**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.
Becky
Brentwood TN
Jeremiah 32:17 KJV
Al Lord God! behold thou hast made the heaven and the earth by they great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.
Romans 12:9-10 (NIV 1984)
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Deb in Bremen,IN
TheLord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Psalms 121: 7-8 NIV
Carol, Gig Harbor
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 NIV
Martie ~ indianapolis ~ NIV ~ Rom 12:12 ~ Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Betty Murphrey, Wendell, NC
Jeremiah 33:3 NIV Call to me, and I will answer you, and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Linda, Holts Summit, MO
Philippians 4:7 NIV
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Jill in Trussville, AL
And God said, “Let the water und the sky be gathered in one place….He called “seas.” And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:9-10
and
Soverign Lord, you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. Acts 4:24
Carol, Hartley, IA
Psalm 103:17-18
But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him,
and His righteousness with their children’s children-
with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts. NIV
Maurina from Lake Charles: “Pray without ceasing.” 1Thessalonians 5:17 KJV
Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
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.
Kristen, Fort Worth, TX: I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us. Psalm 119:13
Wait for the LORD, and he will make things right.
Proverbs 20:22
Karene, Yorba Linda, CA
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
Ellen from Bad Axe
in Michigan’s Thumb
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Holly, Boulder
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Sarah, Montrose, CO:
Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30-31 (ESV)
Kristy, Princeton NC
1 Cor 13:6-7 (NIV)
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Romans 8:38 and 39 NIV
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Tammy,
Ingleside, TX
Becky, Temecula, CA
Romans 8:6 NIV
“The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”
Heidi Tracht
Nampa, ID
“God…is the blessed controller of all things, the king over all kings and the master of all masters.”
I Timothy 6:15 (Phillips)
Carol
Albuquerque NM
Ephesians 6:10-11
10- Finally be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power
11- Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes.
NIV Ephesians 6:10-11
Shonda
Tacoma, WA
1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade- kept in heaven for you.”
Kim, Hickory, NC
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalms 13:5 NIV
Shelly, Lakeville: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6, NIV
Tilley in Franklin, TN
“For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].”
Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified Bible)
Diane, Ocala, FL
“For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.” Psalm 149:4 NKJV
Amarillo Tx
Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so
easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race
that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the
source and perfector of our faith.
Heb 12:1-2 HCSB
Amy, Custer, SD:
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Kosciusko, MS
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7
Delores O. Shoreline, WA
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:13-14 NIV 1984
Kim Eshelman Lewisburg, PA
Be merciful to me LORD for I am faint;
O LORD heal me for my bones are in agony
Ps 6:2 NIV
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised). Hebrews 10:23 KJV
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 NIV
Kelli in Colorado
Jessica
Westminster, MD
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.” -Ephesians 5:15, ESV
Amy, Oklahoma
Daniel 2:22 “He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.”
Deanna, Frisco, TX – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Marsha – Lee’s Summit, MO
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.
1 Peter 5:10 NKJ
Julie,Texarkana-“He who calls you is trustworthy,and He will in fact do this.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 NET
“‘To whom then will you liken Me that I should be His equal?’ says the Holy One.” Isaiah 40:25 (NAS)
Sharie, Chillicothe, MO
The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 NASB
Joni Princeton, WV
We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
-Ephesians 1:7-8 NIV
17 Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV)
Dayla, Springfield, MO
I lift up my eyes to the hills–where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Pam in San Diego, Psalm 16: 8, 9 NIV “I have set 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 rest secure.”
Kelei. Iowa Park. NIV
Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and he will not turn from it.”
Lisa, Plano, TX: Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
Carol, Roswell GA
Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 (NIV)
Susan from Beverly
Proverbs 13:10 “Pride leads to arguments; those who take advice are wise.” (NLT)
Stephanie, Hampton, VA: “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him…” 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJV)