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.
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5,6
Cheryl, Rockford
Prov. 19:17
Those who are kind to the poor lend to the Lord, and he will reward them for waht they have done. TNIV
Maryann, Norwood, ” And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19
Karen
Naples, FL
Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
Phil 4:4-5 The Message
Phyllis, Salisbury, MD
Jame 3:17 “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.”
God’s love is meteoric,
his loyalty astronomic,
His purpose titanic,
his verdicts oceanic.
Yet in his largeness
nothing gets lost;
Not a man, not a mouse,
slips through the cracks.
Psalm 36:5-6 (MSG)
Beth Pleasant Plains, Il
The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zeph 3:17
Prov 10:20 (NIV) The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
Anita
Austin, TX
Cindy, Union Grove, WI
1John 2:15-16
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasures, a craving for everything we see and pride in our achievements and posessions. These are not from the Father, but from the world. (NLT)
I John 5:14-15 niv
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of Him.
Tracy, Moberly, MO
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!
~ Psalm 139:17-18, NLT
Amanda, Pine Bluff, AR
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.
Galatians 2:20-21, NLT
Mindy from Kimberly, AL ~ “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” Psalm 37:4 NIV
Rebecca, Stamford, TX “You are my strong shield, and I trust you completely. You have helped me, and I will celebrate and thank you in song.” Psalm 28:7 CEV
ashley e
Huntsville AL
2 Corinthians 10:5
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Teri, Westland, MI
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NIV
Denise, Houston
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. James 1:5 (NIV)
LaRee from Tucson, AZ
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. Psalm 42:1 (NIV)
Andrea, Houston
Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2
“Everything is permissible”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV
Angie from Redding, Ca.
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”
Psalm 20:7(NIV)
Audrey, Rockwall TX Genesis 16:13a NIV You are the God who sees.
Gidget – San Angelo, Tx
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7(NIV)
Diane, Alaska
Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
Truth stands the test of time, lies as soon exposed.
Proverbs 12:18-19
Patricia, Livingston, TX – 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. NIV
Gwen Vicksburg, MS Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him, if he thrist, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head Romans 12:20 KJV
Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
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 a hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me when you seek and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Lisa, Puyallup WA
Jenifer Smith
Clearwater, FL
Isaiah 62:1 (NIV – with my name inserted in 🙂 )
“For [Jenifer’s] sake I will not keep silent,for [Jenifer’s] sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch.”
Bec, Bendigo, Australia:
“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17
I just want to share – I asked my 11 year old son if he would like to learn these verses with me… and he said yes 🙂 He is excited about learning scripture together… our 9 year old daughter didn’t want to be left out and is learning them now too!!! What a blessing!!
(NIV)
And without faith it is impossible to please God, Becaue anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Kathy, Chattanooga
Jennifer, Monroe, GA
The high and lofty one, who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this:”I live in a high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts….” Isaiah 57:15 NLT
Kristi, Batesville
Philippians 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Hi Beth,
I’m so sorry that I’m late. I’ve been gone all week. Here is my verse:
Sharon
Titanyen, Haiti
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Love this… Thank you!
Sandy, Galveston
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. Proverbs 3:4-6 NIV
Cecilia, Mechanicsville VA And afterward, I will pour out my spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Joel 2:28 NIV
Tammy, Hendersonville, TN
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Christen, Birmingham, AL
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
Diane, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.
Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Psalm 86:11, NIV
Karla, Idabel, OK
Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7
Darien, Lenoir
Malachi 3:7a NIV
Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty.
Tammy, Dallas
LORD, Your faithful love [reaches] to heaven,
Your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountain;
Your judgments, like the deepest sea.
LORD, You preserve man and beast. Psalm 36-5-6 HCSB
Darcy, Lenoir
Malachi 3:7a NIV
Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty.
Jae, Lenoir
Malachi 3:7a NIV
Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty.
Evansville,IN
God… is the blessed controller of all things, the king over all kings and the master of all masters.
1 Timothy 6:15 Phillips
and also:
Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.
Psalm 16:5 NIV
Heidi, Round Rock, TX
Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns met.
Matthew 6:33 (Message)
Marilyn, Mission Viejo, CA
Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner live. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.
James 4:7-10,THE MESSAGE
Ann, Houston, TX
Phillipians 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Jamie
Birmingham, AL
“Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.”
Psalm 61:1-4 (NKJ)
Tonya W – Interlachen, FL – Psalms 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. (NIV)