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
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.
James 5:1 esv
Linda, Spring, Texas
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV
Kerre, Chattanooga,TN. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 ESV
Lori, Owasso, OK
Still making my way through Proverbs 31!
New Living Translation (NLT)
22 She makes her own bedspreads.
She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
Becky from Vicksburg, MS
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23
Lori from St. Catharines, ON
My blessing is on those people who trust in me, who put their confidence in me.
Jeremiah 17:7 NET
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4
Jennifer Otisville, MI
When your words came I ate them; They were my joy and my hearts delight. Jeremiah 15:16a NIV
Amy, Washington DC, “As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands. Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live.” Psalms 119: 143-144 NLT
Carolyn, St. Peters, MO
When words are many, sin is not absent., but he who holds his tongue is wise. Proverbs 10:19 NIV84
jenny
white hall, ar
the LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.
exodus 14:14 (niv)
Kate from Sterling, VA
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5, ESV
2 Therefore you have fno excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For gin passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
Romans 2:1
Sheila from Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada- Phil 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Jan, Marion IA “He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Ps. 121:3-4 NASB
Ellen White
Saint Augustine FL
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you;
He will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:22 NIV
Caroline
Houston, TX
Therefore there is now no condemation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:1-2 NASB
Plano, TX
Psalm 121:4 NIV
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
I can relate to your post so completely. I am 59 and single. Never been married. Don’t delete this just yet! There is a partial reason for the delayed singleness. I was raised in a legalist church & the ministers in that church were required to remain single & celebate. I did that for 22 years; so I didn’t become officially single and available until I was 45. I prayed and prayed and waited and waited. I had my list of what I was looking for in a man and several of my friends told me my expectations were too high and I would have to compromise. My main requirement was that he was a man of faith and passionate about God/Jesus. The other items were less important but important nonetheless. One of those items was that he had to love my dog!
I started a blog about my life in my former church back in April of this year and this guy found me there; he was also from my former church which is a huge plus in understanding me. Long story short; the Lord has brought us together. He has EVERY requirement on my list almost and the main one is he is very spiritual and a very Godly man. I am now 59!! We are talking marriage.
Now, dear heart, I hope you do not have to wait that long and I can’t imagine you waiting even a fraction amount of that time. God DELIGHTS to bless His children. There is a work being accomplished in you in the waiting. “Let patience have her perfect work.” If God granted my heart’s desire after so long, He will for you as well.
For me, I think many of those years were vital for me just getting to know God better. In my former church, the emphasis was more on the group itself than on a relationship with my Lord and Savior. That had to come first. And, like Paul of the NT, I had to unlearn and relearn as I began to know Christ truly for the first time.
You seem like an amazing gal; God has an amazing man in the wings for you!!
2 Timothy 1:7 NET
“For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Wendy, Mechanicsville VA
“Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD. For she will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8, NASB
Daphne, Kennewick, WA
The LORD is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me?
Ps 118:6 (NASB)
Margo, Laramie WY
I missed first of August, so I’m picking a larger spread of verses to make up!
Psalm 103: 1-5
Praise the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, Praise His holy name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits
Who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion
Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. – Philippians 2:3
Beth mcdaniel…washington DC
And the Lord said, “I will make all my goodness pass before your face, and I will proclaim the Lord by name before you;
Angie M – Macon, MS – Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever, Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV
Amy from Noble, OK
Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms
Sarah, Elkhart, IN. Proverbs 22:6. Train your child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Kari
Charlottesville, VA
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. (Isaiah 40:11 NIV)
Kay S
Lake Lure, NC
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:6(NLT)
Cheryl in Fairhope, AL – “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 (NIV)
Paula, from Maine
In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death. Proverbs 12:28
Kimber, Panama City, FL
How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “H ow beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things !” (Romans 10:15 NASB)
Ellie Richardson – Newton, Iowa
Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation, the spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Mark 14:38 KJV
Jennifer, Nashville, TN:
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jer. 32:27 NIV
So my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corn. 15:58 NLT
Leslie, from Kansas City, MO “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
Ephesians 6:16-17 “In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.” (HSCB)
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. (Philippians 2:3, 4 NIV)
Diana—San Patricio, TX. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)
“My blessing is on those people who trust in me, who put their confidence in me.” — Jeremiah 17:7, NET
Suzy – Orlando, FL
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul.
Mark 8:36 (ESV)
Galatians 5:22 (NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
Brad and Gwen Eungard
Adam, Eleanor, Amelia, and Owen
formerly of Schweinfurt, Germany
just moved to Stuttgart, Germany (thus the delay in posting)!
Dana Ashland, KY Neh. 4:14 NLT “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the LORD, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, you sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”
Mound City, KS
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 NIV
Freeland, MI And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NIV
LaGlace, Alberta, Canada
“If we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13 (NIV)
Angie, Chillicothe, MO “He’ll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon.” Ps 37:6, The Message.