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.
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave to fear again, but you received the spirit of sonship. Rom. 7:13
For God did not give you a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline. 2 Tim. 1:7
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.
Eph. 4:32 NIV
Tina, Cynthiana, KY
The Lord said to him:
“I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me;
I have consecrated this temple, which you have built,
by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.”
1 Kings 9:3
NIV
Kristy, Houston
Psalm 103:2 ESV
Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits,
Lynchburg, VA
Malachi 3:10 (English Standard Version)
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.”
-Psalm 37:7 [NAS]
Tammy Elrod, Mechanicsville, VA
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Rev 21:4 NIV
John 1:3-4
“All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”
“I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”
~ Isaiah 44:22 (NIV)
His Love for us blows me away… I so don’t deserve it, but I Praise the Lord that He freely gives it!
Hollie R. – Granbury, TX
Atlanta, GA
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV, 1984)
Hebrews 11:14 (NIV)
People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.
(have gotten way behind on posting…catching up because it’s been a summer of faith..memorizing Hebrews 11)
Kathy
Chattanooga TN
Katie, Lincoln NE, Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! Psalm 63:3 (NLT)
Lisa, from Greenville, SC
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17:13 NIV
” The Lord is near the brokenhearted. He delivers those who are discouraged.”
Psalm 34:8 NET
Sarah
Newburgh, IN
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
wildlyblessed, Crawford, TX: “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you.” John 14:15 MSG
Karen K. in Houston, TX — In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? Ps 56:4 NASB
Rhonda, Anderson, Indiana
For Christ’s love compels us because we are convinced that one died for all and therefore all died. And He died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV
Shelley, Dallas
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Anita
Austin, TX
Prov 14:9 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly. (NIV)
Romans 15:13
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.
Holly from Alpharetta
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.”
Psalm 35:18 NET
I am so sorry if I have doubled up on posting! I just wanted to make sure I did, so I’m going back to do it just in case I forgot. 🙂
Mandy
China Spring, TX
Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.
Isaiah 64:4 NIV
For He loves us with unfailing love; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise the Lord!
Psalm 117:2 (NLT)
Betty, Houston:
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted.
He delivers those who are discouraged.”
Ps. 34:8 NET
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 come so that your 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.
I Peter 1:6-7
NIV
Susan
OKC
Robin from Morehead, Ky says: continuing from the last verse….
“…Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.”
Proverbs 2:5
Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.
Eph. 4:22 NLT
Regan, Conroe. “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8 ESV
Leslie from Maui
“They traded the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the things God created instead of the creator Himself, who is to be praised!” Rom 1:25
Heidi, Round Rock, TX
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 NIV
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows that he will also reap. If he sows to the flesh from the flesh he will reap destruction. If he sows to the spirit from the spirit he will reap eternal life”.
” Keep back your servant from presumptous sins, that they may not have dominion over me” (Ps.19:13)
Courtney, LaPlata, MD
Colossians 2:1-7 (ESV)
1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ,
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.
5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Shawna – Boise, Idaho
Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 TNIV
Shawna – Boise, Idaho
Come near to God and He will come near to you. James 4:8 NIV
Wylie, Texas
James 4:7 (NET)
So submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Linda Lincoln NE: “For from him and through him and to him are all things, to him be the glory! Amen.” Romans 11:36 NIV
Christine from Raleigh, NC
Let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith,
because we have been made free from a guilty conscience and our bodies have been washed pure with water.
~ Hebrews 10:22 [NCV]
this is Part 1. Memory Verse #11 is the following verse, Hebrews 10:23.
Stacey, Houston, TX: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Kelly, The Hills, Texas
He who walks with the wise, grows wise. Proverbs 13:20a
Brook, Santa Monica
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1 Corinthians 13.12
Michelle, Clinton, TN
…for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.
Psalm 9:10b (NIV)
my verse is Psalm 100:3
Elizabeth Gainesville, GA
“Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”
Ephesians 5:4 NIV
Caroline Auburn, AL
“The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simple hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.Psalm 116:4-7
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbbs3:5-6
Heather – Richland, WA
1 John 4:12
No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. (NLT)
Marissa, Oklahoma
Song of Songs 4:7 NIV
All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you.