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
Megan, Houston
Love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life. Deuteronomy 30:20 NIV
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
Muriel in Ontario Romans 8:28 (NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.
Trina
Midland Tx
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faihfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Lori
Bangor, Maine
He reveals deep and hidden things. He knows what is in the darkness, and light resides with Him.
Daniel 2:22 (NET)
Cindy,Alton NH
I Peter 3:4 but let your adorning be the hidded person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,which in God’s sight is very precious. ESV
Deut. 1:30 – The Lord your God who goes before you will fight for you. Holman
Lethbridge, AB
But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and who have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
Jeremiah 17:7 NLT
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Phil. 2:3 NIV…Dusti from Van Buren, Arkansas
“Not that I speak in respect to want, but I have learned in whatever state I am, in this to be content.” Phil. 4:11 KJV…Martha from Van Buren, Arkansas
Ruth
Goose Creek, SC
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being
Ephesians 3:16 NIV
Angie W., Federal Way, WA
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
Christy, Conifer, Colorado
Judges 5:2 NIV 1984
“When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves – praise the Lord!”
Julie from Granbury, TX
Romans 12:2 (NIV) “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.”
Brenda Z, Houston, Tx
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and your faithfulness every night. Psalm 92:1-2 (NKJV)
Joy in Bethlehem, GA
Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
Tami, DS, LA
Hebrews 3:12 HCSB
Watch out, brothers, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living God.
Jan, Denton TX, While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6 ESV
Jordan, Columbia, MO. “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.'” John 7:37 NIV
Albuquerque, NM
Proverb 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”. KJV
SKay Fires, Possum Kingdom Lake, Texas
Psalm 139:16 NIV
“Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in Your book
before one of them came to be.”
Stephanie, Hamburg Ar. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:24 NIV
Repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with repentance,
Acts 26:20
Annette, Stouffville ON
Romans 6:22
But now having been set free from sin, and having becomes slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. NKJV
Erin
Chippewa Falls WI
“Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.”
Jonah 2:8 NIV
Ashlie McDonald-SLC, UT
I may have already posted, but I am not sure, so here it is just in case!
Psalm 91:16
“With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” ESV
emi, white house: “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.” Proverbs 31:25 ESV
Jennifer, Kailua, HI:
Psalm 77:13-Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?
Heidi~Lindale, Texas
1 Peter 4:8-9. Above all, love deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Laura, Katy, TX. Psalm 91:1-2. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of The Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” NIV
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Cor 12:9/NIV
Pat, Littlefield, Tx.
“I love you Lord, you are my strength.”
Psalm 18:1 NLT
Deut. 3:22 – Don’t be afraid of them, for The Lord your God fights for you. Holman
krystal ward
teague, tx
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth”
3 john 1:4 NIV
Diane, Wedgefield, SC – Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23, NIV 1984
Lora
Mooresburg
“Stand firm, and you will win life.” Luke 22:19 NIV
Cindy, Graceville Fl
Ps 125:2 ESV
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.
Jones Creek, Texas
When I am afraid,
I will trust in you.
Psalm 56:3
Lisa, Charleston, WV
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 (NIV)
Emily, Charleston, WV
As for God, His way is perfect;The word of the Lord is proven;He is a shield to all who trust in Him. Psalm 18:30 (NIV)
James 1:7 NIV
That man should not think he will receive anything from The Lord;
Karen Payne, Hartselle, AL
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10
Candace, Narvon, PA
Romans 12:12 NIV
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Andrea M, Okotoks, AB
Psalm 139:16 – Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
“My blessiing is on thosew people who put their confidence in Me.”
Jeremiah 17:7 NET
Sam
Rowley, IA
John 15: 12-13 NKJV
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this; than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (1 Peter 5:6 NIV)
Tonya
Searcy, AR
We make our own decisions, but the Lord alone determines what happens.
Proverbs 16:33
CEV
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV