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.
Trust in Him at all times, O people, pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 62: 8 ESV
Stacey, Wichita, KS
We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 The Message
Dutchess, Winterville, NC “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” James 4:17 NIV
Madelin, Thousand Oaks, CA
This one speaks volumes to me.
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
Jamie corbin,ky
Romans 8:6 NIV
The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.
Valerie, West Texas
Oh God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Ps. 63:1 (NIV)
Amy Johnson
Mustang, Oklahoma
Zephaniah 3:17
17 The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
(NIV)
Kaylee, West Texas
Then the King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers, you did for me.” Matt. 25:40 (NIV)
Kim
Champaign IL
The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin. (Proverbs 10:16)
Chelle Willamor, Mobile, AL
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man would offer all the goods of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned and despised. Song of Solomon 8:7 AMP
Melissa, Oak Forest, IL
Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us. James 1:27 NLT
Jennifer, Hennrietta, TX – May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight; O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV
Jamey, Pocahontas.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
Romans 8:5 (NIV)
Susan, San Antonio
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Marcia, Parkesburg, Ephesians 2:4-6, The Message
Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus Christ, our Messiah.
April, Lake Charles, LA
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ~ Romans 12:12 (NIV)
In hope against hope he [Abraham] believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to what has been spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” Romans 4:18 NASB
Cara, Fridley MN
For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him. Fear the Lord, you His godly people, for those who fear Him will have all they need. Even the strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing. Psalm 34:7-10 NLT
KC
Bedford, TX
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7
Worship the LORD your God, and His blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from you, and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.
~Exodus 23:25-26 NIV
Heather in Florida
Carolyn, Kennesaw, GA
New International Version
The house of the righteous contains great treasure,
but the income of the wicked brings ruin. Proverbs 15:6
Vee in Howe, TX.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (KJV)
Ceffie Bridgeport, WV and my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:19
Nancy, Kiwoko: “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.” James 3:17 NIV
Bonnie T. Rowlett, TX
Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
NIV Phillipians 4:6-7
Vicki, San Angelo
Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.
1 Samuel 14:6
NIV
Connie, Bolingbrook, IL
Ephesians 5: 1, 2 (NIV)
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.
Becky, Tuscaloosa
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 NASV
Jessica, Gadsden: “Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.” 1 John 3:24 ESV
Rogers, AR Deut.28:1,2 “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God.” NKJV
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 5:9 NIV
Abby From Corvallis OR
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
Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. I Tim. 6:17-19 (NIV)
Christa, Cedar Falls, IA
“See I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed”
Isaiah 28:16 NIV
Bena ~ Pikeville, KY
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. –Jeremiah 33:3, NKJV
Holly Abilene, Tx
I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. Plains 16:8. NLT
Karina, Recife – Brazil
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 (NLT)
Leanne, Abbotsford BC, Canada
Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness.
2 Peter 1:6 NLT
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 niv
Michelle, Colorado Springs. Ephesians 2:6 “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” NIV
Ok Beth you basically quoted my journal in regards to my household disaster. One thing at a time. having so much that needs to be done and not knowing where to start. Sorry I’m late with my scripture.
Kels, Redding, CA
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
Cindy J.
Grapevine, TX
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord. who is the Spirit.”
-2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
Lisa V., Washington NJ, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
“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.”
Christy T.
Hawthorne, CA
If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Matthew 6:30 (NIV)
Sherri Smith, Las Vegas
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)
Hannah;Dayton; “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”;NIV
Miranda
Colorado Springs, CO
” If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:22 (TNIV)
Jenifer
Jacksonville, AL
“He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40: 11 NIV