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, Modesto, CA
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7 NIV
Priscilla, Mesa, AZ
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
Hebrews 2:9 NIV
Susan
Windsor, CA
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV
Sarah-Lufkin
“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing eveil to say about us.”
Titus 2:7-8 English Standard Version
Paula – Arvada, CO
The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter by your side. The sun will not strike you by day, or the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life. The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.
Psalm 121: 5-8 (HCSB)
Piper
Centennial, CO
God will let you laugh again;you will raise the roof with shouts of joy! Job 8:21 message
Brandy, Kingwood, TX
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1-2 NIV
Leigh, Houston
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV:
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.
Stacia; Fresno, CA
I forgot to log last weeks verse, however I still memorized scripture so here is both last week and this week, it’s a continuation in Psalms.
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And Earth has nothing I desire but you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish, you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge. I will tell of your deeds. Psalms 73:25-28, NIV
Cheryl, Port Angeles, WA — The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. Psalm 103:8-10 NIV
Stephanie
Corvallis
To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul; In You I trust O my God. Psaml 25:1-2a NIV
Beth in Johannesburg, SA
Numbers 17:10 (NIV)
The Lord said to Moses, “Put back Aarons’ staff in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so that they will not die”
Cessie, Bakersfield, CA
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who brought you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” I Peter 2:9 NIV
Yvonne, Fairfield/Riverside, CA
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)~
Christine, Westminster, CO.
“Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desires of our hearts.” Isaiah 26:8 NIV
Amy, St. Louis
“Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each others’ spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.”
Ephesians 6:13-18
Sue – Virginia
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Hebrews 10:23 KJV
Vicki, Dallas.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”
2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV
My verse is 1 Corinthians 13:6 love does not delight in evil
But rejoices with the truth
Janice from Milford, IL: 2 Tim 2:15-16 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. (NIV)
Laila, Chicago
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
2 Peter 1:3-4 ESV
Marita, Maricopa, AZ- Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Kelly, West Richland
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:4
Amy, Parker, CO “and my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NIV
Shannon, Charlotte, NC: Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” John 4:34 ESV
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
Ruth, Paducah, KY
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, And He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet, So He guided them to their desired haven.
Psalm 197: 28-30
NASB
“Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.” Proverbs 14:1 Amplified
Vicky-Enders Phil.4:8 (The Message Bible)
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
Lezli, Columbus, GA “For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9 (NLT)
Shauna from Horn Lake:
Philippians 2:14-15
Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.
“Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:3-4
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
Kristi, OKC: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance. 4 Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1: 2-4, NIV
Jenifer J from Sunnyside, WA Eph. 3:10-11 (NIV)
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished… in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Jane, Gulfport – “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” James 3:17 (NASB)
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
Psalm 139:14 New Living Translation
Nancy, Wichita, KS
Lorraine M. Surrey, BC “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 othercreated thing, shall be able to seperate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” NKJV
1 Peter 4:19 (NIV)
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
This has been a real blessing and I’m so thankful for my friend Kay introducing me to this challenge. It has made me face some things that aren’t always easy, but with God it can be.
Megan, San Angelo, TX
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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.
Ann, Faith, SD
Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Gwen
Fairmont, WV
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9. NLT
Donna, Meridian, ID (In celebration of my 25-year anniversary today): “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NIV
Emily, Olympia
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
proverbs 31:25 NIV
Antoinette, Montgomery, AL
When you talk, do not say harmful things, buy say what people neet — words that will help others become stronger. Ephesians 4:29 (NCV)
“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
Hope Hagan, Russellville, AR
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer;
My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior–
from violent men you save me. 2 Samuel 22:3 NIV
The Lord is good to those who wait for Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lam. 3:25-26 NKJ (Wait quietly for Him to show you His salvation in any distress.)
Lynn, Morganton, NC
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT
Stephanie, Martinez, Ga
And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:19 The NET Bible
Carmen, Greensboro, NC
LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
Psalm 16:5-6 NIV