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
Kathryn: Sarasota, FL: 2 Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day”. NIV
Janae- Riverside, PA Philemon 1:6 (NET) “I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ.”
Kathleen, Phoenix:
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He. I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Isaiah 46:4 (NIV)
Deborah, Augusta, GA
“The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.”
-Proverbs 13:14,15 (NIV)
Joan G, Allentown, PA My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Proverbs 4:20 NLT
Be honest in your estimation of yourselves. Romans 12:3 NLT
Amy – Custer, SD
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105 KJV
Lisa M., Davidsville, PA
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
Cyndi Munson, Oklahoma City, OK
“The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.” -Psalm 103:8, NLT
Christa, Memphis TN
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:23, 24 NIV)
Shannon, Buda, TX,
As a father has compassion on his children, so The Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
Psalm 103:13. NIV
Adrienne
Jasper, TN
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Rom 12:19 NIV
Keri Lee Robbins in Las Vegas, NV
“11 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?” James 4:11-12 NKJV
Jacie from Amarillo, Texas
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NIV
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5:10 NIV
Deena from Amarillo, Texas
“From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Ps 61:2 NKJV
Kristin V from Greenwood, IN: We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 NIV
Jen, Houston
“Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength, ascribe to the Lord the glory due His Name. Bring an offering and come before Him; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.” – 1 Chronicles 16:28-29 (NIV)
Emily, Elk Grove, CA
“When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” -Psalm 61:2 NKJV
Stephanie, Irvine, CA
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7, NIV)
Kathleen D.
Bernardsville, NJ
Psalm 9:4 (NIV)
….”For you have upheld my right and my cause; you have sat on your throne, judging righteously”…..
Gina~Rosamond, Ca
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Shelly, Portland, OR
“I know, my God, that you examine thoughts and are pleased with integrity.”
1 Chronicles 29:17a (The NET Bible)
For it is with the heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with the mouth that you confess and are saved.Romans 10:10 ESV
Tempa from Palm Bay, Florida
“Be still & know that I am God; I will be exalted in the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Vickie, Baytown, Texas
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judjments and how inscrutable his ways! Romans 11:33 ESV
Correct spelling: judgments (not judjments). Sorry.
Liz in Ruston,
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23
Nancy Engberg from Minneapolis
O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1
NIV
Becky, The Woodlands, TX Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (NAS)
Bambi-Houston, TX
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
Galatians 5:25-26
New Living Translation (NLT)
“Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have taken my instruction to heart: Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults. (Isaiah 51:7 NIV)
Alexis, Salem OR
“This I will declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;He is my God and I trust Him.”
Psalm 92:2 NLT
Valerie, Louisville KY
for you have made the Lord, my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place. Ps 91:9 NASB
Birmingham, AL: “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” Isaiah 30:18 ESV
Pat, Hot Springs, AR
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3 KJV
Psalm 139:7-10 NIV
Where I can I go from you Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go to the Heavens, you are there;
If I make my bed in the depths, you are there;
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea even there your right hand will hold me fast.
Jeanine, Toronto, Canada
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
2 Chronicles 16:9a NKJV
Laurie, Gibsonville, NC
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Carrie Guion, Wentzville,Mo.
You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing love as you promised to our ancestors Abraham and Jacob long ago. Micah 7:20 NLT
Vicki – Surprise AZ
But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves. James 1:22 NET
christina, Plano, Texas~
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:30-32, NIV1984
Traci in MN
Romans 12:7-8 (NIV)
If it is serving let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Erica, Kalona Iowa
Philippians 4:7 (HCSB)
And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Janet from Odessa, TX
Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, because the Lord will do wonders among you tomorrow.”
Joshua 3:5 HCSB
Christy, Summit, MS; “For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.” Psalm 48:14 NIV
Kerry from Houston, TX:
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and unfathomable His ways!
Romans 11:33 NASB
Cara, Oswego. “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Ephesians 6:11
Jaton – Longview, TX
For by Him all things were created, in heaven and 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
Amy — Buda, TX
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10
Kim B. in Thatcher, Az
My blessing is on those people who trust in me, who put their confidence in me. Jeremiah 17:7 (NET)