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.
Cindy, Austin, TX. “Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn away from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NIV (For 1/1/11)
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 NIV (For 1/15/11)
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 NASB (For 2/1/11)
“Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms, if it were not so I would not have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place I am going.” John 14:1-4 NIV (For 2/15/11)
Cindi Hueytown, AL NIV
3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans
Proverbs 16:3
Dawn, Highland Village, TX Matthew 17:20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (sorry I am late)
Lori, San Angelo,Texas
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.
Romans 12:1 (NIV)
Marcia, Mpls, MN
Isaiah 49:16 NIV
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Kept forgetting to log in! Sorry!
I’m late! We were in Thailand and I couldn’t pull up the website!
Gail
Papua New Guinea
1 Cor 13:5
NIV
It (love) is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong.
Kate, Arvada. “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2Timothy1:7 NIV
Ronda, Asheville, NC- “And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
“Be joyful always” I Thess. 5:16
So late…
Leah, Houston.
“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.” Isaiah 40:2, NIV.
Elaine, Bismarck
Enjoy life with the (man) whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life, and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 9:9 NASB
“God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1
Kay, Houston
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
I didn’t forget about scripture memorization. I’ve had my verses from the 15th. Just been sooooo busy havn’t had time to get it on here – ugh!!! Anyway, here it is:
Charlotte, Hamilton,OH
Romans 3:21-24 NIV
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Leslie K. Hickory NC
Sorry im a little late with my posting.
Psalms 23:4 KJV
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
The Hily Spirit will reach you all things.”
John 14:26a
The Holy Spirit will teach you all things.”
John 14:26a
Just home from traveling in Thailand, website wouldn’t work. Sorry I’m late.
Gail, Papua New Guinea.
It (love) is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record or wrong. 1 Cor 13:5 NIV
Sara Morgan, Orange, CA
“For God did not give us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline”
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Kay B. Richmond Hill,GA
For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my/Bill’s life. Because of your faithfulness, bring me/him out of this distress. Psalm 143:11 NLT
“Now then,stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes.” I Sam. 12:16
(sorry I’m late!)
Kristen, Athens Tx. “Instead, the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord loved you. Deut 23:5b NIV
He got up and rebuked the wind and calmed the raging waters; the storm subsided and all was calm. Where is yur faith?, He asked His disciples.
Luke 8:24 NIV
Mary from CT
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.
Jeremiah 17:7
May the words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV
Psalm 71:5
For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my trust from my youth and the source of my confidence.
Robin
Snohomish, WA
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
Sorry, I’m late…huge family stuff.
Jennifer, Houston
(this one is with my kids, again):
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…”–1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV)
Charleston, SC
Better late than never. Have been working on it, just kept forgetting to post it.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6 NKJV
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 NIV
I’m LATE but
Kristin – Tyler, TX
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
“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.”
Cindy, Huntingdon, PA – forgot to post #4!
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Jennifer, Singapore
“The arrogance of man will be brought low
and human pride humbled;
the LORD alone will be exalted in that day” -Isaiah 2:17 NIV
Debbie B
Youngstown, OH
Jeremiah 29:11 (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.”
Whatever you do, work at it with all heart, as working for the Lord, not for men Colossians3:23 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)
Our eyes are on you, for we know not what to do.
2 Chronicles 12:20
Jeri Cook, Missouri City, TX
Karla from Evans, GA
NLT Psalm 57:9-10
“I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.”
Libby
Dallas, TX
So it will be in that day, that his (BH)burden will be removed from your shoulders and his yoke from your neck, and the yoke will be broken because (BI)of fatness.
Isaiah 10:27 NASB
Esther, Eutingen,Germany
Psalm 16:11 “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” NIV
O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou
hast healed me. psalm 30:2
Psalm 1: 4,5
“But for sinners, what a different story! They blow away like chaff before the wind. They are not safe on Judgment Day. They shall not stand among the godly.”
Simi Valley, CA
“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
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lordl keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3 NIV
Crissy, Nashville
Chesterfield, Virginia
“Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous.
Do not be terrified;
do not be discouraged,
for the LORD your God
will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Cheryl, Ponder, Tx. “And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Bernice – Lemont, Illinois –
“But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
Job 23:10 – NIV
“Blessed are they who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart.” Psalm 119:2 NIV