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.
Stacy~Outlook, WA
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 NLT
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
~ Revelation 7:17 NIV
Teena
Cypress, Texas
Gillian, Ontario, Canada
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1&2 NIV
Laray, crawford
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Ashley, DQ Illinios – “LORD, You are my God;
I will exalt You. I will praise Your name,
for You have accomplished wonders,
plans [formed] long ago, with perfect faithfulness.”- Isaiah 25:1 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Stephanie, Milwaukie, Oregon
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way. NASB
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1John 4:7-8 NKJ
Kristen, Vancouver, BC:
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working or the Lord rather than for people.” – Col. 3:23, NLT.
wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14(NIV)
Tammy G.
Greencastle, IN
“Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. Pslam 39;4 NIV
Kathy, Price, Utah: Have I not commanded you? 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
Lucinda from PA
Luke 8:15 NIV But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it and by persevering produce a crop
Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. I Thess. 4:17
Amy, Wichita, ESV
Kelley, Olive Branch
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13 NIV (I think)
Shelly
Amarillo, TX
Philippians 4:19 (NET)
And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Kelley, Round Rock, Tx
“Is not My word like a fire?” says the LORD,“And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? Jer. 23:29 (NKJV)
Emmy Rome,GA
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Rev 21:4 NIV
Traci, powell,Ohio.And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Melissa, Glasgow, KY.
“I have set the LORD always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.” Psalm 16:8-9, KJV
Sarah Noah, Canoga Park, CA: “I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land.” Exodus 23:29&30 NKJV
Lise, Chesterfield, MO
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3 (NIV)
Ebony, Philadelphia
The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
Psalm 145:18-19 NIV
Dana, Ozark, MO
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18 NIV
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1Corinthians 2:1-2 (KJV)
Gayle, Dodgeville
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. — 2 Cor 12:9
Melanie, Sharpsburg GA
Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13
Mandie, Springfield, MO
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1: 2-4 NIV
Lily, Guymon. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 NIV
Hanni, St. Paul, MN
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control
Proverbs 25:28
Jodie, Minneapolis
Luke 1:37
“For with God nothing will be impossible.” (NKJ)
Nancy, St. Petersburg FL
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; will counsel you and watch over you.
Psalm 32:8 NIV
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19, The NET Bible
Jonda, Shakopee, MN
Valerie, Louisville, KY: “O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.” Isaiah 25:1 NIV
Thanks be to God!
Rachel, Blairsville, Ga: Dear friends, I urge you as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:11-12, NIV
Diana, East Peoria, IL
Isaiah 26:3 NLT
You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you.
Marsha, Tucson, AZ
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. NIV
“Dear children, let us not merely say that we love each other. Let us show the truth by our actions.” 1 John 3:18
Heather, Petal MS
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you. Psalm 63:2-3(NIV)
“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Luke 12:25 ESV)
Emily – Fairburn, GA
Ashley, Fort Worth, TX
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
April, Williamson, GA
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be quiet” Exodus 14:14 Holman Christian Standard
Debbie, Mt. Olive, MS:
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and wordly lust, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”
Titus 2:11-12 (KJV)
Amy, Kansas City
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength….
Isaiah 30:15 NIV
Brittney, Olympia
“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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamaties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV)
Missy, Tulare, CA
And we have such trust through Christ Jesus toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God.
2 Corinthians 3:4-5 NKJV
Joy, Tri-Cities; ‘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.’ Ephesians 4:29, NIV
Robin – Idaho- “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Andra, Snelling, Ca “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:4
Lee Ann,Brentwood, TN: “And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Oh, and I meant to add – Hebrews 12:2!