Hello Siestas! I pray you are well and blessed.
My name is Amy. I grew up in Texas and New Mexico. I’m blessed to have been raised in a loving home where I grew up as a Pastor’s kid. While I am no longer living in either of those states, I still claim Texas as my ‘Home Sweet Home.’ I love to read, cook, organize everything, and writing. Just recently I took up knitting!
I chose a scripture that while I know it – I don’t live it. For that reason I don’t have it memorized like I should. It carries so much promise I knew I needed to share it with you.
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NLT
I could write about my insecurities and fears all day. In fact, I have re-written this post four times now. Why? I have a fear of what other people will think of me – of how I will sound when people read it. The funny thing is that I want to be a writer. My heart and passion are in encouraging others, listening to their stories, and teaching God’s Word.
It has taken me a few years to find out this is what I really want to do with my life. My education is not in English or Communication, but I have figured out that it doesn’t matter. As my pastor says, “God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.”
For years I have allowed my insecurities and fears to control me. I allowed the enemy to use them to hold me back from God’s call on my life. It has crept into my life in many areas: with my weight (a struggle that has lasted over fifteen years now), in finding a spouse, with other relationships, with job opportunities, with life goals I’ve wanted to achieve, and so much more.
Coming into this year I knew I had to change focus. My problem wasn’t that I didn’t know the issues I needed to deal with, or even the solutions to those issues, it was in the action to take the steps to achieve them. We’ve all been there at one time or another, right? Take my weight issue, for example: I’ve known for years I’ve needed to admit it, work on it, and conquer it. My problem wasn’t admitting I needed to lose weight. I had admitted that to family, friends and even myself. My problem wasn’t in knowing what to do – I had read everything, been to a dietitian, nutritionist, a few trainers, and tried many diets. My problem was simply doing it.
I have a wonderful younger brother. He has grown into an amazing man of God. He is my best friend and the best person in my life when it comes to being honest. He isn’t afraid of hurting my feelings. He loves me enough to speak truth. He talked to me the other night about this very issue of weight. His words, while truthful and hard-hitting, held so much grace. While I was carrying on about feeling alone with no one around to help me, he said “Amy, in the physical sense you are alone. You are alone because you are the only one who can physically do this. I can’t step into your body and make you – it’s up to you. But in the spiritual sense, you should know better. You are so strong. Physically you are strong. Spiritually you are strong. But you’re also strong mentally. If there is anyone I know who can do this it is you. You really are a warrior. You just have these jabs the enemy keeps hitting you with. You are in this for yourself!”
I need to hear those words. My eyes watered when he called me a warrior. I don’t know that I’ve ever been called that before. It made me realize that I’ve allowed my insecurities and fears to control me for too long – not just in my weight, but in many areas in my life. To hear someone I admire so dearly call me a warrior! I associate warrior with words like boldness, courage, dedication, steadfast, determined, unstoppable. To see my brother’s confidence in me helped me to understand that is how Christ sees me – like a warrior! I needed this to kick me into high gear.
Now I’m determined. I won’t allow fear or insecurity to hold me back from what God is calling me to do. It doesn’t matter what the issue, I can conquer it. I am a daughter of the Most High God. Dear Siesta, you are too!
I want to encourage you that whatever issues you are facing this year, remember that Jesus adores you and calls you His daughter. His Word says that we can confidently walk forward in life wearing strength and dignity as our fashion statement. We can walk into our future knowing that we are warriors for Christ. We don’t have to know the future to face it with confidence. The Word says we laugh without fear of the future! We don’t have to fear what is to come, our future mistakes, our insecurities and how they will play out.
We just do our part and take a step. Our confidence comes in knowing he is taking us one step at a time as Psalms 37:23 says: “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” NLT
My prayer for us, Siestas, is that we take Him at His Word. He delights in the details of our lives, He knows what is to come, and we can confidently take the step, the action, and move forward, without fear.
This is a replacement verse. Evidently 2 Cor. 8:11 is an important one to my heart, as I chose it not only for December but also for the July 1 entry. As I was reviewing past verses, I noticed. New one for December 15 selection is below.
Clancie Speck, Elizabethtown, KY, “But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your mind and in your heart, so that you can do it.” Deut., 30:14, AMP
Kassi Rushing – Ridgeland, MS – 2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
Lisa Cummings
Joaquin, TX
“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him come th my salvation” Psalm 62:1 KJV
Angelina Eger, Moscow, ID
John 3:30
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Angie Brown, Taylors, SC
I have wrote my verses on my cards as the Lord has laid them on my heart. So even though I am behind posting….I have had these last few written for a few weeks. I have just read this Nov 13 post. The Holy Spirit is so personal. My verse….
For God has not given a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgement. 2 Timothy 1:7 CSB Praise Him!
