***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:
Joni 
On the first or second week there was a blog with a poem called Jack Lalane. Now I can't find it. Can you help me, it really made me laugh. It brought joy to me.
These scriptures are lifting me up to lean on Him, Who is all powerful, Thankyou Siestas,Kaitchie
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
"The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God and I will praise Him… This day is holy to our Lord. [I will] not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is my strength… The Lord [has] said, 'Arise, anoint [her]; for this is [s]he!'… He brought me forth also into a spacious place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me… I am my Beloved's and His desire is for me… He gives strength to the weary, and to her who lacks might, He increases power. As I wait for the Lord I will gain new strength; I will mount up with wings like eagles, I will run and not get tired, I will walk and not become weary… [Christ said], 'I came that she may have life and have it abundantly!"… It was for freedom that Christ set me free; therefore I will keep standing firm and not be subject again to a yoke of slavery… God has not given me a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline… [Jesus said], 'She who overcomes, I will grant to her to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.'… [So may] the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!'"
Exodus 15:2, Nehemiah 8:10, 1 Samuel 16:12, Psalm 18:19, Song of Solomon 7:10, Isaiah 40:29, 31, John 10:10, Galatians 5:1, 2 Timothy 1:7, Revelation 3:21, Revelation 22:17 (NASB. Verses are in that order. I changed some pronouns, but not the Word)
"Nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37 NIV
"But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain" 1 Cor 15:27-28
Psalm 18:32 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. (NIV)
Psalm 17:7 Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies. (NLT)
1 John 5:4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. (NLT)
Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
SO EXCITED TO SHARE THIS BUT MY SON DECIDED TO PUT HIS TRUST IN CHRIST TODAY!!!! WHOOOOHOOOOOOO
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7 (amplified)
Sara Powell
[email protected]
"The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still." Exodus 14:14
This verse is helping me get through cancer treatment & tests. It can help us get through lots more.
For Anonymous looking in the mirror and telling yourself how ugly you are..
You have to start replacing the lies of the enemy with GOD's Truth.
Christ spoke these words…
John 8:44 ESV
"He (satan) was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
The lie satan is feeding you is that you are ugly.
Not so! Not so!
Replace that lie with God's Truth!
Psalm 139:14 ESV
"I praise you, for I am ***fearfully and wonderfully*** made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."
1 Peter 3:4 ESV
"…but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the ***imperishable beauty*** of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious."
Malachi 3:17 Amplified Bible
17And they shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, in that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be My **jewels** (My special possession, My peculiar treasure). And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him."
Song of Solomon 2:10 KJV
"My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away."
Beauty…please know that God created you in His image. You are so beautiful to Him. The enemy has no compassion for you and will lie to you just to make Jesus hurt. Do NOT believe HIS lies!
I am so thankful you are asking for help here. I'm praying that the beauty of Christ will glow from you…inside and out!
You are so beautiful to Him. He loved you from the beginning. Start writing out the lies you believe and search out verses that are TRUTH from Gods' Word.
And finally, this verse that defeats lies the enemy is feeding you…
2 Corinthians 10:5 (New International Version)
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.
Speak that every time you tell yourself that you are ugly. Demolish that lie! Take it captive and ask God to replace it with His Truth.
Dt 33:27 (NIV)
The eternal God is your refuge,and underneath are the everlasting arms.
He will drive out your enemy before you.
"God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble."
Psalm 46:1 NIV
I Samuel 2:2 There is no one holy like the Lord, Indeed, there is no one besides You. NOR IS THERE ANY ROCK LIKE OUR GOD!"
I Samuel 2:2 There is no one holy like the Lord, Indeed, there is no one besides You. NOR IS THERE ANY ROCK LIKE OUR GOD!"
Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
The Lord is THE STRONGHOLD of our life not insecurity!!!
Stacie
Livonia, M
Blessed is _______ who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!
Luke 1:45
"The Lord is my strength; my personal bravery and my invincible army.He makes my feet like hind's feet, and makes me to walk[not to stand still in terror] but to walk and make spirtitual progress on my high places of trouble,suffering and responsibility." Habakkuk 3:19 AMP.
Amen!
Revelation 12:11 NKJV And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Isaiah 49:16 NKJV See I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before me.
Jeremiah 31:3-4a NKJV The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, …
Romans 8:31 NKJV What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you.
Heather
50's
Married
Shokan NY
And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people."
Acts 18:9-10 ESV
Joyce…
Whatever things are true,whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy_meditate on these things. Phillipians 4:8
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13
Joyce…
Whatever things are true,whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy_meditate on these things. Phillipians 4:8
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13
"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ,after you have suffered a litte while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."
1 Peter 5:10-11
NIV
Strength:
"Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." 1 Chronicles 16:11
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.Psalm 46:1
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26
Power:
"I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory." Psalm 63:2
Victory:
"but you give us victory over our enemies,you put our adversaries to shame." Psalm 44:7
Power, Strength and Victory:
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 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." Romans 8:37-39
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles. And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said."
2 Chronicles 32:7-8, NIV
There's a Phillips, Craig, and Dean song based on Galatians 2:19 and 20 that I love so much because it helps me remember that I don't have the strength, but Christ who lives within me gives me the strength I need to live. – "I am crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live is lived by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me."
Here are the words of the song…
When I look back at what I thought was living, I'm amazed at the price I chose to pay. And to think I ignored what really mattered 'cause I thought the sacrifice would be too great. But when I finally reached the point of giving in I found the cross was calling even then. And even though it took dying to survive I've never felt so much alive.
As I hear the Savior call for daily dying I will bow beneath the weight of Calvary, let my hands surrender to His piercing purpose that holds me to the cross yet sets me free. I will glory in the power of the cross. The things I thought were gain I count as loss, and with His suffering I identify, and by His resurrection power I am alive.
