The day has finally arrived! Wooooohooooo! Let’s get into the Scriptures, Girls! This is our official launch where you will officially register as participants in our summer Bible study but here’s the important part: YOU WILL SIGN IN AFTER YOU AND YOUR GROUP VIEW THIS VIDEO AND HAVE YOUR DISCUSSION TIME. (If you’re going solo, you’ll view it by yourself, of course, and answer the questions succinctly in your comment as your way of discussing the subject matter.)
Please read the following instructions carefully:
If you are participating in a small group (even on line), choose a name for it in your first gathering. It does not need to be clever although you’re welcome to do it that way. It can be as simple as “Greensboro Summer Siestas.” Mine will be “The LPM Village” because I’ll be going through it with my in-house staff and we call our merry band of sisters the Village. You will use your group name every time you leave a comment on Bible study day.
After watching the video and participating in the discussion time with your small group, appoint ONE representative from your group to sign in through a comment to this post. You’re welcome to appoint a different representative each week that we meet. The main idea is to make sure only one person signs in for your group.
This is the way your group representative will sign in:
City, State; Name of group, Number in group. *A brief summary about your group time.
(*This might convey something interesting that came up in your time together or the question that motivated the most discussion. It’s wide open. Just give us a succinct report on your time in small group. Remember to keep them short and specific so that we can read as many as possible!)
Mine would look something like this:
Houston, Texas; The LPM Village, 12. Summary: We talked most about the challenges we have this summer and specific ways we each need God to “keep steady our steps.” (Then I’d give a couple of examples that came up in our discussion time. Get the idea?)
Sisters going solo: you will sign in individually and answer the questions very briefly in your comment. (You are welcome to limit your answers to the ones that resonate most to you.) If I were going solo, mine might look like this:
Houston, Texas; Beth Moore (you can just use your first name if you prefer). Questions 5 and 6 resonated most with me because…
NOW! You are good to go. Just watch the video and proceed according to the instructions I’ll give you within it. As you’ll see below, I will always put the instructions in print in case you’re unable to view the video or if, for any reason, it malfunctions. Keep in mind that you don’t need to read what follows unless you can’t watch the video.
Written instructions:
Today in small group time, read Psalm 119:129-135 together. If you have access to several translations, read it first in a formal translation – ESV, NAS, NKJ, NIV, etc – and, second, just for the richness of it, a modern translation like The Message or the New Living Translation. You know I love The NET Bible so that’s another option.
1. List every term the psalmist uses for God’s communication/revelation to man. (Example: V.129 ESV – “testimonies”)
2. Psalm 119:129 says, “Your testimonies are wonderful: therefore my soul keeps them.” Each of you (as time allows) share a specific way that you’ve come to know personally that God’s testimonies are “wonderful.” If you don’t have a newcomer to the Bible in your group, imagine that you do. Let your answer help explain to her why YOUR soul desires to keep God’s testimonies and why she should even consider it.
3. Psalm 119:132 says “Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is Your way with those who love Your name.” If you have placed your faith in God through Jesus Christ, you have demonstrated one titanic way of “loving His name.” Discuss the importance of trusting that God’s “way” is to deal with His children graciously. Talk about whether you tend to expect God to be gracious to you or indifferent or harsh and condemning. If you tend toward the latter, would you be willing this summer to seek God with the grateful expectation of His graciousness toward you.
4. Psalm 119:133a says, “Keep steady my steps according to Your promise.” What specific challenges are before you this summer that could cause you to really need God to “steady your steps”?
5. Psalm 119:133b says, “Let no iniquity get dominion over me.” THAT, Beloved, is a prayer that could have huge impact in our lives. If you are willing, share a particular tendency of your flesh that you’re really praying will not get the best of you this summer. (By all means, get personal as the Spirit leads but stop short of really graphic specifics. Give people the idea without the mental images.)
6. Psalm 119:134 says, “Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep Your precepts.” Look up several definitions of “oppression” and discuss the vital differences between oppression and authority. How can they be confused? Once we know for certain we’re not just resisting authority but we are genuinely experiencing oppression, realize that God’s will is to REDEEM us from it. Pray fervently for Him to do so. He is perfectly capable of redeeming us from oppression while redeeming the relationship.
