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.
Sandra from West Asia
Sorry I’m late — have been sick. I’m out of inspiration this time, so I’ll use yours, Beth. It’s a good one.
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18
Jana (Kalispell, MT)
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
James 1:6 NIV
Maribeth, Jackson, MS
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14 NET
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John 1:12-14 ESV)
Fullerton, CA
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance”. -James 1:2-3 (NIV)
Emily, Abu Dhabi, UAE
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Hebrews 3:13, NIV
Nicole, Norman, OK
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 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he out to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. Romans 12:3 NKJV
Katera, Kentwood, LA
2nd Samuel 22:33(NIV) “It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.”
Leah, Fresno, Calif. “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” -1 Corinthians 6:20 NKJV
Beth, Coon Rapids, MN (home from college!)
“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.” Psalm 50:23 NIV
«Quien me ofrece su gratitud, me honra; al que enmiende su conducta le mostraré mi salvación.» Salmos 50:23 NVI
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Mt. 11:28 NIV
Amie, Glendale, AZ: “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV
Myra, Lisbon, Portugal
Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged”
Tamela, Piedmont, SC: The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged. Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Lisa, Morningview,KY
2 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Jami
Shelby, NC
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
and
“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You will judge the
peoples with uprightness and guide the nations on
the earth.
Psalm 67:4 (NASB)
Leann (Alabama)
Psalm 8: 4-5 (NIV)
“What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.”
Hebrews 6:19- 20a
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.
NIV
“Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from your law.” Ps 119:18
Jessica, Toronto
Not lagging behind in diligence, ferverent in spirit, serving the LORD.
Romans 12:11 (NASV)
I’m still here….Sorry I’m late!
Cheryl
Hephzibah, Ga.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:24
Laura, from Sharon, PA
Habakkuk 3:18-19 NLT
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.
Julie, Broken Arrow, OK
Ps. 104:34 (NIV)
May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD.
…who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of His flory. (Ephesians 1:14 NIV)
Judy, Montgomery, AL “For you Lord have never forsaken those who seek you.” Ps 9:10b {yes, I totally cheated using this 3 days later} *wink*
Luke 6:35-36
Love your enemies, do good to them, loan to them without expecting anything in return… then your reward will be great and you will be sons of the Most High God, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.
Beverly, Glasgow, KY
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
Kathleen,Cavan,Ireland, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when it is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4 NLT
Gretchen, Cincinnati Romans 8:22-25 NIV
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from lying! turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.” Psalm 34:12-14 GNT
Debbie, from Pittsburgh:
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away.
Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38,39 NLT
Jennifer, Lexington, SC
The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.
Acts 2:39 (NIV)
Robyn
Lake Wylie SC
Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)
No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the LORD.
Judy, Fuquay-Varina, NC
Job 42:2 I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted. NIV
John 3:18 (NIV)
Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
Jana, Port Byron
Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience.
Monica, Lebanon, IN Phil 2:3 ( Holman Standard)
3 Do nothing out of rivalry (A) or conceit, (B) but in humility (C) consider others as more important (D) than yourselves.
Pamela, Missouri
[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! I say: The LORD is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him. Lam 3:22-24 (HCSB)
Barb, Madison, WI
“It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV
Brenda, Midlothian, Virginia “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” NASB
Helen, Broxton, GA
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat it’s fruit. Proverbs 18:21 NASB
Beth – Columbus, Ohio
Beth, that verse just spoke to right where I am today! My grandmother just passed away last week, and making sure I visited her and spent time with her – knowing her time was short – I missed the beginning of this month’s verse posting. Ugh, what a failure I feel like! It was also so hard to watch so many unsaved grieve for a saved woman, they don’t have that hope. I think my Granny left something for them and really grabbed at my cousins heart. Shoot, sorry for saying so much for memory post, yikes!
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in Spirit.” Psalm 34:18 ESV
Lori. Norwood,MA.”but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31/NIV
Crevolyn, Gainesville,Ga. “the Lord is near to the brokenhearted; he delivers those who are discouraged.”. Psalm 34:18. NET
Tina, Chesapeake, VA: I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalm 16:2(NIV)
“He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” Psalm 107:20 NKJV
Ann Ft lauderdale, FL
Romans 15:4 NIV For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.
Joy
Charlotte, NC
The sum of Your word is truth,And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.
Psalm 119:160
NASB