And I will offer all I have so that His cross is not in vain. For I've found to live is Christ and to die is truly gain.
For I am crucified with Christ and yet I live. Not I but Christ who lives within me. His cross will never ask for more than I can give. For it's not my strength but His. There's no greater sacrifice. For I am crucified with Christ, and yet I live.
To Rebecca- Praying for you this evening. I don't have fancy words for you but want to encourage you to not give up. There is healing from all the pain. There is healing!
1 Samuel 2:1 ESV
[ Hannah’s Prayer ] And Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in the LORD.My mouth derides my enemies,because I rejoice in your salvation.
Exodus 15:2 ESV
The LORD is my strength and my song,and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Job 26:2 ESV
"How you have helped him who has no power!How you have saved the arm that has no strength!
Job 36:5 ESV
"Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any;he is mighty in strength of understanding.
Psalm 10:17 ESV
O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted;you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
"…the Lord is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Psalm 76:23. NIV
From a SMT Siesta – strngthnhm, Ont.,Canada
Thank you everyone who posted. I just left the hospital and told my grandpa, a man like David after the Lord's heart and the Abraham-esque patriarch of our family, to tell Jesus hello for me. He lived well and it was the right time yet my heart is so grieved. I got on here looking for something…Reading these Scriptures brought comfort and renewed peace. Thank you friends and more so, thank you Jesus for the blessed hope we have in You!
I'll leave you with the words of strength that were some of my Papaw's favorites and the ones we read together this morning as he said farewell to this world:
Psalm 138 (NIV)
I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
before the "gods" I will sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted. May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD, when they hear the words of your mouth.
May they sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.
Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind.
Isaiah 40:31 (The Message)
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
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.
Deuteronomy 20:4 (NIV)
4 "For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
Psalm 44:6-8 (NIV)
6 I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory;
7 but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame.
8 In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.
Deut. 33:25,29 (NIV)
25 "The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days.
29 Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD ? He is your shield and helper
and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places."
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is His unfailing love.
We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
Psalms 33:18&20
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
Ephesians 6:11
NIV
She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Psalm 62:1-2
My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress. I will never be shaken!
Song of Songs 8:5 – NIV
"Who is this coming up from the desert leaning on her lover?"
(Asked by the Daughters of Jerusalem about the Beloved – a representation of the believer – who is pictured leaning on her Lover – Jesus. Maybe a strange verse to choose; but we are most victorious and powerful when it is settled in our heads and hearts who our true Love is and while we are learning to lean on Him. The strongest are the ones who lean on Him Who is stronger still).
I will "mess" with those who "mess" with you!!
Isaiah 49:25 (my version!)
Brittney Thomas
Lexington KY
NIV's
Deut. 20:4, "For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
Job 12:16 a, "To him belong strength and victory;"
Psalm 44:7, "but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame."
Num. 14:17, "Now may the Lord's strength be displayed, just as you have declared"
Favorite: Judges 6:14, "The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" OH yes! AMEN
Abiding Still!
Thanks for the ammunition ladies!
Jeremiah 31:25 (New Century Version)
"I will give rest and STRENGTH to those who are weak and tired."
Proverbs 31:25 NIV
She is clothed with strength and dignity, she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25 NIV
The Message says 'she always faces tomorrow with a smile'.
"For you will not leave in a hurry, and you will not have to take flight; because the LORD is going before you, and the God of Israel is your rear guard." -Isaiah 52:12 (HE IS OUR PROTECTION! In HIM will we be victorious!)
Isaiah 53:17 NO weapon formed against you will succeed, and you will refute any accusation raised against you in court." – see "Desert Song" by hillsong!!
(all of these from the HCSB)
Remembering WE are now the "city" where the Spirit of God dwells…
"God is in her citadels; He has shown Himself to be her fortress." "As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD Almighty, in the city of our God: GOD MAKES HER SECURE FOREVER." "consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, THAT YOU MAY TELL OF THEM TO THE NEXT GENERATION. For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end."
Psalm 48:3, 8, 13-14 (NIV)
Hallelujah!!! : )
There are two verses that mean much to me that God brings to mind.
Colossians 1:29 (NIV) – "To this end I labor, struggling with all His Energy, which so powerfully works in me…"
and
Isaiah 30:15 (NIV) – "This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your Strength…"
New International
(NIV)
2 Samuel 7: 27-29 NIV
"O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, 'I will build a house for you.' So your servant has found courage to offer you this prayer. O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever."
My memory verse for this month….
Col. 1:9-11 NIV
For this reason, since the day we hard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 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 in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father.
Janet L
Beth, you don't have to post this, but please ask for comments later on what these posts have done for others. I posted earlier, but my heart was broken this evening and came back to the blog and was reminded THIS is the TRUTH! I must be couragous and strong in the Lord and not believe the lies of the enemy. Thanks for asking for scripture only, it has helped me!
With God we will gain the
victory,
and he will trample down our enemies.
Psalm 60:12
"Your shoes shall be of iron and brass,And as your days so shall your strength be".
Deuteronomy 33:25 KJV
Nitsa
Camas, WA
I've already posted my memory verse for this month from Col. but as I was reading all these verses one of my all time favorites crossed my mind:
Is 40:26 NIV
Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who creadted all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength not one of them is missing.
I love this verse so much because it puts everything in perspective for me. My God made each star and gave them a name because of His mighty strength and power they don't go spinning off into the universe. He holds it all together perfectly. The implications of this verse are endless and this verse has helped me so many times put my complete trust im my so very powerful God.
Janet L
The Lord Himself goes before you and He will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do no be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deut. 31:8 (NIV)
Kathy Knoblock