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
Kathy, Houston
How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O Lord, they walk in the light of Your countenance. (Psalms 89:15 NASB)
Alesha – Charlotte, NC
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 NLT
Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of GOD for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Romans 1:22,23
Suzann Benson
Kingwood WV
Philippians 4:8(NIV)
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.
Ponder, TX
Joy Nelson from Muskogee, OK
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NLT)
Tina from Chesapeake, VA – “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23(NIV)
Deb, Pelzer, SC
1 Peter 4:7 (NIV) “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clearminded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”
“Gwen, Muskogee, OK -But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. (Jeremiah 17:7 NLT)
Diana, East Peoria, IL
My blessing is on those people who trust in me,
who put their confidence in me.
Jeremiah 17:7
Suzy Myers
Bay Springs, MS
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
Cheri, Savage MN, Romans 12:10 ESV
Love one another with brotherly affection. Out done another in showing honor.
Rebecca, Hallsville, TX
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, the same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
John 1:1-3 KJV
Kristi, from Rowlett, Texas
Psalm 86:11
“Teach me Your way, Lord, and I will live by your truth. Give me an UNDIVIDED mind to fear Your name.”
HCSB
Jennifer, Tomball, TX “I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.” Psalm 81:10 NIV
Amy ga
Psalm 91:1 niv
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Bombey
Bellaire, TX
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Phil 4:13 NIV84
Amy S. from Saint Cloud, FL
“I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 34:3
(NIV)
Joelle, Abilene TX
They will be like a tree planted near a stream whose roots spread out toward the water. It has nothing to fear when the heat comes. Its leaves are always green.
(Jeremiah 17:8a NET)
Joelle, Abilene TX
They will be like a tree planted near a stream whose roots spread out toward the water. It has nothing to fear when the heat comes. Its leaves are always green.
(Jeremiah 17:8a NET)
Joelle, Abilene TX
They will be like a tree planted near a stream whose roots spread out toward the water. It has nothing to fear when the heat comes. Its leaves are always green.
(Jeremiah 17:8a NET)
Monica, Hicksville, NY.
“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You.”
Psalm 143:8(NLT)
Vicki @ Corpus CHRISTI Tx
Romans 8:11… But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
STACY, CHAPIN SC
PREACH THE WORD, BE PREPARED IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON: CORRECT, REBUKE AND ENCOURAGE-WITH GREAT PATIENCE AND CAREFUL INSTRUCTION. 2TIM4:2 NIV
Amy, Miamisburg, OH
Show me your ways, O Lord. Teach me Your paths.
Ps. 25:4 NIV
I have no idea what verses I have submitted but will submit 13 – 16 which will hopefully get me caught up.
13 – For you created my inmost being; you knit me toget5her in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13 NIV
14 – I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14 NIV
15 -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. Psalm 139:15 NIV
16 – 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
Barb of Crown Point, IN
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
Barb of Crown Point, IN
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Psalm 107:18 (NIV)
Stephanie
Pawleys Island, SC
LoriAngela
Chilliwack, BC
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 Amplified
“…the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.”
(Matthew 12:34b, NASB)
Donna Marina, Ca
But they that wait upon The Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 KJV
Susan, Overland Park, KS
“I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”
Is.48:17 NIV84
John 11:35 LASB ~Then Jesus wept`.
fyi, a major ‘then’ happened.
Jacqui. Lemoore, ca. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful God will be merciful when he judges you. James 2:13 NLT
Andrea from Spring Branch, Texas
Isaiah 43:19 ESV:
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.
Noreen
Calgary, AB
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Kelly W., Fowler, CA
He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
He drew me out of deep waters.
Psalm 18:16 (NIV)
Debra – Dahlgren, IL
As iron sharpens iron,
so a friend sharpens a friend.
Proverbs 27:17
Joan A., Dousman, WI
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.
Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV
Kitty
Fishers, IN
Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)
Through one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Nancy Coffey
Barboursville,WV
Romans 1:16 NRSV
For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Colossians 3:1-2 “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and you life is hidden with Christ in God.” (NRSV)
Linda from Holland, OH.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)
For we live by faith, not by sight.
from Scottsdale, AZ:
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
New International Version
Olivia, Lapwai, Idaho: You love him though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him, and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 1 Peter 1:8 NLT
What then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 NIV
Taryn from Corinth, TX
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
– 2 Peter 3:9
Kim, Cincinnati
My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.
2 Cor. 12:9 NAS
Ohio
Build yourself up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.
Jude 1:20 NIV