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.
Becky, Charlotte, NC
“‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
Isaiah 54:10, NIV
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Cor 6: 19-20
Tracy L.
Richlands,NC
p.s. Struggling with weight issues….again…hence the verse. ugh
Shelly Wilson, Fort Worth, TX
Psalm 62:7 (NIV) – My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Kathy W. Mansfield, TX
“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” Col. 3:2 (NLT)
Judy, Ridgecrest CA
I know that you can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted.
Job 42:2 NIV
Shelley, San Angelo
Psalm 15:1-2 NIV
1. Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
2. He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righeous who speaks the truth from his heart.
Lichelle, Austin, Texas
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34:8
Becky Dayton Ohio
His Divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
2 Peter 1:3 NIV
Lisa, Lynnwood WA
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5 (NIV)
But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory , and the lifter up of mine head. Psalm 3:3 KJV
Cheryl in Fairhope – “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)
Meggie, Winnipeg, Canada
“Then I pray to you, O LORD. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life.” Psalm 142:5 NLT
Sarah, Port St. Joe, FL
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8 NIV
Sarah, Marion, KS: Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24, NIV
MaryKaren, Charlotte, “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.” Psalm 73:24 NIV
Luanne, from Magnolia: “The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes,to all who call on Him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cries for help and rescues them.” -Psalm 145:18-19(NLT)
Teri, Corpus Christi, TX
Matthew 5:6 (both MSG & NIV)
“You’re blessed when you’ve
worked up a good appetite for God.
He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.” (MSG)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.(NIV)
Tina, Roxboro, NC
I pray that your heart will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future He has promised to those He Called. Ephesians 1:18
Missy from Arkadelphia:
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I do hope.
Psalm 130:5 NKJV
Psalm 18:1 (NIV)
“I love you, O Lord, my strength.”
“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Phil. 4:12-13 NIV
Kim, Louisville, KY
I’m using your scripture, Beth. I sure do need it right now.
The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged. Ps. 34:18 The NET Bible
Beth, Troy
“The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.”
Habbakuk 3:19(NIV)
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he delights in HIS way!” Psalm 37:23 KJ
Karlys, La Place, LA
When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.
1 Corinthians 13:11 NASB
Kim in Cypress, Texas
The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.
Psalm 34:18 (The NET Bible)
Dianne, Henryetta, OK
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Amy
Tyler, TX
Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.
Isaiah 55:2 NIV
Victoria, Conway AR
“People may plan all kinds of things, but the Lord’s will is going to be done.”
Proverbs 19:21 Good News Translation
Susan, Dalton, GA:
“Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”
Colossians 3:1 NET
Leah, Houston:
For your Maker is your husband—
the LORD Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth.
Isaiah 54:5,NIV
Laura, Tracy, CA – “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again ~ my Savior and my God!” Psalms 42:11 NLT
For we are not presenting our petitions before You based on our righteous acts, but based on Your abundant compassion. Daniel 9:18 HCSB
Roni Long
Demopolis, AL
Kristen, Fort Worth, “I have tried hard to find you – don’t let me wander from your commands.” Psalm 119:10
Kelly
Marina, CA
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Romona, East Alton, IL
James 5:16 (NIV)
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Kristina W. -Frisco. TX.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Jeannette from Eillcott City, MD
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted, He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 NET
Heather
Liberty, TX
Lamentations 3:22-23 HCSB
Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish,for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as memebers of one body you were called to peach. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 NIV
Gayle, Dodgeville, WI – “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
Amarillo Tx
If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their
wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chron 7:14 (NIV)
II Peter 1:8
8For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Judy, Tehachapi, CA “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. John 5:24 NKJV
“Serving God does make us very rich, if we are satisfied with what we have.” 1 Timothy 6:6 New century version
nancy-LPM
houston
Becky – Cynthiana KY – Romans 12: 11-12 NLT
Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Donna, Raleigh, NC
1 Corinthians 13:7-8a (NIV)
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Kari McClain, Three Rivers, MI
When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too-the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ. Col. 3:4 MSG
Charissa – West Chester, OH
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (NIV)
Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Emily
Potomac, MD
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 (The NET Bible)