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!
Tania, Slidell. “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 – NASB
Meghan, Tallahassee. 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 NIV
If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both,someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more.
Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot. Job 9:33-35
Beth
Marion NC
Jerri, Cookeville,TN
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10 NIV
Janifer, Glen Burnie, Maryland
2 Samuel 22:32-33 NKJV
For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect.
Bobbie
College Station
Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Kelly, Kimberly. “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
Lisa, Morning View, KY
Psalm 13:5-6
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. (NIV)
April, BonneyLake, Wa
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
Beth, Ft Collins, CO “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Cor 10:5 (NIV)
Judy
Corpus Christi, Texas
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?”
Isaiah 58:6 NIV
Michelle, Houston “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NIV
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”
~ Jeremiah 17:9-10 NIV
Joyce in Lebanon
You created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created. Revelation 4:11 (NLT)
Adrienne
Jasper, TN
Continuing in Psalm 145….
“Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.”
Psalm 145:2 (NIV)
Freida from Chatham, LA
“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.” II Corinthians 4:18 NIV
Annette, Mount Pleasant, SC. Think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. Proverbs 3:6. HCSB
Brenda, Richmond. “Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11, NASB
Karen, Dover, NH “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall.” Ps.55:22 (NIV)
Stephanie
Corpus Christi, Tx
“23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-24
Kathy, Lake Jackson, TX
Psalm 33:4-5 TNIV
“The word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
Sharon. Montgomery, AL ~ “But as Scripture says: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love Him.” ~ 1 Cor 2:9 (God’s Word Translation)
Jan
Hawkinsville, GA
Psalm 11:4 (NIV)
The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
his eyes examine them.
Diane, Commerce Twp. 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 direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Tita in Bear, Delaware: “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life.” Romans 5:10, ESV
Karen, Colonial Heights,
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the laws my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from them to the right or to the left that you may be successful wherever you go.” Josuha 1:7, NIV
April- Jacksonville, FL
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
NIV
Beth, Albertville, AL – If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[c] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Daniel 3: 17-18
Margo, Burlington On, “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 41:31 NIV
Your garage reminded me of mine – until yesterday. : ) My boys and I lost our home in November of 2009. We were blessed beyond belief to have been offered a beautiful home to live in for 3 months free, then as long as we wanted if I could afford the rent. I started a business and poured everything into it.
I didn’t unpack everything right away because I didn’t know if we could stay. So, the garage was storage and, 14 months later, was still my storage area. Yesterday was predicted a severe cold snap and I got it into my head to clear out a space so I could park in the garage and, hopefully, have a functioning car in the morning.
When I pulled in last night it dawned on me that I hadn’t parked in a garage since my divorce 6 years ago. Back then, the boys and I had to move out of the family home immediately. The two places we lived in after either didn’t have a garage or was used as storage. Now, I was still using a garage as storage. The business I started is going strong and expanding. We aren’t going anywhere. Clearing out a place to park was so much more than just having a warm place to park. It meant I was “home”.
Tara
Corpus Christi, Tx
“4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you”
Isaiah 43:4-5a
Donnicia /Raleigh, NC
Micah 7:8 (New International Version, ©2011)
Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness,
the LORD will be my light.
Beckie, Washington, DC: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8: 38-39 (NIV)
Kristi, Inman,SC
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
1 Peter 3:8, NIV
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
Romans 6:18 NIV
You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
I Corinthians 6:20 NIV
Kimberly Orr–Zionsville, Indiana
Melissa, St. Mary’s County, MD “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:12-13 KJV
Peggy, Corpus Christi “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Gal 2:20 (NKJV)
Crickett, Richmond. ” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 NIV
Karen, Scottsdale “So be strong and take courage, all you who put your hope in the LORD!” Ps. 31:24 NLT
Leah, Knoxville
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”. Matthew 11:29 NIV
Chris
North Fort Myers, FL
Psalm 32:8 ESV
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Misti, Carlsbad, NM:
“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” The NIV version.
Hebrews 3:12
NKJV, Isaiah 40:31, But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength they shalll mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.
Linda Olathe, KS Galatians 5:6 (NIV) “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
Jen, Ireland
“So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 THE MESSAGE
Dawn, Winston Salem, NC ~ “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” Psalm 20:7, NIV
II Corinthians 2:14 (NIV)
But thanks be to God,
who always leads us as captives
in Christ’s triumphal procession
and uses us to spread the aroma
of the knowledge of him everywhere.
Janice, Tulsa. ” Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your hear; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalm 27:4 NKJV
Tricia, Tucson.
For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37 (NIV)
Terri, Pleasant Hope MO
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:5 (NIV)