Hey, my dear Siestas! I hope you are well and thriving in Christ! For those of you who may have been with Priscilla, Kay and me in Las Vegas, thank you so much for the privilege to serve you. You were a fantastic group! All three of us would have brought you home with us if we could have. Thank you for your patience with us and your astounding diligence in the Word. You hung in there when I would have sworn and declared we’d have worn you out.
Just in case somebody could use the encouragement, I thought I’d pitch something out on the table that God ministered to me this morning then led me to share at staff prayer time. Maybe some of you are like us. We each have some long term prayer requests out there that we’re still waiting for God to bring to wild fruition. Like you, we get tempted at times to give up on that thing ever coming to pass even though we were so sure it was God’s will and had the support of His Word. Maybe we got what we thought was a vivid word from God about something but now we’re confused. Sometimes we really do misinterpret what He said or what His Word promised and God graciously reveals that to us. Other times, however, we let impatience strangle our spirits and near-sightedness steal our vision. We lose sight of the fact that He’s using time and subsequent events to bring the word to pass. His point to me recently has been that if I’d live in a greater present reality and awareness of all He’s brought to fruition, I will be more patient and full of faith concerning what is still in process. The thing is, we’re on to the next request before we’ve even gotten a chance to sit and savor how He answered the last. Maybe this is too much review for some but I’m one of those kinds of people who needs to constantly relearn things.
God’s been reminding me of the powerful words of Isaiah 55:8-11.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
The part He’s really been highlighting to me is the “seed for the sower and bread for the eater.” Seeds: words we’re planting and waiting on. Bread: words that have endured the test of time and the heat of the furnace and finally made it to our tables. Here’s what occurred to me. At any given time, we have both: words from God we’re still waiting on and words from God that have recently come to pass. Sometimes we’re so focused on the seed that hasn’t shown a harvest that we ignore the bread sitting right in front of us. We faint from sowing the seed because we’re not eating the bread. Stop a minute. Consider what God has done. Marvel over how He’s answered prayer and brought words to pass. Think about a crisis five years ago that doesn’t even take up ink in your prayer journal anymore. Reflect on how many things God has taken from seed to bread in your life. Note it. Meditate on it. Don’t drive through it. Dine on it. Slap some butter on that warm bread and savor a slow bite of it!
I don’t know about you but sometimes I’m so busy pestering the seed that my bread is gets stale.
While you wait on that seed, eat that bread.
I love you,
Beth
Copied that, put it into an email and sent it off to a whole slew of folks who needed reminding just as much as I did today.
Thanks, yet again, for being so faithful baby!! You are the Bomb.
Anne
Good word. Mmmmm.
Thanks for the reminder. Sometimes our time of “praise” is too short before we grow unsatisfied again. Oh how we forget so soon.
Can I tell you what a thought it is to me to think of you girls delighting in the women and some miestas LOL whose lives have literally done a 180 through the testimony and ministry of ya’ll. No I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable but I cannot tell you how I delight in this precious gifting and annointing the Lord has placed on your family that so many have looked to and with out adding the element of idolatry taken the torch to change the world they live in to ghe Honor and Glory of God. Whats the most awesome and puts my heart and face to the floor is HIM! He has made this happen. I think of precious Mary 13ish just living and doing her thing and as the eyes of the LORD roamed He saw her this humble vessel livin the thing out. She birthed our Lord and raised Him and He course of history forever changed. Beth, He saw you…He chose you. I saw your precious posture change at fiesta when your Melissa honored you before us..I cannot imagine how hard it was for you to take that as your heart so fervently gives God the glory and honor for all He rightly deserves. But it was sweet for me as I’m sure it was for all, to see you place yourself in a posture to recieve the blessings of your daughter. You are a blessing to the women of this generation you are a blessing to me. (I only wrote the above after I read your coment at the end of the posts so far…) As for the word, thank you for shedding light on the bread! I hadn’t thought on that in that way before. I’m so excited to serve the Lord along side you in this generation. I respect you deeply and long always to encourage your heart. Tiffany For His Glory
Mama Beth,
Thank you for such a gentle, but mighty reminder. How quickly we are to run to the next request, without savoring what God has done…and being thankful for it. I think about the 10 lepers that Jesus healed, but only 1 came back to say “Thank you.” Are we like they, who just run to the next seed, but never return to the Healer to say thank you for the bread He has given us? Thank you for the reminder to just sit and savor what God has done. And be thankful for it. By doing so, my faith will be built knowing that He will bring it all to fruition in His timing.
