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.
Diane Littleton, CO
Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:14 NIV
Elizabeth, OKC
Romans 4:20-21 (NIV) “Yet he did not waiver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.”
Jenn, Leesburg, VA “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV
Brittney, San Angelo. “I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:14 NASB
Terry, Evansville,IN “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 NKJV
Katie, Madison – Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 NASB
Michelle Parma Oh
So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Rom 8:6 NLT
Karen, North carolina
For everything comes from him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever. Amen
Romans 11:36 (nlt)
My 12 yo daughter is doing romans 12:2 (niv)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will
Fran, Jackson TN “Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in you” Ephesians 3:20 HCSB
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 NET
Holly, Glendale, AZ:
But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.
Psalm 10:14 NIV
Alicia, Gulfport. I Thess 5:16-18 NIV
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ.
Jodi ~Springfield, MO:
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Gal 2:20 NIV
Janet, Winnipeg, Manitoba ” May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NIV)
Judy from Urbana
Proverbs 21:23 NKJ
Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.
Sara, Houston
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgement; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
1 John 4:15-18 NASB
Meredith Sloan
Greer, SC
“As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.”
Ezekiel 33:11 NIV
Brittany, Denton, TX:
Psalm 32:8-10 (NIV): I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
Melissa, Lino Lakes ~ “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 NET
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
The will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
DeeDee
Houston
He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.
Prv. 21:23
NIV
Kristin ~ Gahanna, OH You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)
Natalie G Birmingham, AL
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” (Proverbs 31:25-26 NASB)
Priscilla, Denton, TX:
“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 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
“Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” James 4:2-3 NKJV
Amy (Huntsville, AL)
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank,with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.Their leaves stay green,and they never stop producing fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Beverly, Jackson, MS
The sorrows of those will increase
who run after other gods.
I will not pour out their libations of blood
or take up their names on my lips.
Psalm 16:4 (NIV)
Linda, Bartelso,IL. But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my cource and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. Acts 20:24 HCSB
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7 (NIV)
Roxanne, Spring, TX
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.”
Jeremiah 23:5-6 NIV
Michelle, Concord, NC ~
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. =)
Psalm 16:5-6, ESV
Troy, Ohio
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.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV
Emily; Augusta, GA
Ephesians 4:29 “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.” NIV
Tracy San Felipe, Texas “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:11 NIV.
Meggie, Colorado Springs, CO.
Isaiah 43:10-11 NIV “You are my witnesses” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am He. Before me no god was formed nor will there be after me. 11 I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no Savior.”
Tammy, FuquayVarina,NC
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Pam Chesapeake
Duet. 32:39
See now tht I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand.
NIV
Louisa, Austin
“Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and BECAUSE I LOVE YOU, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for you life.” Isaiah 43:4 NIV
The fear of the Lord is pure and enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righeous.
Psalms 19-19 NIV
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
Marian, Blackshear, GA
For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end. Psalm 48:14 NIV
Ephesians 3:17 NLT
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
Becky from Mechanicsville, VA:
Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deads. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Lacey, Grand Rapids, MI – “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19-20 (NIV)
Megan Joy, Calgary AB, Canada -7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
Becki, Houston, My blessing is on those people who trust in me, who put their confidence in me. They will be like a tree planted near a stream whose roots spread out toward the water. It has nothing to fear when the heat comes. Its leaves are always green. It has no need to be concerned in a year of drought. It does not stop bearing fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NET)
Holly
Monument, CO
“I therefore, a prisoner for the LORD, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV
Angie, Sugar Grove, IL, The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. Exodus 15:2 (NIV)
Anna, Lexington: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” James 4:7-8 (NRSV)
Joy, MS “And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2 NIV