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.
Terri, Puyallup, WA
“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.” James 3:13 NASB
Colleen, O’Fallon. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Hebrew 4:16 NLT
Aidy, Sherwood Park
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
April, Hume
What, then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31 NIV
Kelly, New Cumberland, PA
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
Tina
Westerville
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 NKJV
Brenda, Denton, TX: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Cor. 4:17 NIV
Cheri, Fresno, CA: I will be glad and full of joy because You love me! You say that I was hurting. You took note of my great pain. You have not handed me over to the enemy. You have put me in a wide and safe place. Psalm 31:7-8, New International Reader’s Version
Oops! Just saw a typo. ” . . You SAW that I was hurting”, not “You SAY . . ” 🙂
Jill, Puyallup, WA
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord, “for as high as the heavens are above the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Is. 55:8-9, NAS
Teresa in Austin, Tx
Matthew 18:20 NIV
For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.
Kandi, Little Rock, AR
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8
Diane; Pinedale, WY
Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
1 Peter 3:3-4 ESV
Lori, Lincoln, Ps. 27:1, One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His Temple. NIV
doing this again didn’t know if it took 1st time
judie, south bend, The Lord is my light & my salvation- whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid? psalm 27:1
Sandy, Texas
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35, NLT
“One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy.”
— Elisabeth Elliot (Secure in the Everlasting Arms)
When I grow up (I’m 51 years old), I want to be like Elisabeth!
Ellen (South Lyon, MI) “Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live.” Ps. 63:3-4 NIV
Sue – Lakeland, FL
I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.
Psalm 119:125
Becky Wixom, MI
Sorry if this is a repeat, I was given an error message that this didn’t post on the 15th:
2 Corinthians 9:8-9 the NET trans
And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work.
Enid, Ok
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” The Net Bible
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Philippians 4:11 NIV
Lavonda
Atlanta, Georgia
A person’s wisdom yields patience.
It’s to your glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11
Lana, Champaign IL – “Therfore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behond, the new has come.” 2 Cor. 5:17 ESV
Rachel- Memphis, TN
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”
Philippians 5:3 NIV
Kendra, West Frankfort IL: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 NIV
Deb, Pierre SD
NIV
Isaiah 61:1
The spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach the 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,
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Janel- Katy, TX
Janelle (Malakoff, TX) – For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14
Melissa in Edmond
23 Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Laura
Goshen, IN
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
Sheila, Sevierville, TN.
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31 KJV
Better late than never, right?!
Beth; Iowa City, IA
“But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.”
Psalm 103:17-18 (NIV)
Janeal, Abilene, KS
Proverbs 28:13-14 NLT
13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
14 Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,
but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.
And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
“These three remain – faith, hope and love. But, the greatest of these is LOVE”
I Corinthians 13:13
This is the verse that two of my grandsons are learning with me this month.
Amberley – Pasco, WA
“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
Erin
Fort Worth
Ezekiel 36:26-27 NIV
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws.
Rachel~Athens, GA
“Delight yourself also in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 NKJV
Lisa, Georgia — James 1:5 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn’t find fault with them.
Kelly Cooke, Midland TX
Phil. 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me.”
“The instruction of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise,” Psalm 19:7 HCSB.
Donna Kirkland, Wa
Accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.
Romans 15:7 NAS
And the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:7
Dear Beth, This is my first time visiting your blog. Wow! Look as these women investing scripture in their hearts!! Thank you so much for the “saying no” reminder. I once heard every yes is a no and every no is yes. It was freeing once I understood that each time I say no to one thing, in essence I’m saying yes to something else worthy of my time like my husband or children. It has helped me prioritize the things God has truly called me to instead of pushing my husband asside for something else because he will understand. Thank you so much for the reminder today!!! Just what I needed.
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)
Deanna in Holmdel, New Jersey
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is the rewarder of those who seek Him.
from Indiana — A woman’s family is held together by her wisdom, but it can be destroyed by her foolishness. Proverbs 14:1 CEV
Kathryn – Reseda Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent children of God, above reproach, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world. Philippians 2:14,15NASB
Vicki- Greenville, MS “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
Sandra, Kayleigh, Bethany from Waco, TX: Isaiah 46:4 “I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you”. NIV