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.
Wendy Raleigh
“ay 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”
NIV
Angela, Knoxville, TN
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.” Psalm 62:5 (NIV)
Atlanta, Texas
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his OWN desires and enticed.
James 1:14
NKJV
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
James 1:22 KJV
Jennifer – Milford, OH
“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NLT
“so if you find life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he’s doing, and he’ll keep on doing it.”
1 Peter 4:19 (the message)
Meredith, Fayetteville, AR
Ephesians 2: 1-2, The Message “It wasn’t so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn’t know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience.”
Lauren, Arlington, TX: Psalm 3:3 ESV
“But You, O LORD, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.”
Rosalee, Oklahoma City
“17) asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18) I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.” Ephesians 1:17-18 NLT
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You.
Psalm 5:11 NKJ
Ashley, Lubbock
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19 NET
Carrie, Burnsville, MN
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 The NET bible
thank you Beth for your blog today! I love you too!
Donna, DFW, TX
Psalm 57:2 NIV
I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me.
Vanessa, Bozeman, MT
In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection Psalm 18:29-30 NLT
Julie, Hurst Tx….I needed Phil 4:19 today so I am making mine 🙂 “And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Wendy Raleigh (my typing skills are off-messed up my verse).
“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 Holy Spirt”
NIV
Cristin, Fort Campbell
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
Robin, Arkansas: Isaiah 43:1b (NIV) “…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Teri, Texas
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Lindsey
El Dorado
This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
John 15:12 NASB
Adele, Fresno
2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking” (James 1:5, NLT).
Kathy, Delaware, OH
Psalm73:23 Yet I still belong to you; you are holding my right hand.
NLT
Cindy from Summerville
Proverbs 31:26 (NLT)
When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
Melanie and Kara Miller, Nampa, Idaho
M: Eph 1:6 NLT – So we praise God for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us because we belong to his dearly loved Son.
K: Ps 103:4–He saves my life from going down into the grave. His faithful and tender love makes me feel like a king (queen).
Kristin from Kentucky:
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourself be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NIV
Hebrews 11:6 (New International Version, ©2010)
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
Teri
Indianapolis, IN
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1 NIV
Rhonda, Ridgeland, Mississippi
“Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.”
Daniel 3:29, English Standard Version
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Ephesians 1:3-4 NIV
Tami, Washington, DC: Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. KJV
Breaking the rule about only posting our verse but BETH I needed this word today !! Thanks for sharing.
I’m using your verse this time to memorize !!
Joanna S. Moreno Valley, CA
Then Joshua addressed the people: “Sanctify yourselves. Tomorrow God will work miracle-wonders among you.”Joshua 3:5 (The Message)
Celia, Athens, AL:
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything. Rather, He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” Acts 17: 24-25 NIV
Nicole, Dallas “TThere is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18) NIV
Amy, Lakeland, Florida, “And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Sarah Bowling Green KY
James 1:22 (New American Standard Bible)
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
Eileen, Rice, WA
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.
Micah 6:8 NIV
Bernadette, Mountain Home, AR, Rev 17:14 They will make war against the lamb but the lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers. NIV
Jill – Austin
Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.”
Philippians 4: 4-5 NASV
Judy, Spokane, WA
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.”
Philippians 4: 4-5 NASV
(oops…forgot to put in my city, so reposted)
2 chronicles 16:9 NIV
For the eyes of Lord range throughout the earth to strength those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing and from now on you will be at war.
Marie, Denver: I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garmets of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10 NIV
Norma, Apex, NC
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20 NLT
Anne, Simpsonville, SC
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
Sherri – Lebanon, MO:
“My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:19, NIV
Cypress, TX
“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
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Cari ~ Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Aubrey, Amarillo, TX – 11 yrs old
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 3:3 NIV
Sarah, Isle, MN
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (NIV)