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.
Psalm 139:7-10 ~ Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens You are there. If I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn; if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast.~
If my people who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then, I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
II Chronicals 7:14 NIV
Sophie – Birmingham, AL – “How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.” Psalm 116: 12-14, NIV
Carla
Corryton,Tn.
NASB jER.2.7
“I brought you into a fertile land to eat it’s fruit.”
Diane, Mississippi “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Psalm 131:5 “O Israel (Judy), put your hope in the Lord – now and always.” NLT
Donna Hill
Clarksville, TN
“As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so continue to live in him. Keep your roots deep in him and have your lives built on him. Be strong in the faith, just as you were taught, and always be thankful.”
Colossians 2:6-7
NCV
Lindsey, Lincoln, NE
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
~Hebrews 11:6 NLT
Twila – Fayetteville, Ga. Psalms 121:2 NIV
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Sheri, Bolivar, MO
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 NIV.
This one sneaked up on me! I forgot to post! I NEED me some WISDOM!
Beth, Cleveland, OH
Genesis 1:1 RSV
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)
“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him”
Christy, Karen, Cheryl “A Chord of 3 Strands” Jay, OK
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him. Phil. 2:13 NLT
Bev N, Mpls, MN
Psalms 119:104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path. (NIV)
Sasha, Washington
“He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness and light dwells with him.” Daniel 2:22 NIV
Betty Barnard, Clarksville, TN
“All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace.”
Isaiah 54:13
NIV
Joy, Pella, IA: “See now that I am He; and there is no god besides Me. It is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded and it is I who heal.” Deut. 32:39 NASB
The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
For he understands how weak we are; he knows we are only dust. Psalms 103:13-14
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Psalm 23:2,3
NIV
Susan
Elizabethtown, PA
Amy H. Oklahoma City, OK
Psalm 121:1-2 ESV
“I lift my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, maker of Heaven and Earth.”
Erin
Fessenden, ND
1 Corinthians 9:24 (NIV)
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way to get the prize.
Janet, West Linn OR
Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
He will never let the righteous fall. Psalm 55:22 NIV
Stealing Yours
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Romans 11:29 (ESV)
Leah – Charlotte, NC
TJ Weeden, Myrtle Beach, SC . “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Penne, Spokane, WA
“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
Robin, Greenwood, MS.
“Relieve the troubles of my heart & free me from my anguish.” Ps 25:17 NIV
Shara, Somerset, CA Ephesians 3:20 NASB
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.
Pam, Dallas, Texas, On occasion you tell us we can use your verse if we need to. My walk lead me to the other 9 verses but this time I drew a blank; that’s because the Lord knew I needed this one. My husband lost his job the Thursday before Easter. Thank you for the verse and the prayer. “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Shaunta, Montgomery, AL
27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.
29For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.
Col. 1:27-29 (NAS)
Kim, Mabank, TX
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” II Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)
Nicole, Oxford MS “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
sorry I’m late.
Today I AM brokenhearted, I AM crushed, and I see NO way out.(as usual) Someone tell me why should I continue in this chase? just one small tiny reason, that’s all I’m asking for. anybody? I will not give my name today. and no I am not referring to memory verses.
PS 34:18
NIV
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
You need to continue on the road with the rest of us sisters. We need one another to help us through each moment. Sometimes I help you and the next time you help me. I can not give compassion and mercy unless someone “needs” it. Then God’s mighty hand reaches down and touches your heart . Thank you dear sister for showing me I am not alone when I feel despair. Point my eyes up to the Father who looks at us in love.
I am so sorry you are feeling so brokenhearted and crushed in spirit. Saying a prayer for you. . . I have been touched by that verse afresh with this post but did not choose it for my memory verse because I know and remember it so well from what seemed like such a long season of it being pretty much the only truth I was clinging to and had it written where I could see it every day for months. Just remembering that the Lord really is close to us and surrounding us as we are brokenhearted can keep us clinging to Him and the truth of His love. You are precious to Him. He sees your need and your heart, and can make a way when it looks like there is none.
Oh, honey, I have a lot of days like that. But I know He has a purpose. Often, I can’t see it. But He has you in the palm of His hand. He sings over you. Keep going because He loves you, and He has a purpose for you that only He can fulfill. He loves you and cherishes you so. I don’t know what’s happening in your life. A previous verse another Siesta posted says that He wounds, and He heals. Let Him heal you and quiet you with His love for you. You have things yet to do that He has planned for you. Sending you hugs.
Heidi, Litchfield Park, AZ: Gal. 6:4, NIV: “Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to someone else, for each one should carry his own load.”
Brandie, Longmont CO:
Your verse, Beth, is perfect for me right now. I asked the Lord to give me the right one…and there it was! Thank you!
“The LORD is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18, The NET Bible
“for He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will,”
Ephesians 1:4-5
(Holman Christian Study Bible)
Lahna, Burkburnett: The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 NKJ
Laura, Mason, OH
Philippians 4:8 NIV
“Finally, brothers, 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.”
Alexander City, AL
The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.
Psalm 34:18 NET
Romans 1:16, NIV, I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Tracy, Edgewood…Have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. ~Psalm 86:3-5 (NIV)
Julie in Absarokee Montana
“I will give you the (A)treasures of darkness
And hidden wealth of secret places,
So that you may know that it is I,
The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.
Isa 45:3 NASB
Amy, Grand Rapids, MI
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:7 NLT
Linda, Dallas, TX
Psalm 25:5 NLT
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
Libby, Goodwine, IL
Anyone who meets a testing challenge head on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God the reward is life and more life.
James 1:12 (Message)
Chris, North Ft. Myers, FL
” The Lord is near the brokenhearted, He delivers those who are discouraged.”
Psalm 34:18 NET
Jaye – Keller, TX
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Philippians 2:13 (NLT)
Lisa, Dalton GA
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Jennifer, Otisville, MI
Do everything without complaining or argueing. Proverbs 2:14 NIV
Joy, Peachtree City, Georgia. “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness.” Psalm 33:18 The NAS Bible