Love you dearly. Thank you for being you! And thank you for loving Jesus and His Word. You are a cherished blessing in this community of Siestas.
A season or two or six ago, I took my first Beth Moore Bible study. It radically collided into my routine and changed the way I did life.
As part of that doing, I committed this Scripture to memory. It’s been a saving grace for me on many a day for this reason…
Inherent in its scripting is the promise that if I keep to the Word…if I tend to my soul via the reading of and reflecting upon his Word…
then Kingdom work will be accomplished. In me, and just maybe through me to others.
I dont’ always “feel” the effects of God’s transforming doing, but I know Him to be true to his Word. He’s seeding his Truth in me and in each one of us everytime we bow in obedience to the privilege of sacred participation via his Scriptures.
Beth, you and God ruined me for the good, and that, my friend, is some bread worthy of the feast this day.
Thanking Him for you and his provision…
peace~elaine
Beth,
Oh my, how your words hit me at the precise moment I was struggling! I truly try to “live in a greater present reality and awareness of all He’s brought to fruition,” and I have faith that He will do what He says He will do. However, I often dwell on what He has yet to do, feeling sorry for myself and trying to get as many people as possible to join my pity party. How insulting to God, for me to be so ungrateful for the many huge, fabulous things He’s done for me! And when this current “seed” in my life becomes “bread,” may I not forget Who brought the growth!
Siesta Mama, thank you so much for all you mean to me!
Dear Beth,
Thank you for the word I needed to hear. I’ve never blogged before, but I’m happy, just so happy, to have read your post. I’m waiting and waiting for a very important desire to be fulfilled and you’ve reminded me that God is in control of the timing. I will count the blessings of so many prayers He’s already answered.
He is the Bread of Life.
I love you, Beth, and oh how I needed that. In the midst of quite a trial without a result in sight, I am meditating on how far God has brought us so far, how well He has kept and loved us, how faithful He has been to us. What bread to eat on! And what promise for that seed we’re waiting on! Has He not already shown us His heart in this matter? I believe through His protection and provision so far He’s telling me over and over, “I love you. Trust me. Be still and know that I am God. I will fight for you.” Thank you for reminding me.” Love, Jillian
My Gosh Beth
This note was for me. I have been praying for months(and anyone else I could find to pray for me) about a house we needed to sell before my daughter leaves for college. I was trying to act like a grown up Christian but I do confess to some whining. Anyway Emily leaves in 2 weeks and the house sold Friday. Isn’t our Lord the most awesome kindness patience loving Creator. Also I sign up to go to New Orleans without any way of paying for it(I felt lead to do this) the money came in the mail today! Truely I almost fell over.It was in an account I forgot about I didn’t even know there was money in it. So after talking with my husband I’ll see you in New Orlean for some God time.
Praise to our Lord!
Liz Hinze
Anyone else going?
Thank you Beth. Las Vages was awsome. The three of you are a Holy Riot, but in that riot you imparted wisdom. I traveled all the way from Virginia to be at Deeper Still, and boy was it. Ya’ll gave me alot to apply in my everyday walk with God.
May the Lord Bless you today.
Love, Susan from Norfolk
Beth, this post is so timely for me today. This morning I saw a precious friend whose husband is suffering with an inoperable brain tumor. I believe it was 6 years ago that he was diagnosed with this, and there have been seasons of great hope and promise. God has spoken clearly and there has been much rejoicing. However, in this current season, harsh winds are blowing and it’s getting harder to keep believing for a miracle. Above all this family has humbly committed to give God glory and trust Him, but reality of their circumstances rises up and makes life weary at times. I am going to e-mail them and encourage them to read this tonight. The Lord has done amazing things throughout their journey, and I pray this will renew their hope.