7. According to Psalm 119:135, conclude by asking God with a full heart of faith to make His face shine upon you, His servant, this summer and to TEACH you vividly through the Book of Nehemiah.
8. Sometime today, write Psalm 119:129-135 on a note card and keep it as your prayer for our Siesta Summer Bible Study. (After the video was already made, it occurred to me that I should have suggested we all write this segment on the inside of the front cover of our Nehemiah workbooks so, if I caught you in time, do that instead of a note card. That way it will serve as a Scriptural dedication of sorts for our summer experience.)
Have Weeks 1 and 2 of your homework done by Tuesday, July 10th and we’ll have our next Mini-Session then and your group discussion.
I love you guys so much! Isn’t it fabulous to be back together again in God’s Word??
We’ll meet in two weeks! If you’re meeting over a meal, try to fix Lauri’s Beef Enchiladas on p.32 and Mom’s ginger snaps on p.33.
(Remember! Comments only after your group time!)
Jensen Beach, FL. Going solo, I am living in this area for a month while my husband is working. In my normal life I live in Roger, Arkansas. # 5 & 6. Praying that tendencies about myself will be revealed through GodS word that have possibly caused me to feel oppressed in relationships.
Claudia M.
Going solo in Sacramento, CA
Questions 3 resonated with me because I feel like my expectation of God is all over the place, depending on my mood. I want to change the way I think and truly know that He is gracious because that is His way.
Questions 5 also struck me because even last night I felt as though I was fighting against what my flesh wants to do/say/think/act but it wasn’t in my heart. I pray that these things do not get the best of me!
Even being a solo participant I am excited to be joining this community of women. Thanks everyone!
Logan, Ohio. LCC (Lancaster Community Church) Ladies. 9 of us using a Facebook Group to share reactions, questions, prayer requests, but also planning to get together a couple times to discuss. #5- answers range from not wanting anxiousness to get the best of us to wanting to actually DO something with the information in this study- to put some feet on our ideas and get moving with them. “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” James 1:22 We are approaching this study with waiting, expectant hearts!
Bailey Keltner, Clever, MO- just me.. going solo
# 2- God is just amazing!!! He is there for you even when you don’t realize it. I have learned that power of prayer helps ease my mind. Psalm 119:133 hit me like a ton (and I mean a ton) of bricks “direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me” I know and need to more to rely on God’s most powerful wisdom and His strength to get me through life.
Roeland Park, KS – Gerrie going solo
Question 3 and 4 resonated with me the strongest today. My circumstance this summer is that both my husband and I have been unemployed for nearly two years and finances are very tight. Today in particular has been difficult because I thought things were taking a turn for the better and then another setback. So today I want to be steadfast in that God’s way is to be gracious to us even when our circumstances may not look like we think it should.
Oh, Gerrie, I’m so sorry for this difficult season. Just want you to know that I prayed for both you and your husband right now.
Blessings to you,
Gretchen
Dear Gretchen,
Thank you so much. I can’t express how deeply you have touched me. God is already working to show me His grace through you.
Dear Gerrie
I was amazed at the similarities of our stories, even to believing things were taking a turn for the betterand then being disappointed AGAIN. We had a set back too, last Friday. The only difference is that I have a good job, but it can’t cover all costs. So, I will pray for you just as others are praying for me. Let us believe God for a miracle and trust Him to do a mighty work in our lives and use us and our circumstances for His glory.
Love
Colleen
Dear Colleen,
I’m rather new to this so I didn’t see your post until today. Thank you for sharing and also for your prayers. I believe prayer to be one of the most powerful weapons God has given us. I will join you in believing God for a miracle and it’s my greatest desire that He use our circumstances for His glory.
I would love to hear any new developments. My husband has started a temporary job but he has to travel. This is completely out of his comfort zone and I want to be as supportive as possible. At the Beth Moore LPL in KC back in March she told us we should pray that God would show us the great man in ‘my man’ and I believe He is doing just that through this. My respect and love for my husband has grown much deeper as I see him make difficult sacrifices to provide for his family.
