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
Karen, Clarksville, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4 NIV
Dayla, Springfield,MO
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
Emily Mechanicville, VA Psalm 90:17 NIV
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us-
yes, establish the work of our hands.
Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress
and He hears my voice.
Psalm 55:17 (NIV)
Nancy, Grand Haven, MI
Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
Keely from Hermann, 1Cor.13:6-7 NIV, Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Ronnie from Ostrander Ohio
2 Corinthians 3:5 ESV
not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God
Elaine, Jefferson, GA
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:10-12 KJV)
Gay
Round Rock, Tx
“My blessing is on people who trust in Me, who put their confidence in Me.”
Jeremiah 17:7 NET
Betsy from Westerville, Ohio
Psalm 62:8 NIV
Trust in him at all times, O people, pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Why are you cast down, o my soul and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.
Ps. 41:11 ESV
Beth Beckerman Mt. Carmel, IL
James 1:22 NIV
“Do not merely listen to the word, & so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Becky, Roswell, GA
“Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with Him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
II Thess. 1:12, NLT
Walker, LA:
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV)
Susan from Greensburg:
“Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed.” Isaiah 56:1 NIV
Jamie, Holly Springs
Isaiah 26:3, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” ESV
D’Anna Nowack
Kilgore, Texas
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. NKJV.
James 3:17 NIV
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Kelley Mansfield, Sharpsburg, GA
D’Anna Nowack
Kilgore, Texas
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. NKJV.
Psalm 92:4
New International Version (NIV)
4 For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord;
I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
Heidi McClain
Fayetteville, GA
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8 NIV)
Kim
New Port Richey, FL
Proverbs 3:27 NIV
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.”
Erin from Murfreesboro TN
He heals the brokenhearted & binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3 NIV
“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)
Kandi from Tallahassee, Florida
Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 NIV
Debbie from Jacksonville, FL
Psalm 86:15-16
You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant. (NKJV)
Toni, Argyle, TX
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
Romans 8:37 NASB
Vicki
Peoria,IL
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.
Philippians 2:3(NIV)
Ashley B – Richmond, Va
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 (NASB)
Anne, Frisco, TX. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:11
I’m a day late, but…
Kim, from Duncan, SC:
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2 NIV
Terry, Carbondale, IL “For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.” Isaiah 44:3 (ESV)
Kari
Amery, WI
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Debbie
Olathe, KS
PsM 139:16- “…your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” NIV 84)
This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.
Luke 12:21 NIV
Amy
Birmingham, AL
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children”
Ephesians 5:1 (NAS)
Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:].
Philippians 2:5, AMP.
“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” Psalm 116:7 NIV
Ann Ft Lauderdale, FL
“And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that I would cause no pain. So God granted him his request.” 1 Chronicles 4:10
Jodell, Frankfort
Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 NIV
Bernadette, mtn home AR. “I long to see you so that I may impart to some some spiritual gift to make you strong that is that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. Romans 1:11 NIV
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Patti, Shalimar, FL, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” Psalms 34:8 (NLT)
Ellen, Spring, TX
Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10 (ESV)
Linda G., Richmond, VA
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
Galatians 2:20
Denise from Lenexa, KS
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 NLT
Whitney Caves
Clinton, MS
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31:25&26 NIV
Ann, SC
A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 NIV
Shelley, Fort Walton Beach, Fl
“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tender hearted and keep a humble attitude.” 1 Peter 3:8 (NLT)