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!
Kimberly, Ocoee, FL
“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;”
Psalm 63:1
Emily, Atlanta
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
Acts 4:29 TNIV
Shirley, Palm Coast, FL Always be full of joy in the LORD. I say it again rejoice!! Phil. 4:4 New Living
Beth, Oklahoma City
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Coossians 4:6, NIV
Hannah, Georgetown Tx
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil cup overflows. Psalm 23:5 NIV
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
Kari, Colorado Springs, CO
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Linda, Delray Beach FL “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:20-21 ESV
Rhonda, Houston,Texas
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all of our heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Lindsay
Dallas, TX
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!
Romans 5:9, NIV
Terri, Mechanicsville, VA
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
Valerie, Nashville, “So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:12-13 (NASB)
A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. Proverbs 14:30 ESV
Lahna, Burkburnett. To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose unto heaven. Ecc 3:1 NKJV
Jariza, Alburtis, Pa
When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7 (NASV) HALLELUJAH!
Tammy, Jacksonville Florida
Psalm 19:14
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord, my strength and my redeemer” KJV
onehappychic, Crawford: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
Is 43:10 “You are my witnesses, declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am He. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.”
Ronda – Katy, Texas – I was with you in much fear, and in weakness, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were. Of with persuasive words of human wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and the power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God. I Corinthians 2:3-5
Jess- Cleburne, TX
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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.
Kari,California – Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of worldly wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?
Luke 16:11 (NASB)
Allyson, Tennessee: “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 4:6-7 NIV
Lindsay, Albion, IL “But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:2 (NIV)
Natalie, Olympia, WA
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 14:26 NIV
Sheila, Sevierville, TN. Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. Isaiah 65:24 NIV
Carla, Pierre, SD
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 NET Bible
WOW, God was speaking to me directly with this one today. Thanks, Beth!
Joanne, Grand Prairie, TX
He WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty (Whose power no foe can withstand). Psalm 91:1 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Sari, Silver City
John 15:1-17
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.
NIV
Michelle, Clanton, AL
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Mary Lisa, Glenwood, MN: Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope. (Romans 15:13, The Message)
The Lord bless and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26
Kim from Flower Mound, TX
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Heb. 12:1
Kim B, Center, TX
Galatians 5:1 (NIV) “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Amy, Birmingham. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying eachother.” Galations 5:25-26 NIV
Shanna, West Bloomfield “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” Proverbs 31:25, NIV
Sue C., Middletown, IN “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow M” John 10:27 NKJV AND “And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.” Deut. 28:2 ESV
Frankfort, Romans 15:13 (NIV) 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.
The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord, endures forever-do not abandon the works of your hands.
Psalm 138:8, NIV
Karen, Caledonia
Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. I Peter 1:18 The Message
Melissa, Locust Grove, GA
Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world
Philippians 2:14-15 ESV
Marti, Charlotte. “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 NET
Noemi, Colorado Springs:
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” 2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, and the new has come!”
2 Cor 5:17 NIV
Galatians 6:1
1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
Jennifer Baker
Highland Village,TX
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. Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Lee’s Summit, MO
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”
Jeremiah 17:9 ESV
Susannah, Sahuarita, AZ
“And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature.”
2 Peter 1:4, NLT
Caitlin, McKinney, TX
Submit yourselves then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded. James 4:7-8 NIV
Debbie from Elon. EVERY GENEROUS ACT AND EVERY PERFECT GIFT IS FROM ABOVE,COMING DOWN FROM THE FATHER OF LIGHTS,WITH HIM THERE IS NO VARIATION OR SHADOW CAST BY TURNING. JAMES 1:17
Brenda- Towson, MD
This is what the Lord says, your Redeemer the Holy one of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.
Isaiah 48:17 NIV