Again thank you!
Love,
Gerrie
Worthington, OH. We are a group of 9 “Ladies of Linworth” (we forgot to choose a name so we may be something else next time!)We are of various ages and stages of life but drawn together by a common desire to study God’s word and live it out daily. We’ll be meeting on Tuesday evenings at our church. Questions 4 & 5 were challenging to us. Gloria’s comment on Kelly’s dvd, “He always do the best choice for us,” came up several times in our discussion of God’s gracious leading in our lives. This is our first time doing a Kelly Minter study. I think we’re going to love it!
Jackson, MS. “No More Squatting.” 6. (Gathered around the table sipping coffee and feasting on brownies, apple crisp and good fellowship.)
To sum us up we are 6 girls ranging from 22-33 and all right in the middle, or just coming out of a very dry season. We all know where we’ve been, where we no longer are, and where we want to be. Several lines were thrown out like: Stand-still, Stalemate, Immobile, Complacent. Not only have we been frozen, but we realized we’ve found ourselves spiritually dehyrdrated,apathetic and squatting in our funk not knowing how to step forward. So No More Squatting! We’re now in forward motion and ready for our thirst to be quenched.
None of us have dug into Nehemiah before and we’re approaching these next several weeks with an attitude of expectancy; believing the Lord’s graciousness. He was already so kind to orchestrate our group, allowing us to see that we’re not alone. Our discussions were beyond refreshing and brought so much clarity. And in the end we claimed a new beginning! (Like Gavin Degraw sings, “Oh, this is the start of something good. Don’t you agree?”)
Psalm 119:131 “I pant with expectation, longing for your commands.” NLT
4 of us today meeting at Crystal Springs, MS United Methodist Church. We love it ! Talked about God’s graciousness toward us and how wonderful to know that is HIS WAY.
Rita solo. Found the Bible study around 3:00 in the morning. Struggling with self worth and loneliness. Kids are growing up and doing great. Independent, self assured, good kids. Husband very respected in the community and his profession, hard working, involved with many things in the community. Where does that leave me?
Oh, Rita. My heart aches for you. I know what it’s like to wonder what your purpose is, to think that you don’t fit. This may sound trite, but I believe that you have a vital role to play in this here online community. I can’t speak for the rest of the younger women, but I know that I need as much advice and wisdom from those who have gone before me as I can get!
You are deeply cherished and richly loved. I have no doubt that God is going to reveal something amazing to you!
Rita, I was were you are about 13 years ago. Trust me (and God’s word) He will be gracious to you and give you a purpose. When my kids left home I felt my life’s purpose was over; but God has sent me in so many new directions since then it is amazing, fulfilling and wonderful. Lean on Him. He will open doors you may not have even been aware were there. I will pray that you begin to get a glimpse of God’s graciousness and purpose for you.
Rita, it leaves you wide open and poised for greatness! I believe God is going to do amazing things in your life with this study! May you clearly see His path! Blessings!
Rita you are so blessed, perfect time in your life to seek Him with all of your heart, with all of your mind, all your soul, and with all of your strength. This study is a good place to get going and have the ride of your life. God is so much fun, so interesting, full of surprises and will fill your time with joy and love. Just take the moments when you feel solo to go with God and open His Word and ask Him “I want Somebody – Something”. Fun ahead I can assure you.
Mooresville, IN. Going solo, and soooo looking forward to doing this bible study. Looking forward to gaining some new strength from my Precious Lord Jesus Christ!! Thanks Beth, and love all you Siesta Sisters!!
And we send our love right back to you, Siesta Theresa! 🙂
So excited to start this study with all of these awesome women of God!
Tulsa, OK
Solo
I don’t think I could take a group setting. I’m going through a dark time in my life and I need a little light.
Praying for you, Michelle.
