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.
Donna Baker …
Broomfield, Colorado
Philippians 4:13, NKJV
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 (New International Version, ©2010)
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Heidi
Fayetteville, GA
Alexis, Corvallis, OR: ” Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.” Isaiah 43:4 (NIV)
Joel 2:25
” I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten-the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm- my great army that I sent among you. NIV
Sarah, Atlanta
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'” Matthew 25:40,NIV
Staci, Beaumont, TX
“The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.” Deuteronomy 30:6, NIV
Debbie, Rex
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
Romans 12:1 (ESV)
Kathy, Broken Arrow, OK
Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;
For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 (NASB)
South Bend
“Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.”
Amplified
I have been memorizing since the beginning of the year but am just now being plugged into this wonderful site. My scripture this week is
Ephesians 4:32 NASB Be kind to one another,tenderhearted , forgiving each other just as God in Christ has also forgiven you
Amanda, Marco Island,FL
Sarah Bremen, Ohio
“They are not just idle words for you-they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” Deuteronomy 32:47
Becky, Groesbeck. “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 MSG
Karyn, Elberfeld, IN – For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NAS)
Rebecca from Birmingham
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. I Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
Lori, Queen City, TX Grace and peace e multilpliedto you on in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 2Peter 1:2 NKJV
Tosha Searls
Anna, TX
Joshua 1:5
No one will be able to stand up againist you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, I will be with you; I will never leave nor forsake you.
Gloria
Jacksonville, FL
Psalm 145:18 (NIV)
The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.
Rhonda
Gilmer
Psalm 119:57-58 (NKJV)
You are my portion, O LORD;I have said that I would keep Your words. I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word.
Delores, Columbia, Psalm 9:14, NIV. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Sarah, Port Angeles, Proverbs 31:26-27a (NASB) She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household.
Teresa, Orange City
Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NASB)
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
Kaiva from Victoria, Minnesota
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Leigh, Birmingham
“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you”. Psalm 63:3 (NIV)
Shannon, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
Psalms 119: 36-37
Liz – Mascoutah, IL
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)
Kimberly
Traverse City, MI
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Phil 4:19 NIV
Edie
Mobile,AL
The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you;
He will be with you.
He will not fail you or forsake you.
Do not fear or be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:8
Amanda, Katy, TX
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
Linda from Mishawaka In
In repentance and rest is your salvation
in quietness and trust is your strength
Is. 30:15 NIV
Laura, Savannah, GA.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV)
Vicki
Murfreesboro,TN
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NIV)
“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.”
Psalm 18:1-2
I love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. NASB
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. NIV Hebrews 11:1 Lacie, Americus, KS
Amanda Cartersville,GA
Psalm 90:4 MSG
Patience! You’ve got all the time in the world—whether
a thousand years or a day, it’s all the same to you.
Melissa from Houston, TX – “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
Yvonne, Wisner, La Says: Psalm 27:14 NIRV
Wait for the Lord. Be strong and don’t lose hope.
Wait for the Lord.
Emily Mechanicsville,VA NIV
Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth below. There is no other.
Keri, Anniston, Alabama
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not deny prophecies. Test all things; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 – 22
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2 NLT
Becky, Brandon, MS
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 ESV
Jennifer, Denham Springs, LA
All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. Proverbs 15:15, NIV
Iris, Sherwood, AR: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 NIV
Donna
2 Corinthians 10:5
“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” NASB
Chrissy from Tampa: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
Lanita, Lake Jackson.
Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
NIV
But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
James 1:6
Corinne in Chehalis, Washington
Jennie from Newberg, OR
“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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)
Liesl, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl
Psalm 138:8
“The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy O LORD, endures forever; do not forsake the works of your hands.” NKJV
Patti from Missouri
Philippians 4:11b (NIV)
for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance.