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.
Kay, Richmond Hill, GA. “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Galatians 1:10 (New International Version)
10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Kara – Ephrata, PA
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Col 3:1 NASB
Pam, Wilmington, Psalm 32:8 NLT
The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.
” Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” Ps. 19:14 NKJ
Melody, Ocean Springs, 1 Peter 3:15 (KJV)
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Kara, Houston, TX
“He must become greater; I must become less.”
John 3:30, NIV
Deborah, Katy, TX
“He must become greater; I must become less.”
John 3:30, NIV
Amanda, Katy, TX
“He must become greater; I must become less.”
John 3:30, NIV
Linda, Newark, Psalm 127:1 (NASB)
Unless the Lord builds the house they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.
“Be anxiious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and suppplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7 NIV
Linda & Girls, Pauls Valley, OK: Matthew 19:26 …“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” -NKJV
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Deut 28:12 NLT
The Lord will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do.
Heather G
Charlotte NC
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Ps. 19:14 NLT)
Jamie, Holly Springs, NC
In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:12 NIV
Eva – Colfax NC “Always be joyful. Always keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18 TLB
Leigh, Olathe, KS
So keep up your courage, (wo)men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me. – Acts 27:25, NIV
Jennifer, Powell, OH…”Do everything without complaing or arguing.” Phillipians 2:14 NIV
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Mary, West Memphis, AR
Lauren, Arlington, TX
1Peter 1:3-5 ESV
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
“For I know the plans i havr for you,” declares the Lord,” plans to
prosper you and not to harm, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Sue. Chesterfield VA
Keep me safe O God for in you I take refuge.
Psalm 16-1
Julie, Winterville, NC
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21
The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.
Psalm 34:18
The NET Bible
Jessie,Seabrook
Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. 1 John 2:28 NASB
Jenn, Katy, TX
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 5:29 NIV
Dedra Herod, Madison, AL
“Oh, thank God—he’s so good! His love never runs out.” Psalm 107:1 MSG
Amber-Vienna, WV
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” John 15:16 (NIV)
Terri, Marion, IN
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
Jennifer, Houston, 1 Thess. 4:7 (NIV)
For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
Suzy – Atlanta, GA
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.
Prov. 3:5-6 ESV
I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.
Psalm 44:6-8 NIV
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 NAS
Faith
Eau Claire, WI
Psalm 27:13 NIV
I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Charlene, Houston
1 Peter 5:10 NAS
…the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
Jayma, Ft. Wayne, IN
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Ps. 16:8 NIV
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have comes so that our faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV)
Pat
Crawfordsville, IN
Tanya, West Paducah, Ky. Your words were formed and I ate them. And your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by your name. Jeremiah 15:16 ESV
Sara, Greenville, SC: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Angie Hampton, TN “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 91:14-15 (NIV)
Submit yourselves, then, to God. James 4:7 NIV
Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds, we are healed.” So thankful for this!!! Praise the Lord!
Ephesians 6:11 – NIV
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
“Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Ephesians 6:7 NLT
Anna, San Diego
Sue Sue
Bainbridge, Georgia
1 Corinthians 8:9 NIV
Be careful however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
Dianne, Florida
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 (NET)
(Thanks for this one, Beth. Really needing it to minister to me.)
“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
Colossians 3:15 (NLV)
Colleen, Richmond, VA
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 NASB