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.
Paige, Atlanta, Phil. 4:6-8
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 your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.
“Suddenly a man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus. He said, “Lord, you ahve the power to make me well, if only you wanted to.” Jesus put his hand on the man and said, “I want to! Now you are well.” At once, the man’s leprosy disappeared”.
Matthew 8:2-3 (CEV)
For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Phil. 2:13 NIV
Diane in Vinton,LA
Pam, Dublin, VA
“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.” 2 Corinthians 3-4 NIV
2 Corinthians 10:3-4
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18
NIV
Kristin
Montgomery, AL
Marla in Manila
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 NASB
Colleen – Conroe, TX
1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV
Everything is permissable – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissable – but not everything is constructive.
Kaylee, West Texas
The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matt. 25:40 (NIV)
psalms 51:10
(NIV)
Create in me a clean heart oh god and renew a right spirit within me
Deirdre Russell
Atlanta, Ga
Shaunthea, Anderson, IN- Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 1 Peter 4:8-9 (NAS)
Barbara, Birmingham, Al
He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
Deuteronomy 32:4 NIV
Miriam, Columbia
I Peter 4:8 NIV
“Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Ainslie, Columbia SC
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”
Romans 1:16 NIV
Stephanie S., Houston
“For Jesus doesn’t change – yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself.”
Hebrews 13:8
The Message
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
JENN M FROM MASS: PSALM 40 1-2 (N.L.T) 1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.
Sherry, London, Ontario, Canada
I just started the SSMT yesterday with verse 5 but it is really important to me in my current walk, to complete all 24 verses. So here is my verse 4.
2. Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, when we face trials of many kinds, 3. because we know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1: 2-3 NIV
unsure if I posted my last verse for February..
if so I apologize but here goes:
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.
Rom. 12:2 NIV
Toni, Boulder-Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11 NKJV
Susan Nova Odessa, Brazil “The Lord God has given me the tongue of disciples that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens me morning by morning. He awakens my ears to listen as a disciple.” Is 50:4 NAS
Sarah Melbourne, Fl
Titus 2:12 NIV
It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
Susan
Corinth, TX
However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what GOD has prepared for those who love Him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)
Jodi
Consort, Canada
If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? Luke 16:11 NIV
Betty, Ft. Worth “Trust in him at all times, O people, pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us.” Ps 62:8 ESV
Judy
Poland (Missionary)
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment…Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
1 Peter 3:3-4
Kingsport, TN
“Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10 NASB
Maddie, Rockport, MA
“Honor your father and mother so that you may live long in the land the lord your God is giving you.”
Exodus 20:12 (NIV)
Tara. Frankfort, KY
“We know that our old selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.” Romans 6:6
Miranda, Atlanta: “”Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21, NIV
Amber, Houston: “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24b (NIV)
I also like it in the CEV “I do have faith! Please help me to have even more.”
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31 NIV
Christy Crosby – Clarksville TN
“My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” John 10:10 HSCB
Alison, Richmond
My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 131:1,2 (NIV)
I’m SO late! Sorry!
Kristen Spring Hill, TN
Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Very late catching up the blog but I’ve been working with my spiral!
Denise
Asheville, NC
Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
“My heart and my strength may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Yet I am confident that I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait Patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:13,14 NLT
“I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I will trust in God’s unfailing love forever and forever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; In your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.”
Ps 52:8-9 NIV
Wendy
Waterford VT
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Eph. 6:10-11 NAS
NKJV
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that who ever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.
Michelle Bentham – Watauga
Isaiah 58:9 MSG(I’m still with it – just behind posting)
Then when you pray, God will answer. You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, “Here I am.” If you get rid of unfair practices, quit blaming victims, quit gossiping about other people’s sins.
Stephanie, Beaumont, TX: “Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives when they see the purity and reverence in your lives” 1 Peter 3:1,2
When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you.
Deut. 8:10 NIV
Deb, Lancaster
Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 62:8
Janean, Lakeville: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NIV
Monica, Lebanon IN, When a man’s ways please the LORD,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7 (NKJV)
Karen, Livermore, CA
I’m so late on this – eeek!
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. James 3:17 NIV
Job 13:14 – “Why should I put myself in danger and take my life in my own hands?” NCV
Also, had to share this:
SPIRIT LIFTER
God has kept me here for a reason. I survived because he has a plan for me. All my bad relatonships, the bad credit, the repossessions, the death of my loved ones, the back stabbing from my friends, the negative thoughts, or the lack of support, I made it because I am blessed! I release and let go of all past hurts, misunderstandings and grudges because I am blessed! I recognize them as the illusions they are, for God is all there is. All else is a lie!
Now give yourself a hug, wipe your tears and walk in VICTORY!!!! I love you, but more appropriately God loves you BEST! Be blessed and know that you are at one with
THE SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD! And may the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. Amen! Genesis 31:49: “…called Mizpah, because Laban
said, “Let the LORD watch over us while we are sepoarated from each other.”
Mindy Laurel, NE
For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. Deuteronomy 10:17 NIV
Lea Ellen — Cypress, TX
Proverbs 29:22
“An angry person starts fights; a hot tempered person commits all kinds of sin.”
(I have been memorizing, just didn’t log it in here when you called for our scriptures)
Michelle, Lansing, MI
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. Psalm 62:5-8 NIV