WE MADE IT!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!! To the glory of God, we made it, Siestas! If I could hug your neck, I’d purely squeeze you in two! Please picture me (in a long skirt) doing copious cheerleader jumps! I cannot wait to celebrate with as many of you as possible in January. I wish with all my heart that every single one of you were coming. This girl right here is ready to party. Even one of you missing is too many but I know that it’s hard to manage the time away and the travel expenses are also just too high for many. I’d pay every one of your ways if I could.
Okay, you darling things. I didn’t even have to think twice about the verse I wanted to memorize this last time around in 2011 because it’s about you. With your understanding, I’ll use “sister” instead of “brother.” Here goes:
Beth, Houston. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my [sister], because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” Philemon 7 ESV
Oh, gracious. That is the truth.
Now, since this is a very special occasion, we’re going to break protocol. This time I’m not going to limit you to your usual 1st and 15th Scripture-only entries. As we wrap up our year, you are welcome to also write a brief paragraph about what this journey with Christ has meant to you and why. No pressure. The invitation is simply there is you want to testify.
You are so incredibly dear to me, Siestas. I am at a loss for words. What a ride.
Lord Jesus, thank You, thank You, thank You, thank You! We cannot do anything to Your good pleasure that You do not first initiate and then enable. To You be all credit, honor, and praise. Please cause us to retain “the implanted word, which is able to save [our] souls.” (James 1:21) Make us wiser and make our hearts larger. You are our delight. We want so much to be Yours, too. You are our everything.
Psalm 35:18 (AMP)
I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among a mighty throng.
G.J.:) Gran Jan:) Georgia Jan:)
Hawkinsville, GA
Beth: This has been an unprecedented year in ministry for my husband and I. Hard and lonely times – but thanks be to our God (love that song by Travis Cottrell), the victory is God’s and we are well. My church has a new pastor that begins on January 1st! I love to see the pattern of my verses this year…beginning with holiness, protection, shelter, moving on to HOPE, WAITING, and now ending with PRAISE! That has been 2011 and I’m so very grateful to the Good LORD for His sweet presence in my life every moment. He is Faithful and True.
I’m sad to say I will not be there in January and it breaks my heart…but I am a pastor’s wife and duty calls as my church hosts a pastor’s conference and I need to serve. I know y’all will have a BLAST and I’m going to miss everyone so much!
I love you Bethie Bibby!
Waaaaahhh! You will be greatly missed…
Love and hugs,
Adrienne
Thank you sweet girl! I’m hoping to see lots of pictures and SOMEBODY needs to take notes for me! I will miss everyone very much. I love my Siestaville family.
Heather, Woodstock, GA
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Laura, Little Rock. “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV84)
Sheri, Saranac Lake NY via Truckee, Ca:
Is 9:6: NKJV “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
I am so grateful for this little community of women. When I first found the blog site and the Siestas it was late this summer. I had just moved to a small little town in upstate NY, in the wilderness literally. Away from my church, my ministry, my family. I found myself in a season of self-condemnation and little did I know, I had strayed from the gospel of grace in to a thought process of rule-keeping and found myself in slavery to my own failures. I was paralyized from writing and teaching (my two favorite things!).
and then I found you all. I savored every verse each of you placed up for memory. I began to feel refreshed again by the Word of Lord. I was encouraged as I began Beth’s study of the Psalms, and then I rediscovered the gospel of grace (which came to me again through the scriptures you posted). You all helped once again to see the majesty of the Cross and Magnitude of what our God has already accomplished for us in our Jesus… and I got hungry for more. In fact I’m still starving for more depths of the mystery that is in Jesus, and I’m loving every moment of it.
and although I can’t be with you all to celebrate; to meet you scripture warriors in person, I am blessed by you even from afar.
So thank you so much for allowing me to sneak in the background and for coming in late – but I am so filled to the brim and overflowing to have had just a little part of each of you.
Blessings in our Jesus!
