oregon
Delight yourself in the Lord
and he will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 NIV
Jennifer, Wilmington DE – Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)
Yet the Lord LONGS to be gracious to you;
He rises to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
BLESSED are all who WAIT for Him!
SSMT # 13:
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.”
I Corinthians 13:4 NLT
Sherry
Oklahoma
Traci, Vadnais Heights, MN
Ephesians 4:2-3
“Always be humble and gentle, be patient with each other, making allowances for each others faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”
Lindsay, Albuquerque
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 NIV
Kelsie, 14, Albuquerque
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV
Alysa, 11, Albuquerque
“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:3 NIV
Kathy Cupit
Hazlehurst, MS
2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)
For we walk by faith, not by sight
Cindy Gandy
Hazlehurst, MS
John 3:30 NIV)
He must become greater; I must become less.
Jeremiah 14:22 NIV
Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain?
Do the skies themselves send down showers?
No, it is You, O Lord our God.
Therefore our hope is in You,
for You are the One who does all this.
Rita
Midland, TX
Sharon, San Antonio
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV
“And he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace, free from your sufferring.'”
Mark 5:34 NIV
Melissa, Midland MI
Becky, Springfield, MO-I am posting my July 15th verse early because I will be on vacation and not have access to a computer. 🙂
“Commit your works to the Lord,
And your thoughts will be established”
Proverbs 16:3, NKJV
Better late than never, right? It feels like July is attacking me!
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
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 the glorious inheritance in the saints
Ephesians 1:18 NIV
May God Himself, the God of peace sanctify you through and through. May you be kept blameless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it! 1 Thes. 5:23-24
Robin
Snohomish, WA
Charlie, Mississippi
Isaiah 41:8-10, 13-14 NIV
But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendents of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth,from its farthest corners I called you. I said, “You are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. SO DO NOT FEAR, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand…For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, O Worm Jacob, O Little Israel, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
I just realized I never posted my verse…AHHHHH!
Katie, Crawford – “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” (Col. 3:!2, NIV)
Yvonne, Riverside/Fairfield, CA
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?
~Job 1:21b , Job 2:10a (NASB)~
“Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess 5:16-18 (NIV)
Susan. Chicago, IL. “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” Psalm 127:1 (RSV)
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
Sorry so late posted earlier and messed up with the gravitar
Do everything without grumbling or arguing” Phillipians 2:14 NIV
Crissy Nashville, TN
So then my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
James 1:19 NKJV
I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope. Acts 2:25 NIV
6 He will never be shaken.
The righteous will be remembered forever.
7 He will not fear bad news;
his heart is confident, trusting in the LORD.
Psalm 112:
Teresa, Granite Falls, NC.
My little children let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.1John 3:18 KJV
Patty…Vicksburg, MS
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” Psalm 139:23-24 (NASB)
” For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus Our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
(NAS)
Many are the plans in a man’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Kari
Benton, AR
Courtney, Chicora.
“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 Tim 2:24-26 NET Bible
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Psalm 1:2 NIV But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Kari, Gettysburg, SD
Matthew 11:6 (NKJV)
Blessed is he who is not offended because of me.
Gayle, Dodgeville: The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, – Deuteronomy 1:30 NIV
Laura, Houston:
“He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30
God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deers; he makes me tread on my high places.
Habakkuk 3:19
Peggy, Crowley Lake, CA
Jeni, Southampton, UK
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” ~James 1:19, NIV
“Consider it all joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 NIV
Paula – Arvada
Hear, O Israel; The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6: 4-9