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.
“Accept anyone who is weak in faith, but don’t argue about doubtful issues.” (Romans 14:1)
Gail, Phoenix
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:7-8
Jennifer
Allison Park, PA
Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hi Jennifer! I just wanted to give a shout out to a fellow siesta from Western Pa. Have a great day!
Toni, Sugar Hill, GA
Ephesians 1:5 (NLT) “God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.”
Kayla
Cleveland
Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. Romans 6:6 NLT
Liz, Washington D.C.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” ESV
Sherry
Indianapolis
Acts 4:12 (NIV) “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Kathie, Satsuma, Alabama. Romans 1:20 NCV
There are things about Him that people cannot see–His eternal power and all the things that make Him God. But since the beginning of the world those things have been easy to understand by what God has made. So people have no excuse for the bad things they do.
I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being”
Ephesians 3:16 NIV
Jill
Laramie, WY
Michelle – Wilmington, NC NLV
Psalm 112:8-9
8 They are confident and fearless
and can face their foes triumphantly.
9 They share freely and give generously to those in need.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.
They will have influence and honor.
Tracey from Shawnee, Kansas
Daniel 2:20-21 (NIV)
… “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.”
Deborah, Cambridge-Narrows, NB
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power…and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:10, 13(b) NIV
Beth, Huntsville, AL
Psalm 86:1 (NKJV)
Bow down your ear; O Lord, hear me; For I am poor and needy.
Barb Churchill Ontario Canada
“I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from ALL my fears. Plalm 34:4 NIV
Peggy, Crowley Lake, CA
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 ESV
Cheri
Vancouver, WA
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken
Psalm 62:6 NIV
Do not let your heart envy sinners,But live in the fear of the LORD always. Proverbs 23:17 NASB
Heidi~~Lindale, Texas
1 Cor. 13:4 NIV
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Krissie
Denton, TX
Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
1 John 3:18 (NASB)
He who guards his mouth and his tongue fuars his soul from troubles. Proverbs 21:23 NAB
Libby, Texarkana: 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
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 my soul. Psalm 143:8, NIV
“That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms…“
Ephesians 1:19b-20, NIV
Susan
Canada
Praise be to the Lord for he has heard my cry for mercy. the Lord is my strength and my shield my heart trusts in him, and I am helped my heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Ps 28:6 NIV
Kenslea, Birmingham, “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” -Psalm 62:8 ESV
He who guards his mouth and tongue, guards his soul from touble. Proverbs 21:23 NAB
Leslie, Memphis
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Joni
Princeton WV
” One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.” -Psalm 27:4 NIV
2Corinthians 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.
Deena, Corona
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:7&8 NIV
Andrea, Blytheville
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me, Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit, Then will I teach transgressors thy way; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Psalm 51:10-13 (KJV)
Megan, Melbourne Florida
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? -James 2:14
NLT
Cara-Conway, Arkansas
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16, NKJV
Diane, Roswell, GA:
“Find rest, O my sould, in God alone: my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”
Sorry for the type – should say:
“Find rest, O my soul, . . .”
Janice, Tulsa. ” Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity; and restore me to vigorous life and health in Your ways.” Psalm 119:36-37 Amplified Bible
Crosby, TX
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
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.”
Margie Allen,TX If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 NIV
Stephanie Fittje parker colo.
We love because he first loved us.
I John 4:19 (NIV)
Cindy, Laguna Niguel. “to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV
Glenna – Cumberland House, SK “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it” NIV
Michelle Myers, Austin, TX: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24, NLT)
Rock Hill, SC
“The Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you. So Abram went, as the Lord told him.”
-Genesis 12:1, 4a (NIV)
Shannon, Indiana
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus
Phil 4:19 NIV
Richelle, Kingston, TN
My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. I Corinthians 4:4 (NIV)
“However, as it is written:
No eye has seen,
no eye has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9
Joyce
Sparta, NJ
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6 (ESV)
Carrie, Jupiter, Fl
Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. KJV
Melissa – Hendersonville, TN
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 – NIV
Kathy S. – Hudsonville, MI
Psalm 138:3 (NKJV)
“In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.” Psalm 138:3 (NKJV)
Martha,Lynchburg,VA
For I know that my redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. Job 19:25 KJV