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
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col. 1:27 ESV
Johnnie, Wake Forest, NC
The secret is out–Christ has come and is in us!! So excited Beth’s new study Sacred Secrets is out too! Thank you Beth for releasing the DVDs from the Greensboro Living Proof event–I was there and it was amazing!!!
Laura, Townsend, MA
For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self control.
2Timothy 1:7 NET
Revelation 1:7 NIV “Look, he is coming with the clouds,”
and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”
So shall it be! Amen.
Cindy – Gilbertsville KY
“It’s better to be content with what you have than always be struggling for more,which is like chasing the wind.” Eccl 4:6. ERV
Bonnie Port Orchard, Washington
We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 NIV
Lou Ann Smith, McAllen, TX
Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 ESV
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me-put into practice.
And, the God of peace will be with you.
Phil 4:9
“My blessing is on those people who trust in Me, who put their confidence in Me.”
Jer. 17:7 (NET)
Andrea, Gardendale
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Phillippians 4:19 NIV
The LORD strengthens and protects me;
I trust in Him with all my heart.
I am rescued and my heart is full of joy;
I will sing to Him in gratitude. Psalm 28:7 NET
Betty, Waveland IN: “This is your wonderful thought for the day: Jehovah is God both in heaven and down here upon the earth; and there is no God other than Him!” Deuteronomy 4:39 TLB
Dayna Vaczi, Overland Park, KS
But encourage one another daily,as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)
Elisa, New York
Matthew 12:21 NLT
“And his name will be the hope of all the world.”
Bridget, Cadillac, MI
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 nkjv
Sally Reed, Bellaire, Tx, Mark 12:30-31 NIV
You should love the Eternal, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second great commandment is this Love others in the same way you love yourself.
Melanie,
Pensacola, FL
God, the one and only – I’ll wait as long as He says. Everything I hope for comes from Him, so why not?
Psalms 62:5 (MSG)
Heather, Morristown, TN
James 1:19 NASB
This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;
Mindy B, Gloster, LA,
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26
Kathi, Lexington, OH
1 Peter 2;9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a Holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” nkjv
Rena, Tulsa. “He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” -1 Corinthians 1:8-9 NIV
Caroline, Rio, WI
“I am determined and confident! I am not afraid or discouraged, for The Lord my God is with me wherever I go. “. Joshua 1:9 (GNT)
Lea from Granger, IN: “Keep you life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 ESV)
Whitney from Cape Girardeau, MO
“Because of the Lord’s great love for us we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV
Sandy Bowers, Bryan, Ohio
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:1-2. (NIV)
Kathy Bryson
Albuquerque, NM
Psalm 145:18-19 NIV
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
Colleen, Cape Town, South Africa
O Colleen, put your hope in the Lord; for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption.
Psalm 130:7, NIV
Vickie Henderson
Russellville, Ar
Psalm 84:10
HCSB
Better a day in your court than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather be at the door of the house of my God than to live in the tents of wicked people.
Kathy,Danvers, MA
Psalm 1:3 NIV
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
1 Peter 3:8
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
Gina, Waynesville, NC
The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him. Lamentations 3:24 (AMP)
Lynette-Aurora,CO – Proverbs 16:1 NLT – We can make our own plans but the Lord gives the right answer.
Gail Dorn
San Antonio, TX
Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.
Proverbs 3:13. (NLT)
Stephanie Solomon, Morgantown, Wv.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 10:11 (ESV).
Claudia, Raeford, NC Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told. (Acts 27:25 NASB)
Suzy, Wheelersburg, OH – I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. KJ
NET Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Ellen, Moneta VA
The LORD said to him: “I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.” -1 Kings 9:3 (NIV 1984)
Erin B., League City, Tx
“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else”
Galatians 6:4
Kristen, Marble 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
Lisa, Andalusia, AL
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32 ESV
Theresa, Plainfield, IN
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full”
John 10:10
Kim B.- Orlando, FL
Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15, 16 NIV)
Melisse, Slippery Rock, PA
Colossians 2:7 NLT
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then you faith will grow strong inthe truth you were taught and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Joy, Altadena, CA
From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders from the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.
1 Chronicles 12:32 NLT
Esther, Lincoln, NE
I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel. (Psalms 32:8 HCSB)
Heidi in Whitefish, MT
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
Susie, Carmel, IN
“My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.”
Psalm 108:1 NIV
Beth, North Royalton, OH
Psalm 51:10 KJV
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Melanie Toups
Bridge City, TX
The one who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. –1 John 2:10-11 NASB
(Please forgive this late post. I was out of town for my niece’s graduation from Texas A & M.)
Melanie Toups
Bridge City, TX
The one who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in Him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. — 1 John 2:10-11 NASB
(I’m so sorry for this late post; I was out of town for my niece’s graduation from Texas A & M.)