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!
Meredyth, Lexington KY
“What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure. Do everything readily and cheerfully- no bickering, no second-guessings allowed!”
Gail, Manhattan, KS
2 Cor. 4:16-18:
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 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.”
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
I Peter 4:10 (NKJV)
Carolyn, Wheaton
Detroit, MI
Matthew 21:16 HCSB
…and said to HIM, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” JESUS told them. “Have you never read:
You have prepared praise from the mouths of children and nursing infants.
Jer 29:11 For you 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. NIV
Lynn Polk
1Corinthians 6:12 NIV
“Everything is permissible for me” – but not everything is beneficial.
“Everything is permissible for me” – but I will not be mastered by anything.
Meredith
Anderson, SC
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death me 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
Heb. 2:14-15
“Scared to death of death” – that’s me. How appropriate.
Nancy, Morehead, KY
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established. Prov 16:3
NAB St. Joseph’s Edition
Avayd Ann Merriam, KS Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you: he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deut. 31:6 NIV
kelly, Cumming, GA-Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.”
Ashley Bradford, Deer Park, TX
Philippians 1:6 – “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!”
Waco, TX
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”
I John 4:7
Shelley, Dallas James 1:22-25 NIV
“Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it-not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it-they will be blessed in what they do.”
Jamie, Phoenix. I’m doing the same verse as Beth (James 2:12-13 NET)
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
MAC – OLYMPIA, WA
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 – NIV
Robin Bailiff, Lindale TX
2/1/2011 Â Â Â Isaiah 45:2-3
This is what the Lord says:
Â
“I will go before you, Cyrus, and level the mountains. I will smash down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.Â
And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness— secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.
Beth
Alabama
Psalm 46:11
From the east I summon a bird of prey;
from a far-off land,
a man to fulfill my purpose.
What I have said, that will I bring about;
what I have planned, that will I do.
Betty, Houston:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
1 Peter 1:3
(NIV)
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 NKJV
Pearland, TX
Judy…Apple Valley, CA…The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalm 23 ESV
Verses 1-3
Elizabeth
Wilmette, IL
2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
2-5-11 John 3:36 KJV
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life: but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Andalusia, AL
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
NIV @2010
Colossians 3:1
Karen from Tallahassee, FL
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
FAITH, FOCUS, FIRE, FINISH
Rhonda, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. Proverbs 29:11
Erin
Austin, TX
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged
sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and
marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ~ Hebrews
4:12 NIV
Reisterstown, Md
“I can do anything” you say–but not everything is beneficial. “I can do anything” you say– but not everything is constructive. No one should look for their own good, but for the good of others.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 NIV
Teresa,
Texarkana, Arkansas
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.”
Exodus 14:14 NIV
So good! I needed to read this.
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1Peter 5:7 NIV
Ellen, Albuquerque
“Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?”
Romans 8:34-35, ESV
Wendy, Cleveland.
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 concerns but also to the interest of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
Phillipians 2:3-5 NIV
“Order my footsteps by Thy Word; and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” (Psalm 119:133, JPS)
James 1:19-20 ESV Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Lezlie…Eagan, MN
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 62:5-6
Sue.
Chesterfield VA
Sorry so late my husband was in the hospital.Praise he is doing well.
Show me your ways O Lord,teach me your paths,guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my saviour, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25 4-5
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Eph 4:1-3 NIV
Mary Lou, Green Pond
“Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3: 5-6
Cara, Pittsburgh, PA
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Nancy, Denver
“Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.” I Samuel 12:24 NAS
“If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” 1 Cor. 13:3 NIV
Wendy
Albany, Ga.
Jeremiah 29, 11,NIV For I know the plans I have for you,says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Sharon, Springfield, Missouri
“What time I am afraid, I will trust in You.”
Ps. 56:3
Raines, Albany, GA: You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing. Psalm 16:2 NIV
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalms 32:7
NIV
Love this one!
“Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon up, and establish the work of our hands for us; yes establish the work of our hands.”
Psalm 90:17
NIV
Amy
Bham AL
Erin, Minneapolis, MN
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Jennifer, Pflugerville TX
In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through HIM who loves us. Romans 8:37 NIV
Marie
Byhalia, MS
Ephesians 5:15-16 AMP
15 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), 16 Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.
I cant believe I forgot to do this until now… I have been studying my verse though!
ReAnnon, Mammoth Lakes, CA
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that sufferings produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into purr hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 5:3-5 ESV