Shelby Twp, MI; Available Hearts Siesta, 4. Summary:
We all agreed it was great to start the summer together in Bible study, holding each other accountable and to have God directing our steps in the different circumstances and struggles we are currently experiencing. While each of us are convinced that God’s ways are gracious, still, we are eager with anxious expectation of what God is going to do in and through us as he continues to reveal his graciousness to us as we study his word in Nehemiah. We were also touched by the words of Kelly’s friend Gloria and how God wants available hearts.We feel challenged yet encouraged by the call of God to have a heart of compassion for others in need. Waiting in anticpation of what God will do with that in our lives.
Leesburg, VA; Big Spring Bible Study; 10 women. We loved Psalm 119:129-135 and are making it our memory verse for the summer. We had a great discussion. Talked about the oppression that comes from living in an ungodly society and how we have to be on guard constantly to protect ourselves and our families from it.
Ocala FL- going solo- The area I need the most help with and graciousness with from Jesus is selfishness. Bless Jesus’ heart, He and I have to keep working on this because I’m such a slow learner. I just see in my life where I sin due to my own agenda rather than His. I need His direction and a broken heart over my own sin. Verse 136 talks about being brokenhearted by sin and I am going to sincerely pray this verse into my heart this summer. This is the oppression that I need release from and the place where I need Jesus to “steady ” my steps. Looking forward to a great summer with you all. Love you!
Lori Alana, Escondido, California–going solo, for now.
#6: “Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep Your precepts.” I moved away from my home in California for 2 years to do some traveling and go sailing with my husband and two boys. We just moved back about 3 weeks ago. When I lived here before I maintained a lifestyle that was not pleasing to God. But God in His kindness brought me to repentance (Romans 2:4) and now, as Beth’s grandma says, “I’m gonna dance with the One who brung me!!” Some friends have commented that I might not be as fun as I once was. But I have NEVER had so much fun and adventure as I am having now with the LORD!! LORD, deliver me from caring what they may think and from feeling the need to prove to that I am a blast! 🙂
Dana, Pace Florida
I will be semi-solo on this study. Will be reviewing periodically with a wonderful friend, but otherwise it’s me, God and the Siestas. #3 made me think the most-I realize that often I go to God looking for something-results, relief, answers-and though I may or may not always get what I want, I ALWAYS receive His grace. This summer I will go looking for THAT specifically!
Greenwood, MS: Marilyn Elliott – doing the study solo this time around. My soul and spirit need renewal and I am looking forward to spending time in the Word. I am praying for direction. Thank you, sweet Beth, for encouraging all of us to be involved in Bible study during the summer months.
Greenville, South Carolina; Upstate Carolina Girls; There are six of us doing the Bible Study and we are meeting in the conference room of one of the members office. Our group came to be as a result of the scripture celebration in Houston. We had a great time of discussion and are enjoying growing closer to the Lord together.
Thank you so much for doing this study!
Greenwood/Whiteland,IN; Grace ladies; 4 ladies. We are looking forward to the study and praying the Lord will break our hearts and draw us closer to Him. We want to be His hands and feet.
Milford, Ohio. The Ginger Snap Girls, 7.
We will be meeting in our church parlor, a small living room type room. This is a new group of women, formed for this study in the evening. We range from grandmothers to new babies. Our time was spent talking about #2 and how God has worked in our lives to strengthen our faith. My co-leader made some Ginger Snaps and we might have been a little slap happy when we picked our name at the end of the night.
Jennifer –
We have 3 small groups doing this study in MILFORD, OHIO!! Would be great to know more about you! Be blessed in your study this summer! <3
We are at Trinity UMC! I’d love to hear from you. http://www.trinitymilford.org
I am doing the study solo. The question that spoke to me the most was No. 3 because I have been sick and in pain with Scleroderma for years, begging for mercy and relief from the constant suffering. I have been anointed twice by pastors and elders from my church and prayed over, and I have attended healing ministries. While I have come to accept that it is not His will to heal me, I have trouble picturing Him as a loving Dad who would do anything for His little girl. I have trouble picturing closeness with Him because it seems He has little mercy for me. I hope to see through the pain to His goodness and love.
Dear Linda,
My heart aches for you. I prayed for you this morning and will keep you in my prayers. I hope that God will keep you steadfast through this study and that he will give you sight to see through your pain to His goodness and love as you’ve asked.