We had a singing group at our church last evening, “His Season”. They sing a song entitled, “Stepping Up”. I am using it as a theme song, as I facilitate your “Stepping Up” Bible study this fall. The lyrics are wonderful – encouraging us to step up, believe God and trust His promises – and the melody is contagious.
Stepping up,
Joy
Oh my wonderful Lord1 I neede that reminder today. I’m ready to sit down and smother that baby with butter, real butter and enjoy. God has filled my life so with such blessings I can’t even recall them all at this one time. Praise God for refreshing our human minds with his faithfulness and tender love. Thanks Beth for again letting God speak through you to minister to us. Amen Carla Lee
Hi Beth! You must know that just this past weekend my close friend said this same thing to me. I am working on breaking free from soooo many strongholds right now, I mean God has awakened me to the fact that my enemy has surrounded me on EVERY side of my life. I am having to trust Him for EVERYTHING…for the first time in my whole life. Because of the overwhelmingness of just being awakened to the lies I have been believing my whole life, I can’t help but constantly say “I am so messed up”. That’s when my friend told me that I need to stop and look at what God has done in my past and praise Him for that. I have realized now that I need to CHOOSE to not “tabernacle” here on the pain of being in this “wilderness”, but to get up and walk toward my promised land on faith of what He has promised me that He will do. Thank you for reminding me that I need to eat my manna while I am here in this desert! Love you Beth!
i love you beth!
lovin life in Him-lisa
(the sandbox)
Five years ago in April my 46-year-old husband was killed instantly in an accident. In the midst of the worst pain I have ever experienced, God allowed me to see a glimpse of some of the ways He was providing for us and blessing our family. During the first three months after the accident, I made a list of blessings I was aware of (I’m sure they were just the tip of the iceberg.) That list is so long.
The blessings didn’t stop just because I stopped writing them down. Almost two years ago, God gave me a husband who is everything I asked for, and more than I ever dreamed. (I know that sounds really corny, but it’s true!) Between us, we have six wonderful adult children, and four sons-in-law. We will add another son-in-law to the family in June. Sometimes I feel as if the Lord has given me chocolate cake with fudge frosting, in addition to an abundance of bread!
And still, how often do I go to God with yet another list of requests, and not even take the time to say “Thank you” when the answers come? My heart should be overflowing with gratitude.
Thank you, Beth, for a much-needed reminder to slow down and enjoy the feast – and to express my thankfulness to the One who continually sustains me!
I really needed to hear that word at this very moment, Thank you!
Three years ago, one of our precious students in the youth department was in an accident. Today, he is a quadraplegic. The Sunday after it happened, I was afternoon napping and awakened by a voice that said, Is Anything Too Hard for Me?. I jumped out of bed, dropped to my knees and began praying for this young man and his family, for healing in every sense of the word. Every Thursday night for the past three years, a prayer group has met to ask and keep on asking for God to heal him completely. BETH, you are so RIGHT ON IT!
Over the past three years, God has done GREAT THINGS for this guy:
Docs said he would never come off the ventilator: GOD SAID, YES HE WILL (today he is breathing on his own and the docs say his airway is “BEAUTIFUL”).
Most would say his future is grim: GOD SAID, I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU (today he works full time in his father’s cabinet business as a designer using software designed specifically for the physically challenged…he uses a blow tube to command the software..THANK YOU LORD FOR THAT BEAUTIFUL AIRWAY).
Insurance companies rejected claims for rehab equipment: GOD PUSHED THE CLAIMS THROUGH!
After many months of being his primary care taker, his parents prayed for just the right person to help with daily tasks: GOD PROVIDED JUST THE RIGHT NURSE – THAT RELATIONSHIP IS TRUSTWORTHY, COMPETENT, VERY COMPASSIONATE AND LOVING!
And the list goes on and on and on! Pass the rolls! We will never give up on the loaf!
God is still doing great things…His power has never changed. Thank you for calling us to PRAISE HIM!
Preach the word!
Love, Pamabama
Thank you! Thank you!
I’m taking my platter and heading for bed, I hope to leave plenty of crumbs…reminders don’t you know?
God Bless you Miss Beth!
