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
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your Name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”
Psalm 115:1. NIV
Chris
Canton, NC
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7
KJV
Shannon, Mandeville, “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call oh Him”. Romans 10:12 TNIV
Natalie; Leesburg, GA; “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV)
Judy Madison, Beaumont, CA
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
I Thess. 4:11-12 NIV
“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 NIV
Stephanie. Danville.
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
Psalms 95:6. NIV
Linda, Holts Summit,MO
Romans 4:20-21 NIV
Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
Amen and Amen
Amy from Plainfield IL
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24 NIV)
Paulette
Nogalus Prairie, TX
“For it is not the person who commends himself who is approved, but the person the Lord commends.”
2 Cor. 10:18
The NET Bible
Rebecca Stewart
Julian, NC
“Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.”
Hebrews 12:15 NLT
Brenda C. Lee’s Summit, MO “Look in the scroll of the Lord and read: None of these will be missing, not one will lack her mate. For it is his mouth that has given the order, and his Spirit will gather them together.” Isaiah 34:16 NIV84
Cindy, Fort Worth, TX
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He Who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Sue M in Grand Rapids MI
Send our your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!
Psalm 43:3 ESV
Laura, Englewood. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. Psalm 139:15 NIV
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. (Philippians 3:8, 9 NLT)
Annette, Tomball
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9(NIV)
Kate K., Lafayette, IN
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, steadfast in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 NIV
Rochet, Kennesaw, GA
But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head.
Psalm 3:3 NASB
Claire, Bangkok. 1 Thes 5:16-18:
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Mary, Lilburn, GA. My dearly loved brothers understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. For man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.
James 1:19-20 HCSB
La Chiel from Portland” TN
Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before stumbling. Proverbs 16:18 NET
Jana, Brenham, TX
Titus 2:1 Amplified Bible
“But as for you, teach what is fitting and becoming to sound and wholesome doctrine, the character and right living that identifies true Christians.”
Ashlee, Roswell, GA – “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” 1 Corinthians 9:24. NLT
Sarah, Lincoln, NE
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19 (NIV)
“
Kaylenn, Temple, TX
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. Nahum 1:7. ESV
Conway Springs, Ks
A person’s anxiety will weigh them down, but an encouraging word makes them joyful.
Proverbs 12:25
Teach me and I will be quiet. Show me where I have been wrong Job 6:24 NIV
Heather, Charleston (formerly Mt. Pleasant): Amen, Lindsee.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
Ecc 12:13b-14 KJV
13b-Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14-For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Sarah P. Martinsburg, WV ” Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
Darcy – Edwardsville, IL
“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
-2 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
Dena K. from Columbus, OH:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5 NIV)
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Ellen
TN
And we know that all things work together for good
to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 KJV
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8 NIV
Psalm 119:44-45 NIV
I will always obey your law, for ever and ever
I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.
Paulette P. Mays
Elmer, La
Cara – Fridley, MN
By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.
Romans 5:1-2, MSG
Patty, Shelton, Washington
A happy heart makes the face cheerful.
Proverbs 15:13 NIV
Karen, Redmond. Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands. Psalm 119:66 NIV
Kathy, Lake Jackson, Texas
Your faithfulness is for all generations;
You established the earth, and it stands firm.
Psalm 119:90 HCSB
Nancilea, The Woodlands, TX
For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid…
(Psalm 112:6-8 ESV)
Michele, Naperville, IL, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
-Romans 8:18 (NASB)
Rachel in thousand oaks, CA.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Phil 4:6-7 NIV
Jennifer, Sisters,OR
Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Christy L., Royal Palm Beach, FL
I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. ~ Psalms 18:1, 2 NLT
Helen Wall Crystal City, Manitoba, Canada
1 John 2:8 (ESV)
At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.
Courtney, Chicora. ” Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right, preserving, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 Amplified ” 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 i:16
Stacy – Hinckley, England
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 15v13 NIV