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.
Jamie in Katy, TX:
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
(sorry I’m late)
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
New International Version
Jodi, St. Paul, MN
Karen, Amarillo. 2 Corinthians 12.10 “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions,and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (ESV)
Susan, Toronto
Colossians 1:10 “so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,” NIV
Leah from Athens, Georgia
Isaiah 30:21 – “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.” (NKJV)
Clinton, TN
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
2 Cor 10:5 (ESV)
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13 NIV
Dyane, Edmond, Oklahoma
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Ps. 19:14 NLT
Charlotte-Ohio
For the Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6
“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”~Isaiah 41:13
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26 NIV Jan, Troy
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:34 The Message
Pat
Crawfordsville, IN
Kay, Arkansas, “Who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.” Phil. 2:6, NASB
Amanda, MI
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Ephesians 4:13 (NLT)
Becky
Choctaw, OK
John 8:58 – “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.'”
Monica, Cashiers, NC – “Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.” (Psalm 16:5)
Tara
Greensboro, NC
Consider and hear me, O Lord my God:
lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.
Psalm 13:3
Cindy W., San Diego — God sees you. Wherever you are, He is there. Psalm 139
amber,Houston, Tx
John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice, I know them and they follow me.
Christina, White Castle, LA
A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11 NIV
Lisa, Chattanooga-“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NAS
Christy-SC: “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.” 1John 4:11-12 NIV
Vicki, Corpus Christi,Tx…Galatians 5:1…Standfast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made
me free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. NKJV
Erin, Warrenton, VA “And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Summer
Cincinnati, OH
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people
Ephesians 1:18 NIV
Tami, Columbus, Ohio
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
“My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.” Jeremiah 24: 6-7 NIV
Dianne
Cowpens, SC
Jenny
Tulsa, OK
Luke 10:19
“Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Melissa, Willisville, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Trust in Him at all times, [Shellye], pour out your heart to Him, for God is (your) refuge. Psalm 62:8 NIV
And as for you, [Shellye], never tire of doing what is right. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 NIV
Steph, Ontario, Canada
“Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.”
Hebrews 7:25
New Living Translation
Kathleen from Las Vegas, Nevada
“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27 NKJV
In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. Psalm 94:19 (NKJV)
Lexington, Kentucky
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
John 16:24 ESV
A person without self-control is as defenceless as a city with broken down walls.
Proverbs 25:28 NLT
Kathy, Danvers
James 3:17 NET
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical.
April, Lawrenceville GA
So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, Col 1:10 NIV
“Praise the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all His benefits.”
NIV
Vanessa Hammond
Muskogee OK
Austin
And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Jesus Christ. Phillippians 4:19 NASB
Amie from Pineville, KY
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” Ephesians 5:16
I had been reading in Ephesians and my brain shut down. I meant Galatians 5:16 not Ephesians and it’s NASB. I’m new at this, sorry! 🙂 Thanks for understanding!
Jen, Knoxville
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.
Philippians 3:1 NIV
Tracy Bowen, Hobe Sound, FL
What shall we say in response to these things? 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?
Romans 8:30-32
Jackie, Austin,TX. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power,love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
Lynn, St. Louis, MO
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anoited me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to prisoners”
Isaiah 61:1, NASB
Lisa, Corbin,KY
“Strengthen the feeble hands,
Steady the knees that give way,
Say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear, your God will come.”
Isaiah 35:34 NIV
DeAnn, RomeGA, “And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Tami, Phoenix, God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterword they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 NLT
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Kathryn, Glendale AZ, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” Philippians 4:6 NIV
However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”
1Cor 2:9
(sorry-NIV translation)