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.
Amy W
Plano, TX
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
“I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.” Isaiah 45:2 NIV
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you.”. -James 4:7-8
Melissa, Fayetteville, AR
Hebrews 13:7-9 (NASB)
Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
Psalm 91:11
NIV
Austin, Tx
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
Psalm 100:4 (NIV)
“I am holding you by your right hand—-I the LORD your God. And I say to you, don’t
be afraid. I am here to help you.” Isaiah 41:13 NLT
Amanda, Van Buren, AR-When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Psalm 94:19 NLT
Sheila, Las Cruces, NM
Your alternative verse was very timely for me, so I will choose
Phillipians 4:19 NIV
“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Charmaine, Miami – “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
Michelle, Warsaw
Philippians 4:19 (NIV) “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
I needed to hear this today. Thank you!
Amanda, Nashville
Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV
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.
Marie in Albuquerque, NM: Psalm 62:1-2 My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress. I will never be shaken.
Vivian, Birmingham, Alabama
You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.
I Peter 1:22-23 NLT
Fairhope
Psalm 91:4 – He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
Tona, Travelers Rest, SC
They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings– and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers.
Revelation 17:14 NIV
Michelle, Chatham
Who has measured the water in the hollow of His hand, or with the breadth of His hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighted the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?
Isaiah 40:12 NIV
Deb K., Sterling Hts – Our God says, “Calm down, and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me.” The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46:10-12 CEV
Rebecca, Julian, NC
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 NIV
Dana
Blue Ridge, Tx
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:19 NIV
I picked this verse and then read your post….It must be a God thing!
Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord, O my soul.
I will praise the Lord all my life, I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Ps 146:1-2 NIV
Emily- Grovetown, GA
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3 NIV
Kayce, Fairfax, VA
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
Hebrews 4:15, NLT
Ann from Abilene
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.”
James 3:17 (NAS)
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.
Philippians 4:19 (The Message)
Beth from Prairieville
Heaqther, Shiloh, NC
Matthew 14:27 (NLT)
But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here.”
Kim D. (Knoxville, Tenn.) – “Teach me your way, LORD,that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.” Psalm 86:11-12 NIV
Luanne, from Magnolia: “Pay attention, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I, the Lord, made you, and I will not forget you. I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.” -Isaiah 44:21-22
Melissa from Hazlehurst GA
“God and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.
I Corinthians 7:23
ESV
Kathi, San Antonio
for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His offspring.’
Acts 17:28 NAS
Lindsey, Lincoln, NE
Take a good look at God’s work.
Who could simplify and reduce Creation’s curves and angles to a plain straight line?
On a good day, enjoy yourself;
On a bad day, examine your conscience.
God arranges for both kinds of days so that we won’t take anything for granted. ~Ecclesiastes 7:13-15 (The Message)
Kerrie Archer, Springdale AR
You have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. Psalm 21:6
Laura, Plainfield, IN
Rejoice always.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 NIV
Stacie, Bulls Gap, TN. –
“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” Psalm 36:5 (NIV)
Caitlin- Tulsa, OK – Philippians 2:14-15 – “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world” (NASB)
Cindy
Columbia, MO
“bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
Colossians 3:13 ESV
1 Peter 3:8 for 2/1/11 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.
Kristl, Hagerstown: But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
James 3:17 NKJV
Rebecca, Dallas TX: “Do not conform 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 12:2 (NIV)
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Emily
Florence, AL
Kim W, Richmond, TX. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3 NIV
Midge, Florence “And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Paula, Houston
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also profide a way out so that you stand up under it.”
– I Cor 10:13 (NIV)
Amy Ann, Tulsa, OK “A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22 AMP
Jayne- Frisco, TX
Isaiah 61:10 NASB
“I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, My soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness…”
Kristen, Hooksett, NH ” As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ” Ephesians 4:1-2 NIV
Patty from Northern Virginia:
if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 2 Tomothy 2:13
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death Rom. 8:2 NKJ
La Shae, Abilene, TX “In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8 (NASB)