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.
Amanda, Guntersville ALYou can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, His generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 MSG
Christy, Conifer, CO
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever–the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
John 14:15-17 NIV
jenn, cumming:
The sacrifice that honors me
is a thankful heart.
Obey me, [a] and I, your God,
will show my power to save.
psalm 50:23 (contemporary english version)
Michelle, Clanton, AL
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NIV
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1, NIV
Cindy Gandy
Hazlehurst, MS
Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Brandy, San Angelo, TX “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6 (New Living Translation)
Sara, Hull, GA: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
Angela, Germantown
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8
ESV
Heidi from Belgium:
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, “It is mine to avenge, I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12 v 19 NIV
Sonja, Archer,FL
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.
Rebekah, Australia WA “As for me, I will see your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in your likeness.” Psalm 17:15 NKJ (February 1st sorry late)
“Let all that you do be done with love.” 2Corinthians 16:14 NKJ
Lehigh, FL – How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7
Loribeth, Rome, Italy
But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.
(Micah 7:7-8 ESV)
Psalm 46:3 NIV
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Emily, Spring Lake “As you don’t know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.” Ecclesiastes 11:5
Kristine/Mouse, Janesville WI.
You are not your own; You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6: 20
Jennifer, Roanoke, VA
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2
Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, Titus 2:4 NIV
Sonja, Archer, FL
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. Phil.4:19 Message
Jan, Loveland, CO
Jesus Replied,”What is impossible with men is possible with GOd.” Luke 18:27, NIV
Sherri; Topeka,KS
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7
Amanda Carter, Sheridan, WY.
“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” Romans 6:6 NIV
These things I have spoken to you, that my JOY may remain in you and that your JOY may be full.
John 15:11 (NIV)
I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my JOY might be your JOY, and your JOY wholly mature.
John 15:11 (MSG)
Pam, Lebanon, In “Aspire to live a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside and that you may lack nothing.”
1 Thessalonians 4:11,12 NKJV
Kate, Charlottesville, NIV
John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Norrell
Prattville, AL
ESV
Psalm 119:33&34
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
Michelle, Concord CA
In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12 NIV
Nightingale, Miami, FL
Philippians 4:19 (MSG)
“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.”
Find rest, O my soul, in God above; my hope comes from Him. Psalm 62:5 NIV
Kelly Snodgrass
Rogersville,TN
1 John 2.16 NLT
For the world offers only a craving for phsical pleasure, a craving for everthing we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
Let Your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in You alone.
Psalm 33:22 (NLT)
Martha Helen
Asheville, NC
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NIV
Lisa, Long Beach, WA
2Timothy 1:7 NASB “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”
Diane from Oshkosh
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 1Cor. 13:1-2
Kay, Greenwood, SC
“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit.”
Ephesians 5:17-18 NIV
Kate, Hoyleton “The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Psalm 147:11 NIV
Barb D. Lakeland, FL
My flesh and my heart may fail, but is the strength of my heart and my portion forever! Psalm 73:26 NIV
Barb D. Lakeland, FL “Take 2!”
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever! Psalm 73:26 NIV
Lainee-Flagstaff: Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity. Titus 2:7 ESV
Joni, Animas, NM
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your food against a stone.
Psalm 91: 11-12 NIV
Rebecca, Wasola, MO
Romans 12:2- 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.
NIV
Cresanna
Bible School Park, NY
O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Psalm 143:1, NIV
Sari, Silver City
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
John 15:1-17 NIV
Wendy, Ringgold, GA
Phil 4:8
RSV
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence,
if there is anything worthy of praise, think about
these things.
Paula, Lake Charles
And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:19 (NET)
Christina
Louisville, KY
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:8 NIV
Laurie, Lubbock, TX: “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” Proverbs 14:1 (NIV)
Poekitten, Bremerton, WA
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV
Jessica, Maineville, OH – “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.” -1 Thessalonians 3:12 & 13 (NIV)
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you: he will never let the righteous fall.”
Psalms 55:22