Hey Y’all!
Before I fool anyone, each of you should know that this is Lindsee posing as Beth for this particular SSMT post. She and her girls on a little girl’s getaway that is much deserved. So when she mentioned that she might not be able to work this post out, I told her not to even think of it and enjoy her time away!
Side note: She was telling me yesterday she’s not sure when her last actual vacation was because our siesta mama has spent the last two scheduled vacations either being Bibby for a week (her grandma name), or writing for a week! So! Needless to say, this girl’s getaway is earned and joyfully welcomed! We blessed them as they walked out the doors yesterday and promised them they didn’t need to worry about one detail here. She also assured me she’d hopefully have some fun pictures for you guys when she gets back!
SSMT is a big detail. So here I am. I realize that was a much more detailed description as to why I’m taking over SSMT this time than you probably cared to know, but now it’s in official wording and I’m leaving it.
Beth gave me the option to share my verse with you guys along with the one she’s memorizing this go around, so I decided to take her up on that. The more the merrier, right?
My verse is actually probably very familiar to y’all, but it hit me fresh a couple of weeks ago and knew it needed to be put into my memory for good. It’s one of those verses I know, and I could quote it, but not verbatim and I really wanted to be intentional with it this go around, especially since I really mixed up the version I’m memorizing it in this time which really makes it pop in my mind.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
This I know to be so true, I need Jesus. And I need Him to steady my heart, because He alone can do that. Want to hear some synonyms of steadfast? Steady, firm, stable, constant, staunch, and immovable. Each of these descriptions are things I want to be said and true of me. I think it’s so fitting that persevering and steadfast follow each other because it’s in my persevering that He makes my spirit steadfast, but I tend to get really distracted and unsteady pretty quick. Which I guess is why we’re told to persevere in the first place. Maybe it’s just me, but so many times I allow my circumstances to determine my steadfastness. When things are going good (translation: the way I want them too), persevering comes easy, as well as a firm and steady devotion to the Lord, but it’s when the going gets tough, that the tough get going. That’s when it’s time to wrestle that hard thing out with Him. For me, an example that comes to mind is singleness. Some days I love the freedom it brings, while other days I’m wrestling my way through this season. Very quickly I can go from steadfast to discouraged. Steadfast to lazy. Steadfast to frustrated. I want so badly to be faithful in each season of my life, and to truly live in an “undivided devotion” to the Lord that Paul talks about, but we can all admit it’s not always easy. If it were easy, the vast majority would be doing just that.
I don’t always want to do the work it takes to have a clean heart, and a persevering Spirit, but I know all too well that when I’m not yearning for it is the perfect time to ask for it. So I’m asking for a clean heart! That God would renew me from top to bottom.
You’re more than welcome to join me this go around.
Or for those of you curious what our Siesta Mama has chosen, you can join her. This time she is memorizing Colossians 1:16 in the ESV version:
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:16 (ESV)
Amen. He sees everything. He knows everything. He created everything. If you stop and take that verse a part line by line and dwell on that, it’s really mind blowing.
ALL things were created BY Him. (Things we cannot even lay our human eyes on.)
THROUGH Him.
And FOR Him.
ALL things.
I have no doubt our Siesta Mama would have more to say about that, but I’m just going to leave you with wow. So, if that scripture stirs something up in you, tag on with her.
(And now I’m going to make this really slick transition to close out the post. Could this be any more awkward? I’m kind of gifted in that. You know, making things awkward.)
Well, ladies! Time to persevere to the end! We’re so close. If you got through summer, you can certainly make it through the fall. Oh, and because I’ve been getting some emails and phone calls, I’ll go ahead and let you know that we’re planning on having all things SSMT celebration and details up SOON. Like, hopefully as in the next SSMT post or two. We’re so pumped and we love y’all dearly.
Let’s hear your scriptures!
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Maggie, Seattle, WA
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” -Hebrews 6:19a (NIV)
Judy, Littleton, NC
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the
Lord in the land of the living.
Psalm 27:13. NIV
Susan, Locust Grove VA
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
Rebecca Alburn
Salem, OR
“Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.”