Are you reading my mail? Even down to the 5 year comment! 5 years ago next month, God began a work in me. My little boy was born very ill and God has healed him 100%. Way more than I ever deserved. God is so good. Now, 5 years later, I sit and wait with anticipation in another area of my life. I’ve been so caught up in praying about this other situation, and you’re right, I need to refocus on what He has already done for me. Am I ever thankful. Thank you for reminding me of how faithful the Lord has already been to me. I know that His timing will be perfect. In the meantime, I will go back to praising Him for ALL the already answered prayers.
That was exactly what I needed to hear! Hilarious about the stale bread 🙂 I love it! 🙂 I always appreciate your willingness to share from your heart to others. It really has made a world of difference in my life and so many around me. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing these encouraging words today. I was definitely reviewing in my mind the seeds and the bread in my life…It was great to be reminded to focus on the bread and feast on it! It gives hope and encouragement to not give up on the seeds! Thank you so much! Now I will digest this. (Pun intended)
Thank you so much for this word (and for your ministry…) Right now my husband and I are in a season that allows us to enjoy the bread… but we still can’t believe it’s done! Your word reminded of the reverse… there’s still more seeds to be planted, sown, and watered… for bread to come.
This is an amazing encouragement to me right now, Beth. I got let go of my job a week ago…and i get married this coming weekend. So there has been a major mix of emotion of the shock of getting let go from the job due to financial reasons–yet having the man of my dreams right smack dab in front of me…an answer to 23 years worth of prayers!!!
This week has been a time of really having peace that the Lord will open the right door at the right time for me to get another job…when the time is right…but that my job right now is to relish in these days and sweet moments…
Reading what you wrote about the seed and the bread is just where I am…praying that in the name of Jesus, the enemy will not even get a foothold with the loss of a job…but that i will praise the Lord even more for every single blessing that He has given me. Oh how He is so very faithful.
(Your post about the hurricanes was an encouragement as well…we’re getting married in FL and claiming in the name of Jesus that the weather will be beautiful! Thank you for your prayers!)
Oh V.
That is about the most wonderful redirected, repurposed statement I have ever HEARD!
It is absolutely a beautiful thing to re-discover what you were truly created for… And then walk in it.
Many blessings to you Siesta. A beautiful word… You are a blessing.
Being in “Time-out” with God right now, I have many seeds I’m waiting on to even bloom… much less bring to harvest… in fact I’m refraining from meat and bread (literally) at the present. In short, He’s wanting me to actively and consciously wait on Him, through testing and having me do an aerobic work out of my endurance.
Beth, I was tempted to give in today… Thank you for the adrenaline boost.
My mom called to tell me I HAD to read your blog tonight. I am an obedient daughter…and she was right…I HAD to. You must know that God was speaking directly to me. Thank you for being faithful in presenting the truth. I think I will go butter my bread…Thank you.
Thank you for the word sweet sister! I am listening and I am applying….
I must tell you about my introductory night at bible study…(am doing a woman’s heart by none other than your sweet little self!).
I was a bit unsure about signing up for this bible study as I’ve been attending church 45 miles away from my home (90 mile round trip) and was concerned about the traveling. I am so desperate for fellowship and connectedness that I decided to step out of the boat and trust God in this situation…one of my concerns with this arrangement is that I am super tired after such a long day (8am-9:45pm with no break at home) and concerned about the long drive back late at night….one idea/solution that I had for this problem was to ask a girlfriend who lives in between the church and my home if I could crash at her place on Mondays (which she would totally say yes to but I just did not want to ask…) Well, tonight when we were introducing ourselves and the girls found out about my traveling situation, out of the blue 2 of the ladies offered me the use of their guest rooms to stay the night over after bible study! Isn’t that just how God works things out for the good of those who love HIm and are called according to His purpose?! I was so awed by this and do believe that God is telling me something about sticking with it on this study and begin to fellowship and engage in relationship with these ladies that He is going to provide a place for me to stay so that I am safe and not on the road late at night dog tired!
Just had to share with you Mama Siesta and you little siesta girls out there….our God is magnificant and amazing! He loves us so much and looks after every detail in our lives…for me it is this.
