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
Rita Cottonwood, AZ
Psalm 51:10
King James Version (KJV)
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Debbie – Keller, TX
“Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (HCSB)
Amanda
Derby, KS
James 1:2-3 NKJV
My brethern, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the trying of your faith produces patience.
Shawn in AZ
Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.’ Isaiah 46:9, 10 NKJV
Jenni from Birmingham, AL
Psalm 32:8 (NIV) “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you.”
Sara, Sioux City
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:24 NKJV
Hebrews 4:7 (NKJV)
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Ephesians 4:2
New Century Version (NCV)
2 Always be humble, gentle, and patient, accepting each other in love.
Sharon, Barrington
“We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
(Eph 2:10) NIV
Elizabeth M., Greenbrier, Ark.
“The beams of our houses are cedar, And our rafters of fir.” SoS 1:17 (NKJV)
Laura
Decatur IL
Psalm 35:9-10 The Message
But let me run loose and free, celebrating God’s great work, every bone in my body laughing, singing, “God, there’s no one like you. You put the down-and-out on their feet and protect the unprotected from bullies!”
Sarah
Portales, NM
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Mary Beth, St. Louis
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Madeleine Corrales: My blessing is on those people who trust in Me who put their confidence in Me. Jeremiah 17_7 the net
Rita – Alva, Florida
“We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of our Lord Jesus.”
Acts 15:11 – NLT
Lindsey st. Augustine, FL
Isaiah 40:31 NIV “but those who hope in the Lord shall renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, thy will walk and not be faint.”
From Houston, TX
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, Titus 2:11 NASB
Julie, Hawaii
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 NKJV
Lori Concordia, KS
Isaiah 41:10(NIV)
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Rhonda
Gilmer
If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. (Philemon 1:17 NKJV)
Patti, Clemmons, NC
Ephesians 1:19 HCSB
“And what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.”
Dee Dee Fernandina Beach, Florida
Answering before listening is both stupid and rude. Proverbs 18:13
Laura ~ Plainfield, IN
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22 NIV
Deborah, Hartsville, SC; “Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.”- Psalm 103:13 NASB
Lori, Oil City, PA
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.”
Ps. 51:10-12
Tina, Cincinnati, Ohio -A cts 4:12 – Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. (NIV)
Kelly Gorbold, Longmont Co Psalm 103: 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion. NIV
Becca, Camp Pendleton, CA.
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
~ Psalm 34:5 NIV
Sharice, Shelby, NC
For the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Dueteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
1 Corinthians 2:4 (NIV) “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.”
Dee Dee, Smyrna, GA -“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (KJV)
Megan from Potlatch, Idaho: But the Lord is faithful and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. II Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV).
Kim
Warrensburg, MO
James 3:5b-8 (NLT)
5…But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.
Romona, Rosewood Heights
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NKJV
Darl, Bakersfield, CA
“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” Hebrews 13:15 ESV
Laura K, Spearfish, SD
I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 NIV
Correction: Psalm 34:4 ESV
Judy, Oswego NY
Psalm 51:10 AMP
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering and steadfast spirit within me.
Dixie, Santa Monica
Ez.36:26 (ESV)
And I will give you a new heart and a new spirit I will put within you.
And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you heart of flesh.
Michele in Hollister, CA
Psalms 138:3 NLT
As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.
Dawn, Dubuque, IA
“Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.” Micah 7:8 NIV
The Lord your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love Him with all your heart and soul and so you may live!
Deuteronomy 30:6 NLT
Sheila, Bethesda. Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” (The seven lamps represent the eyes of the LORD that search all around the world.) Zechariah 4:10 (NLT)
Liz Nashua, NH
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
James 1:22 NIV
Teresa, Orange City. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. Jeremiah 17:17 NIV
Sarah Wilkesboro nc
They will have no fear of bad news, their hearts are steadfast, trusting in The Lord.
Psalm 112:7 NIV
SKay Fires, Possum Kingdom Lake, TX
“Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:16 NIV
Karen, Colchester VT
For I am The Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,
Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13. NIV
Dallas, GA
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil. 1:6 ESV
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it my benefit those who listen.
(5) You, LORD, are all I have,and you give me all I need;my future is in your hands.
(6) How wonderful are your gifts to me;how good they are!–Psalms 16:5-6 (GNT)
Sarah, Dallas