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.
Paula, Albertville AL –
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Michele, Lubbock
Psalms 119:33
Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy statues, And I shall observe it to the end.
Carrie, Chicago
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Carol, Pierre, NKJ, Col 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Jill, Bozeman MT
But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands.
Isaiah 32:8 NIV
Mary – Bolivar
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God,and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. Revelation 12:10 (NIV)
Alice, Rockford, IL. Genesis 5:24 “Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” NIV
Allison, Tampa
James 1:5, NASB: But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Heather, Lewiston: “He has delievered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope…” II Corinthians 1:10, NIV
Alicia, Muscle Shoals, AL “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16, NIV
Jennifer, Nashville, Hebrews 13:15 NIV
Through Jesus therefore let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips, that openly profess His name.
Rhonda, SC. Jesus looked at them and said “with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 NIV
Salina, Hindman, Ky
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.” Isaiah 43:1B NKJV
Crystal-Milford, IA
Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
Psalm 16:5-6 TNIV
Rebecca, Greenwood, IN
O my Strength, I sing praise to you;
you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.
Psalm 59:17 NIV
Jennifer, Huntsville: You are my refuge and my shield, I have put my hope in your word. -Psalm 119:114, NIV
Beth, Gig Harbor
So will My word be which goes forth from my mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11 (NASB)
Amy; Tacoma, WA
” Then Nebchadnezzar said,”Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; who sent His angel to rescue his servants.” They trusted in Him and defied the King’s command and were willing to give up their own lives, rather then serve or worship any other god except their own god.” Dan. 3:28 NIV
Kim from Lovettsville:
So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now, rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 1 cor 4:18
Carina, Simi Valley.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38,39 (NASB)
Marilyn Gadsden Al
Thr 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 NIV
Heather; Woodstock, GA
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
Shandra- Jeremiah 29:11 NIV Bible. 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 hope and a future.
Jeanene, Newnan, GA
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Rachel, Ft. Smith, AR: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Eph. 4:29 (NIV)
” Seek His will in all that you do and He will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:4
Kathryn, Birmingham, AL
“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.” Philippians 4:8 NIV
Vickie, Louisvile “For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all he does.” Psalm 33:4 NIV
And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NET
Cynda
Newnan, GA
this is my mom’s favorite verse
I Thessalonians 5:16 – 18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
“What is impossible with men is possible with God.” NIV
Robin, Irving, TX
“He who covers an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates friends.” Proverbs 17:9, NIV
Wichita Falls, TX “”Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV
Jessica, San Diego, CA
“May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5 NLT
Jackie, Versailles, KY. “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4 NIV
Paula, Friendswood TX,
Romans 5:3-5 (New Living Translation)
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Susan
Zurich, Switzerland
James 1:5,6 NKJV
5. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
karen, Cheney, WA
“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them…..” Luke 22:19 (NIV)
🙂
Michelle, Sherman, TX
“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless”Isaiah 40:29 NIV
linde, dallas
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, according to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 ESV
Joyce, Big River, Saskatchewan, Canada
“…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 3:4 NIV
Debbie~ Highland, MI
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.
I Peter 1:22 NIV
Deborah, Topeka, KS “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Phil. 4:11
Nancy,Columbia, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” Nehemiah 8:10
Kristin, Burwell, UK
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” Heb. 4:12 NIV
Marci, Wichita. “For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.” Romans 14:7 NIV
Denise,Ocean Springs,MS
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; Trust in him and he will do this. Psalm 37:4-5 NIV
Robbyn, Dickinson, North Dakota
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his commandments never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Charity – Durham, NC
Do not conform 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.
-Romans 12:2, NIV
Joelle, Abilene
“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