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.
The Lord has been mindful of us: He will bless us. He will
bless them that fear the Lord, both small amd great.
Ps 115:12a,13 KJV. Amy-Osceola, AR
Judi/ Orillia, Canada
2 Cor 10:4 NIV
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.
On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds
Psalm 32:11
Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! NIV
Shane, Russellville, Everything is permissible for me but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Cor. 6:12 NIV
Beth, Dyersburg
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accomodating,full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical.
James 3:17 NET
Fresno, CA – Philippians 4:6 NIV
Don’t worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. 😀
Kathleen, NM
Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
“You have made know to me the path of life, you fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Melody, Perry MO, Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 NIV
Cheryl, Austin. “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:5 ESV
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what i desire and achieve the purpose for which i sent it Isaiah 55:11 niv
Tricia Wendell, NC
However, as 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. I Corinthians 9-10 NIV
Megan, Los Gatos. “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
God’s timing is perfect! Thank you Mrs. Moore for this verse, it is literally answer to prayer!
Dawn ~ Lake Charles, Louisiana ~ Psalm 62:5-8
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, i will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Meredith, trabuco Canyon, CA
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 1:5 (NIV)
1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Matthew 6:34 The Message
Lori, Fort Worth, TX
“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.” Deut. 31:8, NIV
Keri, Loves Park, I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:20 NIV
Diana, Waconia, Minn.
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Colossians 4:6 (NIV)
Bobbie from Arlington, Texas
Peace I leave with you; My peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27
Elizabeth, Norfolk, NE
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 NIV
Kim, Kansas City, “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 created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:38 NKJV
Kim ~ Niceville, FL
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
Christie, Los Gatos. “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desire of the sinful nature.” Gal 5: 16 NIV
Psalm 119:11 ” I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” NIV
audree faith
honolulu, hi
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
Ephesians 5:25 NIV
Amy from Blanchard, OK, “5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-8, NKJV
Cheryl, Austin: Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him,and He will make your paths straight.
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
NIV
1 John 4:10
Missouri
Psalm 103:1 NIV
Praise the LORD, O my soul, all my inmost being,
praise His holy name.
Cheryl, Concord, NC
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
Kim from Flower Mound, TX
” For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:9
Paige, Atlanta NIV Eph. 3:20, 21
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!
Billie, Greenville, KY “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 NIV
AZ
God sets the lonely in families. He leads forth the prisoner with singing. But the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. Psalm 68:6 (NIV)
Lisa, Medicine Hat, Canada. “This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike, ‘What’s next, Papa?'” Romans 8:13 (The Message)
Brandy, Siloam Springs, AR
“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 40:10 NIV
Kim Troy, IL
This is the day the Lord has made; we will
rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 Niv
Christie Cheyenne,WY
I Cor 6:12 NIV
Everything is permissible for me-but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me-but I will not be mastered by anything.
Tiffany, Birmingham
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Chritst Jesus. Phil 4:19 NIV
Houston, TX
The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 [NIV]
Amy Portland, OR
Hebrews 2:14-15 Message
Since the Children are made of flesh and blood, its logical that the savior took on flesh and blood in order to rescue them by his death. By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil’s hold on death and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death.
Tami – OKC, “Finally, brothers and sisters, 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
Revis, Leander, TX – “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV
Dawn Holly Springs “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.” Proverbs 13:4 NLT
Rachel, Flagstaff, AZ – Because I need to remember this at this moment:
“In your anger, do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.”
Psalm 4:4, NIV
Michelle Ontario Canada
Habakkuk 1:5 TNIV
The Lord’s Answer:
Look at the nations and watch- be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told
Kelly, Waco-
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. –Ephesians 4:2, NIV
Lisa, Rainbow City. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 NIV