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
Sandi from Morristown, TN
1 John 5:4-5 (MSG)
Every God-begotten person conquers the world’s ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world’s ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God.
Laurie in OKC, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7 NET)
Lisa Curtis
Jackson, MO
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your hear and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30,31 NIV
melissa irwin; franklin, tn
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Rosie, Tacoma Wa
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and
renew a steadfast spirit withtin me.
Psalm 51:10
Jeannie from Atlanta,IN – Matthew 6:17-21, ESV
“But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust will destroy and thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV.
Karen, Beech Island, SC
“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
Sarah, Colorado Springs, CO
Colossians 2:6
“As you have therefore received Christ (even) Jesus the Lord (so) walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union and conformity to Him.”
Colossians 2:6 (AMP)
Sacramento, CA
And my God will meet all your needs
according to his glorious riches
in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV
2 Co 9:11 (NIV84)
You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Cindy, Las Cruces, NM
Create in me a clean heart, O God,; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 KJV
Stacy B Detroit MI
“She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.” (NiV) proverbs 31:13
Dayna, Bedford, VA
I pray that the perception of your mind may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.
Ephesians 1:18-19 HCSB
Dawn, Raleigh,NC, 1 Samuel 17:47 NLT, “And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with the sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us.”
Marilyn –Seattle
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. (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, Isaiah 52:7 NLT
Jenna Kansas City
Britt, Burlington, NC. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. Jeremiah 17:6 NIV
Kim Rushville, Oh
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corn 12:9a NIV
Isaiah 52:7 NIV
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Julie Hanford, Ca create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. psalms 51:10 nkjv
Dee, Zeeland, MI Niv84
Isaiah 62:4 & 5 “No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married. As a young man marries a mainden, so will your sons marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.”
Nancy from West Grove, Pa.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Romans 12:18
“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to stand on the heights.” Psalm 18:33 NIV Pam in San Diego
Webb City, MO
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. Psalm 9:10 NLT
Ali C., Pleasanton, CA-For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4 (ESV)
Michelle, Fort Worth
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20 ESV
Jamie, Brentwood, Tn
Proverbs 11:28 MSG
“A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree.”
Carolyn, Orofino, Idaho
I will teach you and tell you the way to go and how to get there; I will give you good counsel, and I will watch over you. Psalms 32:8 The Voice Bible
Colleen, Glen Ellyn, IL
A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.
Matthew 7:18 ESV
Cathy, Richmond, VA
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess example are saved. Romans 10:9-10 NIV
Jill, Fort Ashby, WV Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfect of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of e throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Bobbie Puckett Ft. Worth, Texas
Acts 17:28 NLT
“For in God we live and move and have our being.” As some of your own poets have said “We are His offspring.”
Christina McClain, Nampa, ID, HCSB, James 1:15 “Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.”
Holly Burlington, IA However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. (Acts 20:24 NIV)
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (NIV)
Peggy, Corpus Christi, TX
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10(NKJV)
Phyllis Amarillo, TX
When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV
Jaclyn, Houston.
“And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously to all without reproach and it will be given him.” James 1:4-5 ESV
Paula from Denver, Co
Exodus 20:7 New American Standard
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God
in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished
who takes His name in vain.
Karen J from Westminster, MD
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Proverbs 14:34 NIV
Dawn, Colleyville, TX. You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. Proverbs 19:21, NLT
Vicki, Smithwick/Marble Falls, TX
“But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me.”
2 Timothy 4:17a (NIV)
Karlys, La Place, LA
My son, do not lose sight of these—
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.
Proverbs 3: 21 + 22 ESV
Evening morning and noon I cry out in distress and He hears my voice. Psalms 55:17
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;
His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4 NIV
Corinne in Chehalis, Washington
Peggy, Queen Creek, “Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.” Prov 4:25 NASB
WendyC – Cheyenne, WY.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Melina
OKC, OK
And when I was burdened with worries, you comforted me and made me feel secure. (Psalms 94:19 CEVUK00)
Pushkala, Louisville, KY – If we live, we live for the Lord. If we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Rom 14:8 NIV