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.
Betty from Austin, Texas
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 NIV Bibi;e
Tammy, Merryville, La
“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” KJV
Bunny from Fithian, IL:
I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.
John 5:24 HCSB
Jenni, Spartanburg,SC “Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness.” Psalm 150: 1-2 NIV
Rachel – Spokane, WA
And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:19 NIV
When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them.Proverbs 16:7[NLT] Twyla McAmis, Cleveland,Tennessee.
Leigh Ann ~ Macon, Ga.
Ephesians 3:12
In Him (Jesus) and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
NIV
“She opens her mouth with wisdom and on her tongue is the law of kindness.” Prov 31:26 NKJV
Melissa, Castle Rock
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 3:13 (New International Version, ©2010)
Mansfield, OH
Now you are (I am) no longer a slave but God’s own child (daughter). And since you are (I am) his child (daughter), God has made you (me) his heir. Galatians 4:7 NLT – personalized
Ontario, OH
“So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:6 NLT
Lisha – Texas – Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
Psalm 119:37 Message
Kim Bogart Jacksonville,Fl
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Cheryl, Naperville. “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5 NLT
Tracey, Raleigh, NC
“…if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 NKJV
Heather C. Bartlesville, OK – “And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Dawn in Hawley, Minnesota
Titus 3:7 “so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Jessica, Toronto
Psalms 18:19 (NASV)
“He brought me forth also into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me.”
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you,
whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Mandy, Lexington
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good
Romans 12:9 NRSV
Tiffany, Anaheim CA
“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good and your soul will delight in the richest of fair.” Isaiah 55:2 ESV
Jana, San Angelo, TX – Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:11 NIV
Karen, Oconomowoc, WI
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6, NIV
Annette, Toronto ON
Let your heart therefore be loyal to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and keep His commandments, as at this day. 1Kings 8:61 (NKJV)
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always persevers.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Allison, Burgaw, NC
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV
Rhonda, Kuala Lumpur…Malaysia And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Linda
Bulverde, TX
” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the Lord.”
Lamentations 3: 25,26 (NAS)
Christina
Roseburg, Oregon
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14
NIV
Lisa, Daytona Beach, FL
” Our God is in heaven, he does whatever pleases him.”
Psalm 115:3 (NIV)
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2, NASB
Marge; Chili, Wisconsin
You have made known to me the path of life;
You will fill me with joy in Your presence,
with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.
Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
Lindsay, Dallas
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
–Lamentations 3:22, NIV
Alex
Roseburg, Oregon
Do everything without complaining or arguing.
Philippians 2:13
NIV
Stephanie – San Ramon, CA (temporarily) Tampa (normally)
Psalm 37:7 NIV
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
“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)
Janna, Van Alstyne,TX~
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV
Joy, California;
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Anna Mitchell, Tyler Texas
Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV)
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
ALSO POSTING FOR MY DAUGHTER:
Ella Grace Mitchell (age 8), Tyler, Texas
James 5:13 (NIV)
“Is any one among you in trouble? He should pray. Is any one happy? Let them sing songs of praise.”
Cindy, Lexington NC
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
“Do not let any unwholoesome 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.”
Sue M
Grand Rapids, MI
Psalm 25:5 ESV
Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.
Michelle, Waukesha, WI
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Kathie, Kalamazoo, MI
James 3:17 NIV
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peaceloving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Galatians 5:22-25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (NIV)
Michelle, Scottsdale
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” James 1:26 NIV
Cheryl, Midlothian
And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
I will be glad and rejoice in your love for you saw my affliction and knew the anquish of my soul.
Psalm 31:7 NIV
Julie- Plymouth, MN
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
Kori;Trevor;Ps 90:17;NIV; And my the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts succesful!