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
Connie
Greene, IA
All your spiritual children shall be disciples taught by the Lord and obedient to His will, and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children.
Isaiah 54:13
AMP
Joy – Georgetown, TX “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the gentiles. NIV
Sandy – Dodge City, KS
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:22 NIV
Candi McDonald, Ft Bragg, NC
“Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than, of her who has a husband, says the LORD.” Isaiah 54:1, NASB
Reeder
Auburn, AL
John 10:10 (ESV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Linda – LPM – Houston Numbers 6:24 The LORD bless you and protect you
Beth R
Liberty Lake, WA
James 1:16 TNIV
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.
Nikki from McGregor, Texas. “Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. They would not be like their forefathers – a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.” Psalm 78:7-8, NIV.
Sally from Baton Rouge
Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV)
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Wendy, Plano, TX. You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. Ps 92:4 NLT
Xan
Cullman, AL
Psalm 12:2-3 (NLT)
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Donna, Fort Wayne, IN
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6 ESV)
Michele ~ Kenosha, WI
God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind.
Does He speak and then not act?
Does He promise and then not fulfill?
Numbers 23:19 NIV
A person plans his course,
but the Lord directs his steps.
(Proverbs 16:9 NET)
Shaci- Aztec,New Mexico
Romans 8:31 NIV
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Dawn
Silver Spring, MD
Isaiah 61:4 (NIV)
They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
Esther, Jonesborough, TN. Proverbs 22:4 (ESV) – The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.
Amanda, White Hall, Arkansas
Trust in him at all times, you people! Pour out your hearts before him! God is our shelter! (Psalms 62:8 NET)
Lisa, Enterprise, AL
~ You have made known to me the path of life; You fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. — Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
Cindy; Mount Gilead, Ohio
Psalm 37:37 NIV
There is a future for the man of peace.
Valerie, Little Elm
“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV
Caty from Stockbridge, GA – Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness to all men. ~ Titus 3:1-2
Carol from Farmers Branch, TX:
Luke 24:45, NKJV
And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
Ginger in Phoenix, AZ
“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”
Ephesians 1:15-16, NIV
Christie,Gray Court, SC
1 Corinthians 2:9
It is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has known what God has prepared for those who love him.” NIRV
Caitlin, Gray Court, SC
1 Corinthians 2:9, NIRV
It is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has known what God has prepared for those who love him.” (Isaiah 64:4)
1 Corinthians 2:9, NIRV
It is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has known what God has prepared for those who love him.” (Isaiah 64:4)
Kim, Corning, NY. Matthew 26:41 NKJV “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Kathy Cupit Hazlehurst, Ms Proverbs 16:3 KJV
Commit your works unto the LORD,
and thy thoughts shall be established.
“You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?” Psalm56:8 NKJV
Karen, Cheyenne, WY
Psalm 1:2. NIRV
“Instead, he takes delight in the law of The Lord. He thinks about his law day and night.”
Sherree from Mansfield, TX
Hebrews 13:21 NLT
May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him.
Amy G. Clovis Ca Rom 8:13 NLT
For if you live by it’s dictates, you will die, But if through the power of the spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.
Allyson
League City TX
Psalm 86:14 ESV
“O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seek my life, and they do not set you before them.”
Terry from Jasper, GA
Psalm 84:10 AMP
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand (anywhere else);
I would rather be a doorkeeper and stand at the threshold in the house of My God,
than to dwell (at ease) in the tents of wickedness.
Karen, Christy, Cheryl A Cord of Three Strands
Jay, OK
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV
Victoria – Salt Lake City, UT – Prov 17:9
“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but whoever repeats a matter separates close friends.”
Laura from Prairieville, LA:
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. II Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Psalm 103:1-2 (NIV84)
Praise The Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise The Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.
Allison from Cincinnati, OH
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24 NIV
Shellie P.
Spokane, WA
I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in you inner being,
Ephesians 3:16 NIV
Kathryn, West Palm Beach, FL: “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.” James 1:16NIV
Emily Jordan
Virginia Beach, VA
Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 (NAS)
Anna – Conroe, TX
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1
Marie-Franklin, TN
As for me, I will always have hope,
I will praise you more and more.
Psalm 71:14 NIV
Orlando, FL
“The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal.” Revelation 21:16 NKJV
Birmingham AL
Ye have not, because ye ask not.
—James 4:2 kjv
Alison, Richmond, VA
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. Romans 5:5 NIV
Sue, Kingsport. “God delivers me and exalts me; God is my strong protector and shelter. Psalm 62:8 NET
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again you cannot see the kingdom of God”. John 3:3 NLT