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.
Whitney, Memphis, TN:
I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in His death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! Philippians 3:10-11
Jennifer, Estero FL
Psalm 146:4 “Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save”
Brenda, Ft. Ashby, WV.
Ephesians 3:15 (NLT)
The Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.
Lisa (11)
Jeremiah 14:20 (NLT)
Lord, we confess our wickedness and that of our ancestors, too. We all have sinned against you.
Cheryl, Lilburn, GA
2 Timothy 1:12 (NAS)
For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
Rachel, Houston, TX
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:7 (ESV)
Stephanie, Canton, “But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness, and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.
(Matthew 6:33) Amplifed Bible
Melissa, Houston
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God. Galatians 2:20
Kelly, Houston
Bend down, O LORD, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. Psalms 86 1-2 NLT
Barb, Lino Lakes, MN
Deut. 33:12
“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him,
for He shields him all day long,
and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.”
Sue Chesterfield VA
Matthew 7-7
Ask and it will be given to you;seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
B.J. from Owatonna, MN
‘THE LORD IS NEAR ONTO THEM THAT ARE OF A BROKEN HEART’
> PS 34:18
Paula
Rainbow City
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus”
Philippians 4:19
NIV
I’m the queen of doing this day after it’s posted!
Kim, Detroit
“Those who know your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.”
Psalm 9:2 (NIV)
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 KJV
Brenda, Collinston,La. Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NLT
Jessica Leavenworth,IN
Philippians 4:19 NIV
And my GOD will meet all my needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Lori from Scottsbluff, NE “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
Mandy, Flower Mound, TX:
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NASB
Jennifer
Chiang Mai, Thailand
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 NIV
Cheryl-Alabaster, AL
Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left. Isaiah 30:21 (NLT)
Rachel, Bellingham, WA – The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. Isaiah 61:1 NIV
Melissa, Sulphur, LA
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
Marilyn~Rochester Hills, Michigan
“The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear?The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1 NIV
From Mount Solon, VA: “Praise be to the Lord my Rock who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” NIV
Juliana
Livermore
I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding, and have the knowledge of God’s mystery —Christ. Colossians 2:2 HCSB
Jenn, Stockton, CA
“So, chosen by God is this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quest strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love…Never be without it.” Colossians 3:12-14 The Message
Shelli, Almont, MI. “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8 ESV
Meghan Dawson, Ardmore, OK Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations. Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV
Chrystal Wetumpka, AL “And so we know & rely on the love God has for us. Gos is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God & God in them.” 1 John 16 TNIV
“My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to yo, O Lord, among the peoples, I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Be exalted, o God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” Psalm 57:7-11 ESV
Mindy, Van, TX
Terry – Louisa, VA
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you. Isaiah 44:22 NIV
Diane H.
Dallas, Texas
Jenny, Tulsa OK
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV
Tina, Cincinnati: “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
Psalm 56:8 NKJV
YOU number my wanderings;
Put my tears into YOUR bottle;
Are they not in YOUR book?
Tori D.Mays
Elmer, La
Kati, Ocracoke Island, NC
Ah, Sovereign LORD, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You. Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV)
Elizabeth, Birmingham, AL
“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)
Erin
Augusta, GA
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” James 1:2-3 NASB
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Our family verse….nuff said! 🙂
Vicki, Elizabethtown, KY
Psalm 57:1-2 NIV
Have mercy on me, O GOD, have mercy on me,
for in YOU my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of YOUR wings
until this disaster has passed.
I cry out to GOD MOST HIGH,
To GOD, who fulfills HIS purpose for me.
better late than never!
Philippians 4:19 NIV “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Lesley – Des Moines, IA
Psalm 146:9 NLT
The Lord protects the foreigners among us.He cares for the orphans and widows,but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.
Adana, Frisco, Tx “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you Oh Lord, my rock and redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NLT
Oh, I really did want to get away with doing a shorter one but God won’t let me! *gulp* here goes…
Courtney, Moses Lake, WA
James 3:17-18 (New Living Translation)
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
Posting for my mother-in-law, Toni Keeling, from Statham, Ga:
“Surrender your whole being to Him to be used for righteous purposes.” Romans 6:13 (TEV)
Daniel 2:20-22 (NIV)
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.”
Jennifer
Charleston, SC
Amie, Glendale, AZ: Psalm 145:2 (NIV), “Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.”
Beth, Eugene, OR,
My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need. James 1:2-4 NCV
Brittany, Gainesville, FL:
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
1 Peter 5:6 (NLT)
Nancy, Camillus, NY
“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.” 1 Cor. 13:4-5 (NIV)