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.
Philippians 1:7
It is right for me to feel this way
about you all, because I hold you in
my heart, for you are all partakers
with me of grace, both in my
imprisonment and in the defense and
confirmation of the gospel.
I can’t remember if I ever posted. I got behind on posting but not on memorizing.
Tammy, Indianapolis
Ephesians 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (NIV)
Romans 12:12, Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer, NIV, Rosylne, Selma, TX
When someone finally had the courage to pray, “Lord show her where she is and go get her.” What I saw was a 2 yr old huddled in a dark corner of a dank cell, covered with a blanket, so scared and immobile, didn’t know what to do. Jesus opened the door of that cell, walked over and picked up the little girl and carried her up a lot of steps out into the sunlight. They walked hand in hand along a sandy shore. The little girl turned to Him and ask Him, “If I ask You to come into my heart, will You walk away from me, like everyone else has done?” And He said, “I will never leave you nor walk away from you.” So she did and they walked for a time and she began to grow like the commercial on Wonder bread and then He said to her, “I’m going to take you to a safe place that you can go to when life gets awful.” They continued walking toward a large forest–that had a gate that He opened and there was the most beautiful green fields of what looked like ripe oats blowing in the breeze–a stream meandering along and a huge tree beside the water–hundreds of little lights everywhere and running through the field was an old dog of mine named Pup–he had his legs and was running like a young puppy…this was my secret place that Jesus provided..so began the healing of that little girl, who was me…skipper
‘for where your treasure is there you heart will be also.’ Matthew 6:21 NASB
Enjoying shopping for my next verse here in Sunday school in Stillwater ok
Brigette Brock
Morehead, KY
“I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2
*posted from my I-phone earlier and not sure it went through.
Let all that you do be done in love.
I Corinthians 16:14
Behind on memorizing…
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Ellen Perry/Dallas tx
Lamentations 3:22-23 RSV
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face to shine on you,
and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 (NASB)
Bonnie, Marietta – “Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise. Without leader, administrator or ruler it prepares its provisions in summer. It gathers food during harvest. How long will you stay in bed, you slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, and little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest and your poverty will come like a robber, your need like a bandit.” Proverbs 6:6-11 NIV
Dont’ let anyone look down on you because your are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.
I Timothy 4:12
NIV
Shanelle from Phoenix, AZ
“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
Raleigh from Austin, TX
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” -Matthew 11:28
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
I’ve missed posting several on the blog and not sure I posted this month.
Lynnette in Houston
1 John 1:9 (NIV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Oops! Wrong verse for this time.
Lynnette in Houston
James 3:5 (The Message)
It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:14 NIV
Dee
Kyle, TX
Lauren,Topeka
5:”But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
6:”We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquitiy of us all.”
Isaiah 53: 5-6
Deborah, Mobile: Psalm 46:10 “Be still & know that I am God. I am exalted in the heavens & I am exalted in the earth.” NIV
But one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. ( Phil.3:13-14, NIV)
4-6-11 Phillippians 4:13 KJV
I can do all things through Christ which strenghteneth me.
Bunnie, Hume “…for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:10 NASB
4/10 (late for April 1st posting)
“Open up, ancient gates!
Open up, ancient doors,
and let the King of glory enter.
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord Almighty –
he is the King of glory.”
Psalm 24 9-10
NLT
1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV
Everything is permissible from me but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible – but I will not be mastered by anything.
Rhonda, Anderson, IN
Ephesians 4:17 & 18 (NIV)
So I tell you this and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of GOd because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
Rhonda Anderson, IN
Stephanie, Lititz, Matthew 16:23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” NIV
can’t remember if I posted this or not…so far behind…so sorry
Kate
Aurora, CO
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Gal 5:1 NASB
Casie
Holland, MI
Proverbs 15:1
A Gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Jennifer, Huntsville, TX
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV
Proverbs 22:17-18 ESV Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
Indianapolis, IN
4-16-11 Philippians 2:14 KJV
Do all Things without complaining and disputing.
Psalm 46:10
Be still and know that I am God.
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” 1 John 3:16
Acts 4:20
“For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Marcy from Conroe, TX: “The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness…” Galatians 5:22
Leslie, Hickory NC
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.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
5-10-11 Proverbs10:6 KJV
Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
Atlanta, GA
“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world & forfeits his soul?” Matthew 16:26 (NIV, 1984)
Lea Ann, Clinton, MS
1 Timothy 1:5 (NASB) But the goal of our instruction is love, from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
(not sure I posted in Feb.)
Philippians 1:3
“I thank my God every time I remember you.”
Sheri, Atlanta, TX
Ephesians 3:20 NKJV
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us.
5-25-11 Psalms 119:11 KJV
Thy Word have I hod in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Kim from Springfield, IL
Deuteronomy 2:3 (NASB)
You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north,
(catching up…I may have already posted this verse..just making sure 🙂
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me, for I have redeemed you. Isaiah 44:22 (NIV)
Karen
Ponte Vedra, FL
Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV
6-9-11 John 14:6 KJV
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the
Life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.
2 Corinthians 3:4,5
“Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.”
Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Romans 13:13-14 NIV