Houston, TX; 2, You and Me.
Summary: Other person in group needs prayer that they can see that God is gracious and is not harsh and condemning. This individual sees God as harsh and condemming based on the Old Testatment. I think this is because of this person’s religious background before they became a Christian.
Thank you for doing this study.
I’m sorry I inadvertently typed my information wrong in my original post. It should say:
Houston, TX.
The group name is: You and Me.
There are 2 people in the group.
Summary: Other person in group needs prayer that they can see that God is gracious and is not harsh and condemning. This individual sees God as harsh and condemming based on the Old Testatment. I think this is because of this person’s religious background before they became a Christian.
Thank you for doing this study.
Christelle, Delafield Wisconsin, semi-solo?!
I just love the whole passage, I have been praying for a passionate love for God and His Word. These verses were like an answer reaffirming the importance of His way, His promises, His decrees, statutes, precepts, for every step I have to take.
Wynnewood, OK….Solo. #3 & #4 really speaks to me. I’m still (fairly) young-47, and got hit with a health issue that ended my career a few years ago. I LOVED to work, and I didn’t know what to do with myself. Just this morning, I was watching your DVD Fulfill Your Ministry, and see there is so very much more left for me to do, just shift it over to where it should have been all along, focused on Jesus. Looking forward to more spiritual growth with my sisters!
Going solo here on the prairies of ND!!!!
I find His testimonies give me peace in a world full of unrest and disorder. Life is just much simpler being obedient to God. Who wouldn’t want simplicity in a world that just screams with complexity.
I have so many challenges this summer my disabled son still needs much care after his stroke type seizures he suffered some weeks back. Our small church celebrates it’s centennial this weekend, I am helping with that. A new minister is moving into a house we own that has not been lived in for afew years and it needs total redoing, I need to help ready it. There are two weddings which require being gone two weekends. we need to travel to Mayo clinic soon and we have many appointments to keep up with, again, for Brian’s health care needs. I have show horses to get ready for our state fair in a month. Then there is the constant need to tend to large veggie and flower gardens. I tend to get cranky and overwhelmed when too many things pile up so I need an extra measure of prayer and stamina to keep up with the things that matter and to let go of those who do not.
It would be very easy to say I do not have time for Bible study this summer but I can not see how I can afford not to!!!! I am looking forward to these weks being in His word!
Love and blessings to you! You look so radiant and well.
Betty M
Houston,TX;2
I’ve just moved home from Virginia Beach and I am excited to do this study with my mother-in-law.
#5 “Let no iniquity get dominion over me”. I want the total freedom in Christ that I once had. Praying with expectation.
Washington state: My sister, mother, and me. We are studying as a family this time from different parts of the state. We talked about God’s steadying help in many different areas this summer, for myself that I would be encouraged in a new church home after a move, my sister for grace in the changing dynamics of family life with a new one, and for my mother in the difficult process of preparation for retirement and momentously changing circumstances. God is good and we are eager to see how His grace carries us through. so thankful for this forum to bring us together!
Greater Los Angeles Area, CA ~ Rebecca
Going solo this summer. I look forward to studying the bible again. The last four years have been a spiritual dry season for me. I need God, living life without him Really stinks. Number 3 resonated with me, I am praying for God to take away my bitterness of heart and like Beth said “seek God with grateful expectation of his graciousness toward me.” Love this community.
Davis, IL, going solo on this but doing a group study on Monday nights-“What Happens When Women Say Yes to God”-Lysa TerKeurst. #4 REALLY GOT ME!!!!! I recently lost my job at our church. I was the director of a preschool ministry and they just ended the minisrty. It is STILL an open wound. My husband has two businesses and neither one is doing good. I pray for God’s favor over him. I want to pray these verses daily and memorize them. GOD BLESS YOU BETH!!!!!
