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.
Kristen, Houston TX
“Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.” Hebrews 4:16 HCSB
Cheryl, Peoria, AZ 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”
Sharon O., Pasadena, Texas
Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalms 103:1-5
New King James version
Missy, Tulare, CA
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Tomi, Des Moines, Iowa
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 NIV
Brandy, Kingwood, TX
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Katie
Duluth MN
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 2 Cor 9:8 NIV
Bridget in Phoenix, AZ
Working on Psalm 25 ESV
1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust; Let me not be put to shame;
Let not my enemies exult over me.
carol, santa maria, 2 Corinthians 9:6, “Remember this: whosoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” NIV
Sarah Noah, Canoga Park, CA: “Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.” – Psalm 119:36 & 37 (NKJV)
Yvonne, Riverside/Fairfield, CA
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; ~Colossians 3:12 (NASB)~
Megan from Grants Pass
Therefore, behold, I will allure her, Bring her into the wilderness, And speak kindly to her.
Hosea 2:14 (NASB)
Oh Beth….I know we are not supposed to comment here, but your verse was a gift from God to me! Thank you for putting it out there and your prayer for I am so discouraged! Today God is trying to build me back up and your words were part of the help.
Okay, my verse God gave me this evening:
Jody, Mission Viejo, CA
For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, “Fear not, I will help you.”
Isaiah 41:13 NKJV
But the only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves! Your lives are a letter written in our hearts, and everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you.
-2 Corinthians 3:2
(NLT)
Kim, Laguna Niguel, CA “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 ESV
Lynn, Springfield, MO – Psalms 106:1 (msg) “Hallelujah! Thank God! And why? Because he’s good, because his love lasts.”
“The LORD is near the broken-hearted;
He delivers those who are discouraged.”
Psalm 34:18 NET
Lorraine M. Surrey, BC “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Eph. 4: 32 NIV
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your cares on him because he
cares for you.”
1 Pet 5:6-7 NIV
Shelly, Downey, CA
“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.”
2 Samuel 22:17-20 NIV
Karen, Santa Ana CA
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
“…He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” Isaiah 2:3 (NIV)
Erin – Springfield, MO
Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. Romans 13:14
Jennifer, San Antonio: “Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Because you are my help,I sing in the shadow of your wings.
My soul clings to you; your right hand up holds me. Psalm 63:7-8 NIV
Acts 20:28 “Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
1 Chronicles 28:20
David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.”
Jessica, Carlsbad, CA ” So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.” 1 Thessalonians 1:11 (NLT)
Kristi, OKC, OK
“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:2 MSG
Priscilla, Mesa, Arizona
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Galatians 5:16 NIV
Brenda, Raleigh, NC
OOPS, here are verses 9 AND 10…
WK 9 – Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
Psalm 1:1 (NKJV)
WK 10 ~ But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:2 (NKJV)
Ali, Pelzer, SC “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18
emi, white house: “How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” Psalm 84:1-2 NIV
Mar Jo, The Woodlands, TX
The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.
Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Lea Ann, Norman, OK
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV
Melanie Holmes – Decatur, AL
Since I’m making VBS preparations, I must choose a verse & version to help me get ready for our BIG APPLE ADVENTURE! This is the Theme Verse and is also included in the lyrics of the theme song –
Romans 10:17 HCSB
“So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.”
Sammie, Sedona “He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully” Proverbs 10:5 NASB
Sherri, Modesto CA, Proverbs 3:26 (NIV)
“For the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.”
Kathy, Dayton, Nevada
“Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” ~Romans 12:13 (NIV)
Kathryn, Tempe AZ: Proverbs 12: 18& 25 NIV
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
Jeanne Honolulu,HI
WOW! Can’t believe we are already at verse #10.
Psalm 116:7 NIV
Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.
Celeste, Land O Lakes FL I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself up for me.
Galations 2:20 NASB
Paula, Houston, TX
Because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us from the begining, and all things happen just as he decided long ago. – Ephesians 1:11, NLT
Billie, Phoenix
“The moment I called out, You stepped in; You made my life large with strength.”
Psalm 138:3 (The Message)
Siobhan, Austin, AR ” But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7 ESV
Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Eph. 5:15-16 NIV
Paula – Arvada, CO
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phillipians 4: 6-7 (NIV)
Psalms 139:1-2 O Lord, you examine me and know. You know when I sit down and when I get up; even from far away you understand my motives. NET
Amy Toney, Houston TX: “I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. He will send help from heaven to save me, rescuing me from those who are out to get me. My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 57:2-3 NLT)
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:17-18