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.
Jill, Charlottesville: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19-20
Heather- Greensburg
Proverbs 12:18 (NIV) “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Robin, Tracy CA
For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20 ESV
Angie, Cynthiana, KY And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NKJ
Jocelyn, Costa Mesa, CA: Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. Psalm 1:5-6 NIV
Kathy – Anahuac, TX
“Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 NIV
Gail, Ft Worth
1 Sam 7:12, NIV
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
Leigh Anne
Bartlett, TN
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Pro. 3:3
NIV
Tricia Wendell, NC
However it is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. I Corinthians 2:9-10 NIV
Kelly
Rockwall, TX
How abundant are the good things that You have stored up for those who fear You, that You bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in You.
Psalm 31:19 NIV
Karis
Niverville, MB, Canada
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:18 NIV
Krista, Centennial: Psalm 71:14-15 NIV “But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.”
Kristi.Conway.AR Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26 (NIV)
Kristin from Katy- “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV
El Paso, TX
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Linda from Boulder, CO
The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. John1:5 RSV
Lynn, Lubbock. “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Isaiah 61:1-2a (NIV)
Megan, Gladwin, MI
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.
That whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God so loves the world that He gave His only begotten Son. That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:14-16 NIV
Eva, Colfax NC “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
Valerie from Scott City, MO
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Philippians 4:2 KJV
Tylee, Zeeland: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 NIV
Tamara
Kelowna, BC, Canada
“The King is enthralled by your beauty; honour him, for he is your Lord.”
Psalm 45:11, NIV
Peggy, Houston TX
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.
Lantana- Edmond, Oklahoma:
And my god will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:19
New English Translation
Danielle, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:19 (The NET Bible
1Ch 16:27(NIV)
Splender and majesty are before him;
Strength and joy in his dwelling place.
Melissa from Decatur, TX: “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NAS
Melissa, Montana: For, “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.” I Peter 1:24-25 NIV
Becky, Sugar Land
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. All things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him All things HOLD TOGETHER.’ Colossians 1:15-17 NIV
Chesney, Knoxville. “You will no longer be called Deserted, and your land will not be called Desolate; instead, you will be called My Delight is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land will be married.” Isaiah 62:4, HCSB
Danielle, Corpus Christi, TX
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV
Mary, Minneapolis, MN “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Eph. 1:11-14 ESV
Kristy, Mauriceville, TX, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18 (NKJV)
Linda in Red River, NM
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Kim Safina
Cayucos,California
“Be Still, and know that I am God:I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10. NIV
Diana, Colorado Springs, CO
“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[a] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelations 21:4, NIV
Tamara, Zeeland: “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” Philippians 2:14 NIV
Suzanne, East Bernard, TX
Jeremiah 32:27 NIV
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”
Christina from Cibolo, Texas
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” Galatians 5:25-26 NIV
Trout, LA
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:4 NIV
Michelle, Morristown. “For this the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah who obeyd Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.” 1 Peter 3:5-6 (NIV)
Stacia Keizer, OR
“I can do all this through Him who gives me strength” Phillipians 4:13 NIV
Martha Pritchard / Albertville,AL / But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.
Matthew 5:44-45 (New Living Translation)
Amy, Dalhart Texas
Psalm 103:1-6
Praise the Lord O my soul,
all my inmost being, praise his holy name
Praise the Lord, O my soul
and forget not all His benefits –
Who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases
Who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Sherry, Scottville, Michigan; Psalm 37:1-4; Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Lisa Waikele John 4:24 God is Spirit, those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. NKJV
Courtney, Lakewood, CO.
“God, I’ve heard what our ancestors say about you,
and I’m stopped in my tracks, down on my knees.
Do among us what you did among them.
Work among us as you worked among them.
And as you bring judgment, as you surely must,
remember mercy. ” Habakkuk 3:2, The Message
Sarah, NC “You are my hiding place;You protect me from trouble. You surround me wiht joyful shouts of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7
And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Moncks Corner “Search me O God and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Psalm 139:24 NKJV (Hope I got it right)
Could use lots of prayer right now.