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.
Melissa, Easley, SC
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Ex 14:14 NIV
Wichita Falls, TX
And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering Gen 4:3-4 NKJV
Jane, St. Louis
“O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.” Isaiah 25:1 (NIV)
Tita in Bear, DE: “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Eph. 4:1-3 (ESV)
Whitney, Louisville: “Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.”
-1 Peter 3:1-2 ESV
NKJV- Phil. 4:19 “And my God shall supply all you need according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ.”
…I have chosen you and have not reject you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God… Isaiah 41:9-10
Debby, Ellicott City, MD “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9-10 NIV
Linda, Richmond, VA
“Who am I,O Soverign LORD,and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?…How great you are, O Soverign LORD. There is no one like you.” 2Sam 7:18, 22 (NIV)
Annie, Memphis, TN: “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
Kara, Houston, TX
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”. Psalm 91:1-2 NIV
Nicole, Ocean Springs, MS – “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” ~Romans 13:14 (NIV)
Julie, Broken Arrow, OK
Psalm 68:28 NIV
Summon your power, O GOD; show us your strength O GOD, as you have done before.
Jessica Denise; Winter Park, FL – Psalm 130 NIV
Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD;
Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
If you, LORD, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.
Lee Ann, Wewahitchka, FL
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” –Ephesians 5:15-16
Robin, Athens, TX – Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:4. (NASB)
Psalm 27:8 “You have said, Seek My face (inquire for and require My presence as your vital need!). My heart says to You, Your face (Your presence), Lord, will I seek, inquire for and require (of necessity and on the authority of Your Word). ” Amp.
Ashley, Kernersville NC, Psa 113:9 The Message
“He gives the childless couples a family, gives them joy as the parents of children. Hallelujah!”
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 NIV
Had read this during a Bible Study just a few hours ago, so seeing it on the post confirmed to me that I should commit it to memory!!
Dana
Boerne, TX
Kelli, Kalispell. “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27 (NKJV)
Heidi Tracht
Nampa, ID
2 Peter 1:5-9, NIV (same as Feb 1 verses ’cause it’s a longer passage) 🙂
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
Sharon – Hamburg, NY
Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22 NIV
Leah, Atlanta: “And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19
(The NET Bible)
Cheryl, Tarpon Springs FL,:Isa. 43:19 NIV “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Amanda-Kelowna, BC Canada
“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Maria
Lithia,FL
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Charlene, Santa Fe, TX; For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus Our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 KJV
Kirstin from Columbus, Oh
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.
Isaiah 32:18 NIV
Julie, Owensboro, KY
Doris, Canton, GA
1Corinthians 2:9 NIV
“no eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him”
Pat from Cleburne, Texas
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19
NIV
Joy – Asheboro, NC
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
Philippians 2:3,4 NLT
Lori, Smyrna, TN
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
Mandy, Clarksville TN
“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, and he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Brooke, Peoria, AZ
Daniel 2:20 “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.” NIV
Sedrone, Arp, TX
“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!”
Isaiah 43:18-19a, NIV
Laura, from Sharon, PA
“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.”
Philippians 2:14-15 NLT
Lydia, Athens, TX – Set your mind on things above not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2 (NIV)
Teresa, Newcomerstown, Ohio
James 3:17
But the wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help those who are troubled and to do good for others. It is always fair and honest.
New Century Version
Jill, Trussville, Alabama
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Tracy, Brush Creek, TN
Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NASB
Tonia, Atlanta
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
Hebrews 11:6
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Kristy. MB, Canada
Romans 6:6 (NIV)
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.
Ginger, Austin, TX Prov 3:1-2 NIV
My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
Caprice from Indiana:
“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.” – 2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT)
Alicia in Great Lakes, IL
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
1 John 2:16, NIV
Susie, Knoxville, TN
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19-20 (NIV)
byram, ms
Isaiah 41:10 (New International Version, ©2010)
10 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.
Darcy, Rock Falls
Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember the Lord is coming soon. Philippians 4:5 NLT