***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:
jill 
"I love you, O LORD, my STRENGTH. The LORD is my ROCK, my FORTRESS and my DELIVERER; my God is my ROCK, in whom I take refuge. He is my SHIELD and the HORN OF MY SALVATION, my STRONGHOLD."
Psalm 18:1-2
THANK YOU FOR THIS! What a way to start a Monday morning!!!
Psalm 108.13 ESV
With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.
Psalm 18:39 NLT
You have armed me with strength for the battle; you have subdued my enemies under my feet.
I have spent this weekend bathing in the Words of God. Thank you Beth and all you darling siestas. I had thought that this freedom would be the death of me, but I am finding freedom in Him! Praise Him! Stand Firm Siestas! We are in this journey to eternal life together.
You give me your shield of victory; you stoop down to make me great. 2 Samuel 22:36
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8
Your right hand upholds me, and your gentleness makes me great. Psalm 18:35
Now I know that the Lord aves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Psalm 20:6
obviously, I am not a computer whiz either…I put my verse on here twice. I just got a new computer_have to get use to it.
I may these verses twice.
Thank you, Beth. This is so up-lifting.
The Lord God is my strength,my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk and make progress upon my high places.
Habukkuk 3:19 AMPL
For the Lord shall be your confidence, firm and strong, and shall keep your foot from being caught [in a trap or some hidden danger]
Proverbs 3:26 Ampl
Jen in Exton
The Lord God is my strength,my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk and make progress upon my high places.
Habukkuk 3:19 AMPL
For the Lord shall be your confidence, firm and strong, and shall keep your foot from being caught [in a trap or some hidden danger]
Proverbs 3:26 Ampl
Jen in Exton
These are so amazing- I LOVE this post and idea – perhaps this could be one of the permanent links somewhere so it doesn't get buried – Powerful stuff!
To copy into Word from the blog: just highlight a piece with your mouse and click CNTL+C to copy, then go over to Word and hit CNTL+V to paste. I've done this with blog entries and Beth's posts to save special posts to my own archives
Bridget in Phoenix, AZ
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Isaiah 46:4 NIV
Jude 1:24-25 (New International Version)
Doxology
24To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.(36) You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV)
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him.
Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)
1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
You who lead Joseph like a flock;
You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!
2 Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,
Stir up Your strength,
And come and save us!
3 Restore us, O God;
Cause Your face to shine,
And we shall be saved!
Psalm 80:1-3 NEW KING JAMES VERSION
Beth THIS is what I have missed about the SSMT. The posts chock full of word from GOD. The blessing of it just rolls over me.
drill team! you were on drill team. kindred spirits you and me. kindred spirits. can't wait for heaven when we will have time for endless chats.
Anyway on to the Scripture. For me the weakest part of me is my heart. I have such a damaged heart, spiritually speaking. so the greatest joy and strength for me is hearing this from God –
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand fim and then and do let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Gal 5:1 NIV
The Lord had me awake quite a lot last night…I just couldn't sleep because my mind was filled with this feeling that I just need more of Him. I woke up, skipped the newspaper and email (but not my coffee!) and went straight to the Word. I just really needed to reconnect with Him and allow Him to work on my heart. After precious time with Him I came to my computer desk and my first thought was, "I wonder what kind of word Ms. Beth has for me today." And WOW am I being blessed by these hundreds of awesome Scripture verses. I am reading through each one of them. I don't have one to add right now but just wanted to say thanks to all who posted, and I would love some prayer that my thirst for God would increase more and more, and that I would not just be a hearer of the Word but a doer of it as well. I want so much to grow ever closer to my Savior through spending more and more time with Him.
17 Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand,
Upon the son of man whom You made strong for Yourself.
18 Then we will not turn back from You;
Revive us, and we will call upon Your name.
Psalm 80:17,18
Hebrews 4:12 NLT
"For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires."
Paula, Iowa
ok i can't stand it any longer…i'm about to go get my own copy of SLI and read my little heart out til i catch up with y'all; i just can't stand feeling left out of the loop! ha! I must admit I've been so busy coordinating the simulcast for our church that I figured I'd read the book after the event…not gonna happen! I read all of this and want in on it now!!! Thanks so much for making this venue available…i'll catch up by next week, i hope! 🙂
My girls were watching Akeela and the Bee yesterday. I was intrigued by this quote. I know it is not a scripture, but I think this so applies.
[quoting Marianne Williamson] Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
Is: 33:2 NIV
O Lord be gracious to us, we long for You! Be our strength every morning, our salvation in times of distress.
Joshua 1:9 The Message
Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.
Praise His Holy Name!!
This is for Anonymous March 7, 8:40am
The King is enthralled with your beauty; honor him for He is your Lord.
Psalm 45:11
Sister in Christ, you were made in God's image how in the world could you be anything but radiantly beautiful? Look in that mirror and see God's radiant beauty beaming from your face. You are loved.
David said the to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."
1 Samuel 17:45 NIV
Blessings to Dori who posted @ 3ish on Sat. It bears repeating:
Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time–pray that God will make you fit for what He's called you to be, pray that He'll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with His own energy so that it all amounts to something.
2 Thessalonians 1:11 Message
Whew! Already copied to my spirals.
Kathy B
H'ville, TN
STRENGTH Ps. 147:5 The Message:
"Our Lord is great, with limitless strength; we'll never comprehend what he knows and does."
POWER 2 Cor. 12:9-10 NIV:
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more glady about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
VICTORY 1 Cor. 15:57:
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Jeremiah 32: 17
Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped.
