Hey, you Scripture-memory buffs! I pray that your verses are bearing fruit and that they’re right there on the tip of your tongue when you’re tempted to say something the polar opposite of God’s will. That’s one of many things I like about memory work. It’s seems out of place to use the same mouth that has been spouting Scripture to spout off a bunch of trash. That doesn’t mean we never do it but it does mean we’re likely to feel miserable over it and think twice the next time.
Two times in a row our SSMT has fallen on a Bible study day so I am forced to be much briefer than I’d like. My heart toward you is bigger than my words, particularly today. Tonight’s lesson is especially pressing because I’m further behind in preparation than I’d normally be if I hadn’t had a taping over the weekend and spent the end of last work-week getting ready for it. Yada yada yada. I am woman, hear me whine.
I bet some of you feel the same way I’ve felt over the last week: too much on your plate. Looking at all of it in one big heap on your desk or your calendar can be demoralizing. Thursday I had one of those days when you can hardly make it to your car after work without bursting into tears. On the way home I felt like God was telling me to humble myself and get the word out that I needed prayer and by the next day I felt a world better. (Some nights you just go to bed early out of love for the people who live with you.) A couple of other things have really helped me today. They seem elementary but, if so, why don’t we ever seem to learn them once and for all? Here’s what they are: Remembering to…
1) TAKE ONE THING AT A TIME! God’s grace really is sufficient and He really does meet all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. As much as we want to see all that manna heaped up in a mountain of provision a week in advance alongside those upcoming demands, His promise in Philippians 4:19 is to meet each one AT THE TIME WE NEED IT. Thank You, Lord. If we could learn to live in this present moment with this present provision, oh, man, life would be so much less stressful, wouldn’t it?
2) SAY NO. I have managed to get that most distasteful word for the people-pleasure out of my mouth two times today to people I really, really, really didn’t want to say no to. People I love a ton. People I want very much to please. But the fact is, I don’t have a single other yes in my pocket right now. Not one. For this moment, I am completely bereft of extra yeses. Anybody else? So it’s got to be no. Help us, Lord. We need so much help to say yes to no.
Anyway, that’s not what we’re doing on here today. We’re on here to spout off our Siesta Scripture Memory Team Verse 4!
I am continuing out of the Book of James. This round I’m going with James 3:17 –
Beth, Houston. “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical.” James 3:17 The NET Bible (Is that a mouthful or what??)
For any of you who could use some ideas, the alternative verse I’m selecting for today outside of James may as well be the one I mentioned a couple of paragraphs earlier. If you’ve never memorized this one, stick it toward the top of your list. It’s a staple in the mental pantry of the believer.
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
And from The Message:
You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, His generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.
And that is a promise, Sweet Thing. Eyes up. Chins up. Joy up.
And maybe…just maybe…say yes to no.
Just for fun, here are a couple of pictures from Valentine’s dinner last night. We didn’t have the Fitzpatricks with us because they had their own plans for their third anniversary. Can you believe it’s been that long? We missed them but had a ton of fun anyway. Here are two darling couples I got to stare at across the table. I love them each so much.
We are ecstatic to have Travis and Angela in town and the rest of the worship team lands today. They’ll lead us tonight at Bible study. Wooooohooooooo!
Are they darling or what? For any of you newcomers, that’s Amanda, my firstborn, and Curtis, her wonderful man.
This picture didn’t come out well because the lighting was so bright so I did it in black and white and it looked even goofier but, anyway, at least you know I really did go with them to dinner.
And, in case I haven’t yet bored you to utter oblivion, here is one more that Trav took with his phone:
OK, that’s it! If you’re missing my Valentine, he had to be out of town for a work thing but I will see him soon and got beautiful roses and funny text messages all day.
Let’s hear each of your fourth verses, Siestas! Name, city, verse and translations please!
I love you guys.
Shelly, Greenville
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40 ESV
Kristi, Scottsdale AZ
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV
Cathy, Lebanon
“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson,I will make them as white as wool.”
