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.
Sue
Minneapolis. MN
Proverbs 2:10-11 (ESV)
For wisdom will come into your heart,and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you,
understanding will guard you
Laura A.
Inglewood, CA
I Chronicles 28:9 NIV
And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
Molly
Minneapolis.MN
I lift my eyes to the mountains- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip- He who watches over you will not slumber.
Psalm 121: 1-3 (NIV)
“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.” Colossians 3:15-17 (MSG)
Traci, Frankfort, KY
“We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him.”
1 John 4:16 (NAS)
Zephaniah 3:17 (New King James Version)
17 The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Felicia, Allen, TX
and pray also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. – Ephesians 6:19-20 (ESV)
Brooke
Cantonment, FL
Sarah Mudd- Waco, TX “For in him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28 (NIV)
Psalm 121:2 My strength comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
You will give me the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that I may know that it is You , the Lord, that calls me by name. Is. 45:3
Vicki from Loveland, CO: 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6: 10-12 NIV
Donna
Franklin, TN
Sorry…beyond late on this one!
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Robyn~Dallas, TX
Psalm 25;4-5 Amplified Bible
4 ” Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.5 Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long.”
April, San Angelo,TX
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the rewening of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12: 1-2 NIV
Hannah, College Station.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Romans 12:9 NKJV “Let love be without hypocricy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”
Krista, Morgontown, WV
Psalm 32:7, NLT
“For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.”
Phil 4:19 NET
And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
This may sound silly but I can’t remember if I posted my Feb. 15th verse or not, so here goes:
Janet, 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)
Mackenzi, Elgin
John 14:16
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. (NLT)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your path.
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
Amy – Fayetteville, TN
“The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slack hand will be put to forced labor.”
Proverbs 12:24 (NAS)
Tricia, Eldridge
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Samantha, Tupelo
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise You.
Psalm 63:5 NIV
Jane, Greenwood, SC
Ephesian 4:29 (NIV) Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Sorry I was so late – sick in bed all last week with flu and sinus infection
Surprise, Arizona : The Lord will not abandon his people; he will not desert those who belong to him…The LORD defends me; my God protects me. Psalm 94:14,22
Allison ~ Grand Junction, CO
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
Terri in Mount Holly, NC:
Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:13 (NASB)
Federal Way, WA
“One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.” Ps 62.11-12 NIV
Laurie, Tyler Texas
“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34
Lisa B. Houston
Sorry I’m so late, I’m in Argentina with my man for 12 fabulous days!!! I may even shoot some doves!
“The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. All you have made will praise you, O LORD, your saints will extoll you. They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to alll his promises and loving toward all he has made. The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.”
That’s Psalm 145:8-14 NNIV
Isaiah 61:7
Instead of shame and dishonor, you will inherit a double portion of prosperity and everlasting joy. NLT
Matthew 11:28
Then Jesus said, “Come to me all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will wgive you rest.” NLT
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of God stands forever.
LaRae- Princeton, TX
In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength
Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)
Vicky- Sherman, TX…..Rom 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will.”NIV
Maryville, TN
Romans 8:35-37, NLT
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble, or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things we have overwhelming victory through Christ, who loved us.
(I completely forgot to post, but I have been working on this passage since the 15th).
Sharon, Charleston, WV. Psalm 51:10 (KJV) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Jackie, Minden, LA Luke 6: 38 (NLT) Give, and you will receive. Your gift will be returned to you in full — pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.
Alison P.
McComb, MS
“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
John 15:3&4 (NIV)
Vicky, Germantown, TN
Psalm 18:1-3 (NIV) I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.
Rebecca mobile al
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Psalm 34:10 (New International Version)
Ramona, Medina Ohio
Jeremiah 24:7 NIV
I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.
Christy, FL – the one you mentioned last time! 🙂
“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death He might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” Heb. 2:14-15
Oops looks like I never posted my verse.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because He first loved us.
1John 4:18-19 NIV
Auburndale, FL
“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
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the stength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Eph. 6:10-11
How did I miss February 15th? Sorry for being so tardy!
Susan, Sheridan Arkansas
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:20
Kelly, Nashville
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever; and his faithfulness to all generations.” Ps. 100:4-5 ESV
For everything that was written in former times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we may have hope.” Rom 15:4 NET
Psalm 34:4 Amplified
I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him [of necessity and on the authority of His word], and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Lino Lakes, MN