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
Anna, Little Elm, TX
“Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
1 Peter 3:4
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11 NIV
Dana
Boerne, TX
Jill from Sterling Heights, MI
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ~ Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Revelation 7:9
After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language which no one could number standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were robed in white with palm branches in their hands.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Soozi, Lexington, KY – Eph.1:4 (HCSB) For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.
Stephanie McKenzie
Red Deer, Alberta
He who is faithful in a very little [thing] is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest and unjust in a very little [thing] is dishonest and unjust also in much. (Luke 16:10 AMP)
Mickey, Blue Springs, MO
…and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5b
Jennifer from Leesburg, GA:
“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.” (Isaiah 44:3-4 NIV)
Rene, Overland Park, KS ” Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin.” James 4:17(NRSV)
Danielle S.
Garden City, KS
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Col 3:15 (NIV)
Galatians 1:10 NIV
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Christy, Fayetteville, AR
Psalm 138:8
NIV
The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever– do not abandon the works of your hands.
Psalm 138:8
NIV
Sarah Sykes, Arkadelphia, AR
Psalms 84:6 (ESV)
As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.
Melissa, Nicholasville, KY
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)
Julene, Cowiche, WA
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
If only my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes! Psalms 119:5
Jenny Spires, Fishers, IN
May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and redeemer. Psalm 19:4 NLT
JamieB
Corbin, ky
Ephesians 5:33 AMP
However, let each man of you (without exception) love his wife as (being in a sense) his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband (that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him; venerates and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly).
Lindsay from Tampa:
commit your future to the LORD! trust in him, and he will act on your behalf.
Psalm 37:5 (NET)
Scarlett Flynn
Round Rock, TX
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. (Psalm 103:8, NIV)
Lauren, San Marcos, Tx. “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of The Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Prov. 21:1 NIV
Emily Byrd; Baton Rouge, LA
“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”
1 Chronicles 16:11, NIV
“Or rude. Love does not demand it’s own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.” 1 Corinthians 13:5
Sonya
Aurora, Colorado
He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30 (NIV)
Linda G
Belton, TX
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
I Corinthians 4:20 (NIV)
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 grow faint. Isaiah 40:31. NLV
Debbie, Calgary, AB.
For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
Psalm 62:1 (ESV)
Sara, Garden City KS
But I trust in you, O Lord ! I declare, “You are my God!” (Psalms 31:14 NET)
Nancy Rose – NLT Psalm 27:10 Even if my Father and Mother abandon me the Lord will hold me close
Tricia
Conroe, TX
“You call out to God for help and He helps – He’s a good father that way. But don’t forget, He’s also a responsible father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living.”
1 Peter 1:17, The Message
Catching up on memory…
Lise, Cumming, GA
This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
PSALM 118:24
NAS
p.s. This was inside my egg carton!
Cheya, Houston. “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1 ESV)
Pat, Seffner, Fl
Isaiah 41:13 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.”
Monica Pribe, Blacklick OH ” The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. his prais endures forever! ” Psalm 111:10 ESV
Jessy from Houston, Tx:
“Surely I will bless you and multiply you. And Thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.”
~Hebrews 6:14-15 (ESV)
Rachel Sweatt
Canyon, TX
“I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.” –Ezekiel 34:16, NIV
Kendra W., Dallas:
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:11 NIV
Diane Wadsworth, Pleasant Grove, Alabama
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3, NLT
Tracey Moyers from Loganville,GA
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
Luke 18:27
Katie Melton from Loganville,GA
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
Luke 18:27
“One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.” Romans 14:5 (NIV)
Ashley from Memphis,TN. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand forever,the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose Gods is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. Psalm 33:10-12. NIV
(Possible duplicate?)
Melissa Droegemueller, San Antonio, TX
Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.
Hosea 10:12 NIV
Toma, Antelope, CA
“It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
1 Corinthians 13:5
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it:and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.”
Matthew 16:25 (KJV)
Natalie-Austin, Tx
All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training righteousness so that the man of God may be equipped for every good work.
2Tim 3:16-17 NIV
Dallas, TX
Psalm 96:9
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth!
Molly Z from Pierce, NE
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Lee from IN -2 Cor 5:17 -ESV “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Brigette Brock
Morehead, KY
“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 1:9
NIV