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!
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworhty – think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 10:1 NIV
April – Lubbock, TX
2 Cor. 3:4-5
“Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” NIV
Dee, Zeeland, MI from the NIV:
“The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.” Isaiah 50:4
Bridget, Bloomington, IL
…” The seed whose fruit is righteousness is SOWN in PEACE by those who MAKE peace.” James 3:18 NASB (emphasis mine!)
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 10:1 NIV
Rachel, Danville; “It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. ” Gal 5:1 NIV
Suzanne – Pasadena, Texas. For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will give you victory. He will rejoice over you in great gladness; He will love you and not accuse you. Is that a joyous choir I hear? No, it is the Lord himself exulting over you in happy song. Zephaniah 3:17 The Living Bible
Amy
Fullerton, CA
“A heart at peace gives life to the body.” Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)
Heidi, Longview, Tx
A house is built by wisdom, and it is established by understanding; by knowledge the rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.
Proverbs 24:3-4, Holman
Sarah, Avon Park, FL:
“Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 (HCSB)
II Corinthians 10:5 b
…we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (NIV)
Sharae from Emporia, KS
“And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:13 NASB
Rhonda, Mankato
“And prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the LORD will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.” James 5:15 (NIV)
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 – NIV
Susan Canton, Mi
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. Love never fails.”
1 Cor 13:6-8a NIV
Jeanie in SD – Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Psalms 100:3 (NIV)
Robin, Edinburgh. “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed I have a beautiful inheritance.” Psalm 16:5-6
Oops! I forgot to put esv!
Donna Kincer, Houston, TX
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Cor 3:17 NIV
Melonie
Rogers, MN
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
Psalm 32:8 (NLT)
Lyn, Greenville, SC “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Psalm 33:11(NIV)
Leigh, Grayson “But You O Lord, are a shield around me; You are my glory, The One Who holds my head high.” Psalm 3:3 NLT
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say NO to ungodliness and worldly possessions, and to live self-controlled, upright and Godly lives in this present age. Titus 2:11-12
Terry, Louisa, VA — Deuteronomy 32:3-4
I will proclaim the name of the Lord.
O praise the greatness of our God!
He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.
Karen
Eupora, MS
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1 NIV
Lynda, Ocala, FL: “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.” NIV
Laurie, New Hope, VA NIV 1984- Psalm 18:31-32
For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.
1 Samuel 14:6
Allison, Belton, SC:
“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.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible – but not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians 10:23
Kim ~ Niceville
Lynda, Ocala, FL: Zephaniah 3:17
Mindy – Laurel, NE
There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2:2 NIV
Heather
Little Rock, AR.
“He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our feedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.” Ephesians 1:7 NLT
Micah 6:8 “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (NIV)
There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.
Deut 1:31
Jamie Lee: Roanoke VA: I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord: be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27: 13-14 NIV (I’m new and very excited to do this!)
This is what the LORD says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
Jeremiah 6:16 NIV
Rebekah-Brentwood, TN
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding not one can fathom.” –Isaiah 40:28 NIV
Wendy, Glendora, CA
Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out. Colossians 4:5-6 (The Message)
“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
James 1:26-27
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)
Jen in Roanoke, VA
Brandy- Prattville, AL.
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NASB
Kim ~ Niceville, FL
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)
Vicki
Murfreesboro,TN
Nahum 1:7 (NIV)
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”
Elizabeth, Newark, DE: For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory. Ephesians 3:14-16A
Vanessa Szanto, Rio Rancho NM
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tiered and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; the will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint. Isaiah 40: 29-31
Allison, Hallsville TX “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. Hosea 6:3
Paula, Lake Charles – Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Heb. 4:16 (NIV)