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.
Diana, Magnolia, AR, Col. 3:16, NKJV: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
(helps me if i put the long verses into a melody and sing them.)
Angie and Lily (my 4 1/2 year old daughter), Goshen, IN “For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with fountains and springs that gush out in valleys and hills.” -Deuteronomy 8:7, NLT
Oh, Angie, I just couldn’t love it more that you’re doing this with your daughter! I also have a four and a half year old little girl. Can’t wait to share my verse with her! So sweet!
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
“Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations- that’s what I had in mind for you.” Jeremiah 1:5 The Message
I thought it fitting for today, my 32nd birthday!
Happy Birthday Rebecca!!!
Odessa, TX
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV
I LOVE this scripture! God is using it to turn my marriage around.
NKV Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.
Sarah, Montrose, CO
1 Peter 5:10 (NKJV)
May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
Jamie, Houston: Proverbs 20:24 “A man’s steps are directed by the Lord.” NIV Bible
Marianne – Fort Collins, CO
And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
~ Ephesians 5:20 NLT
2/15/11
Ephesians 6:15-16, NIV
“and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the glaming arrows of the evil one.”
Amber
Sulphur, LA
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
Carolee, Bothell “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” NIV
Camille, Keller, TX: “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
Vickie, Baytown, TX, “So will I bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My whole being shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips” Psalm 63:4-5 Amplified version
MaryLisa, Glenwood, MN: He has shown you, O Mortal, what is good. To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (NLT)
CeCe, Girdwood Alaksa
I forgot to list the bible reference first time around.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” 1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”
Romans 8:26 NIV
StacyJo ~ Spokane, WA
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the (wo)man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
🙂 I love that – ‘God-breathed’. . . like breathing Life into his Word the way He breathed the breath of life into Adam at creation.
StacyJo
Rhonda Sue/Robbinsville, NJ
Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive.
1 Corinthians 10:23 – NIV
Kimberly, Tuscaloosa, AL
“I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
Psalm 17:6-8
oops! NIV
Americus, Georgia
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14 NIV
Tina, Houston: Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” NIV
Meggie, Winnipeg, Canada
“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1 NLT
Susan, Canton, Mi
“You shall have no other gods before me.” Deut5:7 NIV
Shelley, Tulsa, OK “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” Titus 2:11-12 NIV
Nancy says
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.
Psalm 150:6 NIV
Liz, Lexington KY
Then Moses said to Him, “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”
— Exodus 33:15-16 (NIV)
Jennifer, Pflugerville, TX Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
Sabra, Muncie: And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19. Holman.
Lacey, Bath, PA
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.
1 Co. 13:4-5, ESV
Noreen,Bloomington/Normal: Habakkuk 3:2 “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.” NIV Bible
Phil 2:14 – 15a. NIV Do everything without complaining & aurguing so that you may become blameless & pure.
Laura, Lexington, KY
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 5:16-18
Dawn – Tomball, TX
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 ESV
Karen H from Sinclairville N.Y.
Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. NKJ
Becca, TN
Psalm 34:1 (NASB)
“I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
(In loving memory of Ms.Dolly, who lived it.)
Darl, Bakersfield, CA
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” NIV
linda, colorado springs. “be still before the lord and wait patiently for him…” psalm 37:7a (niv)
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,” Ephesians 1:18 NIV
Rebecca, Kilgore, TX
“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for [it is] time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. ”
Hosea 10:12, KJV
Karen, Illinois — “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (NIV)
Nitsa, Eugene, OR.
“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.” Colossians 4:6 NAS
Leanne, San Antonio: For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
New Living
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present you requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understandings, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”
-Philippians 4:6-7
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4 NIV
Harriett St.Albert Alberta “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 NIV
Rachel, Alpharetta, GA
**good one Beth – I’m copying**
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Amanda, LaSalle, ON Canada
“9 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
Lori, Atlanta, Georgia
Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him.” John 14:23 NASB
Lisa, Baton Rouge, La:
O Lord, all my longing is before you;
my sighing is not hidden from you.
Psalm 38:9
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.
NIV Romans 15:13