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.
Patti, Ft. Walton Beach, FL; “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13, NIV
John 14: 1-7
Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again to take you unto myself..that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going. Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going so how can we know the way?” And Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Peg, Hillsboro, KS
God met me more than halfway, He freed me from my anxious fears.
Psalm 34:4 the Message
Michelle, Columbus, OH:
“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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!”
Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV
Tracey, Bear Creek
He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
Is 61:2 NLT
For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should all love one another
NIV
1 John 3:11
Sharon in Florien: And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Phillipian 4:19 NIV
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:1
Katie- Sherrill,NY
Mark 9:24 NIV
Immediately the boys father exclaimed, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Ann from Indiana
Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.
2 Cor. 4:18
Whoops typo…
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Chantel, Bellingham Wa
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:5-7 NIV
Kathy Fargo,ND
But he said to me,”My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made erfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly abot my weaknesses, so that Christ”s power may rest on me. 2 Cor 12:9 NIV
love this verse, that was mine last week.
Judy, Fuquay Varina, NC
Isaiah 12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. NIV
Aquilla, TX
And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.
1 John 2:28 ESV 🙂
Rachel, Columbia, SC:
“No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb of God will be in it, and His servants will worship Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, or the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”
Rev 22:3-5, ESV
Galations 5:15 NIV
If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Inez Barnes
Hamburg AR
Carrie, Poplar Bluff
1 Cor. 10:23 NIV
“Everything is permissible-but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible-but not everything is constructive.”
Thank you LT!!!
Marla, Lame Deer, MT
Psalms 143:8 Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. NIV
Olympia, WA. In conclusion, brothers, focus your thoughts on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy. Philippians 4:8 Complete Jewish Bible
Emily C. Deltona Florida James 1:19-20 Know this my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. ESV
Chris – Sugar Land, TX
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Shaminder
Toronto,ON
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”.
Isaiah 41:10
NIV
Barb, Evansville, IN, 1 Cor 13:4-7 NCV
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 32:7
Karon
Kingsland, GA
Erin, Lubbock, TX “He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.” Proverbs 21:23 NIV
Brenda, Midlothian, VA. “But thanks be to God Who always leads us in His triumph in Christ and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” 2 Cor 2:14 NASB
Anne, Wauchula
A man finds joy in giving an apt reply…and how good is a timely word! Proverbs 15:23 (NIV)
Kristin- Nashville TN
Psalm 90:14-17 NLT
“Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good. Let us, your servants, see you work again; let our children see your glory. And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, Make our efforts successful!”
Psalm 62:5-6 NIV
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone, my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation he is my fortress I will not be shaken.
Refrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded, declares the Lord. They will return from the land of the enemy. Jer. 31:16 NIV
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is God’s will- His good, pleasing and perfect will
Romans 12:2, NIV
Carrie
Burnt Hills, NY
Hannah, Chesterland
“The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 121:7-8
Tamara, Upland
He is the radiance of His glory, the exact expression of His nature, and He sustains all things by His powerful word. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Hebrews 1:3 (CSB)
Michelle, Portage, IN
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” – Romans 12:2 NLT
Julie, Chesterland
“The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 121:7-8
Marlies, The Netherlands. “Adapt yourselves no longer to the pattern of this present world, but let your minds be remade and your whole nature thus transformed.” Rom 12:2 NEB
Susie, Whitehouse, TX
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Lisa, Lake Forest: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” NKJV
Kelli, Indianapolis
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. Philippians 4:19, The Message
Heledd, Bridgend Wales
Jesus replied, if anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him.
John 14.23 NIV
Anita, Hartsville TN – The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I hope it’s not too late to post! Completely slipped my mind!!! Had my verse wrote down since Saturday!!! Lord help me!!
Sally, Barrington, IL The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8 ESV
This is for my mom who has joined us! (Yeah!)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105
Donna
Ilion, NY
Hannah, Chesterland, OH
“The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 121:7-8 ESV
Amy – Lubbock, TX
O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. Psalms 63:1 NLT
Beth
Liberty Lake, WA
NIV
PHIL 4:19
And my God shall supply all my needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Galatians 5:1 (KJV) – Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Karla and Hannah – Ft. Thomas, KY
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NIV Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.