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.
I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.
Jeremiah 31:3 NIV
Alicia in Aberdeen, SD 🙂
Carrie Beth, Frankfort, “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing”. Matthew 6;3, NKJV
Joni, Cincinnati…Proverbs 3:13 (NLT) Happy is the person who finds wisdom and gains understanding.
Jennifer, Oklahoma City
I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
Jeremiah 32:27
NIV
Lynette – Pleasant Hope
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.”
II Corinthians 10:4 KJV
Kit, Central Islip, NY
“For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword,and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow and able to judge the thoughs and intentions of the heart.” NASB
Sheree, Cedar Gap, Tx
“Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf.”
Isaiah 43:8 (NIV)
Robin, Edinburgh, Scotland. “I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 16:7-8 (ESV)
Jennifer, Powell, OH….Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 NIV
Susan
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:13
Lisha
Wetumpka, AL
“To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them.”
Matthew 13:12 (NLT)
Madeleine,Corrales : For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline. 2Tim.1:7 NIV
Ann, Austin TX
“For I am the Lord your God who churns up the sea so that it’s waves roar-
The Lord Almighty is His Name; I have put My words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of My hand-
I who set the heavens in place
Who laid the foundations of the earth
and Who say to Zion, “You are My people”
Isaiah 51:15-16 NIV
Knoxville TN
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
Lindsee
Houston, TX
Cassandra, Mars Hill, NC For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
Rachelle Ankeny, Iowa
” My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.” Psalm 62:7 NIV
Sue, Atlanta “All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness (and mercy and truth),
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.” Psalm 25:10 ESV
Psalm 5:3 NLT Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to You and wait expectantly.
Pat, Olathe, KS: “If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things abobve, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth. For YOU HAVE DIED and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4
Susan – Clever MO
Psalm 58:9-11 NIV (hard to narrow down this chapter 😉
9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Oh, no! Isaiah 58, not Psalm…
Bonnie, Houston
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
Terri, Pennsylvania “I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His spirit.” Ephesians 3:16 NLT
Melinda, Independence, MO
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 NIV
Susan Norfolk,
Isiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trust You. NIV
Lisa – Mitchell, Manitoba
Romans 8:28(NLT)
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Melodie, Orlando
Exodus 23:20 -The Message
Now get yourselves ready. I’m sending my Angel ahead of you to guard you in your travels, to lead you to the place that I’ve prepared.
Statesville, NC
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4 NIV
Denise, Colorado Springs-CO – “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!” James 1:22 – NIV
Barb, Shelby Twp.,MI Isaiah 41;13 NIV
“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says: Barb, Do Not Fear, I will help you.”
I know I’m not supposed to say much but God worked a miracle with a neighbor who shoveled me out on a day I couldn’t face another snow flake. He then reminded of my scripture #2 Isaiah 65:24 “Barb before you call I answer.”
Katie, Gig Harbor WA
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but have divine power to destroy strongholds! We DESTROY arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ!
2 Cor 10:3-5, ESV
Fun to see another Gig Harbor woman in Siestaville!
Karie
Phoenix, AZ
Everytime I think of you, I give thanks to my God.
Phillipians 1:3 NLT
Missi, Bargersville: “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
“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Melody
Myrtle Beach, SC
Gina, San Antonio, TX
“This is how God showed his love among us; He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9 (NIV)
Sarah, Cleveland Ohio
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Trust in the Lord always,for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT
Lisa, Edinburg
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23
Dallas, TX
Lisa – Seattle, WA
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
Katherine, The Colony, TX
Phillipians 4:19 ESV
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power which is at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever amen.”
Ephesian 3:20-21
Jami Holland Spring Lake, NC
I dont think I am memorizing this version, BUT I HAD to share the Message version of this…
20-21God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!
There is no fear in love,. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears in not made perfect in love.
1John 4:18 NIV
Shannon
Buda, TX
Hazlehurst: 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. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Sarah, Cookeville, TN
“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103: 11-12 ESV
Do not conform any longer 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. Romans 12:2 NIV
Sharon, Barrington
“And when you draw close to God, God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and let your hearts be filled with God alone to make them pure and true to Him.”
James 4:8
Jess, Grand Forks, ND
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NIV
Donna from Kokomo says, The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23
Karen, Battle Creek, Michgan
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.
Karen, Battle Creek, Michgan
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11 NIV