***It’s Sunday evening and you just passed 500 comments on this post. YOU DID IT, GIRLS! Honestly, this is the most exhilarating thing I’ve ever seen. As you know, we’ve posted Scriptures many times, especially through our 2009 SSMT, but this is the first time we’ve had a theme like this. These verses will stand a woman to her feet and put a shout of praise on her tongue. Let’s remember this spot, Siestas, so we can return to it many times. As my grandmother used to say, “It’ll cure what ails ya.” Memorize the date of the post – 3/6/10 – and turn back to it any time you need Christ to fill your sweet soul with an extra measure of divine strength. Thank you so, so much for your participation here.
ORIGINAL POST:
I slept until 8:30 this morning! I can’t even remember the last time! I am so hyped up and happy I hardly know what to do! There ain’t no estimatin’ how different the world can look when we get a little sleep. Sometimes when we think we need a new man (I’m not thinking that right now, just using an example), a new job, a new set of kids, a new house, or a new friend, we may just need a nap. Maybe you can work one in today.
OK, Girls, I have a weekend assignment for you. I am so jazzed about our on-line journey through SLI and I am very happy with how it’s going. Please don’t misunderstand this to mean I’m not. I’m THRILLED with the honesty you guys are expressing and I hope you’ll keep it up. This is a safe place. But I agree with one of our sisters who said something like, “Let’s pour it out here but let’s get it dealt with and get out there and be strong.” All the moaning about how hard it is only makes it harder. Breaking Free will nearly kill you but then, if you stick with it, like many of us out here have, God will use it to turn around and heal you. We have to press through and not be so easily discouraged. Our attitudes will make or break us. Let me say just as quickly that so many of you have been tremendously encouraging in the journey even through the difficulty of what we’ve had to face. We just want to band together and reach out and pull some sisters up on their feet here.
Ladies, the devil knows that if we’re too scared to even face our insecurity, we’ll never get freed up from it. If we just put the book down because it’s too heavy, how are we supposed to get up? (No, you didn’t say you were putting it down and I’m so thankful for that. But I’m convinced it’s what the enemy’s trying to get some of us to do.) We can’t deal with what we won’t face. GIRLS, WE CAN DO THIS. Are you telling me it’s harder to face it and get over it than it is to deal with it day in and day out, letting it minimize us and make fools of us and mentor the next generation to be just like us? Not to me, it’s not. I’m a whole lot happier today than I was this time a year ago. Please, keep up the honesty and let’s work this thing out together but, if you are in Christ, stop giving yourself so little credit. YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES. We can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens us. Let’s honor what He’s done for us by doing what it takes to accept it to the marrow of our bones. The question will ultimately be this: Do we believe what God’s Word says enough to act on it?
So, that brings us to our weekend assignment: (And this is not only for the ones going through SLI. All of us could use this.) Look up Scriptures that have to do with strength and power and victory and write some out in a comment to this post. Be sure to put the reference and the translation because your sisters will want to know where they can find many of them. Try to limit your comment to the actual Scripture so that we can read one after another and claim them for ourselves through the power of Christ in our inner man.
THEN, ladies, get on here and read some of them OUT LOUD. Restate them in first person between You and your God.
I’ll get us started with one I’m saying almost every morning right now. Isaiah 52:1 NIV says…
“Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength.”
I say it out loud and picture myself right then putting on the power and might of Christ like a coat. Sometimes I might even stretch my arms like I’m pulling them through sleeves. Go ahead and think I’m such a weirdo. It’s a well established fact but I have loved it and it’s working and, anyway, I think that kind of stuff makes God grin. I’ve used it in my journey to be physically restored after my surgery and through the pain of a badly herniated disk but it is just as pertinent to our present journey toward soul-deep security.
Your Siesta Mama loves you. This is how I would talk to my own daughters when they were growing up. They could well tell you that I only put up with “This is sooooooo haaaarrrrrddddd” so long. “It won’t be near as hard when you get your tail up and do it.”
Go for it, Girls! Get your tail up and do it. Let’s clothe ourselves with these:
Lori 
10-12And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
13-18Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Ephesians 6:10-18 THe Message
May the God of HOPE fill you with all the JOY and PEACE as you TRUST in Him, so that you may OVERFLOW with HOPE by the POWER of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 15:13
A hearty AMEN to all these! Sorry I am so late, but I just had to go ahead and post this one.
