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.
Marie, Kenmore
“But when the kindness and love for humanity of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not out of acts of righteousness done by us, but according to His own mercy He saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, of which He out pours on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
Titus 3:4-6 (translation from Greek)
Barb, Kentwood MI:
“Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all”
1 Chronicles 29:12 (NKJV)
Sheila, Tampa “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Phil 2:3-4
John 10: 27 NIV
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
“Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]! Proverbs 31:25; Amplified
Linda, Newark, DE
But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption I Cor 1:30 NASB How awesome is HE!
Judy, Montgomery
You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, His generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that in the glory that pours from Jesus. Phillippians 4:19 The Message
Anne, Lorton, VA
“If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.”
Psalm 130:3-4 NIV
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Connie H – Forsyth, MO
James 3:17 “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. NIV
Beth in Candler, NC;
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. -John 1:16 (NIV1984)
Kelly, Fort Myers: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 ESV
We demolish agruments 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 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
Rita, Birmingham. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 The NIV Bible
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Prov.16:9(NIV)
Merrie Katy, Tx
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1John 5:13 NIV
Nancy, Moberly MO, 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 perseverence the race marked out for us. Heb. 12:1 (NIV)
Fort Myers, FL
“That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love…”
Ephesians 3:16-17 ESV
‘For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, not powers, nor height nor depth, not anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Chris Jesus our Lord.’
Romans 8:38-39 ESV
hollie Carrollton, TX
Philippians 4:13 (New American Standard Bible)
Julie, Dallas: I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Hope
Northport, AL
“…but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:24 (NIV)
Jennifer
Lexington, SC
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Johanna, Carlsbad
Psalm 20:7 NIV
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Is. 54:10 NIV
Barbara, North Olmsted
Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship the the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing out of selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind, regard one another as more important than yourselves. Phil 2:1-3 NASB
Nicole, Huntsville AL: “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” Romans 14:19 (NIV)
Proverbs 16:2 NASB
All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the LORD weighs the motives.
Joleen McBride
Anthem, AZ
Jessica – Whitehouse, TX Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Diane, Rockford
II Chronicles 16:9 NIV
For the eyes of the LORD search to and fro across the earth, looking to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
Debbie, Clarksville Tn
Philip 4:19:
“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
NIV
Jana, Port Byron
Philippians 2:5 “In your relationships with one another have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” NIV
And, in Swahili:
Wafilipi Mbili:tano “Muwe na nia kama ile aliyokuwa nayo Kristo Yesu.”
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Kim Feth
Apex, NC
Jana, Houston, Tx “For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.” 1 Thessalonians 4:7 NKJV
Kelly – Lilburn, Georgia
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but (He has given us a spirit) of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 (The Message)
Actually, it’s The Amplified version, not The Message. –Kelly
Keysha
Roanoke, VA
II Corinthians 3:3(ESV)
And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the Living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
Betty, Clarksville Tn
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
Isaiah 46:4
NIV
Jenna, Interlochen MI
Jumping on this bandwagon..
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Kori from Independence, Ky
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it'” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Beth, Ypsilanti
“My dear brothers, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19 (NIV)
Lauren, Jackson, Ky. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed- 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
Just a quick side note, my little boy is doing this with me, and he loves this verse… every time we say it he breaks out with Toby Mac’s Get Back up! God bless =)
Victoria, Mason, MI
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer!
Psalms 18:2 KJV
Beth, Marion NC
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18-19 NIV
Shannon from Murfreesboro, AR
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Psalms 91:4
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. NIV
Eleanor
Memphis, TN
Tonya, Henderson, NC
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (NLT)
I needed this today! Thanks!
Dallas, “The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death; I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. KJV
I was raised on this. It’s time I write it on heart. My fear is I will find myself somewhere and all I have is my memory. I would regret not having scripture to recall from memory. Thank you for this encouragement and opportunity to do so.
Sandra, Florida. “But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way.” John 4:23 (NLT)
Kirsten from Roswell, GA:
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 41:9 NIV 1984
Fresno, CA
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 NIV
Christa, Greeneville, TN. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139:2 NIV