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.
Sandra, Burnaby BC
Romans 12:2 The Message
Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Sheila, Carthage
Col. 2:6-7 ESV
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Cindy, Apex,NC, “For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear: I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Johnnie, Wake Forest, NC
“I am the LORD; that is My name; My glory I give to no other, nor My praise to carved idols.” Isaiah 42:8 ESV
Joyce, Merritt Island, FL
“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
Teresa, Peoria, IL Jeremiah 15:16, NIV: When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty.
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel. Ephesians 6:19 NIV
“May God, who puts all things together, makes all things whole…Who led Jesus our Great Shepherd, up and alive from the dead, Now put you together, provide you with everything you need to please him….
Hebrews 13:20-21a (Message)
Centertown, MO
Jeremiah 17:7
But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,whose confidence is in Him.
NIV (1984)
Kathryn from Louisville, KY
“He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
for His name’s sake.”
~Psalm 23:3 (NASB)
judy, Dumas, AR
For you know when your faith is tested , your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1: 3
Jennifer, Boston, Ma. “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” Isaiah 45:3(NIV Life Application).
Michelle, West Des Moines, Iowa
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.
Psalm 62:5 NIV
Kristin, Carlsbad, CA
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Kristi
Arlington, TX
Psalm 44:21 NIV
“Would not God have discovered it, since He knows the secrets of the heart?”
Grace, Chicago IL
Psalm 19:14 NIV
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Boy do I need this verse today in particular…
My husband suggested I pick an easy one for this week’s verse – like, “Jesus wept.” 😉
Amanda, Hoyt, KS “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Colossians 3:2 ESV
Kristina, Huntsville, AL: “Search me O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139:23-24 NIV
Saundra
Altus OK
Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His, we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Psalm 1003 NIV
Kara, Lafayette, IN
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV
Cindy, Tucson, AZ
“No unwholesome talk should come from your mouth; but only what is good for the building up of someone in need, for all who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Deanne Johnson, Laguna Hills, CA “Look to the LORD and HIS strength; seek HIS face always. Psalm 105:4
Susan from Beverly, MA
Romans 12: 1 from The Message
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life–your sleeping, eating, going to work , and walking around life- and place it before God as an offering.
Evansville, IN
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust in his eyes, and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world.” I John 2:15-16 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 NIV
Michelle Eidson, Piedmont, OK
PS. 62:1
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him!!!
NIV
Jodell, Frankfort, “So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well.” Philippians 1:9, The Message
Sandy, Arkansas
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deut. 31:8 NIV
Becky, Jacksonville, FL
And God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it patiently.
I Cor 10:13, NIV & Amplified/combo
Melissa – Rochester, NY “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)
Kristina, MN
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
~ Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
“May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NLT
Mechanicsville, VA
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Heather Ferris
McDonough, GA
“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.”
Isaiah 26:4 ESV
Carolyn-Northern California
“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor. 12:9-10 (NIV)
Sue C., Middletown
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV
Rebecca, Moultrie, GA
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalms 19:14 NIV
Vicki
Fort Wayne, IN
Isaiah 12:2 NIV
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
April-Greensboro, NC
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.
Philippians 2:14-15 NIV
Susan, Dallas, TX
Psalm 67:1-2 (ESV)
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.
Andrea: Florence, Ky – Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
-1 John 3:18
Paula, Las Vegas. “The fundamental fact of existence is that trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes like worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.” Hebrews 11:1-2 The Message Bible
A might be biting a bit more off than I can chew this month – but it’s so beautiful, right? At least it will taste sweet no matter how long I have to chew on it.
Allison; Johnson City, TN: “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
Carolyn, Texas, “And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Jesus Christ.” Philippians 4:19 NET
Valerie, NJ.
How can we understand the road we travel? It is the Lord who directs our steps.
Proverbs 20:24 NLT
Michelle
Spokane, WA
The fear of man brings a snare. But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.
Proverbs 29:25. NASB
Dayla, Springfield, MO
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Kristy from Port Angeles, Washington
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:21 (NASB)
Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
-Psalm 73:25-26 (NASB)
Lacie
Chesapeake, VA
Lynn, Springfield, MO Listen, God! Please, pay attention! Can you make sense of these ramblings, my groans and cries? King-God, I need your help. Every morning you’ll hear me at it again. Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar and watch for fire to descend. Psalms 5:1-3 msg