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
James 1:19-21
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
ESV
Charlotte, England
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” ~ Romans 12:12
Barb, Urbandale, IA
However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. Romans 8:9 (NASB)
Martha from Corpus Christi
We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 NLT
Natalie, Houston
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
Jennifer, Chattanooga. But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV
Clancie, Elizabethtown, KY “Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” Col. 3:2, NIV (1984)
Ellen, Moneta VA
But your hearts must be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by His decrees and obey His commands, as at this time. -1Kings 8:61 (NIV 1984)
Amy Coxhead, Fort Collins, CO
1 Peter 5:14, MSG
Give holy embraces all around! Peace to you – to all who walk in Christ’s ways.
Valerie, Taylors, SC
If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:8 NLT
Gerogia, Richmond, VA- ” Jesus replied , ” Love the Lord God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38 NIV
Kelly, Glenwood, MD- ” By humility and fear of the Lord, are RICHES and HONOR and LIFE.”
Proverbs 22:4, ESV
Gillian,Oshawa,Ontario, Canada
But I am like a flourishing olive tree in the house of God; I continually trust in God’s loyal love.
Psalm 52:8NET
Kim Safina ~ Central Coast California
In Everything Give Thanks.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Lori from Athens, Ga.:
Psalm 34:4 (NIV): I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Marilyn, Mission Viejo, CA
Hebrews 4:16 ESV
Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.
Joyce Davidson, Big River, Saskatchewan, Canada
“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.”
Psalm 25:16 NIV84
Linda, Johnstown, Pa.
I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
II Corinthians 12:9 (NRSV)
Traci from Evansdale, IA
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
II Corinthians 10:5 NIV
Kristin, Carlsbad, CA “they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:23 NIV
Christy, Zionsville, IN:
Colossians 1:17, NIV
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Christy, Jonesboro AR
Need this and more b/c I’m sending my twin boys off to college in 3 days!
Matthew 11:28 NIV-“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Thank you, Jesus!
Lisa, Greensburg, PA
“For in the Lord is love unfailing, and great is His power to set men free.”
Psalm 130:7 (NEB)
Beverly, Vicksburg, MS
Isaiah 41:9 NIV
“I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you, I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.”
Kim Cliatt, Loganville, GA
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Ephesians 6:10-11(NIV)
Sophie – Birmingham, AL
“Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.” Psalm 48:13-14, ESV
Lindy I. White of Oklahoma City
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12, NIV
“The Lord is slow to anger and rich in faithful love, forgiving wrongdoing, and rebellion.” Numbers 14:18
Kaci W.; Moultrie, GA
“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)
Julia, Whidbey Island, WA:“…. if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.”
~ Isaiah 58:10 (NIV)
A little late – had trouble getting the blog page up yesterday.
Janice – Topeka, KS
NIV
Galations 5:22
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.
Julie, Newton, IA
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
Abbie, Omaha, NE
Proverbs 12:14
“From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.” (ESV)
John 15:4
New King James Version (NKJV)
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
Pas. 51:10. Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. Amp.
Sheri, Morrisville, MO
2 Corinthians 12:10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV
Sharon, McKinney, TX
Matt. 5:44 NIV
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Starr, Panama City, FL
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4 NIV)
Vickie in Louisville
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:11 NIV
Carol, Belleville, ON
“He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, our of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps” Ps 40:2 NKJV
Stephanie in Woodward, OK
1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)
God has given each of you a gift from
his great variety of spiritual gifts.
Use them well to serve one another.
Rene’, Edmond, OK
For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.
I Cor. 4:20 NLT
Tracy from Aurora, CO
Matthew 6:34=Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)
Lyli, Fort Lauderdale:
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable” (I Corinthians 9:24-25, NASB).
Ellen, Chattanooga, TN
“But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear Him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to His covenant, of those who obey His commands! The Lord made the heavens His throne; from there He rules over everything.”
Psalms 103:17-19 NLT
Dawn, West Monroe, LA
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8
Elvira, Grande Prairie, Alberta
1Cor. 4:20. NIV
” For the Kingdom is not a matter of talk but of power!”
Lindsey – Edmond, OK If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. (Psalm 139:18 ESV)
Tanya, New Castle, IN
“I lift up my eyes to the hills–where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)