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.
Amy, Tampa – Psalm 27:13-14 NIV – “I am still confident of this; I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
I love this verse,because all around us through the media,technology,we see the wrong side of living. This verse makes me work at looking for the Lord!
Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11)
Lezlie Steiner Eagan, MN
“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.”
Phil. 4:8 (NIV)
Thanks, I think I’ll copy this verse to give to friends at work.
Deborah, Pinewood, TN
I am able to do all t hings through Him who strengthens me
Philippians 4:13 HCSB
(I claimed this verse when I spoke at my mother’s funeral on the 2/2.)
Sorry to hear of your loss,but when we are weak, He is strong.
Teresa Cincinnati, Ohio
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.”
Romans 5:6 NIV
Mark 9:35 “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.'”
Psalm 46:1 (NIV) Susanne, South Carolina
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Rebecca Greenville, SC
The Lord is good to all, He has compassion on all that He has made. Psalm 145:9
“It is better to be poor and honest that rich and crooked.”
-Proverbs 28:6
NLT
Sally Middlefield
Romans 8:23 NIV
but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
Laura, kila, mt, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, o LORD my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
I seem to always be chasing my two babies on the days where we are to post- but I am faithfully memorizing my verses!
Katie, Hebrews 13:5 NIV
“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.”
Sherry in Marietta GA
Proverbs 16:3 (New Living Translation)
“Commit your actions to the Lord,
and your plans will succeed.”
Pamela, Bishop Ca.
Exodus 33:21-21 And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by.”
Ally
Fort Worth, Tx
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Cheri, Neenah, WI
Isaiah 41:10
Do not be afraid for I am with you. Do not be discouraged for I am your God.
I will give you strength and help you, I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Vicki from Big Spring
Colossians 4:2. NIV
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Sarah, Williamstown, WV: Verse 4: “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 NLT
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11
Wendy, Mechanicsville, VA
And my God will supply your every need according to his glorius riches in Christ Jesus. Phillippians 4:19 NET
Jennifer, Highlands Ranch, CO
“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Phil. 4:8-9 (NIV)
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.
ReAnnon, Mammoth Lakes, CA-
Psalm 71:14-16 ESV
But I will hope continually and I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous acts. of your deeds of salvation all the day for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God, I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, your alone.
James 2:14-17 ESV
What good is it, my brothers if someone says he has faith but does not have works?Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lackin daily food, and one of you says to them Go in peace, be warmed and filled. without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? so also faith by itself if it does not have works is dead.
Roxanne, Lincoln. “…I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12, NIV
Danville, CA
James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
whenever you face trials of many kinds, because
you know that the testing of your faith develops
perseverance. (NIV 2010)
Mari, Fort Bragg, NC, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” Romans 12: 9-10 ESV
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Phillipians 4:6 NLT
Jennifer, Flowood, MS – When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, officials and the rest of the people: “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” Nehemiah 4:14 NASB
Aah! I’m so late! Two sick kids, one Momma with strep, down BUT NOT OUT Siestas! Robin, Greenwood, Mississippi!
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”
Philippians 5:3 NIV
Brandi, Jacksonville – Philipians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. NKJV
Nicole, Waco, TX – “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:11, NIV Student Bible
Terri, Mechanicsville, VA
For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. Romans 6:6 (NIV)
She opens her mouth with wisdom and on her tongue IS the law of kindness. Proverbs 331:26 (NKJ)
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
~Paula K, Muskegon, Michigan~
Mark 8:34-35 NIV
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.
Deb San Antonio, Texas
“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith” (2 Thessalonians 1:11).
“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.”
Ephesian 4:29
Deena Jefferson
Springboro, OH
Sydney, Tucson, AZ
Deuteronomy 7:21 NIV
“Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God”.
Pray without ceasing.
Daniela, Abingdon, MD
1 Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV
nancy from arkansas – “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” Galatians 5:25
Tara S, Charlottesville, VA “”Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” ESV
Edmond, ok
Isaiah 14:27 “For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and
who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and
who can turn it back?
Carla Houston, Texas
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. Heb. 12:15 (KJ)
Sue S from Lawrenceville, GA
Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. NIV
Sorry I am late – always thought of it when I was not near a computer!
Becky G
Grove City Oh NIV
Colossians 3:4 When Christ,who is your life, appears,then you also will appear with him in glory.
Yippee~ I wanted to add that to this wonderful promise for us who love the Lord!
Taylor, Las Vegas, NV
“If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. The Father will honour and reward anyone who serves me.”
John 12:26 (Message)
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.~Proverbs 31:16-17 KJV Lincoln, RI
Penny, Waxahahchie, TX
Th LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
Psalm 28:8
NIV
Isaiah 43:18 NIV
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.
cathy,
princeton tx