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
Ephesians 1:7 – 8A, NIV
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us.
Tammy
Ingleside, TX
Courtney from Lima, OH
The Lord is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?
Psalm27:1 NLT
Susan- Berryville, VA
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9 NKJV)
Kim S., Nashville, TN
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)
AUG 1
“With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles”
2 Chron. 32:8 ESV
AUG 15
“If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 NIV
Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
Shawna , Longmont, CO
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strengh.
Mark 12:30 (NIV)
We die only once, and then we are judged. Hebrews 9:27 CEV
Anne, Minneapolis
1 Peter 4:10
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in various forms. NIV
Heather from Mckinney, TX “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)
Julie, Gresham, OR
“For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 (NLT)
Jenni, San Diego, continuing with Psalm 37: The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand. (Psalms 37:23, 24 NKJV)
Val; Ann Arbor, MI
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
Sherri, Galena, OH
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Kristi B.
Houston, TX
1 Cor 4:20
“For the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.”
Jaime Turner from Nederland, Texas
“If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, He’ll help you catch your breath.” ~ Psalm 34:18
Taylor, Temple, TX “Do not conform 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.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Debra in Mobile, AL
He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:
Colossians 2:19-20
Pamela from Round Rock
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
~ Isaiah 41:10, NLT | Amen~
I Peter 5:6 NIV
Humble yourselves, therefore, under
God’s mighty hand that he may lift you
Up in due time.
Dana Nance
Blue Ridge, TX
Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
Romans 4:20 NIV
Phyllis, Irvine, CA
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:12-13 (NIV)
Fran, Stedman, NC
“Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8 ESV
Susan – Murfreesboro, TN – I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 NIV
Diane from Cypress, TX
Isaiah 26:3 ESV “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
Paige, Flowood, MS
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (AMP)
Stephanie, La Habra “My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Ps 27:8
Stephanie, La Habra “My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Ps 27:8
Andrea Nicholson, McKinney, TX
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.
Jeremiah 17:7, ESV
Luke 6:31 (NRSV) Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Cindy from Barboursville, W.V.
Kendall- Tulsa, OK
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgements, and his paths beyond tracing out. Romans 11:33 (NIV)
Deborah from Calgary, Alberta – “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”
1Corinthians4:20 (NIV)
Hannah, Miramar Beach. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 AMP
Punky Tolson, Dallas, TX
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (Philippians 3:12, NIV)
T. Nutt, Mansfield, Tx.
“strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, Be strong, do not fear; your God will come…” Isaiah 35:3-4 NIV
Christine Port Saint Lucie, Florida
Exodus 14:14 (NIV) The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Emily, Coralville. “As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to th LORD our God, till he shows us his mercy. Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt.” Psalm 123:2-3 NIV
Susan, Fort Worth, TX
Romans 12:13 NIV
[13] Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Emily, Topeka, Kansas
I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV)
Crystal, Phoenix
Col. 3:23-24 NIV
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Okay, love the verses! Everyone was so poetic and wrote inspiring verses. I’m feeling a bit like a puppy because what rings in my head is BEING SINGLE!
It’s easier to focus on HIM now, even with my kids running about, but.. Wow.. I miss having someone. BUT , this time, I’m waiting The Lord to sent His choice for me. It doesn’t make the waiting any easier
I’ll leave with Psalm 139: for not only women but all people. 😉
Kristi, Pensacola, FL:
1 Peter 3:4, NIV
Rather, it (beauty) should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
Lindsay from Boston, MA: Joshua 1:9 NIV “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Dawn, Mt. Olive NC
NIV-Job 33:28
“He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light.”
Melissa from Goshen, KY…
Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
Psalm 31:3 (NIV)
Anne from Glen Allen VA
Finally, be strong in The Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devils’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV
Courtney, Dallas TX
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus The Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Colossians 2: 6-7 ESV
SSMT #16: You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:16 of 24 NLT
Nancy Beda, Boardman, Ohio
James 1:19 NLT
My dear brothers and sisters be quick to listen,slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
Mar Jo, The Woodlands, TX
“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)