Hey, everybody! You are in the exact right place to submit your Verse 2!
This is such a fun first for SSMT! Remember in the SSMT informational post when I told that, while I’ll still be doing all the SSMT posts on the 1st of every month, the one on every 15th would be written by various sisters in our blog community? Welcome to the first one! It took me about 5 seconds to decide who we should ask to kick off our SSMT guest posts. My beloved friend, Jan Morton, has been an active member of this community from its inception. I fell in love with her by watching her interact with countless women in the comment line, ministering to them and encouraging them and mothering them and making them laugh. And through that connection, we became personal friends. Our SSMT guest bloggers throughout 2015 will be from various age groups but this one happens to be right at my age and in a very similar season in her personal life and serving life. Those of you who have been around a while know that Jan Morton became so dearly loved in this community that we early on named her the “Mayor of Siestaville.” So, without further hesitation, please grant me the honor of introducing you to one of the mightiest women in the faith that I know. Jan, we are so honored to have you host us today! Thank you for investing in us!
Happy 2015 Siestas! This is such a privilege for me to share with our SSMT. I adore this community! My name is Jan Morton. I’m a pastor’s wife from Georgia. [I am also “GJ” for Gran Jan/Georgia Jan.] I’ve been married to my husband Gary for 37 years. Only 20 years old when we got married¸ we were way too young but who knew? ☺ We have two grown married sons, two sweet daughters-in-love, and 5 delightful grandchildren ages 6, 4 ½ , 4 ½, 2 ½, and 17 months – Gran Jan’s JOY! I love gardening, singing in choir/praise team, reading, quilting, and serving in the women’s ministry of my church. I work in our local school system (26 years now) as the Administrative Assistant to our Superintendent. A new ministry I’m involved in at my church is called Taste & See, a mentoring, encouragement time for women. Cooking and conversation! We get in the kitchen and wonderful things happen. Isn’t the kitchen a great place to gather? It is at the Morton home!
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” ESV
The word says: For everything [it says everything], there is a season and a time for every matter/purpose/activity under heaven. Everything – the entirety of; a great deal, especially of something very important, EVERYTHING!
God has been drawing me to the theme of seasons, and that is what I want to share with you today. All of life relates to seasons. The beauty found in the four seasons of a calendar year to the seasons of our lives. I’m in the season of life known as the empty nest. Just me and my man like when we had “only just begun.” I’m loving this season, especially being a grandmother. Looking back as a 57 year old woman can do…I can truthfully say I’ve learned in every season of my life. I pray to grow old gracefully and stay relevant and young at heart.
What is your season of womanhood right now? Are you in SPRING – a young woman in school or just beginning a career or education or newly married? How about SUMMER – in the “zone” raising children or building a career or marriage? Maybe you’re in AUTUMN – children grown, and you may be looking toward retirement? Or perhaps you find yourself in WINTER – your senior years as a woman, perhaps a widow, reflecting on past seasons and all that God has brought you through.
WHEREVER YOU ARE, BE ALL THERE. This is what God is showing me because in the busyness of life I can easily lose focus. Don’t be longing for another season and miss what’s going on around you now. This deception is one of the biggest lies of the enemy of our souls; the distraction and discontentment with where we are today. Embrace your season: SEASON – SAVOR EVERY AVAILABLE SENT OPPORTUNITY NOW! Some are more enjoyable than others, sure they are! Just as changes in seasons bring mosquitoes in summer or storms in winter, there are extremes in our lives. Some of you empty nesters may suddenly find yourself caring for both your grandchildren and aging parents. Some of you young women may be longing for marriage. Some of you stay at home moms or single moms may have to go into the workforce for a season to pay the bills. If our entire lives were one continuous season we wouldn’t have the changes we desperately need to help us grow. As much as I love to garden, if every day were spring or summer, I wouldn’t have autumn to harvest, or winter to dream and plan.
This old gal has learned some things in 57 years of seasons:
• Our constant, never-changing, faithful Lord Jesus is with us in every SEASON, in everything.
• Sometimes seasons overlap – in fact, several might descend on you at once. Sometimes joy and sorrow meet in a season.
• You may think springtime has come, but unseasonal cold snaps may occur and you better be ready. Memorizing God’s Word is a lifeline.
• Ask God to give you a strong focus in your season today and receive it as the gift it is, embracing the wonder. God will provide your daily bread.
“Which is the happiest season of life?” was asked of an older woman. She replied: “When spring comes, and the flower buds are breaking through I think, ‘How beautiful is spring.’ And then when summer comes and covers the trees with heavy foliage and singing birds are among the branches, I think, ‘How beautiful is summer.’ When autumn arrives with golden fruit, and the leaves bear the gorgeous colors, I think, ‘How beautiful is autumn.’ And then comes winter, and there is neither foliage nor fruit, and I look up through the leafless branches as I never could until now, and see the stars shining in God’s home.
