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
Cheryl, Midlothian Va
Wait for the Lord and keep His way
He will exalt you to inherit the land
when the wicked are cut off you will see it
Paslm 37:34
Carla, LaFayette, Al.
As for me,I look to the Lord for his help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. Micah 7:7 NLT
Jamie, Coupeville, WA
…choose for yourselves today whom you will serve; as for me and my household we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:15, NASB
Kathy, Shattuck, OK
Psalm 139:16 (NIV) “your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Carolyn – Austin, TX
In you, LORD my God, I put my trust. Psalm 25:1 NIV
Deanne, Laguna Hills, CA
Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 NIV
Jane, Milton, GA My blessing is on those people who trust in me, who put their confidence in me. Jeremiah 17:7 NET
Kathi Johnson Spartanburg SC
Psalm 119:103
‘How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. NIV
Jana, San Angelo, TX
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 NIV
Chris, Seattle,WA
Psalm 91:4 NIV
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Kerry, Nederland, TX
In the same way their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and must be faithful in everything they do.
1 Timothy 3:11, NLT
Barb – Wetumpka, AL
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
Melissa, Katy, Texas, John 16:22 NIV
So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
Teresa, Walla Walla “Clean living before God and justice with our neighbors mean far more to God than religious performance.” Proverbs 21:3 The Message
Kim from Mansfield 1 John 5:14 NLT And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.
Brandy, San Angelo, TX
“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8, NLT |
Karie-Phoenix
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord my rock and redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
We are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us.
Romans 5:5
E’Von,Houston, 1 Peter 1:24-25 (NIV)
For,
“All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.
Judy-Hoover, AL “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)
Terri Frasure from South Lebanon, Ohio
“You will keep in perfect peace the mind that is dependent on You, for it is trusting in You.”
Isaiah 26:3
(HCSB)
Karen H., Stephenville, TX
Romans 12:13 (NASB)
contributing to the needs of the saints,
practicing hospitality.
Cindy – Houston
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalms 51:10 NIV
Stephanie V., Tulsa, Ok
*But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. (Col. 3:14-15, nkjv)
Katie g; Knoxville, tn
Philippians 2:14 (AMP)
“Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves],”
and I think I need to memorize your verse too, Lindsee:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
Amber Moon
Lincolnton, NC
I don’t underderstand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do the very things I hate. Romans 7:15, NLT
Delores O.
Lake Stevens, WA
O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:8 NLT
Tammy/Siloam NC—-James 4:8A Come near to God and he will come near to you . (NIV)
Jennifer
Lexington, Kentucky
Proverbs 31:25 (NIV)
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name” Psalm 91:14 NKJV Susan Winston-Salem,NC
Ana, Tampa FL
Cindy, St. Louis, MO: “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Joan, Carter Lake, IA
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12 NIV)
Tiffany, Summerville, SC “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 NIV
Stephanie Jo
Corvallis OR
Ctreat in me a clean heart O God, and renew a right persevering and steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 AMP
Lisa, West Des Moines, IA “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
Proverbs 10:19 (NLT)
Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
Tami
Columbus Ohio
The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1 NIV)
April Jones – Springfield, IL
Proverbs 24:14
In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it you will have a bright future and your hopes will not be cut short. NLT
Becky, Mansfield, Ohio
Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart to Him; God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 62:8 NKJV
Ana, Tampa FL
Isaiah 28:16 (NIV)
So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who trusts will never be dismayed.
Joan, Carter Lake IA
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12 NIV)
Berni, Albuquerque
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right,
persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 AMP
Frances, Orange, TX
And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded. Matthew 10:42 NLT
Barbara, Prospect, KY: “so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:17 NIV.
Mary~Columbia, PA
Psalm 51:10
Amplified Bible (AMP)
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.
Marsha – Lee’s Summit, MO
Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls – Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18 NKJ
Cindy Gandy
Hazlehurst, MS
Revelation 21:5 (NIV)
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Judy – Maple Valley, WA.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1Peter 5:7
Chyrll, Cordova, TN: You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. John 15:16 NASB