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!
Judy, Marietta:
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.
Acts 4:29-30
Wren, Dublin, OH (cont. from #2) “And may you have the power to understand as all God’s people should how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ though it is to great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able through his mighty power at work with in us to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen”
Paula, Houston, TX
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
Kristin, Carlsbad, CA.
“I know that you can do all things, no plan of your can be thwarted…” Job 42:2 NIV
Patty, Ada, OK 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
“But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” Colossians 3:14 NKJV
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV
Jodi, Loganville “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.” James 5:15, NIV.
Martha, Nashville. “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him.” 1 Tim 1:12, NLT
Mandy, Clarksville, TN
“but when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” NIV
Ellen in Colorado Springs
Many, LORD my God,
   are the wonders you have done,
   the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
   were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
   they would be too many to declare.
Psalm 40:5 NIV
Cindy, San Diego — “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13, NKJV
Dana, Lexington, KY
1 Thessalonians 15:17-18 NIV
Pray continually.
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. Ephesian 1:7 NIV.
Fran, Jackson TN
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:14)NIV
Michelle, Cypress
Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.
I John 2:6 NIV
Posting for my mother-in-law, Toni Keeling in Athens, Georgia:
Isaiah 53:5, NKJV
He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him he was the punishement that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.
Jessica in Westminster, MD
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.” Psalm 105:4 ESV
Molly, Powder Springs, GA
“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
Angie, Prosper TX
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2 NIV
Georgia
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
Scarlett, Ruston, LA. Romans 15.13 – Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. NKJV
I Corinthians 4:17&18
For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
NASB
Carole Grove City, PA
Sarah, Russellville, AR
Ephesians 4:2,3 (NIV) “Be completely humble and gently; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Bonnie, Houston
“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)
Shara, Somerset, CA
Psalm 138:3 NIV & ESV
On the day I called You answered me. My strength of soul You increased.
Stephanie, Beaumont, TX: “Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:15-17
Andree, Houston, TX
“Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Ps. 37:3-4, ESV
Jo Ann, Philadelphia. “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you He will not fail you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NAS)
Fran, Stedman, NC
I will sing to the Lord all my life. I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Psalm 104:33 NIV
Norma
Dallas, NC
“Look around at the godless nations. Look long and hard. Brace yourself for a shock. Something’s about to take place and you’re going to find it hard to believe.”
Habakkuk 1:5 (The Message)
Brittany, Wellington, FL
“In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.”
Proverb 3:6
Kim, Dickinson, ND
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Eph. 6:13 NIV
Cindy
Somerville, TN
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
“There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under the heavens…”
Diane, Cambridge-Narrows, NB, Canada
Leaving 3 verses this time because I will be away in India on a mission trip for the next two sessions. Taking my SSM verses with me.
“For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” Col. 3:16-18 NIV
Linda Steinbach, MB Canada
Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Sonja, Archer For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV
Becky
Tuscaloosa
With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
Eph. 4:2
NASV
“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Psalm 100:1 NIV
Wendy
Clovis, CA
I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Ps. 40:1-3 NIV
Natalie, Birmingham, AL “Wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17-18 (NASB, NIV)
Jen Lovelace
Anacortes, WA
“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15 (NLT)
Marilyn, Mission Viejo, CA
Acts 4:12 NIV
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
“For your Maker is your Husband, the Lord of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth. For the Lord has called you like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, like a youthful wife when you were refused,” says your God.
Isaiah 54:5-6 NKJV
Katie, Durham, NC : “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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV
Tina, Monroe, LA:
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 ESV
Jen, Knoxville,TN
Mattew 14:29b-31
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came down toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
Matthew 21:22 NIV
Shannon
Buda, TX
Jeannie, Vero Beach, Fl.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30, NIV