HOUSTON AREA TUESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY GIRLS: If by chance we end up needing to cancel tonight over the storms, I will put a cancellation notice right here on the blog so keep an eye on this spot off and on all day. Certainly check it before you set out for HFBC tonight. We love you and want to be wise!
NOON UPDATE FOR TUESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY: As of right now, Bible study is ON for tonight. It will really be cold for us south Texans but it’s supposed to be dry. We are planning on starting the lesson a little earlier and ending it at 8:15. See you there with our coats on!
Now, for SSMT:
Hey, Siestas!
Happy February 1st! Did January fly past us or what?? We’re at least two Scriptures the richer for it, though. I’ve been using my time on my exercise bike in the mornings to practice my memory verses so I’ve mostly only heard myself repeat them gasping for breath. (If you like picturing things, it’s in my garage sandwiched between boxes and stacks of 26 years of Moore paraphernalia and everything else besides an actual car…which is in my driveway. You also might enjoy picturing my Border Collie Star sitting right beside me, fixating on the bicycle pedal as it goes round and round. Bless her poor sweet obsessive-compulsive self.) I might have to haul the bike up there with me to the Siesta celebration next January so I can say them to my partner the same way I’ve practiced them. Or I guess I can just sit on the floor and pump my feet in the air and play like. My partner might have to sit back from me just a tad. And if none of that works, I’ll get my man to haul Star up there to watch me and see if the right conditions are responsible for the recollections. And, of course, they’re not. In John 14:26, Christ says it is the Holy Spirit who reminds us of everything He has taught us so press on! With Him, we can do all things.
Tuesday is Bible study day for us at LPM this time of year so I don’t get to talk long on here today. So, let’s get to it! It’s already time for Verse 3!
As I told you two weeks ago, I’ll primarily be working through verses out of the Book of James for much of this year. I’ll give you mine each time but I’ll also give you an alternative that I really love outside of James in case you need some ideas. Here’s the portion I’m memorizing this time around with my information:
Beth, Houston. “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 The NET Bible
I love that last statement. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Aren’t you thankful we have a Savior that feels that way?
The alternative I’ll suggest to you today is on my mind because someone I care deeply about struggles terribly with fear of death. This person isn’t chronically ill. Just oppressed and tormented by possibilities. Maybe some part of this segment might minister to you today.
Since the children are made of flesh and blood, it’s logical that the Savior took on flesh and blood in order to rescue them by his death. By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil’s hold on death and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death. (Hebrews 2:14-15 The Message)
Anybody “scared to death of death”? These passages are also really rich out of the NIV if you prefer it:
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)
Oh, there’s nothing like the power of God’s Word. And that’s because there’s nothing like the power of God.
You sure are loved around here. OK, let’s have it, 2011 SSMT! Verse 3! (Your first name, city, reference and translation please.)
I’ll talk to you soon!
Amy, Lexington, KY
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
“Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.”
Psalms 31:3 (NIV)
Tammy, Gardendale ,Al….5-Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;my hope comes from him. 6-He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken! Psalm 62:5&6
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. II Cor. 2:14 ESV
Kristi
Logansport, IN
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Joshua 1:8 NIV
Melody, Ocean Springs, Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Shannon, Jackson,MS
“And now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Phil. 4:8, NLT
Angela, Garner,NC
God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Matthew 6:34b, the message
Maureen, Oxford “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.Phillipians 4:8
I waited Patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry
Psalm 40:1 NLT
Lauren – Lexington, KY
“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” Matthew 6:14 – New American Standard Bible
Amy, Clear Lake, Iowa
James 1:5-6
If any of you lacks wisdom he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
-NIV
Mamilinda,Tx,Psalm 145:17 “The Lord is Righteous in everything he does;he is filled with Kindness.”(NLT)
Denise, from Mishawaka:
From the very beginning telling you what the ending will be, All along letting you in on what is going to happen, Assuring you, ‘I’m in this for the long haul, I’ll do exactly what I set out to do.’ – Isaiah 46:10 MSG
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Job 8:21 NIV
Amanda, Lynn Haven, FL
Matthew 6:33, KJV
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Nell, Chattanooga, Tn. The neighborhood women started calling him “Naomi’s Baby Boy” But his real name was Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of David. Ruth 4:17 The Message
Sara, Denver, CO. Psalm 16:7-8 (NLT). I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
Melissa Danisi Clovis, CA “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 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 . . .” (Colossians 1:9-10, ESV)
You are no longer ruled by your desires but by God’s Spirit who lives in you. People who don’t have the Spirit of Christ in them don’t belong to him. Romans 8:9 CEV
Nicole
Keller
“That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original. Nothing but the Cross” Gal 5:26 MSG
Carola, Missoula, MT
Ephesians 1:8,9 NASB
8) which He lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight
9) He made know to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him
Cindy from Medical Lake, WA
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)
Kelly, Georgetown, TX
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
Meghan, Ardmore, OK
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior: He will hear me. Micah 7:7 NIV
“Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts”
Psalm 139:23 NIV
Lynn
Rochelle, GA
Isaiah 61:3
…and provide for those who grieve in Zion, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness 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. NIV
Alpharetta, GA
Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the Lord’s great love for us, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Cathy, Loxahatchee Florida
Ephesians 4:2 NLT
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
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 perserverance.”
James 1:2-3 NIV
Dianne, Hartselle, AL
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.
Psalm 62:1-2 (NIV)
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than that of Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” Col 2:8-9 NIV
Dublin, VA
Isaiah 40:29 NASB
“HE gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.”
Ann from Cripple Creek, VA
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Melissa: Detroit, MI
Luke 6:36-38 “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”. NIV
Michelle Buhl Lenexa, KS
Psalm 55:16-17
16 As for me, I will call upon God,
And the LORD shall save me.
17 Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice.
Nanette R., Nashville, TN
“So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].” Isaiah 26:4 (Amplified Bible)
Dawn, Lake Charles, Louisiana…Ephesians 3:16-19 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And i pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Katherine, Nipomo, CA
Phil. 4:4,5 – Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. (NIV)
Carolyn, Terrace BC Canada
Romans 5:3-4 (NIV)
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Sharon, Houston
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for eaach other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 NIV
Josie, Tucson
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. Ps 28:7 NIV
Isaiah 50: 4
The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
Kay – Deer Park
Callie
Houston, TX
Proverbs 19:21 ESV Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Sheldon, Kentucky “For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blamesless.” Psalm 84:11 NIV
Bethany, Atlanta GA
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always. Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Ecclesiastes 5: 2
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
Cheryl – Kemah, TX
Michelle
Fort Smith, AR
Don’t let your spirit rush to be angry, for anger abides in the heart of fools. NIV
Valerie, SC
Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and truth. I John 3:18 NIV
Psalm 119:11 NIV “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”