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
Megan JOY – Calgary AB, Canada – The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still – Exodus 14:14 (NIV) ALSO be joyful in hope, patient in affliction/tribulation, faithful/constant in prayer. – Romans 12:12 (NIV/ESV)
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
Joy from Lubbock, TX
“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. ” Psalm 121:2 NIV
Beth from Niamey
Philippians 4:5
New International Version (NIV)
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Beth from Niamey
Philippians 4:5
New International Version (NIV)
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Tillie, Spring Branch, TX
Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
1 John 5:12 (NIV)
Phyllis
Gilmer, Tx
Psalm 25:15 NIV
My eyes are ever on the Lord for only he will release my feet from the snare.
Desiree in Carlsbad
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV)
Fort Worth, TX
“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!” Psalm 100:1
Tami Kc, MO
Isaiah 43:10 NIV
You are my witnesses declares the Lord,and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.
Colossians 2:6-7 NIV
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,
continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in
Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness.
1 John 3:19-20 NIV
[19] This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: [20] If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
Debbie, Cumming, GA.
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV
Melissa-Greensburg, Kentucky – “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” – Psalm 34:1,NAS
Alice Champagne, Marietta, GA
Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.(NIV)
Anne from Hot Springs, AR:
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”(Ephesians 4:32 ESV)
Debbie Christopher Spartanburg SC
Psalm 119:103
‘How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.’NIV
Amy, Snellville GA “How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me?” Psalm 116:12 (NIV)
Delores, Columbia,TH
Create in Me a clean heart,O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
jane Mattox from Lubbock, Texas: 6) “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God: 7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4 6-7 NKJV
Joan (Coppell, TX): What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. James 4:1-4 NIV 1984
Sherri Bennett, Tustin (formerly Huntington Beach), CA:
“I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.”
Psalm 89:1, ESV
Debbie Torkelson, Annandale, VA
“That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.” Eph 1:19b-20, NIV
Connie – Fulton, KY
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10 NIV
Beth, Fountain Inn, Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace…
Anita
Amarillo, Texas
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on
your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3: 5,6
NIV
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6, 7 NIV)
Patti San Rafael, ca.
“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”
Col 2:15 ESV
Kara C, Aurora, IL
Colossians 1:11 (NLT)
We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need.
Sharleen from Gresham, Oregon 8-15-2013
Let us hold fast the confession of hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 NKJ
Jodi, Sundown TX, As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalms 103:12 NASB)
Carol, Midland,Texas
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
I Chronicles 16:11
Rebecca, Corpus Christi, tx
In honor of the kids in my class this year (I’m so excited to meet them!)
Mark 9:37
Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”
Susie H., McKinney, TX
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”
Psalms 1:2 (NKJV)
Morag, Bishop, CA
“See, God saves me. I will trust and not be afraid. For the Lord God is my strength and song. And He has become the One Who saves me.” Isaiah 12.2 (NLV)
James 1:19 NRSV
You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God”s righteousness.
Kristin, Searcy. It is not fancy hair, gold jewelry, or fine clothes that should make you beautiful. No, your beauty should come from within you – the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit that will never be destroyed and is very precious to God. 1 Peter 3:3-4 (NCV)
Tracy, Sidney Ohio
But go and learn what this means; ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’ Matthew 9:13 NIV
Tina
Waxahachie, Texas
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Each one should use whateve gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administing God’s grace in its various forms.
Paula, Brownwood, Tx
Job 36:11. NIV
If they obey and serve Him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.”
Psalm 62:5 | NIV
Vanessa from Victoria, TX
Let the King be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.
Psalm 45:11 NIV
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” John 15:7 NIV
Sherry
Indianapolis, IN
“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end, and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”
Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV)
Sherry
Indianapolis, IN
“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end, and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”
Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV)
Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Linda, Dora, Al
Psalms 18:2. NIV
The Lord is my rock, my Fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Sherri Albuquerque, NM
Col. 2:7 Nlt “Let your roots grow down into him, And let your lives be built on him then your faith will grow strong in the Faith you were taught and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:18 NIV
Oops, I’m from Spring, Texas!
Kathleen, Georgetown, TX
Joshua 1:9 NIV
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”