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!
Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.
Proverbs 4:23 AB
Got to love those obsessive-compulsive herding dogs! Our dearly departed sheltie had a thing for power tools, water hoses, weed-eaters and the back door. We were blessed to have her for 14 wonderful years – quirks and all!
Gretchen, Thousand Oaks, CA Proverbs 4:23-24 NLT
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.
Peggy, Tucson,”Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Eph 4:2 NIV
Ramona, Pasadena:
All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us.
2 Corinthians 1:3 NLT
Sally, Middlefield,
Romans 8:20-21
“For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by it’s own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope
that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God” NIV
(I am memorizing chapter 8 of Romans)
Katie, Knoxville, TN
“And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31 NKJV
Christy
Beavercreek, Ohio
How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.
Psalm 84:1-2 (ESV)
Kara, Ardmore,OK
Psalm 143:8-10 NIV
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
Andi, W. Lafayette, IN
“Through each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing His songs, praying to God who gives me life.” Psalm 42:8
Lindsey, Jenks, OK
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety. He is my God, and I am trusting Him!” ~Psalm 91:1,2 NLT
Laura; Tuscaloosa, AL
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philipians 4:6 NIV
Dawn, Chambersburg, PA:
(copy cat from a previous sista)
Psalm 62:5-6 (NIV)
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rockand my salvation; he ismy fortress, I will not be shaken.”
Rachel, Modesto, CA
Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the Lord’s wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me into the light; I will see his righteousness.
Micah 7:9 NIV
Joyce, Greenville SC
Jeremiah 13:10 (NIV)
These wicked people, who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the stubbornness of their hearts and go after other gods to serve and worship them, will be like this belt, – completely useless.
Martha, Ashdown, AR,
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:2 NKJV
Sarah Bowling Green,Kentucky
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only what is helpful in building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Eph 4:29 TNIV
Make me to understand the ways of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wonderous works. Psalm 119:27
Beth, Mt. Juliet, TN
Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Tanya, Warren PA
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See I am doing a new thing! It springs up; do you not percieve it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
Your first name, city, reference and translation.
Cherie, Washington DC
[Jesus said], “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Mt 11:28, NRSV)
Charissa, West Chester, OH
Philippians 4:6 (NLT) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.
Beverly
Pearland, TX
Isaiah 60:1-2 NKJV
Arise, SHINE, for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.
Dorcas from Texas
John 14:27 I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Life Application
Heidi, Mount Vernon, OH: May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
Debra, Meadville, MS Jeremiah 32:27 (KJV) Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh, is there anything too hard for Me?
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is MIGHTY;
He will save,
He will rejoice over thee with joy;
He will rest in His love,
He will joy over thee with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
Cami, Ellensburg, WA Psalms 41:1-2 “Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in times of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be blessed on the earth.” NKJV
“I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel who summons you by name.” Isaiah 45:3 NIV
Mariel
Wake Forest, NC
Lovettsville Va
17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 2 cor 4:17
NLT
Charise, Arlington, TX
Phil 3:7-8 (ESV) “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”
James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the LORD, and He will lift you up.
Brandy, Burleson
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV
Donna D
From Kokomo, In says
“God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes.” Psalm 18:24, The Message
Joy: Salina, KS
“For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh…” Philippians 3:3 NIV
Debbie, Orlando
Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing. Isaiah 43 18, 19a ESV
Michele, Anderson, SC
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35 NIV
Anita, Big River, Saskatchewan, Canada (first entry ever!)
“He will be the sure foundation of your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge, the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.” Isaiah 33:7 NIV
Oops Isaiah 33:6
Erica; Ozark; 2 Chronicles 6:30 the Message- “Listen from your home in heaven, forgive and reward us; reward each life and circumstance, For you know each life from the inside.”
Alison Haight: Haubstadt, IN
1 John 3:18
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
NIV
Karen, Gallatin, TN
Psalm 91:1 (New American Standard)
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”
I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like parched land. Psalm 143:6 NIV
Ruth, Pikeville, TN — “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers righteousness on you.” Hosea 10:12 NIV
Amy, McDonough, GA
“You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” 1 Peter 3:4 NLT
Jennifer, Phoenix
“And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” Luke 7:23
Lori, League City, TX
“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)
Valerie, Ashburn
But He said to me “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Sharon, Moore, SC
Psalm 141:3 (NIV)
Set a guard over my mouth, LORD;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
Katie, Atlanta
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7, NIV.
Susanne, El Paso, TX
… but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 NIV