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!
Janice, Bakersfield, CA
Sow righteousness for yourselves,
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 his righteousness of you.
Hosea 10:12 NIV
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ” (NIV)
Galatians 6:2
Houston, TX
This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 1 John 2:5b-6 NIV
Kathryn in Reseda – “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NASB)
Hannah, MD: (Lamentations 3:21-24)This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. KJV
Tammy, Howells, NE
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11
NKJV
Carol, Fredericksburg, VA: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 (NIV)
Darcy, Houston TX Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. Psalm 63:3 NIV
Debbie
Cameron
Trust in Him at all times,
O people;
pour out your hearts to Him,
for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:8 NIV
Liz, Lexington KY
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. — Jeremiah 33:3
Ashley Martin, Alabama
You won’t have to lift a hand in this battle; just stand firm, Judah and Jerusalem, and watch God’s saving work for you take shape. Don’t be afraid, don’t waver. March out boldly tomorrow—God is with you.”
2 Chronicles 20:17 The Message
“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.” Psalm 141:3-4 NIV
Holly, Glendale, AZ
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 NIV
Patti, Colorado Springs. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 NIV
Sabrina – Houston
Romans 10:12b-13
“…the same Lord is the Lord of all
and richly blesses all who call on him,
for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Lincoln, NE. Joshua 1:7-9 NIV Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Deanne, Laguna Hills, CA, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on HIM because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7
Emily, McKenzie TN
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
Melanie and Kara Miller, Nampa, Idaho
M: Eph 1:5 NLT – His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.
K: Ps 103:3 – He forgives all my sins. He heals all my sicknesses.
Paula, Moorefield WV
The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
Psalm 103:6
NIV
NIV … Romans 4:7-8
7 Blessed are they
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man
whose sin the Lord will never
count against him.
Desiré, Springfield, MO
Ephesians 5:19b-20 (NIV) Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jenny San Antonio, TX
“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.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV (1984)
Judy, Gainesville GA
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 NIV
Melissa – Spring, TX
‘You will not succeed by your own strength or by your own power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord. Zechariah 4:6 (NCV Bible)
Laura, Saskatchewan, CAN.
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God, in true righteousness and holiness.”
Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)
He will be the sure foundation for your times,
a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.
Isa. 33:6(NIV)
Marilyn from Lancaster, NY
Dear Brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough your patience has a chance to grow.
James 1:2-3
Living Bible
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. Psalm 143:8
I forgot to put Meredith, Fayetteville, AR! Thanks!
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4 NIV
“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
Mark 9:23 (NLT)
Jackie, Arnold, MO Romans 5: 1-2 (NIV)
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Kelly Snodgrass ( I practice mine on my bike too, LOL)
Rogersville, TN
Psalm 84.11 NKJV
For the LORD God is a son and a shield;
The LORD will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.
Donna, Albuquerque: “I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”
Isaiah 61:10 NIV
Pam, Sioux Falls, SD
“But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the one who lifts my head high.”
Ps. 3:3, NIV
Christie
Granby, MA
Col 2:6-7
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Hi, rooted and built up in HIm and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
ESV
Gwen, Kennesaw, GA
…Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously – take God seriously. Micah 6:8 The Message
Kay in Decatur, AL
And we KNOW that in ALL things GOD WORKS for the GOOD of those who LOVE HIM, who have been called according to HIS purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV…
Shelly, Orange, “I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8
Jennifer, Danville IL
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”
1 Thess 5:16-18
Donna, KC: Psalm 139:3 NIV You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Caprice from Kokomo —
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure everything out on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 (The Message)
Kathy, Cochran, GA
Jesus said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27 (HCSB)
You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book. Psalm 56:8 MSG
Sara, Warsaw, Indiana
Psalm 18: 28-29
You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.
With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall.
Tracey from Shawnee, Kansas
Proverbs 31: 25-27 (ESV)
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”- James 4:7
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.
Ephesians 3:20 – NIV
Amy from Norfolk, MA (very snowy MASS!)
Paula, Olive Branch. “They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome 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)
Sarah, Greensboro, NC
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
Matthew 6:26 (NIV)