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.
Sherie Spring, TX
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
2Thessalonians 2:16,17 NIV
Melissa Clovis, CA “”And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Colossians 1:9, ESV)
“I can do everything thru him who gives me strength” Philippians 4:13 NIV
Jenny San Antonio, TX
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NKJV
We are reading Abiding in Christ (by Andrew Murray) churchwide for February!
Jenn from NY
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Rachelle, Gardner, KS
“God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.” Psalm 18:24 (The Message)
“Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.”
~ James 1:22-24 (MSG)
Katy Lin, Heidelberg, Germany
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from His love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
Philippians 2:1-6 (NLT)
Valerie
McKinney, TX
Jeremiah 29:12 NAS
‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.’
Anchorage
Colossians 3:5 NET
3:5 So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion, evil desire, and greed which in idolatry.
Andrea, Tustin, Ca
James 1:2-3 NIV
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
Alana, Cape Town
Everything in the scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people, and for correcting them and showing them how to live.
2Tim 3:16
Jamie, Union Center:
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:14 NIV
RuthAnn, Fort Lauderdale, FL “This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” James 3:15-16 KJV
Zillah, WA
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4 NKJV
Kathy Baum, Dayton, Nevada
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-5 [NIV]
Yvonne
Fresno
Jer. 32:38-40
They will be my people and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me…
Sara from Claremont, CA
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
NIV Is 40:30-31
Cindy, Colorado Springs
2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Annmarie, Livermore. “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5 NKJV
My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.
James 2:1 NIV
Katherine, Edmonton, AB Canada
Karen, Santa Ana CA
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Julianna (Istanbul, Turkey) Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV
Susie, Fort Worth, TX When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. Psalm 94:19 ESV
Betsy, Ponca City
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV)
Lari – Austin, TX
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Kayla from Springfield, OR –
“[N]evertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.”
– Galatians 2:16, NASB
Deborah, Alabama, Phil. 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (NAS)
Deborah – Nashville, TN
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)
Lee, Lexington, Ky
And the peace of God, which transcends
all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 NIV
Hillsboro
Psalm 119:11 NIV
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Jana, Fresno “We wait in hope for the Lord. he is our help and our shield”. Ps 33:20 NIV
Katelyn, Tulsa
“Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me…Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me O Lord, the God of truth.” Psalm31:3&5 NIV
Ashley Wise- Hungary- Romans 6:6 “We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would not longer be enslaved to sin.” [NET]
Jeanne, Honolulu,HI
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Luke 5:16 NIV
Jennifer, Fresno, Hebrews 4:16
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will received His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.” NLT
Renee – Cypress, TX
The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. I John 2:17 NIV
Cecilia Irvine, CA
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
Letty, Puyallup
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whaever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 (NASB)
Lily, Austin “Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Karen, Lake Jackson, TX
Colossians 1:10
…so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way;bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.
Lori, Treviso, Italy
God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.
Psalm 47:8 NIV
Karen, Lynnwood, WA – “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NLT)
Janet from West Linn, OR. “Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.” Hosea 6:1 NIV
CJ,Sandpoint, Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. NIV
Sarah, San Diego
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Perfect verse for me this week!!! 🙂
Stephanie – Reno, NV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Romans 8:28-29 NIV
Terry, Ocean Springs, MS:
You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not approach you.
You will only look on with your eyes,
And see the recompense of the wicked.
For you have made the Lord, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.
Psalm 91:5-10, NAS
catherine, spring, texas
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible