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
Judy from Lake Charles, LA
“Better the little that the righteous
have than the wealth of many wicked:”
Psalm 37:16 (NIV)
Laura Hagedorn, Wausau, WI., For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3 (NIV)
Suzanne
Tenaha, TX
Ephesians 5:2 NIV
And live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Eph. 5:2
Sue – Troy, Michigan – “Now listen you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes”. James 4:13-14 (NIV)
Linda, Little Rock, AR It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NASB
Sue Big Rapids, MI
Ps. 91:8 You will only look on with your eyes, and see the recompense of the wicked. NASB
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16 NKJ
Sandy from NM
Anita, Lawrenceville.
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 ESV
Michelle from Chesapeake, VA
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)
Brandi K
Cape Girardeau, MO
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Colossians 3:12 NLT
Colleen ~ Frisco, TX
Dear children, don’t just talk about love. Put your love into action. Then it will truly be love.
1 John 3:18, NIRV
Caryn-Grand Prairie, TX
“Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:25 NIV 84
Beth,Troy
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16 NKJV
Sandy, Deming, NM
Norfolk, VA
I Cor. 4:20
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
NIV
Amy
Tyler, TX
Now in this hope we were saved, yet hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.
Romans 8:24-25 HCSB
Kimberly, Fresno, Ca
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6. NIV
Sharon, Mineola,Texas
I desire to do your will, My God, your law is within
my heart. Psalm 40:8 NIV
Michelle Baylerian, Waukesha, WI
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when-ever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance
James 1:2-3 NIV 1984
Tammy from Fort Myers, FL “The labor of the righteous leads to life; the activity of the wicked leads to sin.” Proverbs 10:16 HCSB
Michelle, West Des Moines, IA
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
Joyce
Sparta, NJ
“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.” Psalm 143:8 (NLT)
Donna, Odessa, FL
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
Carole, Imperial, CA: The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him. Proverbs 18:17 NIV
Soni in Gulfport, MS: John 8:31-32 RSV
Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.”
Valerie ~ Oklahoma
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:22 NIV
(I have written in my Bible beside this verse that the pronoun “you” is singular. Individually we each have the invitation to throw our burdens on the LORD) Love that!
Elizabeth, Broomfield CO
Yet the LOrd longs to be gracious to you. Therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him.
Isaiah 30:18 NIV
Denise Wilkin
The Woodlands, Texas
Luke 11:10
For everyone who asks, receives, and he who seeks, finds and to him who knocks, it will be opened.
NKJV
Cheryl, Coffeyville, KS
“O LORD, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.” Psalm 51:15 NIV84
Karen, from Dallas,TX:
When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your love, O LORD, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought joy to my soul.
Psalm 94:18-19 NIV
Linda R. Springfield, MO
And now, Master God, being the God you are, speaking sure words as You do, and having just said this wonderful thing to me, please, just one more thing: Bless my family, keep Your eye on them always. You’ve already as much as said that You would, Master God! Oh, may Your blessing be on my family permanently!
2 Samuel 7:28-29. Message
Bridget Phoenix, az
1 Peter5:6-7 NKJV
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time 7 casting all your care upon him for he cares for you
Collierville, TN
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place, and gave him the name above every name, that at the name of Jesus that every knee shall bow in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God in heaven..
Phillipians 2:9-11 NIV
Beverly, Pearland,TX
Psalm 143:8 English Standard Version
Let me hear in the morning of Your steadfast love, for in You I trust.
Make me know the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.
Gretchen, Thousand Oaks, CA
Romans 8:5 NET
For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit.
Ellen, Albuquerque. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10, NIV
Colette, Mesa, AZ
“Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.”
Psalm 51:11 NIV
Jackie Carson, Newton, IA
“Be thankful in all circumsances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Arlington, TX
Colossians 2:6-7 NIV
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overfowing with thankfulness.
Carol, Hartley, Iowa
Isaiah 61:10a
I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness. NIV
Kristin, Panama City, FL
“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?” Ps. 18:30,31 NIV
Shelley, from Shiloh, IL: Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].” James 4:10 Amplified
“I sought The Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” -Psalm 34:4, NIV
Roxanne, Hummelstown, PA
Hebrews 1:3 (KJV)
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high
Jane, Cuba, Missouri
Ephesians 6:17-18
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Heather, Colorado Springs, CO My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:12
Karen C. Carmel, IN – Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Psalm 37: 27-28 NIV
James 1:4 (NIV)
“Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Shirleen, Greenville, SC
John 8:11 (NKJV) She said, “No one Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
So we must not get tired of doing good,
for we will reap at the proper time
if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:9
HCSB