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
Janice in Abbeville
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Matthew 5:4 (NKJV)
Denise – San Antonio, TX
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV
Jonda from Shakopee, MN
Matthew 6:20-21
Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
NLT
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 AMP
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Revelation 21:5a (ESV)
*My sweet grandmother went to be with the Lord today, so I am memorizing this as I cling to the promise that in Him, He makes all things new, and she is now whole.
Sabrina from Morristown, Tennessee
“And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he’s listening. And if we’re confident that he’s listening, we know that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours.”
1 John 5:13-15 MSG
Christine, Chandler, AZ
“The Counselor, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
John 14:26 NIV
Sharon, Riverside, Ca.
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forever more.
Psalm 125:1,2 NIV
Susan, Greensburg, Indiana.
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 NIV
Psalm 141:3 “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
“I command you: be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD, your God, is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 NAB
Houston, Tx.
NIV
1 Corinthians 14:40
But everything should be done in
fitting and orderly way.
Janice from Russellville, Arkansas
James 5:13 NIV
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
Darcy, Pittsburgh
Psalm 56:3, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” (NIV)
Leslie G – Warner Robins, GA
Jeremiah 17:8 NIV
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
Exodus 14:14
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Ally, Searcy AR
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes” Psalm 37:7 NIV
Cathi, Morristown TN
Lord, may the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing in your eyes. You are my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14 NIRV)
Katie Ray, Clovis, CA
Exodus 33:13 (NLT)
If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.
Beth, Lititz PA
“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)
Patty, Ada, OK
“If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath,
from doing your pleasure on My holy day,
and call the Sabbath a delight,
The holy day of the Lord honorable,
And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways,
Nor finding your own pleasure,
Not speaking your own words,
Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord;
And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth,
And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.
The mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Isaiah 58:13-14 NKJV
Jill, Searcy AR
“Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?”
Isaiah 2:22 NIV
Carolyn from Nashville, TN
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 NIV
DeeDee in Tallahassee — If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:8 NIV
Lori Behrens
Granbury, Tx
Isaiah 64:4 (NASB)
For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.
Bridgette, Rockwall, TX
Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek Him.
1 Chronicles 16:11 NLT
Darla, Pittsburgh
“They cried out for help, and their cry rose up to God. God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
Exodus 2:23b-24
Durant, OK
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31NIV
Mandy from Mt. Vernon
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6:6 (ESV)
Kelly, Auburn, Al -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 Miles, Jonesboro, Arkansas
Psalm 116:7 niv Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.
San Bernardino Ca.
Col1:16 Esv
For by him all things were created in heaven and on
Earth visible invisible whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities all things were created through him and for him..
Midland, TX
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. James 1:16 (NIV)
Jill, Searcy AR
“Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?”
NIV
Diane from Chesapeake, VA.
“Guard your heart above all else for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Mary-Clare in Frisco, Texas
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
Jennifer, Cullman, AL
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)
Terri, Papua New Guinea. “‘Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.'” Matthew 6:12, NIV.
MaryJo, Chandler, Az
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
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters (Colossians 3:23 NIV)
Amanda, Calgary, Alberta
As they pass thought the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
Psalm 84:6 NIV
Misti, Brookshire, Tx
What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
Matthew 10:27 ESV
Barb Wisconsin
Psalm 34:16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil; to cut off the memory of them from the earth. ESV
Carol from Billings
Hebrews 13:4
Let marriage be held in honor (esteemed, worthy, precious, of great price and especially dear) in all tjings…
AMP
Jeanne San Antonio, TX
Psalm 27:8 NIV
My heart says of you, “Seek His face.” Your face, LORD,I will seek.
Cheryl, Houston “Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart”. Heb. 4:12 NIV
Allison, Cypress TX
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. (Psalms 62:5 NLT)
Phil. 4:19 NIV ” And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus”
Melissa-Fort Worth, TX- “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:3 (NASB)
Kristi, White Pigeon, Michigan –
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. – Galatians 6:9 NLT