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.
Long Beach, CA
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.
Isaiah 12:2
Michelle, Seattle: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
Cherise, Odessa, TX ~ “Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup. You have made my lot secure.” Psalm 16:5 (NIV)
Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV)Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.
Natalie, Olympia WA
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
Ephesians 3:16 NIV
Heather
Saint John, NB, Canada
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
Stephanie
Queen City, Texas: “You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You.
Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)
Becky, San Angelo, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18 NIV
“Not by might,nor by power, but by my spirit says the Lord.” (NIV Zachariah 4:6)
Cindy, Montgomery For the Lord is good and his love endures forever, his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:5 (NIV)
Patsi
Porter, TX
Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance
Eph. 1:18 NIV
Lyndsey, Telford, PA: “The LORD will work out his plans for my life — for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.” Ps 138:8 NLT
Sierra, Vandalia, MO Joshua 1:9 NIV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Norma, Phoenix
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:4 NKJV
Amy, Lexington KY
James 1:12 (NIV)
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Kaitlyn, Gainesville, FL
“Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.”
Psalm 119: 132-133, NIV
Cary – Forney, TX
Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you,
He is Mighty to Save
He will take great delight in you
With His love He will calm all your fears
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs
Megan, Grants Pass
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 (NASB)
Whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV Danville, Ky
Kristie
Michigan
Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others, it is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings. It is not hot one day and cold the next, not two faced.
James 3:17 The Message
Molly ~ Somerset, KY
Search me, 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.
~Psalm 139:23-24, NIV
Di, Cowpens, SC
Psalm 73:25-26 NIV
“Whom have I in Heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire but You
My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Arlet, Fircrest, Philippians 4:19 NASB
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
veronica-atlanta georgia; col 1:17 He is before all things and in him all things hold together.NIV
LaShon Indianapolis
Yes Lord, let your constant love surround us, for our hopes are in you alone. psalm 33:22 The Living Bible
Karen, Deer Trail, CO
“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 ou with my righteaus right hand” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Stacia Deen from Avon Park, Florida: For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NAS)
Harleysville
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phil 4:6 (NIV)
Jennifer, Sealy, TX
“Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God and there is none like me.”
Isaiah 46: 9 (NIV)
Carolyn, IL – Due to some unexpected life events, I’m still working on Romans 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transfprm you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (NLT)
Jeannette, NJ
He sang: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my savior; my God is my rock in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence.
2 Samuel 22:2-3 (NLT)
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you, He will not fail you or forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
Tracy
Charlotte, NC
Barbara, North Tonawanda, NY
Romans 8:38-9 NIV “For I am convinced that neither life nor death, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height not 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.”
Sarah, Millers Creek
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,for his compassions never fail.
Lamentations 3:22 NIV
Amy, Washington, D.C.: “For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost, thoughts and desires.” Hebrews 4:12NLT
Diane, Ocala, Florida
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Deuteronomy 8:3 “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” NIV
*Sally Cope* -Aggie Phi Lamb 🙂
Joy from Clarksville
Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
NIV
Cassie, Bells, TX “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Ellen, Columbus, GA
Ephesians 2:10 (New Living Translation)
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Angela, Frankfort, KY
How priceless is your unfailing love! – Psalm 36:7 (NIV)
In 3 weeks, I’m leading a retreat for Sr. High School girls and this is our theme. I can’t wait to love on the girls and share “HOW HE LOVES” with them!
He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
Proverbs 13:3 NIV
Stephanie, Arlington, TX
“Give all you worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” 1Peter5:7 NLT
Come near to God and he will come near to you.
James 4:8 NIV
Steph, Lynchburg VA, “for it is good for the heart to be established by grace and not by foods” (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
I’m taking a break from memorizing scripture just about Jesus and trying to re-train my mind.
Happy Memorizing!
Beth, Toronto: “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance, through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” Phil. 1:19 (NKJV)
Melissa, Germantown,
Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Psalm 86:11 (NIV)
Luke 7:49
“The guests began to say among themselves ‘who is this who forgives sins?”
Stephanie Lufkin, TX “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Teena, Georgia,
Ps. 143:1
Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy. In Your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness.
ESV.