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.
Suzy, Orlando
“When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”
Psalm 56:3 NIV
Michelle, Loveland, CO
Psalm 143:1 (NIV)
O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
Renee – Kingwood, Texas: Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Alex, Budapest, Hungary
‘And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, 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: 17b-19, NIV 2010
“This is what the Lord says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who dirests you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.'”
Isaiah 48:17-18 NIV
Elizabeth San Clemente, CA
“For I hold you by your right hand- I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.'” Isaiah 41:13 NLT
Dawn, San Diego
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
Psalm 73:26
Psalm 5:7-8
“But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple. Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face.”
(NKJ)
Holla Milford, OH
I’m eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other. Romans 1:12 NLT
Dagmar, Tyler Texas
Not by might nor by power but by my spirit says the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah 4:6b Amplified
Linda
Make every effort to live in peace to all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord
Hebrews 12:14 from the NIV
and I’m from Fort Wayne, Indiana!
Judy, Ridgecrest
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
Psalm 16:6 ESV
Molly Ashland, KY
‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’ Jeremiah 33:3 The Message
Philippians 2:13
NKJV
For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for HIS good pleasure.
Julie, Tallassee, AL
People will be rewarded for what they say; they will be rewarded by how they speak. What you say can mean life or death.Those who speak with care will be rewarded. Proverbs 18:20-21 NLT
Psalm 19:14 RSV
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”
Judy – Bancroft, ON
Amanda, Chesapeake, VA:
Proverbs 14:30 – A heart at peace gives life to the body. (NIV)
Christy, Talking Rock, Georgia.
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:20 (MSG)
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:20 (MSG)
Debbie, Thomasville, GA
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
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
Donna, Huntersville, NC
In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Tim. 6:19 (NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 NIV
Tammie from Carlisle, PA
Psalm 50:23 (NLT)
But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.”
Allison Atlanta, GA “‘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.'”
Jeremiah 29:11
Each one should use whatever gift [she] has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Jenn from Manhattan KS
(forgot about posting it!)
Psalm 25:7 Remember not the sins of my transgressions;according to your steadfast love remember me,for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!
Psalm 63:3-4 (King James Version)
3Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
Gail
Ellensburg, WA
Holly, Beaumont, CA “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3 NIV
Cast your cares on the LORD, and he will sustain you. PS. 55: 22 NIV
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me (27a). My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, no one can SNATCH them out of my Father’s hand.
AMEN!!! John 10:27a and 10:29 NIV
God is love, and anyone who does not love others has never known him.
1 John 4:8
Contemporaray English Version
Olathe, Kansas.
Jennifer Harris, Athens, GA Psalm 103:10,13 (The Message) “He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear Him.”
we were out of town and i couldn’t get my scripture posted….i hope its not to late!
Psalms 119:10 and 11
I have sought you with all my heart; don’t let me wonder from your commands. I have treasured your word in my heart so I may not sin against you!
Joy, Victoria, TX –
Proverbs 14:30 – A heart at peace gives life to the body. (NIV)
Kim from Springfield, IL
Deuteronomy 2:3 (New American Standard Bible)
‘You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north,
1 God,You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You.
4 So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
Psalm 63:1-5 (NAS)
Erika, Chester VA
Darla, McCordsville, IN
But one thing I do. Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead. Phil.3:13b
“And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:9
2-18-2011
Debbie H, Smyrna TN
“If I do not judge; I will not be judged; if I do not condemn; I will not be condemned; if I forgive; I will be forgiven.”
Luke 6:37
Courtney, Chicora. “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 NET
Angie P., Newark DE
“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 (NIV)
This post was God’s perfect timing!
Joni
Littleton, CO
Psalms 25:4-5 NIV
“Show me your ways LORD,
Teach me your paths
Guide me in your truth and teach me
for you are God my Savior
and my hope is in you all day long.
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 NIV
Pat
Brookings, SD
Kristi, Telford, PA
“You will seek me and find me when you seek with all your heart.” Jer. 29:13 (NIV)
Kelly
Marina, CA
“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 4:1-3
Chicago suburb
I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. Psalm 119:45 (NIV)
Michelle, Prosper, TX
“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 anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (New Living Translation)
Judy Lancaster PA
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 1:5,6 NIV
lynne in houston
“If you become willing and obey me
you will eat good crops from the land” Isaiah 1:19 ncv
Jennifer, Cottage Grove, WI: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV