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!
Sarah Euharlee, Ga.
Like so many, especially with all the suffering surrounding us these days, I tend to also suffer from the possibilities of the what if’s. In different seasons of life this stronghold grips me, and then in others I can conquer it through Christ. Thank you Beth for leading me to Hebrews today…this is a verse I know that God desires to have inscripted on my heart!
Hebrews 2:14-15 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.
“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.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Kay Martin
Tupelo, MS
Joelle, Abilene. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 (NIV)
dixie
santa monica, california
Hosea 14:5 HCSB
I will be like the dew to Israel;
he will blossom like the lily
and take root like the cedars of Lebanon
Kristi, North Webster,IN
“She is clothed in strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:25-26 NIV
Alta in Indiana
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
John 1:1-2 NLT
Brooke, Birmingham, AL
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
Dena’, Hindman, Ky 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 praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9 NIV
Sara, Virginia. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” – Isaiah 43:18, 19a (NIV)
But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
Psalm 59:16
Wilmington,DE. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12, NIV
Kellie Watson Ennis, TX 2 Cor 12:9-10(KJV) And He said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength i made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Jenny, Elida “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,” Philippians 1:9(NIV)
Grace, Elida “But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'” Luke 18:16(NIV)
Tammy from Fort Myers, Florida: “Asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.” Ephesians 1:17 NLT
Molly, Rochester NY
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 NIV
Dana
Blue Ridge, Tx
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Cor 9:8
NIV
Philippians 4:8
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Kim
Slinger WI
“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.” Psalm 100:3 NIV
Jeanne
Albuquerque
Hey Jeanne, this was my #1 verse”) I really love it.
Sharon, Geigertown, PA, Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” NKJV
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
Phillipians 4:6-7 New American Standard
Shawn, Hamptonville, NC
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you. Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
Rachelle in New Mexico
In his heart a man plans his course,
but the Lord determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9
Sarah, New Palestine, Indiana
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 ( NIV )
Lori, Pine Island, MN
“‘Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?'” Luke 12:25-26 NIV
Kimberly in SC NIV “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22
“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.” John 5:39 (NIV).
Forgot to put that I’m from Houston, TX
Joy from Georgetown, Texas: “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7 NIV
Dawn,Owensboro. And this is my prayer.
that your love may abound more and more
in knowledge and depth of insight, so
that you may be able to discern what is
best and may be pure and blameless until
the day of Christ, filled with the fruit
of righteousness that comes through Jesus
Christ – to the glory of and praise of God
Philippians 1: 9-11
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Lisa, Greensburg Pa. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me. John 15:4 (NKJV Bible)
From Knightdale, NC:
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
NIV
Cara, Highlands Ranch, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5, NASB
Valerie, NJ
If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble.
Proverbs 21:23 NLT
Chris
Canton, NC
“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living”
Psalm 27:13 NASB
natalie, millington “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” romans 8:6 NIV
Yanna,College Station, Tx “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the whole earth to show himself strong on belhalf of those whose heart is loyal to him”. II Chronicles 16:9 NIV
Lisa,
Marion, IN
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph. 6:12 (NIV)
Sherry in Marietta GA
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”
John 15:11 NASB
Nicole, Jacksonville,AL: “If you declare with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 NIV
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:1-2
NIV
Lauren, Biloxi
God’s love is meteoric, His loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, His verdicts oceanic. Yet in his largness nothing gets lost. Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks. How exquisite your love, O God! Psalm 36:5-7 The Message. I don’t normally like the Message bible but I did love this one!
Sandi
Williams Bay, Wisconsin
Romans 14:20a NIV
Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food…
Troy, Ohio
2Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Nikky from Sweeny, Texas
– but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 1 Peter 3:4 ESV
Julie, Corpus Christi: 1 John 2:15: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” NIV
Heather, Beaumont, TX: “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” Jer 17:7 (NIV)
Michele, OH
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2 NIV
Allyson, Winnsboro SC: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
Patti, Phoenix AZ
Ephesians 4:2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. NLT
Joshua 23:8 (NKJV)
“but you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have this day.”
Jennifer Pennington MPLS, MN
Joyce, Exeter
” The LORD is my light and my salvation;whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life;of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalms 27:1 (KJV)