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.
Cheryl, Visalia, CA
Proverbs 18:20-22 (The Message)
Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach; good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest.
Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.
Lisa, Olympia WA
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
1 Peter 4:12-13 NIV
Melanie Omaha, Nebraska
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3 NKJV
Ann, Crystal Springs, MS
Fear Not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Kristen, Nashville
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:31-33 NIV
Stephanie, Idaho. 1 Chronicles 16:23-25 NKJV~
23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
24 Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.
25 For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Cor 13:6-7 (NIV)
Allison, Washington, DC
Cindy, Encinitas: “…Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.”
Titus 2:14 (NIV)
Valerie, Portland Or
Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
2 Thessalonians 3:5 NKJV
Lindsey, San Francisco, CA
Hebrews 10:36 (NLT)
Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
Cynthia, Blaine, WA 98230
James 3:17
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. (NIV)
Hilary from Langley, BC Canada
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name. Hebrews 13:15 (NIV)
Wenatchee, WA
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
Fiona, Brussels, Belgium
Philippians 4:4-7, NIV
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.”
Nikki, Wichita. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [curing their pains and their sorrows].” Psalm 147:3 Amplified
I missed posting last time so here are both…
Elizabeth, Houston, Tx., “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 NIV
“And God permitting, we will do so.” Hebrews 6:3 NIV
Proverbs 17:22 ESV
A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Katie
Atlanta , GA
LeAnne, Malawi: Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Is 41:10 ESV
“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19 (NASB)
Shelley
Pisgah Forest, NC
Colossians 3:12 NAS
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience
Nothing in all the world can be hidden from God. Everything is clear and lies open before him, and to him we must explain the way we have lived. Hebrews 4:13 NCV
JoLynn, Budapest
“In Him we were chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.” Ephesians 1:11 NIV
Jeni, Southampton, UK
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:19, NIV
Pam
Greenville, SC
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Angie, Toronto.
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 God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 NIV
Beth, Lititz PA
Col 2:14
He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
(unsure of translation)
Lisa, Cumming, GA “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV
Poorna, Indianapolis: “O Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.” 2 Samuel 7:28 (NIV)
Becky, New Kensington, PA: Psalm 139:23 (NIV) Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Kara, Ephrata, PA
Isaiah 53:6
“All of us are like sheep. We have wandered away from God. All of us have turned to our own way. And the Lord has placed on Jesus the sins of all of us.”
Linda, Spring.
For You are great and do wondrous things; You alone are God. Teach me Your way O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere Your name. I give thanks to You, O LORD my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify Your name forever. For great is Your steadfast love toward me…
Psalm 86: 10-13a NRSV
Cindy-Bemus Point, NY
Philipipians 4:6 ESV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Need this now–daughter (almost 18) is at a crossroads and must choose God or the world
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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. Phil. 4:4-7 NCV
Tina, Chesapeake, VA
But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7 (NIV)
Cathy, Houston. However the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam but turned the curse into a blessing for you because the LORD your God loves you. Deuteronomy 23:5, NIV.
Dana–Reisterstown, Md
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people
Ephesians 6:7 NIV
Robbi, Glen Allen,VA
“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.”
Psalm 62: 5-6 NIV
Kathy, Houston
Sorry I am soooo late!
“But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways”. James 1:6-8, NASB
Michelle, Russellville
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
Emily from Washington, DC {So sorry I’m late} … “You, Oh Lord, keep my lamp burning, my God turns my darkness into light. With your helpI can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” Psalm 18:29 NIV
Kris, Vientiane, Laos
“The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.”
Psalm 103:8 (KJV)
Kayla Russell ~ Alpharetta, GA
Psalm 37:5 NLT
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him and he will help you.
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
Heather, Nova Scotia, Canada
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:2-3 NIV
Abilene, TX
Job 37:6-7 He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down. Then everyone stops working so they can watch His power.
Cheryl, Chadbourn: “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 wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18,19 NIV
Sherman, TX
I pour out my complaint before him. Before him I tell my troubles. When my spirit grows faint within me it is you who knows my way. Ps 142:2-3
Katie, LaGrange, GA:
“You are a hiding place for me; You preserve me from trouble;
You surround me with shouts of deliverance.”
~Psalm 32:7, ESV~
“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NASV)
Carrie Pueblo, CO
Let me again experience the joy of your deliverance. Sustain me by giving me the desire to obey!
Psalm 51:12 NET