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.
Paula Syracuse, KS
My God will richly fill your every need in a glorious way through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 God’s Word Translation
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Fran McCurry Plott
Gulf Shores
Jenny hope Williams Pelham Alabama NIV 1984 John 6:The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
Janel, Valrico FL – Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.” Matthew 4:4, the Message
Melanie in Tulsa…..
The Lord is my light and my salvation-
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life=
of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 NLT
Raeleen in Tulsa…..
I asked the Lord for help and he answered me.
He saved me from all that I feared.
Psalm 34:4 ICB
Yvonne, Sevierville, TN
For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:13-14 NIV
Bobbie, Fort Walton Beach:
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.
Oops! Pressed submit too early! James 1:5 (NIV)
Diane, Florence
2 Corinthians 2:14-Now thanks be unto God which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor his knowledge in every place. KJV
Dawn, Mt.Olive, NC: Yes, I know I’m posting late this time and this verse also goes along with the last post I done. Same book of Scripture, plus chapter.
“The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.” Psalm 103:6 NIV
Thank God for His righteousness and justice! He gives us this so we don’t have to deal with the battles alone. This fight isnt all for nothing. There are rewards in the end and the Word is our continuing support. Praise God:)
Jodie, Kennard, Tx
Adding vs. 5 to Titus 2:3-4 NASB
“to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.”
Deanna, Tennessee, NIV, Galatians 5:16- “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
Natalie, Roanoke
Search me, O God, and know my heart
Test me and know my anxious thoughts
See if there is any offensive way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Debbie,Knoxville, Tenn
This is what I seek: that I may dwell in the hose of the Lord all the days of my life. Psalm 27:4 NIV
Debbie,Knoxville, Tenn
This is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. Psalm 27:4 NIV
Iris, Manitoba, Canada
“From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.” Isaiah 64:4 (ESV)
“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.”
1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NIV)
Kristin, Clearwater, FL
Arielle, Cincinnati, Phil 2.14-16 NKJV
Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Col. 3:12 (NIV)
Jeanette from Mundelein, IL
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
-Psalm 19:14 (NLT)
Sophie – Birmingham, AL –
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” (NIV)
Judy, Tyler, TX “Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.” Micah 7:8 English Standard Version
Allison – Warrenton, VA
Psalm 71:14 (NASB)
“But as for me, I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more.”
Antoinette – Menomonee Falls
Proverbs 3:5,6 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Perri, Opelika, AL
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Colossians 3:2
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
“You enlarge my path under me, So my feet did not slip.” Psalm 18:36 NIV
Ann Ft Lauderdale, FL
Sheila
Garner, NC
Isaiah 26:4-5 Amplified
You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind (both its inclination and its character) is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You and hopes confidently in You. So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock (the Rock of Ages).
Better late than never, right? 🙂
Angie, Clarkston, Michigan
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:6 KJV)
Kaitlyn
Garner, NC
1 Peter 1:22
Love one another deeply, from the heart.
Genevieve, Orange, Jeremiah 15:16 When your words came, I ate them: they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for i bear your name. NIV
I am not sure if this is how we do the memory scripture part. I just got an iPad and I am trying to work this on it. I hope this is correct. Any help or input is most welcome.
Rebecca in Durham:
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another HELPER, to be with you FOREVER, even the SPIRIT of TRUTH, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You KNOW HIM, for he dwells with you and will be IN YOU. !! John 14:16-17 ESV
Michelle from New Roads, Louisiana: “The Lord God is my strength. He makes me like a deer that does not stumble so I can walk on the steep mountains.” Habakkuk 3:19 NCV
Katherine, Helena, AL
Dear friends, you must never become tired of doing right. 2 Thess 3:13 (CEV)
Christine, Fort Myers
“Lord you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.” Psalm 16:8 NIV
Jennifer in Danville, VA
“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 NIV
Joy, Durham, NC.
He who sacrifices thank- offerings honours me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God. Psalms 50:23 (NIV – UK)
Pam in Lookout Mt, Ga
1 Peter 1:8, NIV
You love HIm even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him, you trust Him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy.
Isaiah 45:9 NIV
Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground.
Bethany, Pittsburgh:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)
Little late with my memory verse! We welcomed a new grandson on Valentine’s Day – his Mommy’s birthday too!
Judy, Austin: “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:13 NIV
Sarah, St. Peters, MO
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NIV
Judy – East Chain, MN
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accomodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and not hypocritical.” James 3:17 (NET)
Emily, Louisville, KY: “Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” Ps 16:5-6 (HSB)
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we hve our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:9-10
Darcie Lyon Proverbs 31:She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Sorry to be so late! Haven’t had a spare minute for computer time.
Matthew 6:33 NIV
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Twila-Fayetteville, Ga.
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
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 (NIV)
Brenda from NH
Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me.
Isaiah 30:15 The Message
Charlene G
Pampa, Texas