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.
Megan, Columbus, OH
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.
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Patty, Gadsden, AL
“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD. Is. 54:17 NIV
Juanita, Jasper, Ga.
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. Phillipians 4:19 The Message
Susan, Atlanta
because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him. 1Chronicles 5:20b. NIV
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 NIV Kimberly in South Carolina
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:45 (ESV)
Shannon
Katy, TX
Tammy, Clarksville, TN: “This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety: He is my God, and I trust Him.” Psalm 91:2 New Living Translation
Tina, Nashville, TN
“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
Amy; Waco, TX
Jeremiah 10:23 | NIV | I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.
John 14:6 NIV Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Ali, Verona, VA
“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
Psalm 139:9-10, NIV
Diane
Baraboo, Wisconsin
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Colossians 4:5-6 (English Standard Version)
Andrea
Palestine, TX
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
Nicole, Stuttgart: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NKJV)
Dawn, Jacksonville,FL
I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
(working on learning this whole Psalm over the next few months)
Christy, Rome, Ga – “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. ” Romans 8:11, NASB
Christine, Irvine, CA: (NIV) “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Tim 1:7 (self-discipline translates to sound mind…FYI)
Amy, Georgia
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”
~Malachi 3:10 (NASB)
Elvira , GP , AB, Canada
Duet.31:8 NIV
“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.”
Marsha, Arkadelphia, AR- So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Ephesians 5:15 NLT
Ali – Clearwater, FL
“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
“She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.”
Proverbs 31:25-26 NLT
Heather “Ouisa” Roberts
Avon Park, FL
Amy, Monroe, NC,
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I
am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with
my righteous right hand.”
Marie
White Pine, TN
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (NIV)
Molly, Rochester NY
“Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.” Proverbs 12:15 NLT
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:24 NIV
“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.”
-Jeremiah 17:14 (NIV)
Chrissy
Lawrence, KS
Connie-Midland, MI A hearat at peace gives life to the body. Proverbs 14:30 NIV
Linda, Blue Springs, MO:
Romans 12:3-5 “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” ESV
Missy and Callie
Houston, Texas
Psalm 33:20-21 NIV
We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
Stephanie, Fort Wayne. 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)
Stephanie, Hampton, VA: “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” Matthew 12:36 NIV
Sara, Lavonia, GA
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10 NIV
Troy, OH
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
Rene Abilene, TX “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6 NIV
Deb, Topeka, KS
Psalm 9: 9-10
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you O Lord have never forsaken those who seek you.
NIV
We, though, are going to love – love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.
1 John 4:19 The Message
Susan, Lititz, Pa.
Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your laws,
we wait for You;
Your Name and renown are the desire of our hearts.
Isaiah 26:8 (NIV)
Celeste, Anaheim Hills, CA
“For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9 (NLT)
Dianne, Richland, MS
Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord who has compassion on you.
Brenda- Towson MD
” Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Col 4:6 NIV
Lisa from Greenville, SC
Isaiah 45:2-3 NIV “I will go before you and will level the mountains. I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. 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.”
Ann, Ostrander, Ohio – Be mercifulunto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Psalm 86:3 KJV
Ginger, Ellijay, GA
Romans 12: 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears and I have not been rebellious, I have not drawn back.
Isaiah 50:4-5 NIV
Annie L. from Bloomington, Indiana
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful”
Colossians 4:2
Sharon, Van, TX “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
Laura in SD: When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor.
James 4:10 (NLT)
rebekah age 9 st. paul mn
and may those who pass by refuse to give them this blessing:
“the lord bless you ;we bless you in the lords name”.
Angela, Natchitoches, LA
Create in me a clean heart, oh God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 KJV