Lisa Cummings
Joaquin, TX
“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.” Psalm 62:1 KJV
Sara, Greenfield, IN
The Song of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45 (ESV)
Kelly Mabe, Brashear, TX
Proverbs 23:13 NIV
Do not withhold discipline from a child, if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.
Patricia Gandy
Florence
Psalm 103:6 NIV)
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
Pam Tucker
Fairhope, AL
Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Psalm 145:2 ESV
Angie Miller, Macon, MS
John 1:14, NKJV
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Stephanie. Hamburg, Ar. 1 Corinthians 13:4 NLT Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
Inez Barnes
Hamburg Ar
Psalm 100:3 the Message
Know this. God is God
He made us we didn’t make Him. We’re his people his well tended sheep
Mande Brightwell. Longview, Tx. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (Matthew 6:12 NIV)
Sarah M., Laurel, MS, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever.” Revelation 1:17
Nancy Huebner, Spring Hill, Tennessee
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)
June Greenstreet
Bradford Ontario
“and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—”
Philippians 3:9 ESV
Laura
Kyle, Texas
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6
Psalm 107:1-2 NIV
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His love endures forever. Let the redeemed tell their story!
Jennifer Edwards Alabama
My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only He will release my feet from the snare.
Psalm 25:15 NIV
Carolyn, Conroe, TX
“Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.”
– Philippians 4:5 (NASB)
Lisa
Katy, Tx
“I call out to the Lord and He answers me from His holy mountain.”
Psalm 3:4
NIV
Elaine, New Orleans, LA
He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4 NIV
Lindsey Fellers, Myrtle Beach, SC
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”
James 1:5 NLT
Alyssa Molina, Sealy TX- NIV Psalm 27:11– Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
Round Rock, TX 78681
Romanos 12:19
No tomen venganze, hermanos mios, sino dejen castigo en las manos de Dios, porque esta escrito:
<>, dice el senor.
November 15
Psalm 25:19 NIV
19 Consider how many are my foes,
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
Shonda Vielbig, Ventura, CA Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Prov 16:18 NIV
Megan, Goodlettsville, TN
2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
Stephanie B.
Augusta, GA
Romans 8:35-36 (ESV)
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
Mei, Easley SC
Psalm 16:8The Voice (VOICE)
8 He is ever present with me;
at all times He goes before me.
I will not live in fear or abandon my calling
because He stands at my right hand.
Kathy French
Austin
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving The Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ” Romans 12:11-12. NIV 1984
Karina
Baton Rouge, La.
“…for I am the Lord who heals you.” Exodus 15:26 NIV
Tracy, Kountze, Texas
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. Romans 12:9 NASB
Stephanie, Queen City, Tx
10) “Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 (NKJV)
Jennifer Olmstead
Janesville, Wisconsin
Matthew 11:35
Jesus wept . . .
———————————————————
I know that this may be the shortest verse in the Bible; but, I feel that I have a “need to know” that, in His humanity; that Jesus wept just like I/we do . . .
Sadly, I had THREE beloved people in my life pass away between September 25th and November 5, 2015. And, two of them passed within 8 days of one another. The bravest Christian man that I have ever known, personally; and whom I would have married, if distance \, and circumstances beyond our control had not stopped us . . . He was a dear man named Bryan Z., and he lost his battle with Cancer, on 9/25/15. Then, due to her age, and kidney disease; Bryan’s sweet Mom, Elaine, passed away on 10/2/15 (They both lived near Houston, Texas; where we met). Then, suddenly, my last aunt on my Dad’s side of my family fell, and was hospitalized. Thankfully, this time, I was able to drive 1.5 hours in order to go see Aunt Doris. They think a stroke may have caused her fall; as she passed away on 11/5/15; only 3 days after my sisters and I got to visit with her for a few minutes.
HOWEVER, all three of them “knew Jesus”; so I know that they are in Heaven with Him — And, that means that I will get to see them again someday . . .
[I do not remember if I put this up on the blog; and definitely do not wish to go through 1,600 replies just to see if I did so already ! 🙂 ]
Linda in Chester, VA
“God called to the Man: ‘Where are you?'”
Genesis 3:9 (MSG)
Gwen M Longview, Tx
Hebrews 5:8English Standard Version (ESV)
8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.
Erika Powell, celebration FL
1 Samuel 14:7 ESV
“And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.”
Dianne, Magnolia TX
Psalm 147:11(NIV)
The Lord delights in those that fear him, who put their hope in him.
God bless you. I’ve really been struggling…not that I have many issues. I have just been afraid of life, of making mistakes, and what tomorrow might bring.
God directs my steps
But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared. Psalm 130:4 NIV
Lubbock, Tx Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
Thank you for your blog post! It has encouraged me so much! I struggle with all of those things as well and needed to “hear” this truth.
Esther Mancia- Little Elm TX-
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NIV
Melissa E
Anna, Tx
” O give thanks, unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.”
Psalm 107:1 KJV