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.
Mooresville, NC
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV
Catherine, Lees Summit, Missouri
Proverbs 19:11, the Message
Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget.
Jen in Exton
Psalm 34:18 NET
The Lord is near the brokenhearted;
He delivers those who are discouraged.
Jill Bozeman MT
” The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.”
Psalm 34:18 Net
Nikki in Richmond, VA
“Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.”
Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Love you, Siestas!
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.
Lynn – Humble, Texas
But without faith it is impossible to please him for he that cometh to God must believe that he is.
Hebrews 11:6 KJV
Dixie in Trophy Club, Texas says:
This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
New American Standard
Laura in SD – Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
Psalm 116:7 (NIV)
D’Anna
Philadelphia, PA.
Psalm 143: 11-12 NRSV
“11 For your names sake, O Lord, preserve my life. In your righteousness bring me out of trouble.
12 In your steadfast love cut off my enemies, and destroy all my adversaries, for I am your servant.”
Praising God for his blessings in all humility at the foot of the cross.
Bella. Rochester, MI
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ROM 12.1 NIV
John 10: 14-15 (New American Standard Version)
“I am the Good Shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.”
Letha. Mountain Home, Arkansas. Romans 11:33 Who can measure the wealth and wisdom and knowledge of God? Who can understand his decisions or explain what he does? CEV
Sorry just getting in. Been sick.
Christian, Port Huron MI
Trust in the Lord, and do good. Then you will live safely in th land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
Psalm 37:3-4
Rebecca, Mississippi: Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7
Jennifer Madison, OH
Psalm 19:14 NIV
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Susan
Norfolk,VA
and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the lord for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:3 niv
Katie G. – Crawford, Texas – “We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.” Psalm 33:20 (NIV)
Martha in MS
Philippians 4:19 (New King James Version)
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Christine Lissoy, Irvine, CA: “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. ” Psalm 25:5 (NIV)
Laney
Jacksonville, FL
Every good and perfect gift is from above..
James 1:17 (a)
Debbie, Hattiesburg, MS:
“Lord, who may abide in your tabernacle? Who may dwell on your holy hill?
He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.”
Psalm 15:1-2 (NKJV)
Lauren, Senoia: Then Moses said to Him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”
Exodus 33:15, NIV
Cindy- Sheridan, WY
The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged. Psalm 34.18 NET Bible
Melany, Garrison, MO …Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Micah 7:7 KJV
Connie Windham
Trout, LA
Psalm 34:18 NIV
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)
Pam….Campbellsburg,Indiana
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,to which also you were called in one body,and be thankful.
Colossians 3;15 NKJV
Patty from Gadsden, AL “Finally brethern, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” KJV Phil 4:8
Oh Beth, if you only knew how this verse helped me today! Thanks so much.I find myself once again new to a place called home due to husbands job relacation, and after a year, can`t find that special friend who I need so despartely to just sit and talk here at home. I need to find my place at our church, but seems when I make a effort, nothing comes back. I know God is in this move without a doubt, but I just need a friend! Have lots in other states, but you knopw what I mean? I was just headed out on the deck to get into God`s word and there was your verse. Thanks for reminding me I am not alone!
Linda, by any chance are you in Northern Kentucky? I find myself with the same need of a friend!
Karen, Richmond, VA
The Lord is near the brokenhearted;
He delivers those who are discouraged.
Psalm 34:18 NET
You’re blessed when you are content with just who you are – no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. Matthew 5:5 – Msg
Rachel, Lexington, KY
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.
Galatians 1:10 NIV
This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? 2 Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.”
Isaiah 66:1-2 NIV
Erin in Alabaster, AL
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.”
Psalm 51:1 ESV
Peggy, Yorktown, VA
James 1:13 — When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; NIV
Kim Eshelman Lewisburg, PA
The LORD is near the brokenhearted;
He delievers those who are discouraged.Psalm 34:18NET
Janan, Houston, TX: He will not always acuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
Psalm 103:9 NIV
Amber – Clarksville, TN
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galations 5:1 NIV
Mari Taylor Raleigh, NC
Those who trust in the Lord Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever Psalm 125:1 (NASB)
Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
Holly Portland,TX
Dawn, Hamilton, NJ
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 NIV
Parker,CO
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Pslam 27:14 NIV
Jennifer, Wilmington DE – Daniel 2:20-23 NIV (same as last time – need more time for these verses – thanks for suggesting them in the Daniel study – it’s soooooo good!)
Praise be to the Name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are His.
He changes times and seasons;
He sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
He reveals deep and hidden things;
He knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with Him.
I thank and praise You, O God of my fathers:
You have given me wisdom and power,
You have made known to me what we asked of You,
You have made known to us the dream of the king.
Karin, Kingsburg “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Ps.91:1 NIV
Lynda, Monterey,CA
“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that on one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” ~Phillipians 2:14-15 (NIV)
Jennifer, Oreland, PA
“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 NIV)
Melissa, Black Creek, GA
Psalm 126:3 (NIV)
The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
Cassie McLelland, Mansfield, TX “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” 2 Chron. 16:9