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
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12 NIV
I will restore to you the years that the locust and the cankerworm have eaten away.
Joel 2:25
Andrea, Pottstown
But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.
Luke 7:35 NLT
Cher Goeder from Toledo, OH
NIV Romans 12:2
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Mary Jane, Troy KS
“But Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself…”
Daniel 1:8a AMP
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Ps. 51:10 (NIV)
Marta, Anchorage AK
You should love Him, your True God, with all your heart and soul, with every ounce of your strength. Make the things I’m commanding you today part of who you are.
Deut 6:5-6 (The Voice)
Kathy, Birmingham, AL
So do not throw away your confidence; It will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV
Melanie Johnson from Georgetown
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. I Corin. 4:20 NIV
“Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour our your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.”
Psalm 62:8 NASB
Jayne- Frisco, TX
Rene’ from Cape Girardeau, MO
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
Debra, San Antonio, TX
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21 NIV
Judy, Virginia “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
Jo Anne, Chicago, IL
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Marilyn Wirsz Odessa, FL
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
“For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NET)
DeeDee. Katy, Tx
Ps 51:10 amplified
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering and steadfast spirit within me.
Thanks for sharing Lindsey. Your words really spoke to me!
Terri from Winchester, Virginia
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power towards us who believe,”. Ephesians 1:18-19 NASB
Allison from Nashville, TN
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NIV
Christina, Tyler, TX
Deuteronomy 6:12
then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. (ESV)
Terri from Winchester, Virginia
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power towards us who believe,”. Ephesians 1:18-19 NASB.
Susan L. (Central IL) Psalm 18:1 NCV
I love you, Lord . You are my strength.
Andi Crumrine, Rockwall, TX
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 NIV
Stephanie King – Richardson, TX
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 118:29 NIV
Vickie, Spokane, Wa.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as
we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Romans 8:26 ESV
Jane, Gulfport, MS – “Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, ‘Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us and not to the world?'” John 14:22 (NASB)
This verse seem like an odd pick, but I’m memorizing John Chapter 14.
Hebrews 13:5
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”
Sandy E. from Kansas City, Missouri: But the LORD says, “Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago. Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already—you can see it now! Isaiah 43:18-19 GNT
Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Deut. 8:17-18
Psalm 9:10 NAS And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Debbie from Holbrook, New York
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with my Eye upon you. Psalm 32:8 NASB
Angie W. from Liberty, Missouri: You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right side of God. Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth. Colossians 3:1-2 GNT
Rose in Dallas
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
NKJV Phil. 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.
Tammy, Van, TX 2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.(NIV)
Tracey Knight ~ Arkadelphia AR
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. ~Psalm 139:16 NIV
Christie – Graham, Wa
“Just as it is written,’For your sake we are being put to death all day long;We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”
Romans 8:36-37 NASB
Jo, Columbia, Missouri
Luke 11:2-4 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ’ ” (Luke 11:2-4 NIV)
Kelly, Glenwood, Md– “By humility and fear of the Lord, are the RICHES and HONOR and LIFE” Proverbs 22:4, ESV
Nicole Powell in Tahoka, Texas
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:11 NIV)
Vanessa from Calgary, Canada
But the wisdom that is from above is first of all pure, then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap,if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9
Terri Sims, Orange TX
Amy, Hood River, OR
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel— not with words of wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 1 Cor 1:17, NIV
Tina, Zalma, MO, Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! Phillipians 4:4 (KJV)
Susan, Houston, Ps. 111:9 ESV – He sent redemption to His people, He has commanded His covenant forever. Holy and awesome is His Name!
Romans 12:12
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (ESV)
Caitlin Long
Demopolis, AL
“If the Lord delights in a man’s way, He makes his steps firm.” Psalm 37:23 NIV
Janell ~ Frisco, TX Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NLT
Becky, Fairfax, VA:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)