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.
Linda, OFallon, IL
Therefore, put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:13, NIV
Just a quick note, I teach high school Sunday School, and I challenged my girls to memorize along with me, so we all have notebooks, and our own memory group on facebook. Thanks for your faithfullness!
Lisa S. Kinston,North Carolina
Psalm 115:1 ESV
Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and
your faithfulness!
Kate, Hoyleton
“But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” -Psalm 33:18
Michele: muscle shoals, al
Philippians 4:19
“and my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
NIV
Laurel,De
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
Amy from Norman, Ok “Bless the Lord, O my sould; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Forget not all His benefits; who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tendermercies, who satifies your mouth with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s”. Psalm 103:1-5 NKJV I know this is an extra long passage, but there is no way to cut this down to one or two verses! It is familiar already, so I’m hoping that helps. These are the reminders I need!
Clyde, MO
Ps.25:10 NIV
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of His covenant.
Kat; Albany, NY
Why are you downcast, o my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God
for I will yet praise Him
my Savior and my God.
~Psalm 42:5 NIV
Lois, Abilene, KS
“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.”
(Ephesians 4:29)NIV
Granger, IN
2Peter 1:3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” NIV
Lauryn–Zionsville, Indiana
Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31 NIV
Shonda
Tacoma, WA
Isaiah 33:2 (NIV)
O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.
Leslie, Missoula, MT, You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you. 2 Chronicles 20:17 NASB
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Joy; Cairo,Ga. “I love the LORD, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.”
Psalm 116:1-2 NLT
Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed!
Philippians 2: 14 ( The message)
Monica and 8 year old daughter, Faith
Toronto, Canada
The lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my god is my rock, in whom i take refuge; He is my sheild and the horn of my stronghold. Psalms 18:2 (NIV)
Dianne, Kennesaw- Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. IPeter5:2-4 (NIV)
Michelle
Chicago
What than shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave himself up for us all how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?…In all of these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:31,32,37 NIV
I needed this blog more than you can imagine. Love you, Mama.
Dee, Zeeland, MI
From the NIV: “Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:1-3
Nikki from Richmond, VA
Psalm 49:15
“But God will redeem my life from the grave; He will surely take me to Himself.” (NIV)
Cheryl, Uganda “But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.” Luke 21: 14-15 NIV
Laurie, Maryland “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. James 3:17 NAS
Little Rock, AR
Show me a token of your favor…because you, Lord have helped me and comforted me.”
Psalm 86:17
Jodi, Loganville: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16, NIV
Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV)
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.
Rebecca, Fort Worth, Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” NIV
Debbie Laureen, New Port Richey, FL
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2 (NIV)
Petra in Ceres, CA – doing the Revelation Study! woohoo!
“They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Revelation 17:14 (NIV ©1984)
Erika, San Antonio, Texas:
For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.
(2 Corinthians 1:8-10 ESV)
Conne, Angel Fire,
“The light in the eyes (of him whose heart is joyful) rejoices the hearts of others, and good news nourishes the bones.” Proverbs 15:30 Amplified
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
Psalm 143:8
Deidre
Hickory, NC
Amber, Memphis: “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)
Tonja in West Texas
‘Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.’
Ecclesiastes 4:12
Lynda, Monterey,CA
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. ~Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
Robbie, Southaven, MS: “The Lord will guard you as you come and go, both now and forever.” Psalm 121:8 (NCV)
kimberly, el paso, tx
“and now, o Lord God, You are God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant.”
2 samuel 7:28, nkjv
Carrie, Logan. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV
Tilley, Franklin, TN
“The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”
Psalm 28:7 (New Living Translation)
Whitney, Hamptonville, NC: “But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29 NASB
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 (NIV)
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8 (NIV)
Stephanie
Rome, GA
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Jesus Christ.”
Phil 4:19
Amy Hopper Ardmore, OK
“We know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 ESV
Laura, Hoyt,KS “Praise be to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are his.” Daniel 2:20 NIV
Stephanie, Mount Carmel, TN
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NIV
Nancy
Versailles, Ky
This is F week –
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Cor 4:6
Kate from Cheney, WA
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the LORD search the heart
and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.
Jeremiah 17:9-10, NIV
Karen Twombly from N. Waterboro, ME
NIV Version, Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.”
Mollie, Tokyo; Psalm 31:14-15a New Jerusalem Bible
But my trust is in you, Yahweh; I say, ‘You are my God,’ every moment of my life is in your hands.