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!
Courtney, Roseland, VA
O my strength, I will sing praises to you, for you O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.
Psalm 59:17 ESV
Andra, Snelling, Ca. “The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace”. Psalm 29:11
Jessica, Meriden, CT
And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. The old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins.
{Matthew 9:17, NLT}
Connie, Greene IA
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. Isaiah 30:15 AMP
Tara, North Platte, NE: “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” Psalm 46:5 NIV
Andrea in Poulsbo, WA Luke 12:34 (NIV) “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”
Stephanie in Atlanta, GA Isaiah 41:9-10 I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 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.
Tracy Leigh; Paris, MO; “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” ~Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
(Proverbs 28:13-14)
Kim H.
McKinney, TX
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them. I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16 (NIV)
Sabrina; Mobile, AL:
Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” (English Standard Version)
Joy, Springfield, OH: “Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!” Deut 32:2-3 NIV
Tracy B. Atlanta GA
Romans 8:26-27 NKJV
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Sharon in Gilbert, SC
Do no be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Erin in Tyler, Tx. Zephaniah 3:17 (niv).
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.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV
Rachel, Kansas City-Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus, Phil 1:6. NIV.
Jill, Oswego, NY
For I am the Lord your God who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar- His name is Yahweh of Hosts. I have put My words in your mouth, and covered you in the shadow of My hand, in order to plant the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion “You are My people.”
Isaiah 51:15-16 Holman Christian Standard Bible.
Alison, Richmond, VA For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Tim 1:7 NIV
Hannah; Dayton,Oh: “Those who cling to worthless idols forgeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving will sacrifice to You. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord.” Jonah 2:8-9; New International Version
Lenae, Minnesota. “The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.” Psalm 37:12-13, NIV.
The Apple of His Eye, Stephenville, TX
Psalm 118:6 (NASB)
The Lord is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me?
amber, winter park fl.
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 things to curse -Philippians 4:8
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Sheri, Ayden NC
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ:
II Corinthians 10:5 KJV
Maggie, Abilene TX: I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Philippians 1:20 (NIV)
Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. (Hosea 6:3, NIV)
lisa in KC
matt. 11:28-30 “are you tired? worn out? burned out on religion? come to Me. get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. walk with Me and work with Me-watch how I do it. learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” the message
it’s long so i might break it up for this time and the next! good stuff! 🙂
Jeanette, Rochester MI
May you have the power to understand,as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high,and how deep His love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Ephesians 3:18-19
Charlotte, Easley, SC
“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
Allison in Broken Arrow, OK
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:13-14
Oops…it’s in NIV
Ruth, Coeur d Alene, Idaho
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, 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, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Eph. 3:16-19 NIV
Stacey, Wichita, KS
Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Romans 12:2 The Message
“Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.” – Psalm 142:7
Allison in Broken Arrow, OK
“Kid verse” for daughter age 7 and son age 3
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2 (NIV)
Marilyn in Florence, AL
I am sorry I am so late. My son just returned from Afghanistan. Thank you Father!
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, for now and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NIV
Lorie in Littleton, CO “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 NIV
“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” – Psalm 90:14
Mary
Burke, VA
Mt 7:7-11 NIV
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks,the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone: Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him?
Ashley, Huntsville – “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:18, NIV
Amy – Gallipolis, Ohio – “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV)
Marjie Scheib, Genoa City, Wisconsin (Blizzard 2011)
He who guards his mouth and his tongue,
Guards his soul from troubles.
Proverbs 21:23,NASB
Marianne
Garden Ridge, TX
Psalm 139:3 NLT You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.
Gina, Atlanta: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
Sue, Newnan, Georgia
By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me–a prayer to the God of my life.
Psalm 42:8 NIV
Susanne,
South Carolina
Psalm 139:23 (NIV) Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Chardel in Mililani, HI
“The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:10 (NIV)
Debbie in Aurora, CO: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Sarah in Midland, Tx. We’re in the process of adopting our first child and just learned we’re pregnant! Hannah’s words are very fitting right now 🙂
I prayed for this child and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD. And he worshiped the LORD there. 1 Samuel 1:27-28 NIV