**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.
But you, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts my head high.I cried out to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy mountain.
Psalm 3:3-4 NLT
Martha, Dickinson, ND
Psalm 141:3
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
(NIV)
Shawna Longmont, CO
LOVE this!!
wildlyblessed, Crawford, TX: “I also pray you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.”
Debra, Arkansas
I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
Ecclesiastes 3;12.
see HappyLikeThis.com for a very happy story of two sisters, Alex and Emma 🙂
Carissa Houston, TX
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” Psalm 37:5-6 TNIV
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15:16 NIV Ashley, Salisbury, MD. My first time!
Vee, Howe, TX “Be careful for nothing; but in everything with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Phil. 4:6 KJV
Vee, Howe, TX “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:7 KJV
Sorry this is so late, time has gotten away from me. I post these for my daughter who has had her memory verse memorized since the first of the month. The verse she chose is:
Mackenzie
Tulare,Ca
I Corinthians 9:24-25
” Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts,and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. (Psalm 28:7 ESV)
Christy Crosby, Clarksville TN
“He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30
Oh goodness, I see that I am not the only one 2 weeks late for the July 1st post!
Kathy, Houston:
“The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in oppositon, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the TRUTH.” 2 Tim 2:24-25, NASB
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2 KJV
Tara
Greensboro, NC
The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
Psalm 72:3
(Sorry so late, but I don’t think I posted it before. I was on vacation with no internet access, which was swell, by the way. )
Michelle Sylvan Springs, AL
Romans 12:21 ESV
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 3:3 NIV
Melissa, Granbury,TX Romans 6:23 (NKJV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Addie. Sulphur. Blessed are those who mourn:for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4 american standard version
Amy, Colorado Springs:
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – II Cor. 9:7, ESV
Kim from Lovettsville
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Ps.37:4.
Rachel, Alexandria
Jesus said, “Your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him,”
Matthew 6:8 NCV
Delight yourself in the Lord an he will give you the desires of your heart. Ps 37:4 NIV
Kim from lovettsville
Laura Greensboro, NC
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.” John 15:9 NLT
Rachael, South Riding
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
Philippians 4:11 NIV
Dallas, GA
“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?” NIV
Houston, TX
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV
Johnstown, CO
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV
Pickering, Ontario, Canada
Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. I Corinthians 15:58 NIV
I see that some other Sistahs also have been on vacation and away from internet access for the July verses. This is the verse I’ve been working on since July 1 🙂
Emily
Potomac, MD
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,”
Titus 2:11-12
Robin Moslander
Aberdeen, SD
“Wisdom brightens a man’s face and changes its hard appearance.”
Ecclesiastes 8:1
Stacey,Magnolia Psalm 141:3
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; Keep watch over the door of my lips. hmmmmm seems to be a pattern here. Help me Jesus.
Karen K. in Houston, TX — In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? Ps 56:11 NASB
Kelly, Huntsville
“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.” Matt 10:32
Rhonda Anderson, Indiana
Those who love to talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can kill or nourish life.
Proverbs 18:21 NLT
Shelli, Almont, MI – Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? – Matthew 25:37-38
It’s amazing how much I needed to read these words. Thanks, Beth.
I am going to pray and apply the 2Tim. 2:24-26 to the situation I find myself in with my nonbelieving birth brother. His name is Phillip if you all will help me pray for him.
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.” Psalm 20:7
Blessings!
Misti, Belleville, MI: “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the LORD out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22 NIV
Brenda, Collinston, La. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Shelley, Dallas
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
“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 upon 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.”
Happy is the person who trusts in You, Lord of Hosts!
Psalm 84:12, HCSB
Patti, Kissimmee, FL
Tracey Knight ~ Arkadelphia AR
Trust in him at all times… pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 NIV
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
“Though an army beseige me, my heart will not fear; though war breeakout against me even then will I be confident.”
Psalms 27:3 NIV
Vicki, Loveland, CO Phil 1:11 NIV
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Ps. 37:4 KJV Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Deena from Amarillo, Texas
“Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your laws, we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” Is 26:8 NIV
jamieb, Corbin,Ky
Psalm 34:8 KJV O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.
I’ll pray for your deadline. I work for a newspaper. I understand deadlines. God bless you!
Dear Lord,
Please give Beth strength. Fill her with your Holy Spirit and write through her. Let the words flow. We thank and praise you.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Tammy-Greencastle, IN
“My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your Word.” Psalm 119:28
(Oops! Late again, sorry)
“but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.”
1 Corinthians 13:10 ESV
Kristi
Charlotte, NC
Atlanta, GA
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond all cure. Who can understand it?”- Jeremiah 17:9