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.
Sue, Carmel “The Lord is near the brokenhearted: He delivers those who are discouraged.” Ps 34:18
Amanda, Westfield, NC: Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heavan. -Matthew 5:16b (NIV)
Marsi from Santa Barbara,
Finally getting to posting these:
for May 1:
“When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” (Psalm 94: 18-19, NIV)
for May 15:
“The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” (Isaiah 58: 11-12, NIV)
Hillary – Auburn, AL
He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. – Psalm 40:3 NLT
Beth,
This verse: “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 just blessed me deeply.
I’m up late, and feeling such discouragement. I am dealing with the toughest season I’ve faced since becoming a Christian. Beth, Sisters…I did not know there was a Christian “rock-bottom”…but let me tell you, there is! I believe I have found it. Of course, a month ago, I’d thought I’d hit the last ditch, too. So I just don’t know how long this sifting is going to go on!
I just completed the Daniel study, and I am going through Believing God for the second time. Both of them have offered me amazing and timely wisdom throughout this past semester!! I can so relate to your words, Beth, when you shared that you “tried and tried and tried, but she lied and lied and lied!” I’m broken-hearted by a betrayal of a friend.
I can read the Psalms now, and fully relate to David’s broken and contrite heart! I consider Job’s cursing the day he was born, and I feel the same way some days. I just want to bash my head against a stone. I’ve dropped out of every area of ministry for a season. I’m just beaten down, perplexed, and simply broken hearted.
I just want to find that steadfast path. I want to get going on the “Highway to Holiness!” I want to be “done with sin.” I am so stiff-necked, like the Israelites, and I keep looking back, instead of trusting God and looking ahead! Where is my faith? Will I ever be of use to God again? I’m so distraught lately.
I appreciate your ministry so much, Beth. I can’t tell you how many times you have blessed me with your words in the workbooks for Daniel and BG. It’s been simply AWE-mazing! I could write books about the many times God has spoken to me in this season, and I know I need to just focus on Him, and “forget not His benefits!” Ps 103
Meanwhile, I’m begging all the Sisters I can for some prayer. I need a miracle in this matter. I want to be set free again, to love and serve. I’m feeling bound by something. Unforgiveness, maybe. Regret, possibly. I just am not sure what it is that has yet to get rooted out, so I can walk in victory again. Pray for me. Please.
Susan,Atlanta
I just read your note and I’m praying for you. Studying Romans 8 and am praying verses 26-27 for you. I ask God to continue to bring you to my heart and mind and lift you up. Stand on HIs Word. Here are some verses that encourage me, 2Corinthians10:5 and 12:9-10, 1Chronicles5:20b, Isaiah26:3 and Psalm121. May they be encouraging to you,also.
Hello, I was traveling in April and not near my desk, laptop – etc. But I had my notebook with me and worked faithfully on my April verses! Hope that is o.k. (that I didn’t post here).
Susan, Zurich: Psalm 91:9-11 NKJV. Because you have made the Lord is who your refuge, even the most high your dwelling place, no evil shall befall or, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. For He shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.
Sheri, Atlanta, TX
Psalm 27:14 NKJV
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait I say on the Lord.
The Lord gives strength to his people, the Lord blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11
Okay, better late than never!
Tami, Washington DC: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Tim. 1:7
Better late than never…
Olivia, TN Luke 12.15 NLT
“Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
Norwood, “I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 NIV
Lisa – Spring, TX
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty
Psalm 91:1 NIV
Susan, Atlanta, Georgia
He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:3-4 NIV
Melody, Cleburne, TX
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Ephesians 1:17 NASB
Texas
And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 2:22 [NIV]
Turkesshia, Greensboro
Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.
Jeremiah 1:12 KJV
Couldn’t remember if I’d posted already. But your picture of this verse reminded me.
Psalm 9:10b NIV
“For you, Lord have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Sorry i’m so late, but my life is in a whirlwind right now.
Teri S-Gadsden, AL
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. To give you hope and a future.” Jer. 29:11 NIV
Psalm 90:16 (NKJ)
Let your work appear to your servants. And your glory to their children. And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands. Yes, establish the work of our hands.
Angela, Maui. “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27: 14 (ESV)
Becky, KY
Mark 10:27 (NIV)
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Aliza, NZL. The Lord searches all the earth looking for people who have given themselves completely to Him. He wants to make them strong.
2 Chronicles 16:9a
Late, late for a very impt. date!!! So sorry but I was hiding His word in my heart on May 15, just forgot to post!!!!
2 Corinthians 4:18
Let your thoughts focus Not on the things that are seen(your circumstances) but on the things that are not seen (My Presence).
Laura, Kenmore, Wa
2Cor. 5:17 NIV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old is gone, the new has come.
Rachel, fallston maryland
2 Corinthians 10:3:5 NIV
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Marie
Byhalia, MS
Posting late (again!)
My flesh & my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart & my portion forever.
***
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.
Psalm 73:26 & 28
NASB Phil 4:13 – I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
“No one is justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.” Galatians 2:15
“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV
Lynda, San Antonio, Texas
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
James 1:19 NIV
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
O Lord, I have heard your voice and was afraid. O Lord, revive your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it know, in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2
April U., Blacksburg, VA:
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 – NIV)
Elizabeth
Wilmette, IL
My soul finds rest in God alone,
my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken
Psalm 62:1-2 NIV
Auburndale, FL
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galations 6:9 (NIV)
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Tucson,AZ
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepare in advance for us to do.
Leslie, Hickory NC
Psalm 62:6
He alone protects and saves me; He is my defender, and I shall never be defeated.
Rachel, Tucson, AZ
Eph. 2:10 NIV
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Linda, Bartelso, IL – So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ. Romans 10:17 HCSB
Kelly from Hickory NC,
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. To give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Julie, Tallassee AL
Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.Philippians 4:8 NIV
Jill Sayles
Puyallup, WA
Zephaniah 3:17, NLT
” For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Angela, Corbin,KY
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rachel; Conroe, Texas
1 Peter 5:5
In the same way you younger men, be subject to your elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with humility towards one another because, God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Trisha, Midland, TX: I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13, NLT
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. His commandments are not burdensome.
1John 5:3 NKV.
Greenacres, FL
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 NKJV
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.”
-Titus 2:11 (NIV)
Danay’e
Spencer, IN
Carolyn, Union City, GA
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. Psalm 71:20 NIV