I love to think about Hebrews 12:1-3 (King James Version)
1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
And then couple that with Revelation 7:13-15 (King James Version)
13And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
I absolutely love these warrior witnesses in white robes cheering me on as I run the race of life!
Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in ALL you do, and he WILL show you which path to take. Proverbs 3: 5&6
Janice 60's
Widow
Lake Forest, Ca
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run , and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
(just now seeing this post–)
"and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power…."
–Ephesians 1:19 NKJV
"But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth."
–Exodus 9:16 NKJV
Psalm 92:8-15 (NLT)
8 But you, O Lord, will be exalted forever.
9 Your enemies, Lord, will surely perish;
all evildoers will be scattered.
10 But you have made me as strong as a wild ox.
You have anointed me with the finest oil.
11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
my ears have heard the defeat of my wicked opponents.
12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees
and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.
13 For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house.
They flourish in the courts of our God.
14 Even in old age they will still produce fruit;
they will remain vital and green.
15 They will declare, “The Lord is just!
He is my rock!
There is no evil in him!”
[1]
[1] Tyndale House Publishers: Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2004
These scriptures are from the SMT and both of them will grace the back page of my book along with a few others spoke to me today.
"In my anguish I cried to the LORD and he answered me by setting me FREE. The LORD is with me I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The LORD is with me he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies."Psalm 118:5-7 NIV
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1Cor 15:57 NIV
Ginny
Schenectady NY
"Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?" Gal.3:3 NLT
Kim
Knoxville, Tenn.
I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.
Ps 70:15 NKJV
The Lord will give strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace.
Ps 29:11 NKJV
Debbie
53
Sterling Heights, Michigan
Married
Psalms 23 KJ
This was one of the 1st bible verses I memorized as a young child. It has stayed with me my entire life.
1 The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of rightousness for his names sake.
4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil. For thou art with me. They rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemy. Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over.
6 Surely, goodness, and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
AMEN.
Though strength, power and victory are not specifically mentioned, I feel incredibly strengthened and empowered by the truth here:
1 John 4:16 AMPLIFIED
And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us.
This scripture really sets my heart at rest and restores my perspective.
Be blessed Siestas!
The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring (you) quietness with his love. He will delight in you with shots of you. Zep 3:17
Therefore do not throw away your confidence which has a great reward. Heb 10:35
So I'm going out of town with just my husband for a solid week. Honestly, sometimes it is hard for us to spend that much time alone with each other. I decided to print these comments to take them with me and a whole stack of paper with all of the 39 pages got stuck in my printer. It took quite a long time to finally get the paper out!! I had to laugh at Satan for trying to get me too frustrated and ruin my printer. Now I have a whole stack of verses to take with me! Long story short, thanks so much!
You don't have to print this, but I just wanted to share it with you!
Love,
Angie in Michigan xoxo
Jeremiah 17:8
He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.
Linda 30 Married, MI
Psalm 20 (New International Version)
Psalm 20
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob PROTECT you.
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you SUPPORT from Zion.
3 May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings. Selah
4 May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests.
6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he answers him from his holy heaven
with the saving power of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we TRUST in the name of the LORD our God.
8 They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and STAND firm.
9 O LORD, save the king!
Answer [a] us when we call!
Psalm 20 New Living Translation
For the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry.
May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.
2 May he send you help from his sanctuary
and STRENGTHEN you from Jerusalem.[a]
3 May he remember all your gifts
and look favorably on your burnt offerings.
Interlude
4 May he grant your heart’s desires
and make all your plans succeed.
5 May we shout for joy when we hear of your VICTORY
and raise a VICTORY banner in the name of our God.
May the Lord answer all your prayers.
6 Now I know that the Lord RESCUES his anointed king.
He will answer him from his holy heaven
and rescue him by his great POWER.
7 Some nations boast of their chariots and horses,
but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.
8 Those nations will fall down and collapse,
but we will rise up and stand firm.
9 Give VICTORY to our king, O Lord!
Answer our cry for help.
This translation is better than the one I just sent for having the words power, strength and victory
Isaiah 43: 18 – 19
Forget the former things do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Psalm 16:8
I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand I will not be moved.
Dear Beth, you were so right! It was not the death of me, but the very freedom of Christ in me. When Christ sets us free we are free indeed! Thank you Beth for being faithful to the Lord! Lyn from NH