Embrace whatever season you are in now. RIGHT NOW. Don’t long for another season. I know the days may be long, but at my age, the years seem so short. So wherever you are, be all there. Because of Jesus, one day we will be “SEASONED TO PERFECTION” and live with Christ for eternity. Let’s get there one day at a time and savor our seasons as God wills. Because He has made everything beautiful in its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
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OK, ladies! It’s me, Beth, again. Submit your second verses! Remember to limit your comments to these 5 pieces of information:
Name, city, verse, reference (where it is found) and translation.
Here’s mine!
Beth Moore, Houston, Texas. “In Him the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:21-22 ESV
I love you guys!
Sharon Center, Ohio. Now may the Lord of peace give you peace at all times, in every way. The Lord be with you. 2 Thess. 3:16 NIV
Dawn from Beavercreek, OH
Psalm 69:32 (NLT)
“The humble will see their God at work and be glad!
Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.”
Debbie from University Place, WA
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Jody Casey, Fresno, CA “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.” Philippians 1:3 ESV
Gigi Parisi
Mullica Hill NJ
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
I hope I can be forgiven for the extra words, and coming back to the second verse. I did my first verse and after some struggle with spiritual warfare, decided I didn’t have the time or motivation to complete SSMT this year. Today, I decided I wasn’t going to let the devil get away that easy. After watching your video for memory verse 5 this morning, I found a section that I am going to work on remembering to get back up and get back on the wagon. It fits my current spiritual state.
Nicole Powell, Plains, TX
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, -2 Timothy 3:12 NIV
Great, Nicole! So encouraged! Get your sword back. 🙂
Tera, Gardendale, AL
James 1:22
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Tara, Eustis, Fla
Jesus said to them again, “peace be with you, as the father has send me, even so I am sending you.
John 20:21
Gail, Anacortes WA
I keep the Lord in my mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:8 ESV
Donna, Springfield MO
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
Proverbs 23:17 (NIV)
Julie Wilson, West Richland WA:
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Niv
2timothy 1:7
For god has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind.
Tami K. Hastings, Albuquerque, NM
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5 – 6 NIV
Becky Crider, Dallas TX, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Mary Gray, Fieldale, VA. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31: 8 NIV
Jana Block
Huntsville, Alabama
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Ephesians 6:10-11
Julie, Carson city, nv: “your mercies are new every morning.” Lamentations2:22 niv
SarahMoen, Fairfield ME ” do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)
Rosa, Houston, TX
I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. Psalms 119:26 (KJV)
Krista Williams, Katy, TX
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (Psalm 145:18, NIV)
Kimberly, Houston,Tx
The one who maintains his faith will not panic.
Isaiah 28:16 (NET)
Psalm 57 – Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
March 5, 2015 4:43 p.m.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Tajuana Texas
If you falter in a time of trouble,
how small is your strength!
Proverbs 24:10 NIV
Psalm 105:4 NIV
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always
Courtney
Seattle, WA
Romans 5:2 ESV
“Through him, we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Alexia
Champaign, IL
You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11 NIV
Chapel Hill, NC
But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Chapel Hill, NC
But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 NIV
Feb 15/15
Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.
1 Samuel 12:24 (ESV)
March 1/15
Be very careful, then, how you Live – not as unwise but as wise.
Ephesians 5:15 (NIV)
Lisa Corbin,KY
Psalm 62:5 NASB
For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from Him.
Sabrina Young, Yakima, WA
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” – Hebrews 10:36 NIV
JoAnn, Columbia, Mo
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)
John 3:15. That whosoever believeth in him should be saved.
Isaiah 41:11 (NKJV) 11 “Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish.
Amy Dumke, Linwood PA.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.Eph6:12 NIV
Late Entry – James 1:6. “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt; because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” (NIV)
“I can do all things through Chirst who strengtens me.” Phil 4:13 NKJV
Isaiah 40:31 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 be faint.
God loves me with an everlasting love Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV
heather dutton, League City, Tx (Verse 2) The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV)
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
James 1:18 NIV
Sometimes I talk too much….
Beth from Sumter, SC:
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” (Lamentations 3:24 NIV)
Joshua 1:9 (CEB)
I’ve commanded you to be brave and strong, haven’t I? Don’t be alarmed or terrified, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Vicki, Ann Arbor, Michigan
For you are a holy people who belong to the Lord your God.
Of all the people on earth, the Lord God has chosen you to be His own special treasure.
Deuteronomy 7:6 NLT
Brenda Hohweiler – West Chester, OH ” 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:6-7 (NIV)
Malachi 3:10 NASB “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of Heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”
Mariely Sanchez, Miami, FL: “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” ❤️ 1 Samuel 16:7b NKJV
I am the Lord who heals you.
Exodus 15:25 (NIV)