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.
Alexia
Champaign
Have Mercy on me O God, have mercy on me for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
Psalm 57:1
NIV
The Lord will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring. Isaiah 58:11 NLT
Tammie, Columbia, SC
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. I Corithians 13:4-8 NIV
Star, Spring,TX “Your ears will hear a word behind you, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Shannon, Orange County, CA: “But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.” –Jeremiah 17:7, NIV
Jennifer W, Phoenix, AZ
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. James 3:13 NET Bible
Cathy from Gastonia:
“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the Lord.”
Psalm 134:2
Lawan – Lawton, OK – Ephesians 2:10 NIV – For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Darcie – Bethel, CT. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 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 4:7-9 NIV
Katie, Knoxville, TN. “If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10 NKJV
Ashley, New Orleans
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV
Barbie from Yankton, SD
Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. Psalm 27:7 NIV
For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as a shield. Psalm 5:12 NIV
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name: You are MINE. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Isaiah 43:1b-3a NKJV
Meagan, Austell, GA
Leverett, MA
We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that , just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Romans 6:4 NIV
Jana, Tampa, FL:“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Terri, Kirkland. “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
Debbie, New Delhi, India:
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. NIV Romans 2:1
Lindsey, Madison, GA
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” -Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Becky Marietta, GA
“The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from their trials”
2 Peter 2:9 NIV
You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north. Deuteronomy 2:3
This verse speaks volumes to me today. There are relationships I have to let go of and walk on in the hope that when God wants them restored they will be restored.
2 Corinthians 5:16 NLT
So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!
mitzi, Brandon, Ms
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Relent, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us_ yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:12-17 NIV
Carrie Hays
Houston, TX (formally Nashville, TN)
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8 NIV
Sharon, San Diego. “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
Mollie- Jonesboro, Arkansas
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Kaycee, Cabot: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13 ESV
“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
Tina, White Salmon ~ “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:3-5 (NIV)
Emily, Portsmouth, England
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14v14 (NIV)
Carole, Liberty Twp., Ohio
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Allison, Stephens City, VA
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
Karin, Kingsburg, Habakkuk 3:2 NIV “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.”
Candace
Jefferson City, TN
“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”
Psalm 86:11, NIV
Annabelle, Warrenton – Do all things without murmurings and disputings. Phil 2:14 KJV
Lily, Warrenton – Do all things without murmurings and disputings. Phil 2:14 KJV
“Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You.” Psalm 25:20
Alicia Fannin, NE KY, “Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” Phillipians 3:19
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
Jeannie, Vero Beach, Fl.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men
Colossians 3:23 NIV
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Rom. 8: 38&39 NIV
Diane, Ontario, Canada
Terry
Washington, IL
For He satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.
Psalm 107:9 (NIV)
Darbi, Saltillo, MS
2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV – “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
Kristi & Jr. Siesta Rebekah, Charlotte, NC
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”
1 Corinthians 13:1 ESV
Paula, Russell, KY
“And now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT
Laura Holt, Huntsville, AL
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” ~ Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Cheryl, Redlands, CA: Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
“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 forever and ever! Amen.
Julie, Goodyear. “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.”
Anne, Johnson City
Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Patti, Florida: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accomodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical.”
The NET Bible
Your prayers would be greatly appreciated.
praying for you Patti