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
Romans 5:1-4, NIV “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. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
“Listen to what the Midianites are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack.”
Judges 6:11
Praise the Lord all nations Praise Him all people, for He loves us with an unfailing love, the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord Psalms 117:1-2 NLT
Karen, Dover, NH “Wash your hands, you sinners and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you up.” James 4:8-10 (NIV)
Karen from Powell, Ohio
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 NIV
Kira, Ray, MI
Ephesians 6:11 NIV
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Marti, loganville , ga
” What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind
Has conceived- the things God has prepared for those who love him.
1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV
Kaylin from Searcy, AR
Job 22:25 NIV
“then the Almighty will be your gold, the choicest silver for you.”
Jody from Traverse City, MI
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;”
Psalm 91:11 (NIV)
Jessica from Clare, MI
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;”
Psalm 91:11 (NIV)
Matt 10: 8 NKJV
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received,
freely give.
Kathleen. Saint Joseph MI
Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on The Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
NIV
Kathleen. Saint Joseph MI
Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on The Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
NIV
Judy from Gladwin, MI
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;”
Psalm 91:11 (NIV)
Monica
Cheyenne, WY
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Cor. 4:20 NIV
Laura, League City, TX:
“But be sure to fear the LORD and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.”
1 Samuel 12:24 NLT
Melissa from Flemington, NJ. Proverbs 17:27-28, “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” KJV
Kay, Plainview, TX
Proverbs 25:11 NIV. “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV)
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Tracey From Shawnee, Kansas
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 truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Lindsey, Nashville, TN
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1 (NIV)
Jane, Bakersfield CA
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV
Leverett, MA
The face of the LORD is against evil doers, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
Psalm 34:16 NASB
Sara from Virginia, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;” (Proverbs 3:5, NIV)
Isaiah 40:31 NLT
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.
Loris, SC
Johannah, Alexandria, LA
“Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” Psalms 116:2 NLT
Patti, Phoenix AZ
Psalm 46:1 [NLT] God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
Lori, Flower Mound, TX
He who guards his mouth and tongue guards his soul from troubles.
Proverbs 21:23. NASB
Dallas TX Stephanie Colucci
1 Peter 1:3
New International Version (NIV)
3 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,
Janene from Sibley, Louisiana
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:
Proverbs 23:7 KJV
Christina Fort Worth
But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
Jeremiah 17:7 NLT
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1st Thess 5:16-18 NLT
Jennifer, Dallas Texas “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord And whose trust is the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:7 NASB
Create in me a clean heart, o God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 ESV
Karen ~ Greer, SC
Psalm 62:5 (NLT)
“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.”
Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. (James 5:12 NIV)
Cindy
Flemingsburg, KY
He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalm 121:3-4 NIV
“Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.” Job 1:22 NASB
Kaye from Hamburg, AR
“For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.” (Psalm 48:14 NIV)
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 ESV
Pamela, Mechanicsville, VA.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
Bonnie, Dacusville, SC
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you mighty warrior.”
Judges 6:12 NIV
Susan from Cary NC
Psalm 1:6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. NIV
Paula Stemple, Marlinton, WV
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. (Psalms 143:8 NLT)
Dorothy, San Diego
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)
Patti from Tampa: “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD hath spoken.
Isaiah 1:18-20 (NIV)
Mary, Lexington Park, MD
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1 ESV
Mia from Burlington, VT
“My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
Psalm 62:1-2 NIV
Ashley from Dexter, Michigan
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Proverbs 31:25 NLT