Amen, Sheri!! He knows what He is doing. Merry Christmas! I hope to see you back in 2012 🙂
Sheri,
Welcome to Siestaville! I am so glad God has renewed your spirit. It gives me so much joy to see what this community has done for you these past few months. How awesome that you “stumbled” upon this, there are no coincidences, right? You are loved! May you live today in the fullness of His grace.
wow. your post blessed me! thanks Sheri!
Sabrina
Morristown, Tennessee
“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.” Romans 8:24-25 NIV
At the beginning of this year, our pastor encouraged us to pick one word for the new year. That word needed to be something that we either needed from the Lord, wanted to become real in our lives in 2011, or just something we knew we needed to work on in the new year. My ONE WORD was HOPE. I not only needed it from the Lord, I wanted it to become real in my life. So once I decided to do the Scripture Memory Challenge, I knew exactly how I could keep my ONE WORD fresh on my heart for 365 days. All of my memory verses were centered around hope which is something I have struggled with as a 30 year old single woman. But through this year and these verses, God has infused my heart with hope in Him. Although I will not be able to afford a trip to Texas next month, nothing can take away the change that has happened in my life and the words of HOPE that are written on my heart. I thank you all for the accountability and blessing this has been to me.
My favourite verse to pray when I am in desperate need of hope was originally posted by our own precious Siesta Mama and soon became my memory verse. The Lord has never failed to deliver when I have cried out this verse:
Sabrina, “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
I love your pastor’s idea about choosing a word. I’m going to pray about this and look forward to the word He gives me. I have a sweet friends who live in Morristown. They are the worship leaders at Manley Baptist… Michael&Heather.
Precious…
Rhonda – Houston
But you O Bethlehem Ephratha are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past. Micah 5:2NLT
I have never been very good at memorizing, but about halfway through I realized that even if I don’t get it word perfect, I have the sense of it, and know where to go to find it. And I also have a deeper knowledge not only of the memory passage itself, but the ones surrounding it and cross referenced to it, as I have reflected on the verses in context. Thank you God!
Rosalie, Cincinnati
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV
Erin, Phoenix. “Once again I’ll go over what God has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders; I’ll ponder all the things you’ve accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts.” Psalm 77:11-12 (MSG)
This year I memorized scripture with, met with, talked with, and prayed with my four dear friends. These girls are now my family. I have been able to lean on them collectively and individually through hard and emotional times and laugh with them until I couldn’t breathe…almost in the same moment. I love my friends and I am humbled and grateful beyond words for the transformation in my life and in my spirit through this year of scripture memorization with them. Thinking about our reunion in January with one of them (who made a church plant move to Frisco, TX) is almost more than I can bear….I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!! I love you BEs!!!
The first verse of the year is always important to me. I think it sets the tone for the entire year. When I was thinking about what my first verse would be, I kept coming back to a verse from the Psalms.
“I have set the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand I will not be shaken.”
I knew that was the verse I was supposed to start my year with.
As soon as I picked it, it was like the enemy was right there. “You don’t really want to pick that one, do you? If you pick that one, I’m coming after you.”.
This didn’t just happen once, it happened over and over in the two weeks before the first verse was written in my book. I was so frightened by the thought, that I debated about whether or not that would be my verse. I knew it had to be, I knew I couldn’t let the enemy win this battle, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t think long and hard about whether it was worth it or not.
When January 1 rolled around, I wrote in my spiral, “I have set the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand I WILL NOT be shaken.”
It only took two weeks, the enemy came after me. He brought it and he brought it hard, for months and months and months.
This year has challenged, hurt, stretched, pressed. I have cried, begged, screamed, prayed.
There were times in the onslaught that I didn’t have the Lord set always before me, and it was then that I was shaken. Shaken so that the only thing left was that which could not be shaken.
Jesus.
What the enemy intended for harm, God has used for good.
The enemy came after me, but my Deliverer, my Rock, never left me.
There’s a sweetness to the end of this year that I’ve never known before.
What an amazing testimony! Thank you for sharing how God used this difficult time of testing…it is an encouragement to all of us. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this. I can relate to your journey. Thank you Jesus that you are greater and more powerful than anything the enemy can say or do…
Amen! God bless you for sticking with it, and coming full circle, and sharing with us!
