**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. Itās 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. Itās hard to watch your children go through it. I tell them all the time (and they donāt need convincing) that enduring is so worth it but, man oh man, as many of you know, the fire is hot. And itās often very personal, donāt you think? Satan goes for the psychological jugular.
I have had a great ā almost life-stopping ā 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 itās over.Ā (Iāll 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. Iām 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, Iām still choosing verses out of 2 Timothy. I couldnāt split these four verses up without shortchanging the context so Iām posting the whole segment.
Beth, Houston. āAnd the Lordās 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 devilās trap where they are held captive to do his will.ā 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, weāre 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. Letās hear your 13th verses. While youāre at it, remember that what weāre doing here is IMPORTANT! Weāve got to protect these minds of ours! Thatās where our battles are won or lost. You will never waste a single moment rolling Godās 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.
Iām crazy about you. Keep your eyes to the skies.
Lindy, Scott
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!
Karen, Russellville, AR
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV 2011)
Karen
Tallahassee, FL
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Is. 26:3 NIV
Diane, Hemet, CA
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1,2 NIV
Karlys, La Place, LA
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Romans 12: 9 ESV
Dawn in Monett, MO
Psalm 18:30 NIV
As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
Brandy, San Angelo, TX John 15:5 “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.” New Living Translation
kendal. north wilkesboro, nc.
i delight greatly in the LORD
my soul rejoices (greatly to leap) in my God
for he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and
arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness
isaiah 60:10 (NIV)
Janet, Georgia: “Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.” -James 2:26 (NLT)
Lexington, KY
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”
Psalm 62:5-6
Julie/Deer Park,TX/The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 NIV
Olathe, KS
If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.Ā
1 John 1:10 ESV
Tammy, Merryville, La
“Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:” Jeremiah 32:17 KJV
Sarah
Brownwood, Texas
Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT
Do not be afraid or discouraged,
for the Lord will personally go ahead of you.
He will be with you;
He will neither fail you or abandon you.
Lyli, Fort Lauderdale
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. / Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (I Peter 3:8-9, NIV).
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 NET)
Kristen, Houston “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” Psalms 139:1-2 NIV
“Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” Psalm 16:5-6 NIV
Kay
Tupelo, MS
Cindy, Gold Canyon, AZ. “Trust in him at all times O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge”. Psalm 62:8 NIV
Kerry, Nederland, Texas
Be merciful to me Lord, for I am faint; O Lord heal me for my bones are in agony.
Psalm 6:2, NIV
Cindy, Madrid, Spain
“Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God ā what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 NET Bible
Bettie, Wendell, NC
Psalm 18:2 (NIV-1984)
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Charmaine, Miami — Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
James 1:2 (NIV)
crystal,mobile,al You may know the mystery of God, namely,Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3
Cindy, Apex, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21, NIV
Andrea R.
Chester, VA
Eph. 4:31-32 NIV
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Joy, Peachtree City, GA. āThe fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.ā Proverbs 9:10 (The NAS Bible)
Heather, SD
Philippians 4:13
(NIV)
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Erin, Northville MI: Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” EST
I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praises to my God as long as I live. Ps. 104:33
Kelli ~ Kalispell, MT
I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person,Ā that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love,Ā you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,Ā and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to ALL the fullness of God. (Emphasis added) Ephesians 3:16-19 The NET Bible
*My prayer for my fellow Siestas. We can have ALL that He is – in us! Check out the Amplified version. It’s amazing!*
Jennifer from Chantilly
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you.
Jeremiah 29:12, NIV
Sophie – Birmingham, AL – “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” – Psalm 30:5
Ephesians 6:13
English Standard Version (ESV)
13Therefore(A) take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in(B) the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm
My scripture is a continuation of the last one since there were two verses:
“But I, by Your great mercy, will come into Your house; in reverence will I bow down toward Your holy temple. Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies–make straight Your way before me.” Psalm 5:7,8 ESV
Teresa, Semmes, AL
Lamentations 3:22-23 NASB
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.
Sherry in Marietta GA
SSMT #13 I Cor 6:19-20 NIV
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
Hmmm…I think I should make better food choices pronto!!! š
Melanie in Amherst, MA
“…and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.”
Hebrews 11:36 NASB
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Valerie, Louisville KY
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Isaiah 40:29 NLT
Kara, Lancaster PA
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, Oh Lord, my rock, and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NLT
Lisa, Edinburg,TX “Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up” James 4:10 NIV
And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.” So God granted him what he requested.
I Chronicles 4:10 NKJV
Jane, Port Orchard,Wa. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person. Col. 4:6
Jane, Irvine, CA
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Kathy, Lake Jackson, TX
If you do not stand firm in your faith,
you will not stand at all.
Isaiah 7:9 NIV
Susan, Andover, KS –
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
James 3:17 (NIV)
Jackie from Lake Charles: “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Ps 16:11 NKJV
Patti, Phoenix AZ
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Phillipians 2:13 NLT
Jennifer, Highlands Ranch, CO
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)