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.
Teketa, Newport: Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of you heart. Proverbs 3:3 NIV
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.
Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)
Tanya, Killen: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11 NIV
Deb, Pelzer, SC
Psalm 119:50 (NIV) “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”
Houston, TX
Philippians 4:13 – I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (NIV)
Laura, Little Rock. “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (ESV)
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
Rachel, Fallston, MD
“So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.
Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” James 1:16-17 NLT
Mitzi
Kannapolis
I will be glad and rejoice in Your love, for You saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.
You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.
Psalm 31:7-8 NIV
Wilmette, IL
II Timothy 2:25 – Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps, God will change those peoples’ hearts, and they wil learn the truth.
NLT
Teresa, Mobile, AL. Psalm 25:14 TLB
Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence Him. With them alone He shares the secrets of His promises.
Hilary
Hudsonville, MI
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Psalm 103:1-5
JennLee, Perfect Austin, TX
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
-Psalm 32:9
NIV, by the way. Oops.
Jen, Springfield MO
Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Rachel Alexandria, KY
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 NKJV
Elisabeth
Modesto, CA
“Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic delight]–To the one only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory (splendor), majesty, might and dominion, and power and authority, before all time and now and forever (unto all the ages of eternity). Amen (so be it).”
Jude 1:24-25
Cindy
Jackson Hole
When your words came, I ate them;they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty
NIV
Sabrina, Redding. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment.” Mathew 22:37-38 (NIV)
Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can close.
Revelation 3:8
Danaly Payne
Lumberton, TX
Pam, Honolulu, HI
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31 NKJV
Martha, Natchez, MS
22 Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22,23
NKJ
I have chosen this verse too!
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peacae, whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee.
Isaiah 26:3 KJV
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Ps 37:5 KJV
Pam/Benton, AR
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. -Romans 15:4
Margot, Round Rock, TX
Psalm 143:8 (NIV) 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.
“People with their minds set on You, You keep completely whole, steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don’t quit. Depend on God and keep at it because in the LORD GOD you have a sure thing.”
Isaiah 26:3 Message
Jessica in San Diego:
She seeks out wool and linen with care and works with willing hands.
Proverbs 31:13 (GWT)
Andrea, Southern Illinois
Psalm 62:5-8
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.
Selah
Fayetteville, NC
“Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Philippians 4:7 MSG
Amarillo Tx
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men.
Col 3:23 NIV
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
2 Thessalonians 3:5 NIV
Kellyn – Spartanburg, SC
“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” Proverbs 19:21 New Living Translation
Kimberly, Jacksonville. “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, above these there is no law” Galatians 5:22-23
Melanie, Portland, Oregon: He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever. (Revelation 21:4 CEV).
Emily, Elk Grove, CA
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:25-27 NIV
Erica G, Denver, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 ESV
Sarah
Albuquerque, NM
“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness…”
– Ps 30:11 (NASB)
Jo Ann, Philadelphia. “For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.” Heb. 12:10 (NASB)
“I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my DAILY bread.”
Job 23:12 NIV
Judy from Crawfordsville, IN
Chrissy, Detroit Lakes, MN: “…Have no fear, but speak and do not keep silent; For I am with you, and no man shall assault you to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” –Acts 18:9-10 [Amplified]
Angela J., Grand Ridge, FL
But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run & not be weary, they shall walk & not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Twyla, Greenville
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.
Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Anita – Lynchburg VA
This is the day the Lord hath made we will rejoice and he glac in it. Psalm 118:24 KJV
Michelle, Fallston, MD
“He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.” Psalm 91:4 NKJV
Aubyn, Corinth, TX “18 Others are like the seed scattered among the thorny plants. These are the ones who have heard the Word; 19 but the worries of this life, the false appeal of wealth, and the desire for more things break in and choke the Word, and it bears no fruit.” Mark 4:18-19 Common English Bible
Michelle Lutz FL
Isaiah 59:21 “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the LORD.
NIV
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
Rita
Psalm 1:1
NIV
Brandi, Roseburg, OR
John 14:21 NIV Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.
Grace, Murdock, NE, Proverbs 15:4 “Kind words help and heal but harsh words wound and maim.”