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.
Sharen, Geelong Australia
“he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will
Ephesians 1:5 NIV
Donna Kincer-Houston, TX
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matt 6:34 NIV
Lori, Sulphur- Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding; acknowledge Him in all thy ways and He shall direct thy path. Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
Melissa, Waco
Jeremiah 17:7, NIV
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.”
Tracy – Edgewood, KY. But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love. ~Psalm 59:16-17 (NLT)
Julie- Jackson, MS
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
“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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen”
Joni, Port Neches. “If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:9-10 (NIV)
Psalm 18:30 “As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.” NIV
Suzanne, Decatur, Texas
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Beth, Thank you for your post today! I so needed to be reminded of those very things!!
Angela, Garner, NC
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.
2 Cor. 12:9, nasb
Debbie Queen City Tx
Phillipians 4:19 NIV
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus
Julia, Brockville, CAN
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.
Phillipians 1:9-11 (NIV)
Lauren, Huntsville: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11: 28-30 (NKJV)
Mildred Fayetteville, AR
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.
Prov 3:7-8 NLT
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:11-12
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19, NIV
Vikki, Cleveland OH
Angie, Loveland, OH
“Come follow me” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 NIV
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 KJV
Boerne, TX
“Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O LORD my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.”
Psalm 86:11-12 NIV
Mary, North Richland Hills, TX: For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. Psalm 37:9 (NIV)
Laura Beth, Frisco
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to… He will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ ”
Luke 13:24-25, NIV
Stephanie, Tulsa. “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
Susannah, Georgetown/Waco, Prov. 4:23-25 “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.”
Sue, Texarkana “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Sjpirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.” Ephesians 1:17 NIV
Sow for yourselves, righteousness,
Reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground,
for it is time to seek the Lord,
until He comes and showers righteousness on you.
Hosea 10:12
Heather, Warner Robins, GA: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” NIV
2 Corinthians 12:15 (NIV)
So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well.
Cheri – Cincinnati,Ohio
He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. Psalm 147:4-5(NIV)
Lauren, Kansas City, MO: “But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17:7, NIV
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,
as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23(NIV)
Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
Psalm 144:1
NIV
Susan
Elizabethtown, PA
Megan, Prattville, Al: “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119: 9-11 (ESV)
Lena, Wilmore
You are my portion O Lord. I have promised to obey your words. Ps 119:57 (NIV)
Tisha, Nazareth, TX
Be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
1 Peter 4:7
Stacy from Bowling Green, KY. I Cor 13:4-8a (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 records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perserveres. Love never fails.
Kalispell, MT
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul” Psalms 143:8 (NIV)
Sandy K., Mansfield, TX. “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children.” Titus 2:3-4, NIV.
Jerri, Princeton TX
Psalm 86:11 NIV
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Kayla, Guthrie, OK
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Eph 4:2 NIV
Dawn, Dubuque, IA
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be afraid for I am your God. I will strengthen you and protect you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand”. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Charlotte, Worsley, Alberta
If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 HCS
NIV Exodus 14:14 “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
~Allison Moldenhauer, Huntsville, Texas
Scarlett, Ruston, La
Job 19.25 NKJV
For I know that my Redeemer lives,And He shall stand at last on the earth;
Delaine, Plainview. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
Pam, Sioux Falls, SD
“For out of the overflow of his (her) heart, his (her) mouth speaks.”
Luke 6:45b NIV
Nicole, Oxford MS “Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Love the Lord your God with all heart and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be pressed upon your hearts. Deut. 6:5-6 NIV
Cheryl
Hephzibah, Ga.
Littleton, CO
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 perseveres. NIV
Then Jacob made a vow, saying “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s house, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.” Genesis 28:20-22 NIV
Ruth, Odin, IL
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” – Colossians 3:1-3 (NIV)