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.
Stacey,Magnolia,Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the patterns 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
Monica, Lebanon, IN
But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. I Cor 7:17(NKJV)
1 Thessalonians 5: 24 NIV
The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
Delaney in Allen: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 NIV
Joanne
St. Petersburg, FL
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of GOD – not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
NIV
karen, farmington, AR
“How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty!”
Psalm 84:1 NIV
Marla
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 NIV
Garden Ridge, TX Psalm 139:4 NLT You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
Susie Columbia, SC
I am the Lord God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27 NIV
Dana Riviere, Pflugerville, Tx: “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” Psalm 20:4
JoAnn, Jonesboro. “I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments.” Ps.119:100 (NLT 2nd ed.)
Again a couple days late!
Nancy, Sioux City
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Finally, brothers,whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.
Tara, Frankfort, KY
NLT
Psalm 94:19-When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.
Landa, Midlothian Philippians 1:9-10 “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.” NIV
Hope, Mayfield KY, “And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Sorry I’m late 🙁
Andrea Roberts- Mansfield, TX
“Any my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:19 (NET)
Mari, Raleigh
“Turn my eyes away from worthless things, preserve my life according to your word” Psalm 119:37 (NIV)
Bonnie, Camas Valley, (thankful to have power back after two days without) Isaiah 55:9-10 For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. NKJV
Amber, Denton TX
‘Do not fear for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Isaiah 41:10 NASB
Midland, Texas
Ephesians 2:7 (NIV) in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.
Psalm 33:20-21 NIV
“This is my command: Love each other” (John 15:17 NIV).
Dianna, Missoula, MT – “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 (NIV)
Monica Ciampa, NY
Proverbs 16:7 “When peoples lives please the Lord,even
their enemies are @ peace with them.”(NLT)
Proverbs 29:25 “Fear of man’s opinion disables. Trusting
in God protects you from that.”(MESS)
Missy, Ocala FL Proverbs 3:25-26 NAS
Do not be afraid of sudden fear, Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes, For the Lord will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught.
Janet, Steamboat: Phil 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admiralbe–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. NIV
Exodus 33:15
Lord, if your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from this place.NLT
Lisa, Housotn “I keep the Lord in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8
Beth, Johnstown, OH
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Psalms 27:14 NIV
Jo Ann/ Lincoln,NE
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
“When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear.” Lamentations 3:28-29, The Message
Amy, Starkville, MS. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? NIV Sharon in Colorado
II Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting & training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Erin, Little Rock
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful in building others up according to their needs,that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
I call on the Lord in my distress and he answers me. Psalm 120:1 NIV
Beth, I’ve been searching the Internet for a way to ask you a question about something I read in your book…So Long Insecurity. I hope I’ve found the place that I can email my question! It’s VERY VERY IMPORTANT to me!!! Thank You in advance…. Marylou
Lisa, Glenview
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV
Linda
Burnsville, MN
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 4:19 NET
Tokyo, Japan
Let the words of my mouth and the medititation of my heart be acceptable to you, oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Ps 19:14 NAS
Tashi, Houston. “For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.” (Ezekiel 34:11-12) NIV
Kari, Corpus Christi, TX
James 3:17 (English Standard Version)
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason,full of mercy and good fruits impartial and sincere.
Patti, Houston, Psalm 141:3 Se a guard over my mouth, O Lord; Keep watch over the door of my lips. NIV
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful in building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Angela in Mississippi
Trina
Pampa, Texas
Ephesians 4:23-24 AMP
And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude],
And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.
Mei, Easley, SC
Phillipians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” NIV
Anne, Sherwood, OR. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jonn 14:6 NIV.
Trudy, NC
You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master. Gen 4:7 NIV
L. Lau from Houston – “Remember the former things, those of long ago;
I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” ~ Isaiah 46:9-11 NIV
Barb S, Madison, WI
“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.” Phil. 4:8 KJV