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
Shelley from San Angelo
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
Galatians 5:13 NIV
Michelle, Auburn, IN
These are the words of Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David.
What He opens, no one can shut, and what He shuts, no one can open.
Revelation 3:7b NIV
Jamie in Mason, OH
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Dawn, Pottsville…When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24 (NIV)
Betsy, Lincoln Park
“If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, Psalm 91:9 NIV
Christina
Louisville, KY
If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand – shine!
Matthew 5:15 MSG
Sandy, Ft. Gibson, OK
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV
Suzie, Wenona, Maryland
Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you;
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NSAB
Kathleen, Tallahassee, FL:
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free;
therefore keep standing firm
and do not be subject again
to a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1 (NASB)
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3. NIV
Lisa from Leesburg “When I wait, You strengthen my heart.” ~ Psalm 27:14
Merredith, Champaign ” Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” psalm 51:10 ESV. The timing of this verse hits me with a special significance.
Marcia-Portland, OR- Psalm 27:13
I remain confident of this; I will see the goodness
Of the Lord In the land of the living. NIV
Tatiana, Geneva IL
“Even to your old age I am he,
and to gray hairs I will carry you.
I have made, and I will bear;
I will carry and will save”. (Isaiah 46:4, ESV)
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6
NIV
Jenn, Frederick, CO
Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. 1Thess 4:11 NLT
Cris from Mooresville, IN
Exodus 20:2-3 ESV
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.You shall have no other gods before me.
Romans 8:16 NIV “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
Margie ~ San Angelo, Texas
Exodus 20: 15 Thou shalt not steal.
Maria – Macomb, Mi
Ps 27:4 New International Version
One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
Yes ,my soul finds rest in God, my strength comes from him.
Psalm 62:5 nas
A friend loves at all times.
Prov 17:17
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power and love and discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NASB
Kim, Yorktown, VA
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 17:8 NIV
Kim C., Franklinton, LA
Isaiah 54:17 ESV
no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.
Sally, Columbus, OH
“Now, when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.”
Romans 4:4-5 NIV
P.S. There were several times since the 15th that I tried to access this blog but just got a screen that said, “Error 502.” Maybe it was just on my end, but thought I should make you aware.
Sally! Yes, we are aware. We’ve been working on that today, and hopefully, we have resolved the issue. Thanks!
Mary Ellen ~Trenton GA ~ “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, preserving and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
From Littlestown, PA
“…and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith…” – Philippians 3:9 (ESV)
Hope it’s not to late to leave this (I was on vacation!):
“But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.” – Psalm 131:2, NIV
Christa from crews
Hebrews 10:21-23 (NLT)
Since we have a GREAT High Priest who rules over God’s House, let us goBOLDLY into the presence of God with CONFIDENT hearts, fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, & our bodies have been washed with pure water. Let us hold TIGHTLY without wavering to the Hope we cherish, confess, & affirm; for God can be trusted to keep His promise.
Connie Windham
Trout, LA
Romans 12:21 NASB
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Melissa
Midlothian, VA
Matthew 11:25-26
The Message (MSG)
25-26 Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.”
Pam D., Hendersonville, TN Psalm 32:8 (NCV) “The Lord says, ‘I will make you wise and show you where to go. I will guide you and watch over you.'”
Proverbs 28:13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Yes, Lord!
Jennifer Mosher, Canfield, OH I think it’s NIV.
Christi, Newnan GA
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
Cyndi, Lexington KY
The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you.
Psalm 102:28 NIV
Valerie F., from Warrensburg, MO
But I have stilled and quieted my soul
Psalm 131:2a ESV
Roni – Demopolis, AL
“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people but of God, If pleasing people were my goal, I would be Christ’s servant” NLT Gal. 1:10
Maureen, St. Clair Shores, “Humans are satisfied with whatever LOOKS good; God probes for what IS good.” (Proverbs 16:2 MSG).
Susan Oak Ridge Tn
But let all who take refuge in you be glad, let them ever sing for Joy.
Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous, you surround them with your favor as a shield.
Psalm 5: 11-11 NIV
Shelley, from Bolivar, MO
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 ESV
Sorry to post for the second time, but if you look on page 17 between comment 830 and 831 you will find my verse still waiting moderation. I think you must have overlooked me this time! Just wanted to make sure my verse got counted! And say I love doing this each month!
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalms 51:10 KJV)
Tonia in Meridian, ID
Job 5:27 (NKJ) It is true. Hear it, and know for yourself.
Marsha, Jefferson, ME
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
John 10:10, NLT
Brooke, Princeton, ME:
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness and be satisfied; let the bones which You have broken rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my guilt and iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:8-10 AMP
Betsy Roberts – Antwerp, OH
Psalm 36:7 ESV
“How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings”
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
Lynn, Pittsburgh
“Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” Mark 5:36 NAS