The Woodlands TX, soon to be Denver CO – going solo
Question 4 spoke to me. I have had so much change in my life in the past year. My husband was transferred after his position was eliminated to Houston from Salt Lake less than a year ago. He was told his position was the one elminated because he had ‘too much integrity’. While I was blessed by the many churches here, and being able to come hear most of your Deuteronomy study this spring, I’ve not met anyone here and am very lonely. However, my husband has not had the opportunity to transfer back to Denver, which is our home and in fact is already there working a lot. Two more weeks and I will be too, but this summer has been one of extreme humidity that I am not used to, stress, and loneliness. But I believe God has me here for a reason and that is to learn to trust and focus on Him daily and it’s been awesome.
Hey Lori,
I grew up a military brat and had to move all the time. I know how difficult it can be to find yourself in a new place, which can be overwhelming, and not to have anyone to discuss it with. I live in Huntsville, AL but would love to discuss the study with you via email. If you are interested, feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Donna M. McMinnville, TN
Thank you so much for this study. Question 7: I’m asking the Lord to shine light on my job hunting situation. I’ve tossed and turned many a night trying to decide the next movie for me.
Fort Worth, Texasland and K-town, TN; The Dooley Girls – katieg and matia; 2; Part of our detailed discussion included the prayer of asking the Lord to let no iniguity get dominion over us. We are asking that he every thought be taken captive for the glory of Jesus Christ and that circumstances of our lives do not distract us from our spiritual disciplines of prayer and reading and meditating on the Word as we study it.
Houston, TX; Binglewood Gals, 5. *We talked about the challenges we have this summer and how we need God to get through them. We have one mom that is expecting her second child in August (and her first is only 11 months) with her husband that may be deploying soon. Another mom that has a one year old that doesn’t want to sleep. And another that is having an exhausting time at work trying to keep up with everything.
Jackie Nottingham England. I’m doing this alone but I feel very excited to read everyone’s comments and feel very much part of the group- a siesta! This blog has come to mean so very much to me. Number 1 is important. Since I shared on the blog that the Lord did not seem to be listening, He has been shouting His wonderful testimonies to me. I also want Him to steady my steps as we continue to journey through this very hard but fruitful season together.This is the first bible study I have ever done and I feel excited and anxious at the same time. Can’t wait for my book to arrive!
Welcome Jackie! How exciting that this is your first Bible study! My first study was Beth Moore’s study on Esther. I have been digging into God’s Word ever since. So looking forward to getting to know you better!
Denver, Colorado; Denver Sistas, 3. We are a group of 3 women in their 40’s who shared ancho chili chicken tacos around the table while watching the videos and discussing Psalm 119. We all pray that our steps will be steady this summer (question #4)and that we remain faithful. We shared our concerns ranging from family issues that can capture our time and place stress on our hearts, a reluctance to answer the Holy Spirit’s urging to share Christ with others, and the tendency to try to maintain control instead of leaving it with God. We are excited for God to speak to us through Nehemiah. Finally, we cannot wait for our trip down I25 to hear Beth speak in Colorado Springs this Friday and Saturday!
Johnstown, PA; Walking On, just 2 of us good friends doing the study. We met in my living room. We will do Kelly’s videos on the week between Beth’s videos.
#2: We know God’s testimonies are wonderful because of the mercy he has shown us in getting us out of a lot of pits and keeping us out of a lot of others; also the quality of our lives is so much better when we are obedient to His Word. #3: We both expect God to deal with us graciously, and have found that to be true. #4: Some of our challenges this summer are family situations, finances, and wisdom for making good decisions. #5: For myself, what I am dealing most with is my tongue– eliminating criticism, complaining, judgment, and harsh words.
We are asking God to make His face shine upon us and to teach us through Nehemiah this summer.
Should have been “Walking On With God”
Our group is called God’s Girls. we are a newly formed online group in different stages of our lifes. We are all excited to see where God leads us as a group and as individuals on this journey/study we are on. We look forward to getting to know each other and learn more on how God wants to use us for His purpose.
Export, Pennsylvania(near Pittsburgh), Jill E. solo
I am so looking forward to this study and the sharing of so many sisters in Christ. I know that God is gracious to me – over and over and over when I deserve it least. He is faithful.
