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.
Candy, Huntsville AL
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 NIV
Melissa
Monroe, LA
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Naples
I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands.
Psalm 63:4, NIV
Joanne, Westerville, OH
“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful, all things are lawful tfor me, but not all things edify” 1Cor. 10:23
Leann, Essexville, MI
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Mary <3 Portland
"being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
Gaylene, Muldrow,OK:
“Let us examine and probe our ways, and let us return to the Lord.” Lamentations 3:40 NASB
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Col 3:23-24 ESV
Heather, Lawrence, KS
Randi, Henrietta, TX
“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16 NIV
April, Blacksburg, VA:
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. – 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)
The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.
Exodus 14:14 NKJV
Farrah- Jackson, MS
Romans 8:14-17
“For all who are led by the spirit of God are sons and daughters of God! You did NOT receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of ADOPTION (love this!!!) as sons and daughters, by whom we cry “Abba! Father! (oh so love this!!) The spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we ARE children of God, and if children, then HEIRS- heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. ” ESV
Four of us are memorizing these verses, or part of them these two weeks. The other names are Becky in Owasso OK, and Stacey in Midlothian,VA if you want to be praying for all of us.
Natalie, Trussville, AL: “Let your conversation be always full of grace , seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6 (NIV)
Kim
Orange City
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7
NIV
Sara, Oklahoma City, OK,
“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 NKJV
Peggy, Peace River,
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
Molly Gainesville, GA
“O Lord, I have remembered Your Name in the night, and keep Your law. This has become mine, that I may observe Your precepts.” Psalm 119:55-56 NASB
Tamara – San Antonio, TX
“I pour out my complaint before Him; before Him I tell my trouble. When my spirit grows faint within me, it is You who know my way.”
Psalm 142:2-3 NIV
Jill, Booneville: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)
Jill, Porltand, OR: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:14-17 NIV
Jackie-Centennial, CO
Isaiha 41:13 NIV
“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not frear, I will help you”
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
Carole~Grove City, PA
Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins. NASB
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we have done, but because of His mercy.” Titus 3:4-5a NIV
Marty ~ Mobile, AL
“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
Madge, Marietta, GA
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. Eph 4:29
Bethaney, Frankfurt, Germany: “I, the LORD, have called you to do what is right. I will take hold of your hand. I will protect you. I will appoint you as my promise to the people, as my light to the nations” (Isaiah 42:6, God’s Word Translation).
Jamie, Raytown Mo
Proverbs 31:25-26 “Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.” ESV
Carmaris from Springfield Massachusetts:
Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Lamentations 3:25 NIV
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.
Kari
Dallas, TX
Misty, Marco Island. “Do everything without complaining or arguing,so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Phil. 2:14-15 NIV
LuAnn, Winfield Those who know the Lord trust in Him, because he will not leave those who come to Him. Psalm 9:10 NCV
Karen
Madison, AL
Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.
Psalm 119:36-37 NIV
Karen, Knoxville, TN
“My brothers and sisters, do not show prejudice if you possess faith in our glorious Jesus Christ.”
James 2:1 NET
Chelsie Benson, San Angelo, TX: Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted. NIV Bible
Annita Haleyville, AL “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26: 3 NIV).
Melody from Crystal Springs:
Isaiah 41:10 NLT Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Cassie; Fulshear, TX:
“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”
Matthew 6:34 (The Message)
Sandy, Maryland However, let each one of you love his wife as himself and let the wife see that she respects her husband. ESV
OH! I NEED that one sister, thank you!
Marcella
Crosby, TX
Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which you have done, and Your thoughts toward us; no one can compare with You! If I should declare and speak of them, they are too many to be numbered.
Psalm 40:5 (Amplified)
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 NKJ
Naomi, Acworth, GA
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.
Eph 4:29 NIV
Shirley, Ashville, AL:
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV)
Oops! I forgot to put Eph. 5:33
SJ from South Mississippi
The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. Deuteronomy 30:6 (NIV)
Keri Ball
Washington, GA
“Lord the one you love is sick.” John 11:3 NIV
Susan, Bradenton, FL
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.”
Philippians 2:13 NLT
Linda, Holts Summit, MO
2 Tim 1:7 ESV
For God gave us a spirit not fear but of power and love and self-control.
Jennifer, Oreland, PA
“Depend on the Lord; trust him, and he will take care of you.” Psalm 37:5 (NCV)
Hannah From Natchitoches, LA:
“I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.” Proverbs 8:17
Toni, Liberty,Tx, Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NIV