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.
Linda, Indio, CA Psalm 150:6 “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.” (NIV)
Susan, Jonesboro, Arkansas
No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it is painful!
But afterward there will be a quiet of right living for those who are trained in this way.
Hebrews 12:11 (NLT)
Toni, Morgans Point, TX – For the lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Revelation 7:17 NIV
Tami
Marlette, MI
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
2 Corinthians 10:3, 4 NIV
Rayna, Olathe, We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ. 2 Cor. 10:5 NET
Nicole Jacksonville,AL: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
lindsay, medford, NJ. “love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 corinthians 13:7 nlt.
Holly Mc Tyler Texas
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentation 3:22-23 NIV
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Eph 2:8-10 NIV
Suzann Benson
Kingwood WV
Anna
Houston, TX
“Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in Your ways.” Psalm 119:37 (HCSB)
Amie, Rochester: “Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God proclaiming our allegiance to his name.” Hebrews 13:15 NLT
Jenny, Elida, “…so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,” Philippians 1:10(NIV)
Grace, Elida, “Just say a simple,’Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37(NLT)
Heidi in Whitefish, MT
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.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Bobbie
College Station,Tx
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 NIV
Wendy, Orillia, Ontario, Canada
Galatians 5: 22 and 23
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love,joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23. gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
NIV
Berni, Albuquerque
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from Him.”
Psalm 62:5 NIV
Ashleigh, San Antonio, NIV
Zephaniah 3:17
“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.”
Toni, Forsyth, MO
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22 NIV
Susan
Seymour TN
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
Amy – Ontario, Canada
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 7 (NIV)
Lisa, Marion IN
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Eph 6:13 (NIV)
Tara, Kosciusko
Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 NASB
Meg, Columbus: “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
Kara, Ponca City, James 1:25… But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. (NKJV)
James 1:25 (TM)…But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.
I had to put both…they fulfill the picture for me!
“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do no fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe Philippians 2:14-15 NIV
Anita, Purcellville, VA
“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
Thank you for your encouragement, Beth. Love you too.
Tricia, Tucson.
Proverbs 31:26
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. (NKJV)
Amy, Charleston, SC “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35 NKJV
Bridgette Jencks
Panama City Beach, FL
John 1:14 NIV
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
For you are a chosen(women), you are a royal priest, a holy(daughter), God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. Isaiah 49:16 ESV
Kelly, Auburn, Al – These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children, talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deut. 6:6-7 NIV
Stefanie McClurg- White Oak, Tx
New SSMT verse for 2/15… ” I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My Help comes from the Lord the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalms 121 :1-2
Connie Windham, Trout, LA
Ephesians 1:22-23 NIV
And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.
Siesta in Virginia, “Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12, NRSV
Rosie, Tacoma
Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
And lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Christy, Summit, MS; ” I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” Romans 1:16 NIV
Jeanni, Westland “And he said, the LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;” KJV
Donna, Parker, CO Behold I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy and nothing will injure you. Luke 10:19
Sheryl, Pennsylvania: Romans 8:38-39 The Message
“I’m absolutely convinced that nothing-nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable-absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way Jesus our Master has embraced us.”
Jessica–Florence, SC:
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. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)
Jessica, Louisville. “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
Romans 14:7 NIV
For none of us lives to himself alone ad none of us dies to himself alone.
Jeri B., Battlefield, MO
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:3 NIV
Erin
Chippewa Falls, WI
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
NIV
Forget about what’s happened! Don’t keep going over old history. Isaiah 43:18
Joy – Georgetown, Tx….”When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Proverbs 10:19 NIV
Laura from Canton MI:
2 Timothy 2:22 (New King James Version)
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness,
faith, love, peace with those
who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Heather
Little Rock, AR.
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
Psalm 27:8 New Living
Santa Monica, California
1 John 4:18 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
There is no fear in love. On the contrary, love that has achieved its goal gets rid of fear, because fear has to do with punishment; the person who keeps fearing has not been brought to maturity in regard to love.