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.
Carol ~ Webb City, MO
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
Debbie in El Paso, IL
Deut. 6:7
Impress them upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Carrie, Princeton, MN:
“Sin will not be your master. Law does not rule you. God’s grace has set you free.”
Romans 6:14 NIrV
Nicole, Knoville, TN – The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim 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, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor. Isaiah 61:1-2a, NIV
Lynn, Orlando, Florida
“When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”
~ Psalm 56:3 (NIV)
Cara, Mt. Pleasant, IA
For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift. John 1:16, Amplified
Debbie
Hickory, NC
“My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please”
NIV
Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace which exceeds our understanding.
Kelly, Huntsville
“Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; Gold is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:8 NASB
Lisa, Scottdale The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. Psalm 28:7 NIV
Casey-Henrietta, TX
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36
Sarah
Seattle, WA
“Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.” – Psalm 119.36-37 NKJV
Krystal Comer
Chesterfield, IN
Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)
Anxiety weighs down the heart,
but a kind word cheers it up.
Krissy, Buda Texas
“Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold”
Proverbs 3:13-14
Linda, Wichita, KS.
James 4:8 (NIV)
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Lisa in KC
1 Thess. 5:16-18 NIV
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks always in every circumstance; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Sharon,Houston
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Isaiah 46: 10 NIV
Kelly, Corona, Ca
Philippians 4:19 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.
Marty, Temecula, CA
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.
Philippians 4:19 Message
Anna, Little Elm, TX
Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Cheryl from Hattiesburg, MS
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesis. (ESV)
Sherry, Denton Ps. 36:4-5 Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it. NAS
Shelley, Ft. Worth, TX
Your adornment must not be merely external; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3:3-4
Christian – Port Huron, MI
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8
Katie, Dallas, TX
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Kirsten, San Francisco
Philippians 2:14-16
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[c] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life.
Kelly, Greer, SC
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. -Phil 4:19 (NIV)
Hello,
Tuesday night was WONDERFUL!
I was wanting to get the names of the songs Travis sang. And, the first scripture that he had in his list of praise scriptures.
Thank you.
Pat from Ks
I am having trouble posting so I will try again..
Psalm 71:15 NIV
I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, for I am overwhelmed by how much you have done for me.
Kala, Overland Park, KS
“…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.”
Romans 3:23-24 NIV
Jennifer, Conyers Georgia
2 Corinthians 4:1-2 (MSG)1 Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times. 2 We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 NIV
Beverly, Prosper, TX
Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. ESV
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understaning, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Alison, SC
Do not worry about anything; instead,pray about everything! Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.
Philippians 4:6 NLT
17 There is hope for your future,” says the Lord.
“Your children will come again to their own land.
Jeremiah 31:17
Gigi-South Dakota
Jonna, North Hollywood, CA
James 3:17 NIV
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace loving,considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Waupun, WI
Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV)
3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
it speaks of the end
and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come
and will not delay.
Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–
Becky, Rushsylvania OH
Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6: 4-7 NIV84
“Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly” 2 Timothy 2:16 NIV
Kelly Jo
Albany Kentucky
Pittsburgh, PA
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Lisa, Calgary
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15, NIV
John 1:12 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 I you never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Jordan Upchurch
Albany Kentucky
“nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work which is by faith” 2 Timothy 2:4
Jennifer Dyer
Albany Kentucky
Kendall
Simpsonville SC
You are my witnesses, declares the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen so that you will know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.
Isaiah 43:10 (NIV)
Jessica, Carlsbad, CA “And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 4:19 (NET)