Oh how I love Him and oh how I love you!
Oh Beth,
I am so discouraged right now I could just run away from everything. I thought I had heard God and now I just don’t know… I have questioned every aspect of life right now and sometimes feel as if it must be because I heard wrong… I keep trying to lean on God for strength but let me tell you I have come nearly come to the end of myself all the while knowing that is exactly where God wants me to be before He can really work and yet it is one of the most painful, exhausting, depressing and lonely times I think I have yet to go through.
Thank you for your words of encouragement.. just knowing I am not the only one that feels this way from time to time seems to make it a little better!
God is great and great is His faithfulness, I know in the depths of my soul He has not forsaken me and He will do everything He said He would, until then I need to remember .. eat the bread!
Mary
Seems the Lord is speaking the same word to many of us. We have been waiting and hoping for the sale of a spec home we built for almost 2 years now (yes, building it was poor timing – how dare the economy crash right when we needed to sell a house). Waiting, waiting, praying, hoping.
Just this weekend the Lord reminded me of how awesome He had been in past experiences and like the Israelites, I needed to remember His goodness and provision in the past and rest in that. Now, you have confirmed exactly what He spoke to me. Ahh, the beauty of God.
BTW, I made the King Ranch Chicken for supper last night and it was divine. I even put the extra can of Ro-tel in it and yuuuummmmmyyyyy. My man loved it!! Thanks for putting the recipe in the cookbook!!
Leah
Oh, thank you! It’s a good time for me to be still and grateful for answered prayer. And to Patty, YES you can be in this blog family! Siesta Mama Beth said it’s always open and it’s an answered prayer that you found it!
Thanks for this timely word Beth. May we all praise God for what He done and never miss the bread set before us.
Thank you for the wisdom and encouragement! So timely! I just finished reading the book “Boundaries: When to Say Yes and How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life” by Drs. Cloud and Townsend, Christian psychologists. To me there is much in this academic, helpful, encouraging book that speaks to what you just shared about seeds and bread. The book is filled with God’s Word and what He desires for us. It has been such a blessing in my life to be able to access and benefit from the love and encouragement from teachers like you and those of this book. God’s Word coming to life on the page and in my life. Thank you for helping that happen! Blessings, from one of your S2S sisters in Christ in Tampa.
My husband wrote a song about a time we were going through where we needed to “Hold On” and wait on an answer to prayer- we are still waiting, but trusting. Check out http://www.danieldossband.com there is a link for you to add your “Hold On” story.
What a good word! That verse in Isaiah is one of my favorites, and I have it on a notecard at my desk at work. You presented a new perspective with the seed and bread that never caught my attention before.
One thing I struggle with is when other people’s prayer requests get answered before mine…how ugly comparison can be. I’m at the age when many of my friends are getting married and starting families, all things I desire and pray for but that have not happened YET. I do my best to keep my eyes on the LORD instead of others!
God has been reminding me of just how forgetful I am of his blessings, his answers to my prayers! I sometimes forget where I have been, and all God has blessed me with in spite of my sins.
I have been praying for salvation for my husband for 18 years. At one point I felt the Holy Spirit say to me that David would be saved. But it’s been years . . . I try to remember Job when he didn’t see the Lord at work – Job said something like I look to the north and I look to the south and the east and the west and I don’t see God at work, BUT I know He is at work. And I do too! I know God is at work!
My husband attends a small group Bible study with me on Friday nights – He has for a few years now. If you get a chance lift Dave up to the Lord.
Thanks for the word Beth – I really needed it!!!