Psalm 95:6-7 NIV
Liz, Bloomfield: “This is what the Lord says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives'” (Jeremiah 17:5-6, NIV ’84).
Christy from Holland, MI
“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. Psalm 116:7, NIV
Jenna, Cedar Park, tx
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Rachel, Mt. Carmel, PA
Psalm 90:17, NIV – “Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands.”
Susan Pittsburgh, PA
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. Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Debbie from Amarillo, Texas
“His great love is new every morning. Lord, how faithful you are!”
Lamentations 3:23 NIRV
Eva, Knoxville – (cont.) Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. James 1:16 (NIV)
Laura, Houston:
“Don’t eavesdrop on the conversation of others. What if the gossip’s about you and you’d rather not hear it?
You’ve done that a few times, haven’t you – said things behind someone’s back you wouldn’t say to his face?”
Eccl. 7:21-22 (The Message)
April Lopez, BonneyLake,Wa
Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit. Proverbs 15:4 GNB
Emmilianna Ferreria, BonneyLake,Wa
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. Psalm 139:1 NIV
Kelli, Dover
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 ESV
Melissa, Walla Walla, WA
Psalm 52:8 NIV
“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.”
James 2:13 (NIV)
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Ooops – I’m in Fairfax, VA. I like following rules. Sometimes.
Anita; Purcellville, VA
And they sang a new song:
You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you
purchased men for God
from every tribe and language
and people and nation.
Revelation 5:9 NIV84
Elisabeth
Modesto, Ca
And the Lord answered me and said, “Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by. For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint; Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day.”
(Habakkuk 2:2, 3 AMP)
“Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of His Name! Tell the world how glorious He is. Say to our God, “How awesome are Your deeds! Your enemies cringe before Your mighty power.”
Psalm 66:1-3 NLT
Danyelle
Dayton, OH
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13 (ESV)
Alison from Southport, NC. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. NKJV.
Cheryl – Concord, NC
“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Deuteronomy 6.7 ESV
Katy
Mount Juliet, TN
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.”
– 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)
Jill, Williamsburg VA
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; My strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
Psalm 32:4 NIV
Margaret Ann, Pacific Junction, IA:
My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.
1 John 3:18-20 The Message
Amarillo, TX- “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all of your heart”. Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
Christina, Lancaster, CA
I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
Psalm 139:14 ESV
Jen Lee, Ames, Iowa: “Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV)
Debbie ~ Alice, TX
The LORD is my strength and shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Psalm 28:7 KJV
Julie P Tierra Verde FL
Psalm 115:1 NET
Not to us, O Lord, not to us!
But to your name bring honor,
for the sake of your loyal love and faithfulnes
Whitney Janzen. Edmond ok.
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
Kendra Husband, Charlotte, NC
“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.”
Ecclesiastes 5:1 NIV
W.Richland
You’re worth more than a million canaries!
Luke 12:7b The Message
Really needed this one today
Kathy, Jonesboro, AR
The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 NIV
Michele, Nampa, ID
Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You.
Diane from Littleton, CO
Romans 11:33 NIV
Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23 NIV)
Melissa, St. Mary’s County, MD “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” Colossians 1:16 KJV
Cindy, Nashville, TN, “The Lord says, “I will put a curse on people who trust in mere human beings, who depend on mere flesh and blood for their strength, whose hearts have turned away from the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:5 NETI
Rey from Charlotte, NC
John 14:1 (Amplified)
Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.
Julia
Flower Mound, TX
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
Peg, Naperville, IL
“You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,” Psalm 65:5 (NIV)
Jen from Wyoming
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 NKJV
James 1:25. “The man who looks intently at the perfect law of liberty, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it– he will be blessed in what he does.” ESV
Deanna, Frisco
1 Cor. 2:9 (NLT)
No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him.
Concetta, White Oak, Psalms 25:4-5, (NIV),
“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
Fort Worth, TX
“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!” Psalm 100:1 NLT
Alyse Woodstock, Ga
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this” says The Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of Heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it.” Malachi 3:10 NIV
Shannon, Warner Robins, GA
“But, LORD, be merciful to us, for we have waited for you. Be our strong arm each day and our salvation in times of trouble. The enemy runs at the sound of your voice.”
Isaiah 33:2-3a (NLT)