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.
Kim Freeman Fort Worth Texas Psalm 73:25-26 NIV
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Laura Hagedorn, Rib Mountain, WI., Yet, Lord my God, give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence. 2 Chronicles 6:19 NIV
Amy Cobb, Murfreesboro, TN. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 NIV
Susan, Knoxville, TN
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 NIV
Izora Browning Midland, Texas November 15,2015
When pride comes,then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Ps. 11:2 NIV
Katy, TX, Colossians 4:2, NLT
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
Janelle MacKay Malta, NY – 2 Corinthians 4:2-4
We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.
If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing.
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
Selena Rosetti, Wiggins, MS, Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand. Isaiah 13:24 (NIV)
Katie Baine, Clarksville, TN “He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) Ephesians 4:10 NIV
Jedonne, Nashville, TN
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 (NKJV)
Sugar Land. Psalm 103:11 NIV
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
Sandra Hicks, Houston, Tx
God is to us a God of deliverance and salvation.
Proverbs 1:33 Moffatt
Suzy from Cedar Falls, IA
Psalm 62:5 NIV
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.”
Dana, San Angelo
“So those who are last will be first”. Matthew 20:16 (C.E.B.).
Kathleen Partin Saint Joseph Michigan
2 Timothy 2:19
“Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his; and ” Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness,”
NIV.
Mindy – McDonough, GA
Revelation 21:3 (NIV)
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
Susan L. (central IL) Help me understand the meaning of Your precepts so that I can meditate on Your wonders. Psalm 119:27 HCSB
Ashley, Kingwood, TX, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him!” Philippians 2:13 NLT
Natalie, Frisco, TX, “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.”
Psalm 37:7 NLT
Sherri Medford, Abilene, Tx
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, Isaiah 61:2 NIV
Yates Center, KS
“Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse them. ”
Romans 12:14 ESV
Brady Bradshaw, Cedar Rapids IA. Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18 NIV
Vickie, Spokane,WA.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25 NIV
Lynn Watson November 15
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us
21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever! Amen
Julie Lohr, Gahanna, OH
Romans 5:9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! NIV
Thank you for the words of encouragement, Amy.
Debbie,Tennessee
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25 KJV
Michelle Wynne , Spokane ,WA. For Nov 1 and 15….but he holds the priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7: 24-25 ESV
Marie from Post Falls, Idaho –
“You will keep him perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because He trusts in You.” – Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)
Sophia S., Harleysville, PA
“In this world you will have trouble. But be brave, I have defeated the world!”
John 16:33 ICB
Sharon, Little Rock All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
2 Corinthians 5:18 NIV
Nov 15, 2015 Debi Detroyer Emmett, MI
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 NIV
Beth Smyth, Perth, Western Australia
The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom should I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 HCSB
Christy from Holland, MI
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 NIV
Kristen, Liberty, MO
Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?
I am, said Jesus. And you will see the Son the Man sitting on the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven. Mark 14: 61b-62 NIV
He has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy an blamelsss and irreproachable before him. Colossians 1:22 NLT
Gina Campbell, Katy, TX.
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
James 1:22 NLT
Jennifer S., Harleysville, PA
”
The LORD Almighty has sworn, ‘ Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.'” .
Isaiah 14:24 NIV
Lindsay Loper, Chattanooga, TN
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Psalm 23:5, NIV
Gabriella S., Harleysville, PA
“The LORD will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the LORD.”
Isaiah 38:20 NIV
Beth, Lansing, MI
Proverbs 27:19 ESV
As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.
Sandra, Rock Hill, SC
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
Psalm 8:3-4 NIV
Karoletha Stone Longview, Texas
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Psalm 55:22 NIV
Lisa Lucik, Sugar Land, TX
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace..
Ephesians 4:3 NIV
Lisa Curtis
Jackson, MO
May the God of peace equip you with all you need for doing his will. Hebrews 13:21 TLB
Christine, Greenville, SC
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” Psalms 37:23 NLT
Vickie Gray
Wichita Falls, TX
“He will rejoice over you with joyful songs”
Zephaniah 3:17
NLT
Buffalo, NY
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish what I please. And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11. NKJV
Angela Dedman, Murfreesboro, TN. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 NIV
Barbara Slaven
Loudon, Tennessee
for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:113 NIV
Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada ♡
2 Tim 1:7 NIV
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.