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!
But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD;
I will wait for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me.
Micah 7:7 NASB
Patti, Douglasville, GA
Mandy in Oxford, Ms, “We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:10 NIV
Becky, San Angelo: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV
Jo Ann Lincoln,NE
IT IS GOD WHO ARMS ME WITH STRENGTH AND MAKES
MY WAY PERFECT. PSALMS 18:32 NIV
Tarah – Rib Lake, WI
“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth.”
Job 19:25 ESV
Orlando, FL “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.” Is. 46:9 (NIV)
Laura, Huntsville, AL, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition, let your requests be made known 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)
Do not add to the command I give you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you. Deut. 4:2
Sue, Lakeland. “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
Sorry for being so late on this!
Dawn in Holly Springs, NC: “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Galations 5:16 NIV
Debbie Smith
Hickory, NC
James 2:1 “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.” NIV
Erin, Sulphur Springs, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight oh Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 18:14
Hayley in Florence, SC
“I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love which Christ Jesus our Lord shows us” Romans 8:38 NIV
Cindy, Rockford, IL “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:34 The Message
Madge, Marietta, Ga
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. IsA 43:18-19 NIV
Amy, Tyler:
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, (Colossians 1:9 NIV)
I know I am so late. I am sorry! Kids have had the flu and so have I. Anyway, here goes–
Hannah from Natchitoches, “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5
Stacy, Amherst
“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 servants.”
Revelation 17:14 (NIV)
Stacey,Magnolia,Tx, 2Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
A daily reminder that he left me instructions for all situations.
Proverbs 17:27 NIV
A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
Debbie
El Paso, IL
Naomi
Acworth, Ga
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
ISA. 43:18-19 NIV
Barbara, New Bern, NC
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
Proverbs 31:25 NIV
Perri, Opelika, AL
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Deuteronomy 6:4-6 (NIV)
Katie, Edmond, OK
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 NLV
Tina, Odessa
I have to first tell a story about my January memory verses. My mother-in-law passed away on Jan 23, 2011. We flew to Alabama from Texas in hopes to make it before she passed. We did. While in the nursing home room with her in her last week of life, I had some precious moments with her by myself. I leaned over near her during those times and quoted scriptures, sang songs, etc. Two of those scriptures were my memory verses from Ps. 27, vs 14 & 7, the order I memorized them in. During her funeral service, the pastor who had looked through her bible for inspiration for her service, used her favorite scriptures in the bible for her service: Psalm 27, making sure to mention that Ps 27:14 was her favorite verse in the bible. He knew that because she had double underlined it and had asterisks all around it. I didn’t know those were my mother-in-law’s favorite scriptures but I had the privilege of quoting them to her during her last week of life on this earth before she met her Jesus face to face. That has given me such comfort knowing the Lord guided me to those verses and that they gave her comfort in her last moments because I know she was listening. The Lord cared so much for her that He did that for her and for me. That is precious to me. Thank you for letting me share that.
My verse for Feb 2 is: Rom. 13:14, NIV: “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
Bless you that you were able to see Jesus use you in such a sweet way!
Anna, Redford, MI
“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 NIV
Leah, Hattiesburg, MS
The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. Exodus 15:2 (HCSB)
April San Angelo, TX
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
Lynn, St Louis, MO
“I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2, NASB
Chrissy, Birmingham, AL
James 1:2-3, NIV
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sister, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Alisha, Milford, DE
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, 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.
Wendy, Blacksburg, VA
“God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day, and he will not be slow to answer them.” -Luke 18:7, NCV
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my savior.
Habakkuk 3:18 NIV
Liese Maples
Kirkland, WA
“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not to curse.” Philippians 4:8 (The Message)
Laurie, Tyler Texas
“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:5 NIV
Ali, Tampa: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28,NASB
Michelle, Hamilton, MT: 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 (NKJV)
Isaiah 43:18-19a NIV Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing!
Kari
Las Vegas
Romans 13:8 NLV
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
San Diego CA
Isaiah 53:3
Hi Beth,
This is totally off the subject of James, but one that has been coming back to me often over the last several months. Our oldest son has left his wife and his walk with God. God has put it on my heart to pray from Nehemiah and accompanying scriptures to rebuild his spiritual wall and the wall of our family. Lately, I have sensed God directing me to the seven spirits of God. It keeps showing up in many places like daily email devotions, etc. Do you have a study on this or know anyone who does? I would really like to get a handle on what God is trying to reveal to me or encourage me with. Thanks so much for all you do – I pray God bless you lavishly.
Kim, Metter GA. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Gina Webster in Houston, TX Mark 8:19-21 (AMP): “And when I broke the seven loaves for the 4,000, how many large provision baskets full of broken pieces did you take up? And they said to Him, Seven.”
Kristi, League City, TX: “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:34, The Message
Marina from Kansas City… Psalm 59:16, NIV: But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up on wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Diane, Alaska “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” Galations 6:9 NASB
Pam – Hatton, MO
Isaiah 41:10 (New International Version)
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.
Chonda, Fayetteville, AR, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” Hebrews 10:38
James 2: 12-13 NIV
12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.