Thanks
Spiritual Mom Beth:)
It is good to hear from you. I hope Deeper Still was fantastic for you, and a time of fellowship and renewal-I’m sure it was good to see Kay and Priscilla again:)…I’m glad you are pitching this out. There are so many things that God has brought me through in my life-I’ve always thought: If He can save me, then He can heal me. Patience is key, and seeing any fruit from my prayers is soo encouraging to me!…Not too much of a review, I need to be told things over and over again:)…I do want to eat some Bread! I have been told over and over again recently that He is the Bread of Life. I listened to Mon. Quick Word today, and I agree, it is one day at a time. Sufficient for the day is it’s own trouble. I also wanted to let you know that my sis-in-law came to know Christ last week. I can see a change in her, and it is so amazing to me to see that-the Holy Spirit working in her. She has such a burden now for those who are deceived. It moves her to tears…Spiritual Mom Beth, I have had some spiritual warfare lately, and I am praying, for His namesake, to preserve me from all evil (Ps. 121), and to take every thought captive. I know you understand. I can’t imagine the warfare you must have gone through or that you deal with. I am praying for you. I want you to know that. I love you too, I mean that. It’s crazy, I know, I’ve never met you personally. I have to conclude that it’s because you are my Siesta Mama in CHRIST. Bless your heart:)
Love,
katiegfromtennessee
Thanks you Beth: I had lost sight of a promise in the chanse for the now, and of course nothing was happening. I saw you on a James Robison show maybe a week ago, and you were telling us to sit and savour His forgiveness just sit in it and let it rest on us and let it reach our inner most parts, That was also timely for I think we forget to just sit in His gifts and being a doer by nature wonder who or what I am to do with this very kewl thing from God. So I am up and going without the waiting part; so thanks for todays blog thought and last week’s teach. Hope you have a blessed day.
Iris
Amen! I have read this passage before and never looked at it in this light.
I’m off to have a “sandwich”…
Love and hugs,
Adrienne
Amen!
Thank you – I most certainly needed to hear that today! Have a blessed day.
Thank you Beth! I am always amazed at how timely your encouragement is for not only me in my life but for hundreds of other women as well. Thank you for being a willing vessel for God to use. He has used you in so many miraculous ways in my life.
God spoke peace to my weary impatient heart today through your words. Thank you.
Needed that today! God is so good.
Thank you,
MH in Ardmore, AL
Thanks for this word, today. It is exactly what I needed to hear. I’m trying to discern God’s calling. I swear he called me to ministry in January of this year. I’m a single mom with 2 kids. How in the world can I do that. I work full time; but I’m trying to be patient, wait, and listen to His voice for the next steps. The waiting is hard, but you are right, I must savor what He has done for me and keep waiting.
God Bless,
Tonya
Thank you.
Beth,
Thank you for that encouragement..it spoke right to my heart. Sometimes I think “how does she know that I needed to hear that??” You seem to speak a word over me at just the right times. Of course I know it’s God..it’s all God..and that makes me really smile big (or as my friend and I say “that gave me a permagrin” (when you can’t stop grinning!). 😀
I love you much!
Missy in SC
Nothing like starting out the day with some good tears. My marriage, my whole life, my whole Spirit, really, needed this today. Thank you.
Beth,
Thank you so much for this word.
You don't know how much I needed it!! Our house has been on the market for 21 months. David &I put it on the market after a call from Jesus into the ministry. This weekend we prayed for patience and that we would wait on God's timing and not worry…..easier said than done.
In the meantime though David has arrived in Johannesburg safely–his trip was paid for through donations to Christian Light Foundation. He is there for 12 days to do pastor's conference, crusades and sports ministry.
God has been so faithful in our trips and in our family and finances—–the bread is right there in front of me….
Pass the buttah siesta!!
Trelle
That word hit me right between the eyes! Last night by husband and I were talking at the dinner table about how we were confused about the path we felt God led us down. We are in this transitional/waiting period and we both feel like we’ve given God enough time to reveal to us what we should do next. We are so impatient! Thank you for your word of encouragement
THANK YOU!!!!! I don’t know that these words could have come at a more perfect time. On top of that, several things you said were far more personal than anyone could ever know. Just this morning I was beginning to wonder if God had forgotten us. It has been the toughest 2 weeks of my life.
Your words were a reminder of ALL that He has so graciously answered and been faithful in. He has never left me and He is with me now, even in the midst of the turmoil.
I am stopping now to feast on the abundance of bread He has provided and to remember that we are planting a whole new crop in tears now for a harvest of joy in the days and months to come.
Thank you for being His vessel to speak encouragement to me today.
May He pour out His richest blessings on all of you!