I believe that I too understand what you are giving testimony about. I love the term “sweetness” I have been calling it a peace and a calm that I have never experienced before. Thanks for sharing.
Penny,
I have had the same kind of year. I have never memorized scripture before to this extent and without these verses this past year I not sure I would have made it through. Just found out next year is going to look a lot like this past year so I’m not stopping the vrses. God be with you.
Linda
Deb in Bremen, IN
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 NIV
Kelly Watson, Greer, SC
“For nothing will be impossible with God.” -Luke 1:37 (NASB)
This is the 3rd year that I have attempted doing the memory verses with you ladies, and in the past I have always fallen short. But this year, I did it!
I am so proud of all of us, especially my best friend Jocelyn who has gone through this year long journey with me.
Our faith has been tested along the way, and God has been so good and so faithful. And I have been so thankful to have a switchblade of verses in my heart to use whenever the enemy attacks! (Eph. 6:17)
See yall in Texas in January!!!!
Fran, Stedman, NC
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
Luke 2:46-47 NLT
Gwen, Kennesaw, GA:
Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with god, the reward is life and more life. James 1:12 The Message
I came upon this verse in May & instantly knew what my 24th memory verse would be. This verse encouraged me to stay the course for the next seven months. I never thought I would be able to memorize 24 verses, but almost every verse has a special meaning to me personally & my year has been richly blessed because of these verses. I’m sorry to say that I won’t be at the celebration, but I’m hoping to be there next year! To God be the glory – AMEN Siestas!!!
Ooops, in all my excitement I had a typo in my memory verse. That was supposed to be God (capital G – in fact, a very big capital G).
Thank you!! I love this scripture and I am adding it to my book.
Cathy, Rhinebeck. “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8(NIV)
I will not be at the celebration in January, but I want to express what a blessing doing this Bible memory with all of you has been. Thank You! As I came to a verse I wanted to memorize this year, I wrote the reference down in my spiral. Then when I got to the 1st or 15th it was a bit of a surprise what verse I would be memorizing. I still have 6 more verses recorded so I guess I will keep memorizing! lol.
I did the same thing. Have more verses to go too.
Allison
Washington, DC
Isaiah 9:2
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shined.
Becky, Springfield, MO
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
1 John 5:21 (NKJV)
Bridgett, Pell City, AL : “Seek your happiness in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desire.” Psalm 37:4 Good News Translation
Huntington, WV
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self‑control. Against such things there is no law.
Carol, Hartley, Iowa
James 1: 9-10 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position because he will pass away like a wild flower. NIV
Memorizing scripture has always been something that I know I need to do, but seldom put forth the effort to actually do it. (Rather like physical exercise!)
Thank you for the challenge.
Now I have started the memorization of James. While I know that it will take effort, it does not appear to me to be an impossible task.
I so wish I could join you all in Houston in January.
Merry Christmas, Siestas!
For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 NIV
Alta, Sharpsville, IN
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling and yo present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy…”
Jude 24 NIV
This has been one of the toughest years for me and our family…I know one thing for sure…my worst day with Jesus far out weighs my best day without Him…with is better. God’s Word is transforming power…I never want to try and live without having it big in me everyday”) Love sharing His Word with you and all the siesta’s this year.
Merry Christmas Beth & LPM
Laura, Jefferson, ME
1 Samuel 2:2 “No one is holy like the LORD,For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.”
Hallelujah!
