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.
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 1 Timothy 1:12 NIV
Tessa, Wheeling, WV
Third Verse:
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24 NKJV
Fourth Verse:
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteouness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33 NKJV
brooke, from atlanta:
but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
matthew 6:33, nasb
Kristen young,
Baton Rouge, La
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of Gods grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Eph 1:7-8
NIV
Joan, Hudson, FL
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
(I was having trouble deciding, and this spoke right to me today….it’s all in God’s time. Thanks Beth!)
Cheryl, Bonney Lake, WA, “They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Revelation 17:14 (doing your Revelation Study right now Beth and you said to memorize it so here it is! :):)
Ginger-Paragould, AR-
“You know what I am going to say even before I say it Lord.” Psalm 139:4 NLT
alternate verse that is speaking to me this month;
“Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciufl. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
James 2:13 NIV
Wendy, Florida~ I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalms 27:13 NIV
Jodi Battle, San Diego, CA
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom).”
2 Corinthians 3:17 AMP
Liz
Okemos, MI
Isaiah 7:9
“If you do not stand FIRM in your faith, then you will not stand firm at all” (NIV)
“Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm” (NLT)
Joy, Springfield, OH: “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.” Phil 2:14-15 NIV
Alece, Lawton, OK
“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.” Heb 12:1 NIV
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes will obtain mercy. Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity-Provers 28:13-14(NIV)
Peg, Naperville, IL
“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.” Zephaniah 3:17, NIV
Shannon – Elmira, Canada: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Cor. 13:4-7 (NLT)
Shawna, Portales, NM
If I speak in the tonguesof men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. NIV
Lana, Laurel, NE
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:19 (NIV)
Blairsville, GA
Col. 1:17 – He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. NIV
Esther Hurst, TX
Eph 4:25 NIV
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on your own understanding. Seek hgis will in all you do and He will show you which path to take.
watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people…. I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent of what is evil. (Romans 16: 17-19)
Marcie, Phoenix but soon to be Frisco, TX!
Matthew 19:29 (NIV)
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
Ashley Taylor, Lawrenceville, GA
Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 NASB
Mindy
McDonough, GA
And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Phillipians 4:19 NIV
Jesica, Seattle, WA. “I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.”
Psalm 63:2-3 (NIV)
Jeannie, Xenia OH
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30
Robin, Alexandria, VA. John 15:7-8 “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
Amanda Rearden, Windermere, FL
“Our God is in heaven, He does whatever pleases Him.” Ps. 115:3 NIV
Becky James, Pasco, WA NKJ Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Diera, Austin “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” Hebrews 2:14-15 NIV
Shirleen, Greenville,SC……He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Proverbs 21:23 (NIV)
Allison-Randolph, MN
1 Samuel 3:10b
“Then Samuel said, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” NIV
Penny from Knoxville, TN
Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. “
Elizabeth, Verona, WI-
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
Kelly
Avon Park, FL
And provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:3 NIV
…I tried posting this last night, but it didn’t go through!
Debbie,Santa Barbara
2 Cor 4:7-9 NIV
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.
Sally Crystal Springs, Ms
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 victorous right hand.
Valerie, Nashville – “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exhalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. I Peter 5:6-7 (NASB)
Teresa, Billings: Romans 8:26,27
Diann, Woodburn. “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4 (NIV)
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Anna, San Diego
Karen, Richmond, Va- ‘A new command I give you: Love one another as I have loved you. So you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.~John 13:34-35,NIV
“A new command I give you” Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.~John 13:34-35, NIV
Cindy, Grand Rapids, For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13 NKJV
Heather, Ontario, Canada
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26 NIV).
Christina, Hanover, MD
And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.
Matthew 21:22 NKJV
Amy Tyler, TX
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 NIV
Christa, Denver, CO
Jeremiah 23:29 (NIV)
“Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD,”and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”
Judy
Poland (missionary)
“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is nobel, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- If anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things”.
Phil 4:8