Hey Siestas!
Can you fathom that we are on our 10th memory verse??? Good grief! 2011 is almost halfway over! Amanda and Curtis just got Jackson’s preschool graduation pictures and we all nearly flipped. It is the cutest thing ever, especially with that missing front tooth. His ceremony is in a few days but the little blue cap and gown just about put all of us over the edge. We will have a kindergartener next year and a mighty fine one at that. It just sails by. And how well many of you know.
I am getting lots of questions about whether or not we’re having Siesta Summer Bible Study. I want to say yes so badly. I have tried to turn this puzzle piece every conceivable direction to see how it would fit on the table. Between SSMT every 1st and 15th, the summer Living Proof Lives, the final Deeper Still, and, probably the biggest factor of all, the complete James manuscript due date at the end of summer, I just can’t make it work and still be a wife, mom, and active Bibby. I also don’t have my faithful blog master, Amanda, here to assist me with all that summer Bible study entails right now. I am, however, presently thinking of some ways that we can hold one another accountable to stay in the Scriptures this summer and also give you the opportunity to connect with other Siestas who want to do some of the same studies. Stay tuned for that. For now, I’ll joyfully recommend to you two that I’ve done this Spring:
Duty or Delight by Tammie Head (Many of you will remember getting to know this brand new author in April through our blog video. She is dear to me and will no doubt become dear to many of you.)
Brave by Angela Thomas (Angela is a gifted teacher and writer and I try not to let anything she offers sit on the bookstore shelf for long before I bag it and read it. I’m almost finished with this study and have been tremendously blessed by it.)
Both of those women love Jesus and communicate His Word beautifully. And you know how I feel about Priscilla Shirer and everything God uses her to bring to the table. You’ll never miss on her. Man, I wish we could do one of their studies the traditional way in Siestaville this summer but sometimes we realize that even another good thing is perhaps the wrong thing for now. If the Lord is willing, we’ll definitely do a study our usual way next summer on the off year from SSMT.
OK, young ladies, how about that 10th verse?? NO DROP OUTS!!! This verse is trying to leap off the page at me this time around and not so much for my own plight right now but for some people I really love:
Beth, Houston, Texas. “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Praise You, Lord. You are so faithful. Close in on those who are brokenhearted and hold them in Your healing grasp. Deliver the discouraged in such dramatic ways that You alone get the credit. We exist here in this blog community to give You glory, Lord. Come and get it. Our eyes are to the skies.
Kristi, Scottsdale, AZ
“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
Jeremiah 29:12 NIV
Rachel, Danville, PA.
The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.
Psalms 34:18 NLT
Michele- Lubbock
He who guards his mouth and his
tongue, Guards his soul from
troubles.
Proverbs 21:23. NASB
Julie from Abilene, KS
Romans 12:1 NIV
therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.
“But prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” James 1:22 NASB
Kristie
Sandia, Tx
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
Kelly, Temple, TX
“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.”
Proverbs 10:19 NIV
Jan, Denton, TX
“Whenever our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything.
1 John 3:20
Traci – Corona, CA
Psalm 143:11 – (ESV) For your names sake , O LORD , preserve my life! In your righteousness brin my soul out of trouble.
(Siestas, please pray as I begin chemo 5/18 due to recurrence of breast cancer. So scared. Believing Him!)
Camille – Keller, TX:
Colossians 3:12 (NIRV)
“You are God’s chosen people. You are holy and dearly loved. So put on tender mercy and kindness as if they were your clothes. Don’t be proud. Be gentle and patient.”
Georganne, Piedmont, Oklahoma
II Corinthians 9:8 NIV
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
‘But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.’ NKJV Luke 12:7
Heather, Austin, Psa 143:10 “Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” NASB
Amy Storms
Santa Clarita, CA
The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. (Isaiah 50:4, NIV)
Deborah, Waco TX
“For the word of the LORD is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.
The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love.”
Psalm 33:4,5 NIV
Debbie. Calgary, AB.
Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Psalm 27:14 ESV
We have a God who is faithful…what a sure thing it is to wait for the LORD!!!!
I don’t know if I missed last time or forgot to write it in my book 🙁 so I will post 2 verses to catch up, just in case 😉
They will go to war with the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them, proof that He is Lord over all lords, King over all kings, and those with Him will be the called, chosen and faithful.
Revelation 17:14 NIV
Teach me your ways O Lord, htat I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor You.
Psalm 88:11 NIV
Elise–Newark
Cindy, Tucson, AZ
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 NIV
Nicole Q from Nebraska “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delievers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 NET Bible
Cheryl ~ Concord, NC
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2 ESV
Patti, Ft. Walton Beach, FL, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Summer, Royse City, TX
Ezra 9:8 “But now, for a brief moment, the lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage.” (NIV)
Tracey, Knightdale, NC:
“I also withheld rain from you
when the harvest was still three months away.
I sent rain on one town,
but withheld it from another.
One field had rain;
another had none and dried up.
Amos 4:7 (NIV)
natalie – millington
“don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.” phil.4:6 (NLT)
Love is patient, love is kind, love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 [Holman]
Mankato, MN
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
Maria from North Dakota
Luke 24:45
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (NIV)
Susan, Longmont, CO
For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you. Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Karen Tucson, Arizona
“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for
for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and
knocks they can immediately open the door for him.”
Luke 12:35-36 NIV
So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 1 Samuel 3:19 NKJV
Rebekah – Fulton, Ms
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you. Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world. Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. The dominion belongs to Him forever. Amen.”
– 1 Peter 5:6-11, HCSB
These verses either in part or in whole have “come up” over 6 times in the past 48 hours, ALL from different people. Figured I should give them a shot. Even though, yowsa, this is the longest passage I’ve memorized!
Can’t BEGIN to tell you how this scripture memorization has changed my life!
Rachel ~ Nashville, TN
“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)
One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4
Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Sherie
Spring, TX
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm90:14 NIV
Brittany, Las Vegas, Nevada:
I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.
Psalm 40:1 (NIV)
Beth, Morristown
“If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matthew 17:20b KJV
Abbie, Omaha, NE
Colossians 1:24 – 27 (NASB)
“And I rejoice in my suffering for your sake and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ afflictions. Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed to me for your benefit, that I may fully carry out the preaching of the the word of God. That is the mystery which has been hidden from past ages and generations but has now been manifested to His saints”
Susan, Portland, OR
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Oh how I needed that one!
Marcie, Frisco, Texas
Because God will be right there with you; He’ll keep you safe and sound.
Proverbs 3:26
Erin, Denver
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
Matthew 6:19 NIV
Lorraine, Modesto, CA
But I have hope when I think of this: The Lord’s love never ends; his mercies never stop. They are new every morning; Lord, your loyalty is great. I say to myself, “The Lord is mine, so I hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who hope in him, to those who seek him. It is good to wait quietly for the Lord to save.
Lamentations 3:21 – 26 (NCV)
If you love me, you will obey what I command.(NIV)
Michelle, Houston:
1 Peter 5:6-11 NIV
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of suffering. And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Romans 7:24-25 NLT- I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.
Heather P.
Vancouver, WA
Hilary, West Palm Beach, FL –
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
-Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
The Lord is near the brokenhearted;He delivers those who are discouraged. NET Bible Psalm 34:18
Janet,Longmont,CO
“For Thou art my lamp, O LORD;
And the LORD illumines my darkness.”
II Samuel 22:29 NAS
Rachel – Modesto, CA
You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
Romans 14:10 NIV
Kim, Anchorage, Alaska. “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 NASB. Oh Lord you know I need to meditate on this one! Thank you!