Hello from Alpharetta, GA! Our group is named the GRITTS (Girls Reading In The Truth) and we are seven ladies strong, meeting in my home over dessert. Question #3: All of us who were present discussed that we believe God is gracious, but still disciplines us in that graciousness when needed. We also talked about how our view of God being gracious vs. harsh/condemning has changed through our lives and as we have grown in our Walk with Him.
We’re already looking forward to the next time!
Annville, PA; LVCDutchwomen; 3. Summary: We spent most of our time getting situated during our first meeting. We are sharing our responses to the discussion questions via email, but hope to have more time next week to discuss.
Naomi, Colorado Springs, solo. #4, Psalms 119:133a.
I am asking God to make my steps steady this summer. I want to keep walking in the direction of what God is calling me to do and in the ministry He has entrusted me. I find myself wanting to quit sometimes, thoughts of insecurity and inadequacy tempt me to not have a steady walk in the call he has placed on me. I also encounter distractions that can keep me busy from what the Lord has for me to do. Praying that God will shine his face upon me, his servant, this summer and teach me what I need to learn through this study.
La Mirada, California. Our group is called SheGrows and we had 11 ladies. We met in our Church office (Living Faith La Mirada) and have decided that we will rotate to various homes for our next 3 meetings. In our discussion last night we commented on Gods amazing faithfulness, purpose, stability and order (in times of chaos), understanding, compassion, consistency, and transformation He has in our lives that gives us each a powerful testimony. Our group is full of great expectation for how God will move this summer as we shared how we need Him to steady our steps and break bondage of fear, laziness, distraction, frustration and to keep our eyes on HIM!
Aurora,Colorado, Marney K. Going solo. This summer I am asking God to steady my steps, in ministering to my 19 year old grandson and his girlfriend who are homeless. I am also asking God to the dominion of depress will not rule over me.
I am very excited to be doing this study with you
Donna, Greensboro NC, going solo. Love, love, love the verse 133b: “Let no iniquity get dominion over me.” What an awesome prayer to pray over my family!!! Looking forward to being a part of this online study. 🙂
San Angelo, Texas, San Angelo Siestas (5)
Questions 3 and 7 provided the most discussion and prayer topics for our group.
So excited! God is good!
Leander, Texas; BlessOurHearts, 5 fabulous ladies.
We meet on Tuesday evenings at 7pm at one of our ladies homes. When it comes to Bible study, this is a Dream Team. We have not met for a while and it was great to catch up and it was hard to see we are all going through some tough times in each of our lives. One common thread is you say Bible study and they come and I love that about them. We have plenty of room for a few more and hope we can have some new faces.
The one thing I think we walked away is this is a starting point for us. A starting for us to grow back together after a break, to draw closer to God, to encourage and cry with and for each other, to hold each other accountable in our tendency we identified last night and to laugh…oh the laughter we have together. It is like a healing of my heart.
If I forget to say thank you for this study and I doubt I will, but just in case, thank you for this, Siesta Momma. You said you don’t know why you love us so but I can only imagine it is because we love you so.
Huntsville, AL: Jessica (solo) I think what most resonated with me was question #6. Oppression is the “exercise of authority in a cruel or unjust manner,” and authority is “the power to determine or settle issues.” The main difference I see between oppression and authority is the driving force behind it.
God’s authority is meant to settle and establish us. His commands are for our own protection and we can rest assured He never abuses His authority to be cruel or to treat us unjustly.
So excited to go on this journey with my fellow siestas 🙂
Renton, Washington; Women of the Word; 6. We enjoyed dinner and great fellowship before moving onto the video and questions. You bet that next time we will be making the beef enchiladas and ginger snaps! We probably camped on questions 2 and 3 the longest, talking about how wonderful are the Lord’s testimonies and why and how we can trust that God deals with us graciously. We spoke about how things always turn out better when we do things God’s way vs. our own way and how many blessings we see when we view things from an eternal perspective. One gal shared with us how she’s heard it said that sometimes we are like an ant on a Rembrandt: we can’t always see the beauty of the whole picture unless we pause and step back, asking God to help us see.