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.
Carisa, Hillsboro, KS: 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
Michele, Anderson, SC
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:20
Michelle, Double Oak
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. Proverbs 31:25, NLT
Valerie, Ashburn
“and my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 the NET Bible
Karen, Centralia, MO: How happy those whose lawless acts are forgiven and whose sins are covered! How happy the man whom the Lord will never charge with sin. Romans 4:7-8 HCS
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6-7
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end, he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God. I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I and not another. how my heart yearns within me! Job 19:25 – 27 NIV
This may take me two sessions,so I may post it again next time! But, these verses resonate with my soul.
Tammy, Ingleside, TX
Kim, North Branch, MN
Romans 1:20 NIV
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV
Kate from Savannah, Georgia:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24 (ESV)
Mary Beth, Abilene TX
Ephesians 6:19-20 NIV
“Pray also for me that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should”
Kari in Benton, AR
Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us
Hebrews 12:1 NIV
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. Isa 44:3 ESV Ohio
Jolie, Cottage Grove, MN
Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.
Psalm 37:4-5 NKJV
candifer, sd “may God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together–spirit, soul, and body–and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. the One who called you is COMPLETELY DEPENDABLE. if he said it, he’ll do it! 1 thessalonians 5:23-24, the message
Kim, Corning, NY:
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32 NIV).
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10 NIV).
Lindsay, Salisbury, NC: I am worn out O LORD; have pity on me! Give me strength; I am completely exhausted and my wole being is deeply troubled. How long, O LORD, will you wait to help me? Come and save me, LORD; in your mercy rescue me from death. GNT
*whole
Another oops!…it’s from Psalms 6:2-4 in the Good News Translation
Lora, Florissant. “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” 1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV
Suzie, Nashville, TN –
“Forget about what’s happened! Don’t keep going over old history. Be alert! Be present! I’m about to do something brand new. It’s bursting out. Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road in the desert and rivers in the badlands.” Isaiah 43:18-19 The Message
So needed to read this. Today it was decided we would definitely divorce after 12 years of marriage…..
Laura K, Spearfish, SD
Our church women’s group is studying “Faithful, Abundant, True” from the 2009 DEEPER STILL Conference.
Ephesians 3:20-21 (New KJV)
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Jennifer (Kodak, TN)
“Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
Jeremiah 33:3
Karen P,Clarksville, TN “The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk (not stand still in terror, but to walk) and make (spiritual) progress upon my high places (of trouble, suffering, or responsibility)! Habakkuk 3:19 Amplified Bible
Marybeth in Oxford, PA: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”
James 3:17 ESV
Lauren, Asheville, NC
“Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.” Mark 8:34-35 NLT
Phillipians 4:19 NIV And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Paula, Brownwood, Tx
“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.
Luke 16:10. NASB
Kristen, Houston
“The Lord is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? The Lord protects me from danger – so why should I tremble?” Psalms 27:1 NLT
Jenny, Sugar Land, TX
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Cindy, Tulsa, Oklahoma
“In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:6 NIV(2010)
Heidi – Midland, TX
When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Psalm 56:3-4 Holman Christian Standard
Jacqueline, Brockville ON Canada.
1 Cor. 13:4-7 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 perserveres. (NIV)
Kelly, Avon Park FL
And provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)
Pamela,Mechanicsville,VA:”And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV
Jennifer, San Antonio
“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
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power of love and self discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
This God – his way is perfect;
the word of the Lord proves true;
he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.
Psalm 18:30 (ESV)
Brandy East Bend NC Phillipians 4:19 NIV “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus”
Darcy from Navarre, FL
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.
1 John 4:18-19 NKJV
Brandy, Frederick,MD
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV
Michele, Weber City, Virginia
My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only He will release my feet from the snare.
Psalm 25:15 (NIV)
Janet, Coos Bay, Oregon
Those who try to keep their lives will lose them. But those who give up their lives will save them.
Luke 17:33
Sarah
Wartrace, TN
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” 1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV
Ann from Sugar Land, TX
And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Phil. 4:19
jeri , stillwater, ok
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thought. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23 NIV
Jennifer, Greensboro, NC
The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds. Psalm 145:17 NASB
Kim B., Clayton, NC
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 NIV
Jeanette, Danville
“He will shield you with His wings! They will shelter you. His faithful promises are your armor.” The Living Bible
Michelle in Nashville:
“If God hadn’t been there for me, I never would have made it. The minute I said, ‘I’m slipping, I’m falling,’ Your love, God, took hold and held me fast. When I was upset and beside myself, You calmed me down and cheered me up.” Psalm 94:17-19, The Message
John 3:30 ESV
He must increase, but I must decrease.