Isaiah 1:18 NLT
Missi- Walker, LA: Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Shari, Augusta, GA
“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” Joshua 1:8 NASB
McKinney, Texas
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Col 3:12
michelle
Woodstock, VT
Rejoice always;
pray without ceasing;
in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1Thessalonians 4:16-18 nasb
Annette, Houston
The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Isaiah 58:11 NIV
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.
I Corinthians 6:12, NASB
Beckley WV
Thank you for the encouragement Beth! We are praying for you & we love you!
Michele
Liverpool, NY
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Is 43.19, ESV
For your royal Husband delights in your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord.
Psalm 45:11, NLT
Kim
Ashland, VA
Adrienne
Jasper, TN
“Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; His greatness no-one can fathom.” Psalm 145:3 (NIV)
Joyce Wahpeton ND
And this is my prayer; that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.
Philippians 1:9-10 NIV
Sharon, Montgomery
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” ~ Eph 2:10.
Vicki Knott, Greenwood, SC
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
Star, Jackson, TN
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14(NIV)
Melissa, St. Mary’s County, MD “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” James 3:17 KJV
Yolanda, Queen City, Texas
Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV)
I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Kerry, Nederland, Texas
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. May peace be within your walls and prosperity within your palaces.”
Psalm 122: 6-7
New Living Translation
” Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.”
Colossians 3:15 NIV
Crystal, Munford
Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 2 Chronicles 20:7 NIV
“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, and of the son of man who is made like grass that you have forgotten the LORD your Maker”
Isaiah 51:12 (NAS)
(to be continued with verse 13 next time)
So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. Romans 14:13, NLT
Angie, Minden, LA
Jan
Bemus Point, NY
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT)
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
And in French:
2 Corinthiens 3:18 (PDV)
Notre visage à nous tous est sans voile, et la gloire du Seigneur se reflète sur nous, comme dans un miroir. Alors le Seigneur, qui est l’Esprit, nous transforme. Il nous rend semblables à lui, avec une gloire toujours plus grande.
Love the French too!
Beverly, Midlothian VA
The LORD is gracious and merciful,slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all,and his mercy is over all that he has made. (Psalm 145:8-9 ESV)
Proverbs 3:18
Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly. NLT
Cassandra, Crawfordsville, IN “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 NKJV
Valerie, Fultondale, AL
“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Nancy, West Virginia
Psalm 62:3&4 NIV
How long will assault a man? Would all of you throw him down–this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. Selah
Christine from Raleigh, NC
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
~ John 15:15 NIV
Michelle, Houston “Dios no es hombre, para que mienta, ni hijo de hombre para que se arrepienta. ¿Acaso dice y no hace? ¿Acaso promete y no cumple?” Números 23:19 Reina-Valera 1995
Ephesians 3: 20-21 (NLT)
Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
When you pass through the waters,I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. Is. 42 2 NLT
“Come to me all who are weary, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 NIV
Deborah, Philadelphia, PA
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, NIV
Laurie, Gibsonville, NC
Psalm 116:8 AMP Bible
For You have delivered my life from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling and falling!
Candice
Evanston, IL
James 3:17 (NIV)
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
“Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” -Psalm 143:8 (NRSV)
Charleston, SC
Ephesians 4:7 NIV
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
Ashley Sullens
Kings Mountain, NC
Luke 1:37 NAS
“For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Beckie, Washington DC: “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” -Psalm 23:6 (NIV)
Rose, Dallas
James 3:14 (NIV) “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
I LOVE THIS!
Jill; Plano, Texas
James 3:14 (NIV) “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
I meant James 3:17
Nicole, Parker, CO
“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be give me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” Ephesians 6:19, NIV
Heidi from Rochester, MI
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:9 NIV
Lauren, Biloxi
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
Deuteronomy 4:9 NIV
Laura, Englewood- This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
1John 1:5 NIV
Peggy–Yorktown, VA
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1Thes 5:16-15 NRSV
Teresa from Naples, FL
But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
Isaiah 43:1 NASB
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. I John 5:14, NIV
Amy in Perkasie, PA: Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Thrills my heart to see your on here, my friend!
Valerie, Louisville KY
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. SEE, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19