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
Brittany, Norfolk, NE
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 Amplified
Sarah, San Diego
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NLT
New Orleans
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. (Philippians 4:4, 5 NIV)
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Proverbs 31:22 NIV
Kristin Cho; Northville, Michigan
Hebrew 13:14 NIV
For here we do not have an enduring city,
but we are looking for the city that is to come.
Amen
Lauren Mendoza Cypress CA
“It was not that this man sinned or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John 9:3 ESV
Amanda Benson, Eagle Butte, SD
1 Peter 4:11 NIV
If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Psalm 139:21-22 (NIV84)
Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord,
and abhor those who rise up against you?
I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
(This doesn’t sound encouraging I know, but it is in the context of the entire 139th Psalm! 🙂
Kaitlyn, Fort Walton Beach, FL
“You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas.”
Psalm 65:5 (NIV)
Beth, London, U.K. “When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” (Psalm 94:18-19, NIV)
Lisa from Waycross, GA
Donna from Albany, GA
“But you, Lord, are a shield that protects me, you are my glory and the one who restores me.” Psalm 3:3 (NET)
Julia Stevens Hill — Anniston, Alabama
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
I Cornthians 4:20 (NIV)
Coral from Jacksonville, Florida
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 NIV
Rejoice always, pray continually…
Philippeans 2:9,10,11 (NIV)
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above
every name
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow-in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD to the glory of God the Father!
Debbie, Fairfax VA
“I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.”
-1 Corinthians 1:4 {NIV}
Bev van Vuuren – South Africa – Isaiah 58:11 (NIV) – The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Jamye L. Greenbrier, AR
145 I cried with all my heart; answer me, O LORD! I will observe Your statutes.
146 I cried to You; save me And I shall keep Your testimonies.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words.
Psalm 119: 145-147 NASB
Debbie, Fort Thomas, KY
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
Karen Sue
Austin, TX
“Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned to joy.
John 16:20 NAS
Janice parent, Bakersfield, CA
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. John 1:10 NIV
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 NLT)
Krista from Midlothian, Virginia
Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in You.
Psalm 143:9 NIV
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:23 NIV)
Carrie, Burnsville, MN
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
Jenn, Medford OR
For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon Thee.
Psalm 86:5 NASB
Susan Bymaster. At daybreak, Lord, You hear my voice;at daybreak I plead my case to You and watch expectantly.
Psalm 5:3
HCSB
Jeanette, Mansfield –
He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” Ezekiel 37:3, NASB
Misti, from Kingwood, TX
“Why, you do not even know about what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
James 4:14 NIV
Jennifer, Denham Springs, LA
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Cor. 4:7, NIV
Raleigh, NC
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.
Phillippians 3:8 NLT
Glo in Houston says:
Keep and protect me, O God, for in You I have found
refuge, and in You do I put my trust and hide myself.
Psalm 16:1 (TAB)
Tiffany, Nampa, ID
“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”
Southlake, TX
“You, LORD, give true peace to those who depend on you, because they trust you (Isaiah 26:3, NCV).
Judy Heindl Cottageville WV KJV
Psalm 143:8 -“Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning: for in thee do I trust; cause me to know the way wherein I should walk: for I lift up my soul unto thee.”
Terry, Indianapolis,In
He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised.
2 Corinthians 5:15 ESV
Virginia in Elgin, Tx
And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”
Mark 6:31 NIV
Philippians 2:2 NKJV
“…fulfill my joy by being like minded,
having the same love,
being of one accord,
of one mind.”
Concetta, White Oak, Psalms 25:4-5 (NIV),
“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
Bethany, Spring, TX
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love.”
John 15:8-9, ESV
Meggie, Winnipeg, Canada
“For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Romans 8:29 NLT
Cindy, Rochester, MN – [God] is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. Ephesians 1:7 (NLT)
Jennifer, Cincinnati, OH
She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Lyndsey, NC
Psalm 20:7
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7 Some boast in chariots and some in horses,
But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.
Martha, Brevard, NC
“But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!” {Jude 1:20-21 msg}
Jill from Houma, LA
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
Valerie M.
Evart, Mi
So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. (Hebrews 6:18 NLT)
Kim, Huffman, Texas – “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, ESV).
Betty, Wendell, NC
1 Peter 4:7-11 NLT
The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayeers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
Victoria M, Greenbrier AR
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 NIV
Wendy
Vero Beach
“Do not be like the horse or mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.”
~Proverbs 32:9 (NIV)