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.
Paula:Mesquite: ‘ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 NIV
Elizabeth, Lewisville, TX
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
LaTava, Lincoln
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14 NIV
Lynda, Ocala, FL, To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 1:24-25 NIV
PSALM 62:5-9 (NIV) – 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. Selah
Maryann in Chandler, Arizona
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!
stacey, new orleans
phil 2:14-15 niv
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God, without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you
shine like stars in the universe.
Kim
McKinney,TX
The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it.
I Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)
Jodee, Lubbock TX
Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
Isaiah 55:6
NLT
Cathy, Tyler, TX Philippians 4:19 NIV And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Sara, Lakewood, CO
James 1:19-20 (ESV) Know this my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires.
Sandie, Manhattan KS. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV
Jessica, North Bend, WA
“Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Joan from Johnstown, PA
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Helen, Crystal City, Manitoba Canada
Colossians 1:3 ESV
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
Tracy, Spring, TX
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:1 NIV
Karen, Columbia MO
1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Melissa C., Edmond, OK
The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
(NIV)
And God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8
Anna, Sullivan, MO
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Psalm 27:13 NIV
Nancy, Aurora, CO I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1 KJV
Kali, Valrico,FL
1 Peter 5:10 AMP
after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.
Erin Foster
Northville, MI
Isaiah 43:19
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Lubbock, TX: “In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness, we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Romans 8:26 NIV
Sandy, Houston
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7,8 (NIV 2010)
Pasadena, Texas. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. (New King James Version)
Ada
Rochester, MI
He will not let your foot slip—
He who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:3&4
Christine, Phoenix: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Sarah, Christina and Esther May: Wenatchee, WA “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:5 NIV
Elizabeth
Rochester, MI
He will not let your foot slip—
He who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:3&4
Miranda, Fort Payne, AL
‘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)
Erica, Amman, Jordan
James 3:17 (The MSG)
“Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced.”
Susan, Katy, TX
“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.” I Cor 16:13-14 NLT
Denise Ferrell, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Psalms 2:12 But what joy for all who take refuge in Him
nlt
Tracie, Minneapolis, MN
but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
I Cor. 9:27 NASB
Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight Oh Lord, my Rock and Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NIV
Kristen, Allen “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
Amanda, Boaz. “Finally, brothers, 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
Deanna, Safford, AZ
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)
Leslie, Beijing: “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” James 3:17 NLT
Megan
Blytheville, AR
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:12-13
ESV
Michelle
Titus, Al
“And let us not grow weary while doing good,
for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
Galatians 6:9 NKJV
A familiar verse to me, but one I need to seal in my mind as I’ve been struggling w/my kids.
Siobhan- Austen, AR “The Lord your God is in your midst, a might one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you with his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” Zeph 3:17 ESV
Elise – Newark
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 41:10 NIV
Lauren, Stephenville, TX
Proverbs 28:13 ESV “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”
Mary Ann/Wichita Falls
Mom
Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
Lamentations 3:40 NIV
Shannon
Daughter
The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Psalm 145:17-18 NIV
Madison
Daughter
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Kim, San Juan Capistrano, CA: Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
Psalm 31:3 NIV
Brittany, from Arkansas
“Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the Lord.” 1 Chronicles 22L19
Love this verse and how it says to “set your mind” to seek God
Jamee, Fort Wayne, IN
1 Peter 5:6 NIV
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.
2 Thess 5:16, 17 NLT
Melissa Terry
Normangee, TX