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.
Jeremiah 1:5 NIV
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.
Julie, Boone NC
1 Pe. 3:4-5, NIV
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the UNFADING beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
Gail, Manhattan, KS
If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Romans 8:31-35 NIV
Tami
Martin’s Mill, TX
Delight y ourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (because I want His desires, not mine but I want mine to be His)
1 Cor. 4:5 “Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.” NAS
Tami, DS, LA
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.
Psalm 37:25-26 NIV (2010)
Nichole
Marion, Iowa
James 1:2-4 The Message
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced to show its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
Tricia – Leland
My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
Psalm 119:28 NIV
(What a comfort during long nights with a sick child!)
Hogansville, GA:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Matthew 16: 24
Brittney, Lexington KY
“…Put on your new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of it’s creator!”
Colossians 3:10 (NIV)
Beverly, Vicksburg, MS
Ezekiel 11:19-20 NIV
“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.
Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people and I will be their God.”
Julie from Jacksonville, FL
Exodus 33:15
Lord, if your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from this place.NLT
For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. 1 Chronicles 16:26
Wendi Gale, Yulee, For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband.Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.1 Corinthians 7:14 (ESV)
Ashley, Orlando, FL
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psalm 19:7-8 (NASB)
Katie, King George, VA Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us.
Beth, Mullica Hill, NJ
Psalm 119:37 (NIV)
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
Danielle, Sevierville, TN
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17b-19
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8, NIV
Julie
Livermore, CA
Galations 5:22-25
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience,kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. There is no law against these things!
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
Lynsie Armstrong, Jackson MS-“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.” 1 John 2:3-4 NIV
Danielle, Lansing, MI
“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)
Marsha, Lee’s Summit
Your words were found and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. Jer 15:16 NKJ
Letha, Lancaster, Ohio
We demolish arguments and pretensions that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
Erin, Tyler, TX
For whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
I Peter 3:10-11
Cheri, Urbana, IL
2 Kings 20:5 (NIV) “This is what the LORD says:’I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.'”
It’s so nice to see someone from CU on here!
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen.
jerm 29:11-12
this is one of my favorites
Kristy, Shelby,NC “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
Teresa, Wenatchee, WA – Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is contrary to the sinful nature. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galations 5:16,17,22 & 23.
Sue, Pasadena, TX: “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27 NIV
“O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
2 Chron. 20:12, KNJV
Patti, Kissimmee, FL
Stephanie, Mammoth Lakes, CA –
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Mt 6:34
Kristi, Bartlesville: “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.” Psalm 77:14 NIV
I witnessed an absolute miracle of God in the life of my brother. We are still praising God and testifying to others that He is still in the miracle business.
Paula
Batavia, Ohio
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Elizabeth R., Cypress, TX:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
James 1:2-3 (NIV)
Jennifer, Tullahoma, “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.” (NIV)
Carrington, Tullahoma, “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.” (NIV)
Sheri, Ayden NC
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
John 15:16 KJV
Melinda- Aledo, TX
“For the Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk; it is living by Christ’s power. 1 Cor 4:20 NLT
Mari, Zionsvillle
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” NLT
Becca – Milwaukee:
“Set your minds on things above, not earthly things.”
Colossians 3.2 NIV
Barbara Oakley
“By faith, Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” Heb 11:8 NIV
Lorena-Walla Walla Wa, “I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ…and they were glorifying God because of me.” Galatians 1:22,24 (NASB)
Michelle, Lewisville, TX
Psalm 25:9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. NIV
Theresa
Pace, Florida
2 Corinthians 12:18 & 19 (NIV)
Three times I pleaded with the LORD to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Tara, Mantorville, “Teach me your way, O Lord…” Psalm 27:11 NKJV
Becky, Alberta, Canada
“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: take your everyday, ordinary life–your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, walking-around life– and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.”
Romans 12:1,2 The Message
April – Lubbock, TX
Psalm 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” NIV
Bowling Green, KY
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.
John 15:12-13 (NIV)
Lissa. Fort Worth
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:11 NIV