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.
Gena, Elgin TX
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 the NET Bible
Audrey Toney : Have mercy on me, O GOd, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
Psalm 57: 1
Thank you Audrey, I needed to be reminded of this today.
Blessings, Andrea Porter
North Palm Beach, FL
Isaiah 41:18 ESV
“I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.”
Kendra – Middle East
’12 When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. 13 When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.’
Jeremiah 29:12-13 The Message
like! very much
Joyce, Churubusco, IN
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
Friendswood, TX
For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. – 1 Peter 3:5-6
Patti, Colorado
Speak and act as those who will be judged by a law that gives freedom. For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment.
James 2:12-13 Net Bible
Charlotte, Houston “The grass withers and the flowers fall but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8) NIV
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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. 2. Cor 10:4-5 NIV
This is my verse too! I’ve seen several of us who have chosen this one. Pretty powerful…
Julia, The Woodlands, TX
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another.”
Galatians 5:25-26 (NET)
Ericka from Athens, GA:
“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45 (NKJV)
Colleen, Mae Sot, Thailand
The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Psalm 37: 23-24 NLT
Sacha, Midland, TX “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” I Peter 5:8 (NIV)
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29, KJV
Becca
Salem, Oregon
Isaiah 55:12 (NIV)
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
Kathy, Shreveport,La.
James 1:5 NIV
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask of God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Beth and I chose the same verse this go round! It touched my heart yesterday during my quiet time and I knew I had to hide this one in my heart!
James 3:17 (NIV)
But the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Gizmo, Spring Branch,TX
“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” I Corinthian 12:9 (NIV)
II Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) – oops!
Heidi, McDonough, GA
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made know to you everything I have heard from my father. John 15:15
DORA, TN
HLC version
“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
Karla
Nashville, TN
Tabitha Lewis
Greenville, SC
But for me it is GOOD to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge; that I may tell of all your works! ~ Psalm 73:28 (ESV)
Sara Springfield, Mo
KJV Isaiah 41:13
For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
Kim, Great Bend, KS. “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:24 (NIV)
Kathy
Shattuck, OK
Psalm 62:2 (NIV) “He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
Go Kathy love that verse
Carol
Tammy, Marietta, GA: Psalm 42:11 – “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.” (NIV)
Shiffra, Vicksburg, MI
“The heavens declare the glory of G-d; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1 (NIV)
This is Mary in Austin! 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV) His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Dianne – Hartselle, AL
For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.
Romans 6:6 (NIV)
Debra from Calgary Alberta
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allownance for each others faults and forgive the person who offends you. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:12-14
Christie, Westport
Jeremiah 32:17
“Ah, Lord God! Behold, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power and by Thine outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for Thee,”
(NASB)
Kris, Westbrook, Maine
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27 NIV
Letha; Mountain Home, Arkansas; “My soul, wait only upon God and SILENTLY SUBMIT to Him, for my hope and expectation are from Him. He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress. I shall not be moved.” Psalm 62:5-6; Amplified
Brenda~Hudsonville, MI
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17 NIV
Jodi, Fairhope, AL: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV
Jean, Columbus, Ohio – Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16 KJV
Tara
Kyiv, Ukraine
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:8 (NIV)
{continuing with my memorization of v. 3-8}
Leanne
Mississippi
“…God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. Therefore, my dear friends, flee…”
1 Cor. 10:13-14
Deb, Windsor, CT:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is grue, 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
Andrea, Pottstown
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Please pray for my friend and her kids as her husband committed suicide yesterday.
Susan, Andover,KS:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” Revelation 4:8b (NIV)
Susan – Statesville, NC
We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor. 10:5 (NAS)
Dolly, Middletown, OH
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips. When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Psa. 63:5,6 KJV
Carrie, Boston, MA
“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11 (ESV)
Jeannie, Valdosta GA
NAS Colossians3:23-
Whatever you do, do your work heartily as for the Lord, rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward for your inheritance. It is the the Lord Christ whom you serve.
Kelli, Anaheim Philippians 1:6 NLT
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Anita- Gardner, Ks
May your unfailing love rest upon us, oh Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
Ps 33:22 (NIV)
Susan, Meredith, NH, “The righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy!”–Ps. 68:3, ESV
Tanya from West Paducah, Ky. “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might now sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 ESV
I didn’t proof read very well….that “now” should say “NOT”….oops.