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.
Carol, Lubbock, TX
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us — yes, establish the work of our hands.”
Psalm 90:17 NIV
Ruth Anne, Dover, OH: There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out all fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. I John 4:18, NIV
Melanie – Decatur,AL – From our Jonah study –
Psalm 139:23-24 KJV
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
try me, and know my thoughts;
And see if there be any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Anne from Hot Springs, AR:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NIV
Keller TX: Romans 8:5-8 (ESV)
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:8
JoJo Sutis, Doyline, LA
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” James 3:17 KJV
Allison, Kalamazoo, MI
“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Matthew 12:34b, NIV
Phyllis, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Romans 6: 19 NIV
I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.
Laura (Strawberry Plains, Tennessee)
but those who trust in the LORD will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary;they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (holman)
Heather, Glencoe, AL
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
Allison Mullins, San Antonio
Zephaniah 3:17 “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.”
Janalese, Angier NC (continuation from last memory verse)
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according
to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. NIV Ephesians 3:20-21
Hannah R. | Norman, OK
O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:8, NLT
Tammy – Lexington, NC
I Peter 4:7-8: The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. NIV
Susan, Brea, CA – “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talkinga bout them when you sit at home and when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 11:18-19, NIV
Pam, Oregon
Keep your servant also from wilful sins:
May they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless
Innocent of great transgression.
NIV
Becky – Siloam Springs – He said to me, ‘Rise up, my love. Come with me, my beautiful one. Look! The winter is past. The rains are over and gone. Flowers are appearing on the earth. The season for singing has come. The cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig trees are producing their early fruit. The flowers on the vines are giving off their sweet smell. Rise up and come, my love. Come with me, my beautiful one.’ ~Song of Solomon 2:10-13 (NIrV)
Heather Dover,DE
Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV
Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”Honor your father your father and mother”- which is the first commandment with a promise-“that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy a long life on earth.
Karen
Aurora IN
I have just committed to be apart of a women ministry. But, God told me that I must make sure that it is with my whole heart!
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart! Pslam 119:1 KJV
Sandy, Deming, NM
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Is. 26:3 NKJV
Faran – Bald Knob, AR
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. –Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Jennifer, Portsmouth, VA: “He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.” ~ Psalm 18:17 NIV
Lauren: Boston, MA
Exodus 14:13-14 (NIV)
“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today….The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son. That whoever believes in Him shall not parish but have everlastng life. John 3:16 NIV
Katie – Augusta, Ga: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Ps. 46:1-3, NASB
Susan, Buena Vista, GA. So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:34-35. NLT.
Yolanda, Queen City, Texas
I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and take heart and WAIT for the Lord. Psalms 27:13-14 (NIV)
Sheryl, Jacksonville
I John 5:5 NIV
“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”
Jaye, Keller, TX
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
Charity
Cardiff, Wales
“Therefore, behold, I will allure her,
Bring her into the wilderness and
speak kindly to her.”
Hosea 2:14
Kelli, Corpus Christi, TX
So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.~ Romans 14:13, NLT
Anna from Austin:
When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need- words that will make them stronger. -Eph 4:29 NCV
Fort Lauderdale, FL “Whoever conceals an offense promotes love.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Proverbs 17:9
Heather, Wilmington. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7, NIV
Shelley, Dallas
I had chosen a different verse, but this one Beth mentioned fits my anxious heart perfectly.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus”
Philippians 4:19 NIV
L Diane, Indianapolis
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man (woman) of God may be equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with salvation.” Psalm 149:4 NIV
Kosciusko, MS
James 1:26-27, NLT
“If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”
Anne, Minneapolis, “And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?” Deuteronomy 10:12-13, NIV
Kim from Springfield – Psalm 71:4 – KJV
Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
Lauren, Malvern, PA.
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 (NIV)
Nancy Tucson, AZ
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 NIV
Karen: Tallahassee, FL
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jn 16:33 NIV
Proverbs 3:5 NASB
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding
Colleen
Calgary, Canada
For my thoughts ar not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8 ESV
Katrina from Tulare, CA: “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12 NIV
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not; In all your ways be mindful of Him and He will make straight your paths. Pro 3: 5-6
Better is one day in your house; better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wickedness. NAS, Psalm 84:10.
Sharon San Diego Ca. Matthew 11:29 NKJV
Take My Yoke upon you and learn from ME, For I Am gentle and lowly in heart.and you will find rest for your souls
I cant just stop there for in for it completes he message.
Matthew 11:30
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Amen!
Delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of his heart. Palm 37:4 NLT