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
Patty Pierce
Searcy AR
Proverbs 15:1. NIV
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1 NIV)
Debbie, Calgary AB. Canada
Psalm 107:29 ESV
He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Karen, Hewitt
Galatians 5:14 NIV
“The entire law is summed up in a single command; ‘Love your neighbor as yourself'”.
Bonnie Wallace, Charleston SC
“Be sure that the Book of Law is always read in your worship. Study it day and night, and make sure you OBEY everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8 (GNT)
Nancy from Knoxville, TN
Do not conform any longer to 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
Jennifer, Cypress, TX
“I sought the LORD and He heard me,and delivered me from all my fears”. Ps. 34:14 NIV
Courtney, Houma, LA
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.
Galatians 5:22-23, NET
Lori, Friendswood, TX
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds”
2 Cor. 10: 4 (NKJ)
Selena – Cordele, GA
They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings- and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers. Revelation 17:14, NIV
(Memorizing this for Beth’s Here and Now Bible Study.)
Becky, Stromsburg, NE
Hebrews 12:1c-2 NIV
Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jamie, Crossett:
“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for (My) power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly therefore, I will boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Philippians 2:3-5 NLT
Tessie Watkins. El Dorado Springs, MO
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians2:10 NIV
Linda, Blue Springs, MO
Isaiah 66:2 ESV
2. All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
Riverton, UT
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV)
Erica, Huntington, IN
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 NIV
Melanie, Armuchee, GA
The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. Psalm 145:9
“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens…” Daniel 12:3 NIV
Lisa Lucas Indianapolis, IN
When you are tempted He will show you a way out so that you can endure.
1 Cor 10:13 B NLT
Zoe L from Oklahoma:
But he was pierce for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 NIV
Melissa, San Antonio, TX
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Eph 6:10 (NIV)
Terry
Washington, IL
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.
Ezekiel 36:26 NLT
Stormy, Lynchburg, VA
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Heather from Atlanta, GA:
Psalm 34:4 (NIV)
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Bless are all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 2:10-12 ESV
Libby
Dallas, TX
For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor you will surround him as with a shield.
Psalm 5:12
NIV
Terri from Mechanicsville, VA
“Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Jackie Pope, Covington, IN: For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Chirist. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. II Corinthians 11:13-14 NKJV
Psalm 23:2-3a (NIV) He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
Sheila K., Gardendale, AL
Revelation 19:12 ESV
His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.
Trinna, Covington, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” 1 Timothy 6:6-7 (NIV84)
1 Chronicles 29:11 (NET)
O Lord, You are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent,glorious and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt Yourself as Ruler of all.
Cindy/Midland
1 Chronicles 29:11 (NET)
O Lord, You are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent,glorious and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt Yourself as Ruler of all.
Cindy/Midland
Tesa
Perry, GA
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men
Colossians 3:23
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5 (NASB)
Heather Wilkinson
Springfield, VA
Dan 2:22b-23 (NIV)
he knows what lies in darkness and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
Rhonda – Houston,
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:19 ESV
Allison L. Tulsa, OK
…because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9, ESV
Emily Derby, KS
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again-my savior and my God!
Psalm 42:1 NLT
Allison L. Tulsa, OK
“…because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Romans 10:9, ESV
Melissa, Scarborough, ME: “As for God, His way is perfect; The LORD’s Word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him.” Psalm 18:30 NIV
Hannah | Oklahoma City, OK
I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.
Psalm 18:1,2, NLT
TANE McGEHEE AUGUST 19, 2013 12:30
PSALM 51:10 AMPLIFIED
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering and steadfast spirit within me.”
Tane Uvalde, Texas August 19, 2013 12:42
Psalm 51:10 Amplified
“Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a right, persevering and steadfast spirit within me.”
Sylvia Goree Houston (formerly Georgetown TX)
who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.
Ps 103:5 NASB
Katie, Amarillo. “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16 NIV
Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me
now let me rejoice. (Psalms 51:8?
Jean ~ Lebanon, Tennessee
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand
firm against the schemes of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:11 NASB
Tammy Monroe, Ga.
Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. (Ecclesiastes 4:6 NIV)
Jane, Houston, Texas
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Ephesians 4:2 NIV