Ephesians 6:10-11
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
1 Chronicles 29:11-12
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and the earth is yours. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR ANONYMOUS LOOKING IN THE MIRROR:
1 Peter 3:3
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."
And isn't the beauty of inner self the result of shedding those insecurities we all harbor?
All of God's children, His creation, are beautiful in His eyes – and His eyes are the only ones that matter. Praying you see your inner beauty today thru strength in Him. Blessings to you!
My scripture for the last year has been Isaiah 41:10 NASB I quote it quite often when fearful.
"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
from Illinois
Psalm 34:4
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
2 Chron 16:9
I have LOVED this post! It has REFRESHED my soul!
I added it to my Bookmarks Bar so it is always just one click away! : )
***Click on "Good Saturday Morning, Sweet Things" so it just shows the original post… then add it to your Bookmarks. Anytime you need some Strength, Power and Victory… it is only a click away! : )***
(I am not great on computers so hopefully I explained that right… I also have a Mac… so that is how it worked on mine)
Sorry,(why do I always say this,sorry) but I need to take this space and thank EVERY ONE OF YOU who has prayed for me this weekend. I have just finished 6 pages in my journal about how my life got messed up because the person I was suppose to trust scared me, made me scream, and touched me.I was only 3 when I remember the first time, but it never stopped until i got married. I am writing and wondering if there is a God, I am so angry. I am amazed at how many of you are rejoicing in the Lord.I didn't realize how I had buried the past so deep that when the perp. died my chest opened up and I could feel a dove leave my chest. That sounds crazy, which is what I am feeling right now, but it openned a wound so big that I have been trying to heal for the past 5 years. Beth your book has brought it all back with such a rush it really hurts. I am trying to get over this and I wanted all the sisters to know how grateful I am that they are here for me. Love to all….Rebecca
O Lord, Be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning. Our salvation in time of distress.
Isaiah 33:2 NIV
Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians (problems, circumstances) you see today you will NEVER see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Exodus 14:13-14 NIV
I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:1-2 NIV
We don't want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn't think we were going to make it. We felt like we'd been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he's the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he'll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. You and your prayers are part of the rescue operation—I don't want you in the dark about that either. I can see your faces even now, lifted in praise for God's deliverance of us, a rescue in which your prayers played such a crucial part.
2 Corinthians 1:8-11 the message
2 Chronicles 20:15 (NIV)
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O _(insert name here)_. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow and the LORD will be with you.
My favorite scripture inspiring strength would be an oldie but a goodie:
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 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." Psalm 23 KJV
Knowing that God is always with us even in the toughest circumstances tells us that we can be strong and unafraid.
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.On the contrary,they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
2Corinthians 10:4 NIV
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?
Psalm 27:1 NIV
Ah,Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
Jeremiah 32:17NIV
Has anyone figured out a way to print all of these awesome scriptures!! They are so powerful! Thanks for sharing, if you have figured it out!
Tricia in KY
Psalm 18:35 NIV
You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
"It was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made."
Psalm 139:13-14 Holman CSB
Oh Dear God. I LOVE this little town with you as our Mayor, Siesta Mama.
Sometimes it really feels like the only place I can go as a pastor's wife to be encouraged soul-deep by real-life women who are committed to fight the good fight of Faith; knees bent, faces to the ground and masks off, AMEN!
I know I didn't post a verse but it's Monday so I think I missed the posting deadline, but I sure got a tall drink of Living Water!
I love, love, love that your mentor back in the early days was a football coach and love that you love us enough to talk tough and not let us cry in our cup for too long. I can hear you now, "you getchur tail out there and do the thing in Jesus' name!"
…Do not be afraid of the enemy;[earnestly] remember the Lord and imprint Him [on your minds], great and terrible, and [take from Him courage to] fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes. (and yourselves, of course)
Nehemiah 4:14b Amplified Bible
(Thank you anon for posting this. It's perfect.)
Dear Rebecca, Annoymous, March 6 5:47 PM
I just got on here today and I was reading these posts and I came across yours. I just wanted you to know that I am praying for you dear sister. I can get overwhelmed too with the attacks of our enemy, that I struggle to overcome. You are not alone and I am praying right now for your victory… be confident in Christ today….Your STRONG TOWER and DELIVERER!! Speak the Word of God right back to yourself whenever you get an attack… there is so much power at your disposal.
Love you, Debbie
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.
AMPLIFIED BIBLE.
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deut. 31:6 NIV
Ephesians 1:18-19 (MESS)
..your eyes Focused & clear, so that you can see exactly what it is He is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life He has for His followers, oh, the utter extravagance of His work in us who trust Him-endless energy, boundless STRENGTH."
I pray for His work in me to allow the healthy, utterly whole, completely secure part increasingly overtake this earthen vessel, til it drives my every emotion, reaction, & relationship.
Monica C.
NY.
This is in response to Kaitchie (Sun. Mar. 7 at 5:42PM):
The "Jack LaLane" poem you were looking for was posted in week 2 by Bertie of Houston on Wed.,Feb. 24, 7:41 AM
Siesta Mama & fellow Siesta's,
I didn't get a chance to participate in this post this last weekend as my computer wasn't working but I just want to say thank you – tommorow I go in for 3 ultrasounds and a biopsy I am trying to not focus on the fear but on our Glorious God. All the scriptures you shared are the sweetest living water and I am just drinking it in..Thank you Siesta Mama and Sweet Siestas!
Siesta Mary From MN.
1John 4:4
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.
Joel 2:25a