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!
Rebecca, Wasola, MO
Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Jesus Christ, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.
I Peter 5:10 HCSB
Danielle from Corpus Christi, TX
“Delight yourself in the Lord; And he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4 NIV
Kelli, Moss Point, MS:
For You are my rock and my fortress:
Therefore, for Your name’s sake,
Lead me and guide me.
Psalm 31: 3 NKJV
Wendy
Raleigh
As the heavens are higher than the earth
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:9 NIV
Sarah from Cypress, Texas; “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:6-8 NASB
Diana from Colorado Springs, CO
Isaiah 43:1b-3a NIV
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
Jennifer, Cincinnati, OH
Philippians 4:19 in the NIV (2010 translation)
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Becky Harris, Groesbeck: : Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, He’ll calm you with His love and delight you with His songs.” (MSG)
Pam Hendersonville
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. Acts 5:41 KJV
Ali, Pelzer SC
“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
Kit, Central Islip, NY
“Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in His heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.”
Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NAS)
Diana, North Attleboro, MA
Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation;
I wait for You all day long.
Psalm 25:5 HCSB
Kim, Chester, Va
Psalm 86:11-13 (NIV) Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth. Give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart. I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.
Leah, Indianapolis
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
I Peter 1:8,9
NIV
Amy, Granby, CT
“One thing God has spoken; two things I have heard; that you, O God, are strong and that you, O Lord, are loving.” Psalm 62:11-12a NIV (the old NIV)
Deneen, Pittsburgh
“Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you for
I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely
I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with
My righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10 NASV
Charli, Birmingham. “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” 1 John 5:4 ESV
Becky, Groesbeck, “Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, He’ll calm you with His love and delight you with His songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 (MSG)
Jupiter, FL
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8 KJV
Carol, Phoenix, AZ: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1, NIV.
Granger, IN
Isaiah 55:2 “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.” NIV
Samantha, Twin City, GA:: “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:14 NIV
Elissa, Connecticut – ” If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” ~ James 1:5 ESV
Stirling M., Charlotte, NC:
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” Psalm 84:11 NIV
Heather
Jonesboro, AR
But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives.
1 Tim 5:6 NASB
Janice, Houston
Romans 12: 12-13 NIV
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Matthew 7:7-8 NLT
Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for.
Keep on looking, and you will find.
Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.
For everyone who asks, receives.
Everyone who seeks, finds.
And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.
Amy, Kingston, ON, Canada
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4: 6
Cindy
Lexington, NC
Isaiah 59:19 KJV
“When the enemy shall come in like a flood the spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.”
Kelley Taylor Tampa, Fl-
2 Corinthians 12:9 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 (NIV).
Bec – Bendigo, VIC, Australia –
“He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.” Proverbs 14:26 NIV
I offer this in response to fear of death:
[NIV} Isaiah 57:1-2: The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.
Julie, Waco – “Prepare your minds for action, keep sober in Spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” -1 Peter 1:13 NASB
Vickey, Plumerville, AR Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. NIV
Lisa, San Antonio, Tx
Philippians 4:6 NIV
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Janet
Longmont, CO
“I will hear what God, the LORD, will speak;
for He will speak peace unto His people, and to his saints; but let them not turn again to folly.” Psalm 85:8 KJV
Mary from Sacramento
“all honor to God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; for it is His boundless mercy that has given us the privilege of being born again, so that we are now members of God’s own family, born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” .
(LB and RSV)
“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.” Deut. 7:9 NIV
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quite you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
NIV Zephaniah 3:17
Kelly Jo
Albany Ky
Meredith Sloan
Greer, SC
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge
against anyone among your people,
but love your neighbor as yourself.
I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:18 NIV
Judy, Norfolk
Eph. 3:20 The Message
God can do anything, you know-far more than you can ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does this not by pushing us around, but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Lauren, Malvern, PA
1 Peter 2:24-25 (ESV)
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Lacey – Alto, MI
“I will proclaim the name of the Lord;
how glorious is our God!
He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect.
Everything he does is just and fair.
He is a faithful God who does no wrong;
how just and upright he is!”
Deuteronomy 32:3-4
Sorry – that’s NLT!
Karen, Columbia,MO–heart of the 2011 blizzard–17 inches and counting…
Philippians 4:8, NIV
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.
Wilson, NC
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
~I Thes. 5:16-18 NIV
Mia, Zionsville
“I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.” Revelation 3:1-2 NIV
Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your live, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.
Ephesians 5:30 THE MESSAGE
Lisa, Greenville, SC
You are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:9b-10
Jeanni,Westland Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we shoul pray foras we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” KVJ
Stephanie P., Columbus, OH
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace that you have been saved, thru faith-and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works so that no man can boast. (NIV)