Carolyn, Dover “No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD. Isaiah 54:17 NASB
This past year of memory work was incredible. I asked the Lord Himself to direct me to each of the verses I was to memorize. Though a few of them were for my children (the current one!), most were to help me as I walked the journey of vascular dementia with my father, (who is healed, and whole, and Home with Jesus as of November 25th!) I am blessed, as I read through these testimonies, to find that each of us were so tenderly and personally ministered to by Jesus through the memorization of His Word — His Life. Hugs to all who lost loved ones this past year. Best wishes to those who are going to Houston to celebrate – would love to go, but we’re sending our son to Passion 2012 instead! I’ll make sure he looks you up, Beth 🙂 Thank you, for your inspiration and encouragement. Merry Christmas! Love, Carolyn
So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Rom 14:19 (NASB)
Linda, Annville, KY
Yet ADONAI is just waiting to show you favor, he will have pity on you from on high; for ADONAI is a God of justice; happy are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18 CJB
Shelly Wilson, Fort Worth, TX
1 John 4:18 (NIV) There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love
* I’m ending my Siesta memory verses with my 18-year-old daughter’s life verse. She was delivered from a crippling stronghold of fear this year! Glory to Your name, Father! 2011 has been the best of times and the worst of times for my family, and nothing in between, it seems. The Siesta verses have been my story, my struggle, and my song to my Savior and Redeemer. Thank you for challenging me to do this, Siesta Momma and Sisters. Can’t wait to meet you all in January.
Peggy, Corpus Christi, TX
For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you,(sisters). Philemon 7 HCS
Valerie , Ontario, OH
“From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of My hand. No one can undo what I have done.” Isaiah 43:13 (NLT).
Beth- The timing of doing these Siesta memory verses twice a month have been an answer to prayer and the desire of the heart of my best friend and myself as we were trying to memorize Scripture. The Lord brought this across our path a year ago—and WOW!!! It has been such a fun, encouraging, extra accountability and endearing time for us. The verses I believe God gave me each month has also been WOW in how they are so relevant and impactful in my life. THANK-YOU for your obedience to God and encouraging women and loving God and His WORD!!!!
Mansfield OH
Psalm 19:12-13 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. 13 Keep our servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. NLT
I must admit when my best friend suggest this, I thought it was a great idea, but could I really do it – 24 verses. Well praise God, to His glory we did it! This has been a wonderful time! It never failed that He had a special scripture for me to memorize. He is so good! Thank you for the extra accountability! I’m looking forward to next year!!!!!!!! May we never forget the truth of God spoken to us this year!
Tara, Loganville, GA
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” ~Matt.6:34
This is my first year of memorizing scripture like this and I have to say it’s been amazing to see how God has used his very word to move in my life…strengthening me, encouraging me and just seriously touching my life and drawing me closer to him.
I am also doing the new James study with my Saturday morning group of ladies at church and decided to really step it up and try memorizing all of James. Let me tell you that I’m not even half way into memorizing the first chapter and WOW! God is so amazing and his word is so alive in how it is truly being applied right now to my life!!
Beth, your studies are always so right on time in wherever I’m at in my walk with Christ and that holds even more true as I’m doing your study on James!! Thank you, thank you for all you put into each of these studies and thank you thank you to your beautiful daughter, Melissa for awesome extra insight into what has become my newest favorite book of the Bible!! 🙂
Sharon, Hamburg, NY:
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6 NLT
Beth and Siestas,
Thank you so much for doing this together! It has motivated me more than you can realize and has changed my heart! Throughout the year, God has put scriptures on my heart to memorize that later would be something that I desperately needed to work through some situations. A few months ago I’ve started working out at a gym and while I go through the circuit, I run through my verses – I’m working on my body and my spirit. What a blessing! I have just started the James study, and because of doing this all year I feel completely empowered to memorize James. I wish I could be with all of you, but it is not doable for me this year.
Love spending this time with all of you!
Kristen Maddux, Largo, FL “O taste and see that the Lord is good. Happy are those who take refuge in Him.” Psalm 34:8 ESV
I memorized all of Psalm 139:1-18 (as well as some of
Ps 34 here) and it has been a beautiful blanket of comfort over me as say it to myself while undergoing some terrible health problems and testing. Can’t wait to see you all!! I’m coming!!
Joy – Georgetown, TX – And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 NIV
What a total blessing to be part of this team of women who hunger after God’s word enough to commit so much time to memorize it! Yipee!
