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
James 1:21 (NLT) So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
Barb~St Cloud, MN~”And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:10 NIV
Joanne, Orange, TX
And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded. Matthew 10:42
Elizabeth, Gilbert, AZ
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understand will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Giovanna,Holbrook NY
1Peter 18-19 For you know, it was not with perishable things such as silver and gold that you were redeemed but with the precious blood of Christa lamb without blemish or defect. NIV
Hilary from Langley, Canada, says:
“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.”
Psalm 139:13-14 NIV84)
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
Fran, Gulf Shores, AL
Psalm 19:14. KJV
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Tess
Cartersville Ga
John 5:44 NET
How can you believe, if you accept praise from one another and don’t seek the praise that comes from the only God.
Tanya, Raleigh,NC
“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)
Suzanne Bailey, Harrisville
Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way.
Isaiah 35:3 niv
Janet, Vine Grove, KY
“and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,then your light will rise in the darkness,and your night will become like the noonday”
Is 58:10 NIV
Elaine – Powder Springs -Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Psalm 139:16 ESV
Lisa, Houston “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NIV
Tera Ferguson
Gardendale, Alabama
Psalm 1:5
Therefore the ungodly shall stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
Wanda
North Canton, Ohio
“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)
Nicole Turnquist – Selden, NY
I have become a marvel to many,
For You are my strong refuge.
My mouth is filled with Your praise
And with Your glory all day long.
Ps. 71:7-8 (NASB)
Judy Sommerville, Fairmont, MN
Romans 8:39 (verse 38 was last time) …neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV84)
Tera Ferguson
Gardendale, Alabama
Psalm 1:6
For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Temple, TX
James 1:5 NIV
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
Sarah Whitt, Fort Worth, TX
“He is your constant source of stability;
he abundantly provides safety and great wisdom;
he gives all this to those who fear him.”
Isaiah 33:6 NET
Jan Horne
Bossier City, LA
Proverbs 22:6 NIV
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they won’t depart from it.
Phyllis, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Psalm 68:19 ESV
Blessed be the LORD, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.
Jody in Huntsville, AL NIV
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus replied:”‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Kim Baker, Louisville KY
James 2:26 ESV
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Darlene from Maine
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. (Jeremiah 29:11, 12 KJV)
Nell, Gallatin, TN
2 Timothy 1:7 NET
For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power, love and self-control.
Kristel Hines from Russellville, AR
“But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. Jeremiah 17:7 NLT
Jill E, Export:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 NIV
N FORT MYERS, FL
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
PSALM 17:8 NIV
Romans 1:20 (HCSB)
For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse.
“But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,”
2 Peter 1:20 NASB
Cyndi from Sterling, VA
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us
Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV)
Sharon from Van TX
Sharon from Van, TX
The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
Psalm 34:16
NIV
Chelsey S. from Amarillo, TX
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Debbie ~ White Lake, MI
You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.
I Peter 1:22 NLT
Ps. 91:14-16 ESV
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Debbie – Prattville, AL
Kind words are like honey –
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Proverbs 16:24
NLT
Shiffra Vicksburg, MI
“But the Israelites encouraged each other and took their positions again at the same place they had fought the previous day.” Judges 20:22 (NLT)
“I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.” Psalm 139:22 NIV
Kimberly – from Carlsbad
“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.”
Colossians 3:16 NIV
Cindy, St. Louis, MO: “Guard your heart above all else for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 NLT
He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. Isaiah 33:6 NIV
Sarah, Colorado Springs, CO
Phil 4:13 (NIV)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Carolyn, Terrace BC Canada
I Peter 5:8 NIV
Be self-controllED and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Ouida in Trenton,TX
My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble will hear it and rejoice.
Psalm 34: 2 (NASB)
Megan, Stow, OH “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)
Carol in Kansas City:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10 AMP)
Carol Bruntlett
Albuquerque NM
Deuteronomy 6:5-6
5- Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your sould and with all your strength.
6- These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts
NIV