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.
Krista, McDonough, GA: command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 1 Timothy 6:17-18 (NIV)
Laura, Nebraska
Daniel 2:22-23 NKJV
He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.
“I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, And have now made known to me what we asked of You, For You have made known to us the king’s demand.”
Carisa Aberdeen, SD
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 NIV
Pam, Wadesboro
Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. NKJV
Kathleen. Marietta, GA
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 4:23
NIV
“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”
I Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV
Marcia
Salem, IN
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. PROVERBS 16:24
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2Corinthians 12:10 (NIV)
Erin, Houston “Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it will all my heart.” Psalm 119:34
Beth – if you have time (I know, but I think you’ll love it) check out my blog to meet the youngest seista memory team member. She steals my heart.
http://www.johnson-junk-drawer.blogspot.com
Mary Beth, St. Louis
“As water reflects the face,
so one’s life reflects the heart.”
Prov. 27:19 (NIV)
Marilyn, Pleasant Hope
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2 NKJV
Emily, Blacksburg, VA
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3 (NLT)
Brooke, Birmingham, AL
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, he is the one who goes with you, He will not leave you or forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
Sam, Boston
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows.”
-James 1:17, NIV
Kate, Aurora CO
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Gal 5:1 NASB
Deanna, Willmar, MN
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Heb. 11:1 (Today’s NIV)
Tracy Bunch, Atlanta, GA
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Romans 8:31-31 NKJV
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
2 Corinthians 5: 14-16, NIV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Barbara in Vicksburg, MS
And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV
Jenny, Des Moines, Iowa, “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippines 4:19 NIV
Cynthia – Richmond
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not evny, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 NIV
Mariposa Albuquerque NM
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Julie Tuttle (Chico, CA)
My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
2 Cor. 12:9a (MSG)
Lindsay, Centerton, AR, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:4-5
Kim Wylie, TX
Trust in the LORD forever,for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 26:4
NIV
Betty Fulkerson, Montgomery, Tx. Give thanks to the Lord. for he is good; His Love endures FOREVER. 1 Chornicles 16:34 Thank you Lord for today and for your love.
Jennifer Atlanta,GA
So you’ll go out in joy, you’ll be led into a whole and complete life. The mountains and hills will lead the parade, bursting with song. All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant with applause. Isaiah 55:12 (The Message)
Gale – Buffalo, WY
“As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.”
Job19:25 NASB
Diane, Melbourne 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. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Megan, Knoxville, TN: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9, NIV
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: this if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of Him.”
1 John 5: 14-15 NIV
Karene, Yorba Linda, CA
Continuing Psalm 46:
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46:2-3 (NIV)
Carol, San Antonio, TX
“My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock & my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.”
Psalm 62: 5-6 NKJV
Melissa, Locust Grove, GA: “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11 ESV
Lisa, Granville, OH
“Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.” Psalm 31:3-4 NIV
Lorie, Columbia, SC
Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Eph. 3:21-12 NAS
Tammy, Rowlett, TX
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
Isaiah 43:2 (NKJV)
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.
Anastasia, Saegertown, PA
Jessica, Katy, TX
‘For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ Romans 8:38-39 *NKJV
Paula, Earlham. “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.” James 4:7,8 NLT
Sandi, Holt, MO: “Brothers and sisters, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you keep on following it, you will perish. But if through the power of the Holy Spirit you turn from it and its evil deeds, you will live.” (NLT)
All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O Lord, when they hear the words of Your mouth. Yes, they shall sing of the Ways of the Lord; for great is the glory of the Lord. Psalm 138:4-5 NIV/NKJ
Sharie, Chillicothe, MO
Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from your law. Psalm 119:18 NASB
Dannel Holtwood PA
NIV Romans 8:6-8
The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
Erin – Wylie, TX
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Kinney, Oxford, MS
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NET
Boni, Manassas, VA, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Cor. 10:5 NIV
Heatherly
Massachusetts
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
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.
Tracie Johnson, Taylorville, IL.
Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Proverbs 30:5 [NIV]