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.
Laura, Perth,Australia
Romans 2:11 NIV
‘For God does not show favoritism.’
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Rebekah, Perth, Australia
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2a, The NET Bible
Leslie from Maui “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
Myra, Lisbon, Portugal – Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and eber! Amen.
Julie, Girdwood, AK (where it’s still 2/15!)
-Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13: 4 NIV
Chapel Hill, NC
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
-Psalm 100:4-5, NIV
Sharon Modesto, CA
And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19 NET
Sam, Johannesburg, South Africa,
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28 (NIV)
Sacha, Johannesburg, South Africa
Always be joyful. Never stop praying, be thankful in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
Shelly, Los Angeles County
“Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain! And God granted what he asked.”
1 Chronicles 4:10, ESV
Isaiah 42:9 NIV
See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare;
Before they spring into being I announce them to you.
Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain (Psalm 119:36 TNIV)
Karen, Papua New Guinea
Psalm 62:1-3 (NET)
For God alone I patiently wait; he is the one who delivers me. He alone is my protector and deliverer. He is my refuge; I will not be upended. How long will you threaten a man? All of you are murderers as dangerous as a leaning wall or unstable fence.
Traci
Knoxville, TN
Melissa Stauffer, Centreville, Michigan
“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in peices?”
Jeremiah 23:29 (NIV)
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34
Kerry
Cape Coral, FL
Phil 4:19 NIV
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Kelly, Charlotte
Phillipians 2:14-15 NIV
Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God, without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.
Jennifer, Cleveland, Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Teri, Kalamazoo, MI “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
Ellen Laconia,N.H For I will pour water on him who is thirsty,and floods on the dry ground;I will pour My Spirit on your descendants,and My blessing on your offspring. Isaiah44:3 NKJ
Margaret, Kingsport
But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he has been so good to me.
Psalm 13:5-6 NLT
Phil 4:6
Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything.
Tell God what you need and thank Hin for what He has done for you.
Judy, Marrietta says: My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him, He alone is my rock and my salvation, He is my fortress, I will never be shaken. NIV
Whitney, West Chester, OH
Philippians 4:19 (NIV) And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Susan, Portland OR
Psalm 90:12, NIV
Teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Wendy, Cleveland, TN
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For
“Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;
I Peter 3:8-10 ESV
Donna, St. Louis, MO
“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
Jennifer, Willow Spring, NC “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 your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 6-7 NIV
Jessica~Jacksonville, Fl
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
Ephesians 3:17 NIV
Allison, Belton, SC
‘Yes Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for You. Your name and reknown are the desires of our heart.’
Isaiah 26:8 (NIV)
Jennifer, Cleveland “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phillipians 4:13 NKJV
Gina, Poland, Oh
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power rests on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Tammie, Pikeville, KY Isaiah 26:3-4 (The Message)
People with their minds set on You, You keep completely whole, steady on their feet because they keep at it and don’t quit. Depend on God and keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing.
Holman Christian Standard – You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You. Trust in the Lord forever because in Yah, the Lord, is an everlasting rock.
Marsha, Tennessee – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 NKJV
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
Anne, Malaysia
Lisa-West Chester, Ohio
Message
Phillipians 4:19
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.
Amy from Cherry Hill, NJ: And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19, NIV
Jami
Shelby, NC
8 And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed.
Smyrna, TN
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. James 4:17 NLT
Jami
Shelby, NC
oops My verse is from Joshua…….. Joshua 1:8 The Message
Ann, Greensboro, GA
Php 1:12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel (ESV)
Kathi, Jacksonville, Fl “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
Thank you for this message….I can certainly relate..my plate is full too!
In my distress I cried to the LORD and He heard me.
New Kings James Version
Denise, Hernando Beach
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.
2Corinthians 10:5 NIV
Locust Grove, VA; For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3 NIV
Beth, Mt. Holly, NC
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he flee from you. James 4:7 KJV
Natalie ~ Jacksonville, Florida
John 14:27 (NIV) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give it as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Let’s try this again….I forgot to identify the scripture source. Is my plate full or what?
Psalm 120:1
In my distress I cried to the LORD and He heard me.
New King James Version
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 NIV