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.
Melissa – Nashville, TN – Proverbs 16:24 “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (Memorizing this with my 6yo son, Asher). (NIV)
Bridgett, Pell City, AL. “I thank and praise You, O God of my fathers. You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of You, You have made known to us the dream of the king.” Daniel 2:23, NIV
Peggy- Idaho
Hebrews 12:2
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector 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. (NIV)
Debbie B, Virginia
Exodus 14:13 NIV
Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring to you today.
Tammy.Monroe,GA. Isaiah 50:4-5 NASB The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens me morning by morning,He awakens my ear to listen as a disciple. The Lord God has opened My ear; And I was not disobedient Nor did I turn back.
Galatians 5:5 NIV
But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.
Cathy, Conroe, TX.
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 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
Rebecca
Greenville, IN
“Remember not the sins of my youth & my rebellious ways; according to your love, remember ME, for you are good, O Lord.” – Psalms 25:7 (NIV)
Luke 7:13 (New International Version)
When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”
Janet from Montgomery, NY
Colossians 2:6-7 NLT
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Melanie, Greenbrier, TN
Psalm 71:17-18 (NKJV)
O God, You have taught me from my youth;
And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.
Now also when I am old and grayheaded,
O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to everyone who is to come.
:Kat: Jacksonville, Fl
Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
1Peter 1:13 NIV
Traci – Corona, CA – The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him. Psalm 28:7 (NKJV)
Lindsay, Warsaw, Indiana
I’m using the alternate from 2 weeks ago…
Hebrews 2:14 – 15 (The Message)
Since the children are made of flesh and blood, it’s logical that the Savior took on flesh and blood in order to rescue them by this death. By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the devil’s hold on death and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death.
Andrea, Tulsa. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” – Lamentations 3:22, NIV
Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalms 46:10 NIV
Kathy – Minnesota
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6:23 NIV
Sarah Jenkins
Bancroft, Ontario
Canada
Psalm 4:6 NLT
Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let Your face smile on us Lord.
Pam/NC
Julie- Cincinnati, OH -Galatians 5:22-23 “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against these things!” NLT
Shelly, Lakeville, “She feeds on ashes, a deluded heart misleads her; she cannot save herself, or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?” Isaiah 44:20, NIV
Colleen, Cape Town, South Africa.
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13 & 14. NASB
Sarah
Elgin, IL
“This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19, NLT
Kimberly, Circleville, OH: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philipians 4:6-7 (NKJ)
Grace, Circleville, OH: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philipians 4:6 (NKJ)
Beverly, Ironton, OH: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philipians 4:6
(NKJ)
Ruth, Westerville Ohio.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
Trish. Stevens Point, Wi. He is the Rock. His works are perfect and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deuteronomy 32:4 NIV
Shelli, Fort Worth: “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry … (to be continued!).” James 1:19, NIV
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)
Tammy, Howells, NE
And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (NET Bible)
As much as I have this book in the bible marked up I don’t know how I missed this verse. It was just the one I needed.
Melanie, San Antonio, TX
Ezekiel 36: 25-26 (NIV)
I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 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.
“My salvation and my honor depend on God;
He is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in Him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to Him,
for God is our refuge.”
Psalm 62:7-8 (NIV)
Linda, Ft. Collins, CO
Christy, Sherman, TX
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
Psalm 91:4 NIV
Jamie, Bothell, WA
Luke 7:50, NASB:
And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Jennifer, Fuquay Varina, NC –
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
Galatians 5:16, NLT
The taping was amazing! Thank you for pouring your heart out so that your life shines Jesus!
Amy
Oklahoma
Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Karla, Cedarburg, WI
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV
Janet from St. Louis
“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart.’ that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming….so you may obey it.” Rom. 10:8/Deut. 30:14 (NIV)
Suzanne – Knoxville, TN. “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4: 7-8 NIV
Leslie-Warner Robins, GA
You whom I’ve taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its remotest parts and said to you, ‘You are my servant; I have chosen you and not rejected you. Fear not for I am with you. Do not look anxiously about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’
Isaiah 41:9-10 New American Standard
Debbie in Hilliard FL– Let the world of Christ dwell in you richly. Colossians 3:16 NIV
Whitney
Nashville, TN
“A righteous man falls seven times, and rises again.”
-Proverbs 24:16, ESV
Lynn, Bossier City. “He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:2 NIV
Betty, Wendell, NC
Galatians 5:1 NIV
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Denise, Grovetown, GA- She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:12 ESV
April
Jacksonville, FL
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you.
Matthew 5:44
World English Bible
Cathleen, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Habakkuk 3:17-19
17 Though the fig tree does not bud
there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.
Trust me Siestas, I know how long this is but the context touches my heart in many ways right now!
Amy
Whiteman AFB, MO
I depend on God alone; I put my hope in Him.
Psalm 62:5 NIV
Linda,Westport
And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.
2Thessalonians3:5
Debbie in Alexandria, VA
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Shelli, Richmond. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Tiffany, Dallas ~NIV~
Psalm 40:3
He put a new song in my mouth a hymn of praise to out God, many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.