Cheryl, Peoria, AZ Psalm 46:1 NIV “God is our refuge and strength and ever present help in trouble.”
Kim, Dinwiddie, VA
“…you (I) are (am) a chosen people (woman).
… God’s very own possession. As a result, you (I) can show others the goodness of God, for he called you (me) out of the darkness into His wonderful LIGHT!”
1 Peter 2:9 NLT
I have adored taking this journey with y’all in 2011! Jesus has blown my world wide slam open this year and I’m a changed woman! HE IS GOD and more than worthy of me pouring out the remainder of my life to Him like a drink offering in love and service for the inconceivable amount of grace and mercy HE has lavished upon me. HE has delivered me from pits I didn’t even realize I was in. Oh how I love Him!
Merry Christmas!
Dolly, Middletown, OH
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
2 Cor.9:15 KJV
And thank you, Beth, for using your gift for him and for us. Bless you.
Amy, Colorado Springs, CO:
“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” — Ps. 127:1
This has not been a stellar year for completing my commitments on time… but I sought Him, and He has done more wonderful things for me than I ever dreamed. It feels like my life has been in a continual state of change this year, but I know He is HERE in my little house and small bustling life, increasing my hunger, and — perhaps most importantly — changing my perspective so that my heart is full of gratitude and my mind is aware of others whom He loves, and who are in need. Somehow, Mama Beth, I think He took my well-meant verse commitments as an act of worship, and “grew me” in ways I could not have done myself, more than any well-executed plan of discipline could ever have done. And so I stand here with my hands full.
Tiffany, ATL
Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7. KJV
Beth, Thank you for your encouragement to us all to take God’s Word to our hearts! May the Lord bless you and your family in this next Year!
Beth, Dyersburg, TN “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 ESV
Blairsville, GA
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:2-5 NIV
Tammy
Lusby, MD
Daniel 6:27A
(NIV)
“He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth.”
For no word from God will ever fail. Luke 1:37 NIV
Durant, OK
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
I got on first thing this morning to see what you had to say us, Beth. . .and then did not have time to leave my comments, before going to work, and we are about to leave to go to celebrate my daughter’s graduation from a Christian college, my husband’s 50th birthday, and Christmas with his family.
The 1st and 15th of each month has been special to me ever since I began trying to commit scripture to memory with you in 2009.
This year, I chose the theme of “Peace”, after still grieving over the loss of my Dad, (Victory in Heaven for him!) and strained family relationships. I have definitely felt the Peace that comes only from a daily, growing relationship with God, and filling my mind with scripture is what gives me that Peace and growing relationship.
Thank you so much, Beth! I am looking forward to beginning the James Mercy Triumphs study in January!
Merry Christmas to you, your famiy and your staff!
Beth,Troy
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15(NIV)
Joy, Peachtree City. “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NAS
Andrea, Pottstown
1 Peter 3:17 NLT
Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!
I have been wanting to start memorizing scripture, like FOREVER, and this was the perfect opportunity. I needed structure and a goal and this was just the right way for me to hide God’s Word in my heart. I feel so much closer to God, since his words are now on my heart and in my mind, I just feel closer to him and love him even more. This has been a wonderful journey and I am going to continue memorizing scripture each month and ask my husband to let me recite my verses to him; to help me keep on track. I am so proud of all the Siestas that have joined me in the journey. 🙂
Melissa in Greer, SC:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 NKJV
We ARE doing this again next year, right?!?!?!?!?!
Paulette
Nogalus Prairie
“For God is working in you, giving you the power and the desire to do what pleases Him.” Phil 2:13 NLT
Every Scripture verse memorized in 2011 has been such a blessing in my life, but there was one which absolutely transformed my life’s experience as I traveled through Romania in October. While on a train trip from Sighisoara to Arad, the Lord literally gave me the Rhema experience of the verse jumping up off the page again. God explained the verse more fully in context to my time there in Romania that trip. He delights my soul.
Sarah Miller, New Palestine, Indiana
Micah 7:7 But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.
Linda, Denton, TX
2 Chronicles 15:7, NLT
“But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.”