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
Jennifer, Monroe, GA
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would out number the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. Psalm 139:17-18 NIV
Kim from Bloomington, IL
God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you.
Psalms 62:11 NLT
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3 KJV
Cheri
Louisville, KY
Rhonda, Niles, MI “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.” Psalm 62:5 NIV
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV)
Atlanta, GA
Proverbs 28:26 “He who trusts in himself is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.” NIV84
Nedrea Haley from Hoover, Alabama
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2 NIV
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. NIV
Andrea Dublin, OH
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
You hem me in, behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
Psalm 139:5 NIV
Allison Crook
Albuquerque, NM
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)
Cathy R in Orofino, Id
Oh taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Ps.34:8 NIV
Philippians 3:12-14
New International Version (NIV)
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Almut, England
Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken.
Psalm 55:22 NIV
This is what The Lord Almoghty says, “Give careful thought to your ways.”
Haggai 1:5. NIV
Lisa in Moyock, NC
Kristin – Jacksonville, AL
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:25, 26 ESV)
Susan Clinton, MS
Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8 NIV
Evansville, IN
“You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips.” Psalm 21:2 (NIV)
Molly, Gainesville, GA
“Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” I Timothy 4:7-8 NIV
Leah from Bloomington, IN: You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what he said. Luke 1:45 NLT
Pam Houston, Buena Park, CA (currently in Fayetteville, AR)
“Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me when as yet there was not one of them.” Psalms 139:15-16 NASB
Amy, Seattle, “My sacrifice, O God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
Ashley from Allen, TX
“For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)
Alaina / Tyler, TX
“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
Romans 8:25 NIV
For the life of me, I’m not sure if I’ve posted a verse for mid-August or not! I’ve checked and don’t see one, so hopefully I am not re-posting. NOW I am going to write it in my memory book!! Anyway, here goes:
from Chester, VA: “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1 (NIV)
Deanna, Maytown AL
Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. James 1:9&10 NKJV
debbie jo, greenwood, “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” I Peter 3:8 (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 NIV
Connie from Plano, TX says: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 NASB
Caroly, Rocksprings, TX
He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalm 91:4 (NIV)
Niki Carroll, Shelby, NC: “Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.” Psalm 32:6 (NIV)
Central, LA. Ecclesiastes 4:9
Two are better Han one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall one will lift up his companion.
Becky Jo
Chesterfield MI
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you
James 5:4-6 ESV
Proverbs 12:18 NIV Study Bible
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Angie, Aberdeen, SD: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
Cherilyn M. Colfax NC
Joshua told the people “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow The Lord will do amazing things among you.” Joshua 3:5 NIV
“Our help is in the name of Yahweh, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8 HCSB
Sarah – Appleton, WI
2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
NIV
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.
Isaiah 40:8 (NIV84)
Dana Pace, FL
He has sent me to….bestow upon them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
Isaiah 61:3 NIV
Wanda
Osborn, Missouri
Psalm 69:30 (ESV)
I will praise the name of God with a song;
I will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
Skeet Shiver – Monroe, GA.
James 2:3 (NIV)
If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say “there’s a good seat for you.” but say to the poor man, “you stand there” or “sit on the floor by my feet”.
Scripture verse 15–
2Corinthians 12:9–And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in
weakness.. .
verse 16–
Hebrews 4:16 NLT
So let us come boldly to the Throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.
“Humble yourselves 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)
Connie, Shipshewana, …in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:12 NIV
His soul shall dwell at ease and his seed shall inherit the earth. Psalm 25.13
Mary beth tn John 316 for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believing in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Ann, Cataula GA
The LORD gives his people strength.
The LORD blesses them with peace.
Psalm 29: 11 (NLT)