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
Susan
Jersey Village, TX
“Better a poor man whose walk is blameless
than a rich man whose ways are perverse.”
Proverbs 28:6
(NIV)
Holli from Corona, Ca.
“Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. Psalm 79:8 NIV 84
Staci
Corona
ESV
Isaiah 64:4
From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.
The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all He has made.
-Psalm 145:13
Pslalm 4:8 NIV
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Amen, thank you Jesus! ( last line my exclamation )
Emily in Anchorage, AK
Psalm 103:9-10 NIV
“He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”
For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. (I Corinthians 4:20 NKJV)
Richmond, TX
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.
Heather from Frisco TX:
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalm 51:10-12 NIV)
Melissa, Boston
“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
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Elise–Newark
Heather, from Frisco Texas:
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:10-12 NIV
Lisa A, Frisco, TX
“Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14, NIV
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Ps 37:4 NIV
Cindy, Lakeland FL.
Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart.
Psalm 51:6 (Amplified)
Luann, Grand Junction CO
Jeremiah 20:9
New International Version (NIV)
But if I say, “I will not mention his word
or speak anymore in his name,”
his word is in my heart like a fire,
a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;
indeed, I cannot.
Yvonne
Fresno,CA
Psalm 18:50 NIV
He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever.
Michele-Lubbock, TX
Psalms 3:3
“But thou, O Lord, art a shield about me, my glory,and the lifter of my head.” RSV
Lisa, Huntsville, AL:
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.’ – Deut. 6: 6-7 NIV 84
Gail, Phoenix
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 KJV
Jeri Cook. Missouri City, TX
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Kelly, West Richland,
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.
1 Chronicles 16:27 ESV
Marie Franse, Albuquerque,nm: Do not let any and unwholesome talk out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up, Accorrding to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Marcia Jordon, Fulton, MO
Psalm 51:10 (AMP)
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.
Beth, West Des Moines, IA
1 Timothy 1:7 NIV
For God did not give us spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Heather from Hayden, AL: If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 1 John 1:6
Gal. 6:2 (NASV)
Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.
Tracy
Andice, TX
“Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us,
but to Your name give glory,
because of Your mercy,
because of Your truth.”
Psalm 115:1 NKJV
Michelle Weihing,Frisco TX – Psalm 51:10 Create for me a pure heart, O God! Renew a resolute spirit within me!
King James Version
James 4:2
Ye have not, because ye ask not.
Cheryl Couperus, Redlands, CA:
1 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)
“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.”
Katy
Frisco, TX
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10 AMP)
Ruth, Providence
The Assyrians will be terror-stricken at the voice of the LORD, when he smites with his rod. And every stroke of the staff of punishment which the LORD lays upon them will be to the sound of timbrels and lyres; battling with brandished arm he will fight with them. For a burning place has long been prepared; yea, for the king it is made ready, its pyre made deep and wide, with fire and wood in abundance; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, kindles it.
Isaiah 30:31-33 RSV
J.J. Ehr, Longmont, CO
James 1:19 NIV
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
Janet,Longmont,CO
Psalm 28:9
“Save your people and bless your inheritance;
be their shepherd and carry them forever.” NIV
Molly, Cypress, TX
Proverbs 23:15-16, NIV
“My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad;
my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.”
Robbie
Michigan
And that every tongue should declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:11 KJV
Brenda Hayden, Auburn, Washington
Isaiah 43:1 ESV
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel. Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name. You are mine.
Stann, Frisco, TX
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purposes.
Romans 8:28 (NASB)
A person plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Romans 8:18, NLT
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later.
Amy, Houston: By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life. (Psalm 42:8 NIV)
Ashleigh, Lewistown, MT “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
Patti – Colorado
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
pauline richardson, eau claire wi
” Your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed. and in Your book they were all written, the days fashioned for me when as yet there were none of them” Psalm 139;16 NKJV
Bryn, Frisco, TX Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. NIV
Julie in Carlsbad, CA
John 14:26 (NIV)
“But 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.”
Wendy, Harrodsburg, Kentucky
He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips he is considered prudent.
Proverbs 17:27-28 NASB
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” NKJV James 1:19-20
Sandy, Niamey, Niger, W. Africa
“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power.”
1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV