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
Kim from Cincinnati, OH
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24 NIV
Allison, Jersey Village
As the Father has love me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love.
John 15:9
Moreen, Sydney Australia
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10 AMP)
Kate DeWys, Zeeland, Michigan
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1 vs. 9 TNIV
Erin in Euless, TX
Lamentations 3:23 – 24 (MSG)
“They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left.”
Emily
Platte City, MO
“How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.”
Psalm 36:7
ESV
Sherri, Pueblo West, CO
Psalm 103:11-12 NIV (Aug 1st & 15th)
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Sheila, Splendora, TX
“Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.”
Psalm 63:3 (ESV)
Stephanie, Austin, “My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”. Psalm 63:8, NIV
Hannah, Baton Rouge, LA
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
Tanya Keeth, West Monroe, LA 1 Kings 8:23 NLT
and he prayed, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you In all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show your unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion.
Katherine, Atlanta, GA
My blessing is on those people who trust in me, who put their confidence in me.
Jeremiah 17:7 NET
Patsi from Porter,
Psalm 91:7-8 NKJV
A thousand may fall at your side,And ten thousand at your right hand;But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look,And see the reward of the wicked.
Lisa S.
Kinston,NC
Psalm 9:1 NASB
I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.
Lonnie G. Omaha, NE:
My blessing is on those people who trust in me, who put their confidence in me. (Jeremiah 17:7 NET)
Anna in Mobile, AL
Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. but My righteousness will last forever, My salvation through all generations.
Is. 51:7b – 8
Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Mindy in Franklin, TN
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, (Ephesians 3:14, 15 ESV)
Letha. Mountain Home, Arkansas.
“When I discovered Your words, I ate them up:
they were my great joy and my heart’s delight.
I am Yours, and I bear the name of the Eternal God.” Jeremiah 15:16 (Voice)
Susan B., Chapin, SC
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deut. 6:5-9 NIV
Hilary, Columbus, GA
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Matthew 7:1-2 NIV
Elizabeth, Gainesville, GA
“The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of His words fall to the ground.”
I Samuel 3:19
Aubree, San Antonio, tx.
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:17 ESV
Tammy, Lawrenceville Habakkuk 2:2 Write down your vision and make it plain on tablets so that he who reads it may run with it.
Anne
Atlanta, GA
I am posting 2 since I missed a week:
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved” Acts 4:12 NET
“Create in me a pure heart oh God, and renew your right Spirit within me” Psalm 51:10 Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Amanda
Clinton, MO
“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
Teresa, Redmond, OR
“Therefore since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1 NIV
Tonya form Eucha, OK ” There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.” Acts 4:12 HCSB
Peggy from Homer, IL
James 3:17 NIV
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Lisa, Simsboro, LA
“All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalms 139:16b NIV
Ali – Clearwater, FL
“rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer.”
Romans 12:11 NASB
Mindy from Austin, TX “The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” Genesis 39:23, NIV.
Anna McCollister
New Palestine, IN
Romans 8:26 ESV
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
Janet, Lenoir, NC: “…Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV
Lisa from Arlington, Tx : “Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes” Romans 11:36 Msg.
Avis, Lone Star, Texas
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 NAS
Kristine, Welland, ON
“God is higher than anything and anyone, outshining everything you can see in the skies.” Psalm 113:4 (MSG)
LisaT from Boonsboro, Md.
James 1: 16-18
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all he created.
Jean Herrick Princeton Maine
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 (ESV)
Kathy,Austin ps 51:10 amp
Create in me a clean heart,o god. Renew a right persevering & steadfast spirit within me
But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you. 1 Sam. 12:24 (NIV)
Elaine, New Orleans, LA
Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? ~Isaiah 55:2 NIV
Woodstock, GA
“I will turn my mountains into roads and my highways will be raised up.” NIV Isaiah 49:11
John 1:4-5 (NLT)
The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
‘ It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” Phil. 2:13 NIV
It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose
Phil 2:13 NIV
It is God who works in you to will and to act to his good purpose
Phil. 2:13
Becky, Oklahoma City
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.
Janet Port Orange, FL
(Luke 4:8) Jesus answered, “It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only”. (NIV)
because I don’t remember if I posted the last verse from 8/1, here it is:
(James 1:20) Because our anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. (NIV)