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, Little Rock, AR – “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.” – 1 Peter 5:10 NKJ
“and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose”
Linde, Dallas
Romans 8:28 ESV
Maggie, Sand Springs, OK
I Corinthians 13:1-3
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains but do not have love I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Jeannette Beaumont, Texas Finishing the Beattitudes this month.
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Mat 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
NIV 1984
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalm 19:1 NIV
Lincoln, NE
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him. NIV
Kathleen, Tallahassee, FL:
“For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,”
Proverbs 2:6-7 (NASB)
Jess Handy – Cleburne, TX
Psalm 119:111 (NIV)
Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
Coming out of His mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. Revelation 19:15 NIV
Cindy
Henrietta, TX
“Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.” Psalm 40:5 ( NIV )
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:10 NIV
Bettye Ann from Southlake
(Jesus speaking) “This is my command: Love each other.” John 15:17 (NIV)
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31 NIV
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:10 NIV
McKenna
Henrietta, TX
Sorry forgot to put my name and town.
Soozi; Houston, TX
Phil. 4:19 [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.
Seattle, WA
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
Round Rock, TX
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 ESV
Launa, Crowley Lake, “If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile,’
Job 9:27 NIV
Oyen, Ab.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him.KJ
But if you keep looking steadily into God’s perfect law – the law that sets you free – and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:25, NLT
Christy Crosby, Clarksville TN:
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31, NIV
Anne, Westfield IN
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. Psalm 138:7 NIV
Mackenzie
Tulare,CA
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage;be strong. Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Janell, Clovis, The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love to deliver them from death and keep them from famine. Psalm 33:18-19 NIV
Rosalie Cincinnati
Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12. KJV
Tiffani. Walla Walla.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Cathy ~ Orofino, Id
I will praise You O Lord my God, with all my heart. I will glorify Your name forever. For great is Your love toward me. You have delivered me from the depths of the grave. Ps 86: 12-13 NIV
AMEN!
Allison
Central Asia
For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?
James 2:2-4 (NAS)
Margaret, Garden City: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto Thee.” Psalm 51:10-13: KJV
Melissa S, Birmingham, AL “And the words of the LORD are flawless,like silver purified in a crucible,like gold refined seven times.” Psalm 12:6,NIV
Debbie from Modesto CA
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.
Jer 29:11 NIV
Heidi- Wasilla, Alaska
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
Devi
Geneva, Switzerland
Jeremiah 17:6 He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. (ESV)
Gina, Atlanta: “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.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Romans 3:23-24 NIV
“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ.”
Amie from Centreville
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philipians 4:13 NASB
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD, the LORD himself,
is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 12:2
Deirdre from Biddeford,Maine:
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” 1 John 3:16 (NIV)
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Jeannie Crossland
Brookneal, VA
Kim, Huntsville, Alabama
Is. 54:5 For your Maker is your husband – the LORD Almight is his name-the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.(NIV)
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
For if you already have something, you don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently. —Romans 8:25 (NLT)
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
Philippians 3: 13-14 NLT
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,* but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
“Approve the things that are excellent that you may be sincere and without offence.”
Philippians 1:10
Mandy in Byram, Ms, “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?” Isaiah 43:18,19 NIV
Adelle, Bryant, Ar
KJV – Ps. 91:11
For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
Ps. 91:12
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Dinah from Atlanta, GA
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV
Yvonne
Louisville, KY
Phil 4:19 (NET)
And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
And my mom’s verse:
Sadie
Nicholasville, KY
Romans 10:9 HCSB
If you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
“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. 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 29:11-13