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.
Kelly, Clarksville, TN
Psalm 103:4,5
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Hey gals I just had to share quickly, going to Ethiopia today to pick up our baby girl, Mercy! Jesus has rocked our world this month. Just couldn’t not share with my Siesta Crew! Love you all! Forget NOT His benefits!
Dee Dee, Canton, GA “You are my witnesses, declares the Lord. And My servant whom I have chosen, in order that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me.” Isaiah 43:10
Paula, Olive Branch – For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Phil. 2:13 NIV
Marilyn, McKinney: Psalm 63:8 (NASB)
“My soul clings to YOU; YOUR right hand upholds me.
Jennifer, Mount Airy- “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 NIV
He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me; for there were many with me. Psalms 55:18
God really has delivered me from a couple of battles, one against my place of employment, I was in a battle for 7 years that tore at me everyday. My employers truly tried to destroy me, mentally, emotionally and financially. God held me strong in his hand however and I was delivered from that situation to a wonderful freedom. Then I was taken right from that battle into another at my church. It was brought on primarly through Satan’s use of one woman. She used her own emotions to stir trouble to the point that the church SPLIT! It was a terrible time, a church my family and I had worshipped in for over 25 years. Again God delivered us. We are now part of a new work and being used by God in a mighty way. God has blessed us so much that we cannot begin to praise him enough for it. He is so much!….I truly love him so!
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Pam, Edwardsburg MI: Phil 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. KJV
Psalm 33:20-21
We wait in hope for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
For we trust in his Holy name.
NIV
Psalm 34:18 NIV
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Sue in Grapevine, TX
Proverbs 3:5,6:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, submit to him and he will make your paths straight.
Holly Belt, Spring Hill,TN ….to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn
Isaiah 61:2
PSALM 46:1
GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND SRENGTH, A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE.
DAWN-ELMORE,AL
2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Psalm 91:1 NASB
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
Prov. 8:13 ESV
Nancy, Trussville, AL
And he (Jesus Christ) is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. Colossians 1:18 ESV
Miriam Columbia, SC
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” I Peter 3:15 NIV
Betty, Houston:
I forgot to sign in on time, but here’s the one I’m working on:
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
Maureen, Cambridge, MA: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blond, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matt. 5:16 NIV
Genie Cowden in OKC
Sally, Grants, NM
Galations 6:10 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are iof the household of faith. ESV
God arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like deer’s feet, and sets me on my high places. (Psalm 18:32-33)
verse 5
Karen, Ocean Springs “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
The Lord is my light and my salvation;whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life:of whom shall I be afraid. Psalm 27:1 NKJ
Kristen, Austin “You keep her in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because she trusts in you.” Is 26:3
Paula ~ Hendersonville, TN ~ My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
Rebekah, Groves, TX
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established. Proverbs 16:3
Beloved
I am a rose of Sharon,
a lily of the valleys.
Song of Songs 2:1 NIV
From colfax, ca
I
missed one in Feb. So this will catch me up to march 1st-Psalm 103:2 ,3,4,5NIV
“Praise the Lord , O my soul, and forget not His benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth us renewed like the eagles.”
Psalm 103:2-5(I missed one so this catches me up!)
NIV “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits-who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s”
Amy Houston, Tx
I totally wrote the verse down in my spirial and forgot to put it online! Here goes 😉
“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”
Philippians 4:19 The Message
Sandie, Knoxville
Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV)
It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
Laura, Pleasant Hill, CA
Proverbs 17:14 ESV
“The beginning of strife is the letting out of water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.”
Mischia, North Carolina
“But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD-”
Genesis 6:8 (NIV)
I had these in my spiral but kept forgetting to post them here 🙂
Sorry this is so late.
Kim Thatcher,AZ Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have because God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Heb 13:5(NIV)
Meredith: Houston, TX
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. –Psalm 40:1-2
3-1-11 Hebrews 11:1 KJV
3-1-11 Hebrews 11:1 KJV
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen.
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
II Corinthians 7:10 ESV
Mamie
Marietta,GA
1 THESSALONIANS 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in
Christ Jesus.
Patti – Sarasota
Understand this, my dear brother and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry.
James 1:19 (NLT)
Danielle, Atlanta: “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh” Romans 8.3, ESV
Well I posted from my phone earlier in the month and am now thinking that it did not post so this may be a duplicate
Dawn, Lafayette, LA
Isaiah 43:5-6 NIV
Do not be afraid for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
I will say to the North, Give them up! And to the south, do not hold them back. Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth.
“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
Barbara, New Bern, NC The Lord is my light and my salvation;whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life:of whom shall I be afraid. Psalm 27:1 NKJ
Laura, Houston:
And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Vicki Eufaula AL
February 15, 2011 NIV Psalm 82:8
Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance.
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible