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.
Carolyn – Charlotte, NC
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
Jayne, NC – Psalm 37:5 (ESV)
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.
Jane, Canton, IL
” I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
Philippians 4:13
NKJV
Marcie, Concordia KS
James 4:7,8 NIV
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Loyce, Deer Park. “O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.” Isaiah 33:2 (NIV)
Valerie, Knoxville TN Psalm 108:13 “With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.”
NIV
Kay, Everett, Wa “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NLT BIBLE
Misty; Midland, TX
Phil 4:19 (amplified)
And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Janice; Springville, AL
Teach me good judgement and discernment, for I rely on Your commands. Psalm 119:66 HCSB
Suzie, LaGrange
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Debbie, Millen
8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
2 Cor. 4:8-12 NIV
Anita, Chattanooga, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV
Katie, North Little Rock, AR
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
NLT
Cheryl, Webster, MN
“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
LuAnn, Port Huron, MI
Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on the Lord shall be encompassed about with mercy and with loving-kindness. Psalm 32:10 Amplified.
Acts 1:8 “And you will receive power when the holy spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judaea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”
Katie, Atlanta:
“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.” Phillipians 4:8 NIV
Maurina, Lake Charles: “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.” Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV
Stillwater, Psalm 4:8 (NIV)~
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Chris Floyd
Kokomo, IN
Matthew 5:6 (KJV)
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Now, this below is not Scripture, but it nicely complimented this verse on my Scripture-and-quote-a-day calendar:
God thirsts to be thirsted after. ~Augustine
Emily – Topeka, Kansas
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:9-12 NIV
Katie; Charlotte, NC
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Thanks, Beth! wink, wink!
Erika, St. Maries: “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Bethany, Fisherville, Kentucky “He annointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his spirit in our hearts.” 2 Cor. 1:22 NIV
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Diana, North Attleboro, MA
“May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.”
2 Thessalonians 3:5 HCSB
Lisa, Fairview, NC
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
Romans 8:37 NLT
Jana, Wilmington, Ohio
John 14:3 NIV
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.
Tracy,
Stillwater
Psalm 4:8 (NIV)~
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Martie ~ Indianapolis ~ Joshua 3:5 ~ NIV ~
Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things amoung you”.
Hilary, West Palm Beach, FL:
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33 (NLT)
Michelle, Chesapeake, OH “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psa 27:14 NKJV
Melanie in Amherst, MA
“By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is unseen.”
Hebrews 11:27
Tina, Granby CT “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” Psalm 25:5 (NIV)
Sheri, Madison, Ohio
Matthew 12:20-21 (NASB)” He will not crush those who are weak, or quench the smallest hope, until He brings full justice with His final victory. And His name will be the hope of all the world.”
Alexandria, LA
Colossians 3:12, NIV “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Diana from Hawkins, TX
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV)
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Ginger, Columbus, GA: “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 NKJV
Dana – Dothan, AL
Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Tara, Frederick, MD-
“No temptation has overtaken you what is common to mankind. And if 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 endure it.”- NIV2010
oops from: 1 Corinthians 10:13, got too excited.
Amy
Birmingham, AL
Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Lindsey, Avon Park, FL
“For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we should no longer be slaves to sin (Romans 6:6, NIV).”
Kelly, Lees Summit,MO “My lover is mine and I am his” Song of Songs 2:16 NIV
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4, 4 NIV
Becky
Westerville, OH.
Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
Romans 4:18 NIV
Johannah
Alexandria, LA
Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”
Phil. 2:14-15, NKJV
Melody. Detroit. This is what the LORD says:“The people who survive the sword will find favor in the wilderness;
I will come to give rest to Israel.” The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
Jeremiah 31:2-3 TNIV
Claire, Memphis
Satisfy us in the morning with Your faithful love so that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:14 (HCSB)
Leeann Powell, TN
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24
Shirley, Palm Coast, FL Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1Corinthians 13:4-7 New Living