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!
Delores, Columbia. Again I say to you that if two agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. Matthew 18:19-20 NKJV.
Laurie, Newburgh, In.
“Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the Lord will hold me close.” Psalm 27:10, NLT
Kelly (Greer, SC)
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
-James 1:19 (New Living Translation)
Gayla
Lee’s Summit, MO (Blizzard Central today!)
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NIV)
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Beckie, Florence SC
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:10-11 NIV
Kerry
Cape Coral, FL
Roman 12:2 NIV
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be alble to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Keli, Yukon, OK
“With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” 2 Chronicles 32:8 NASV
Pat, Littlefield….”I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.” Habakkuk 2:1 NIV
Sue, Kingsport, TN. “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.” Galatians 5:1
Jennifer, Marietta, GA: “So let us come boldly before the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4: 16, The NLT)
Pam, Longwood, FL
2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
LaTava, Lincoln, NE
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 39:21 NIV
Sammie, Flagstaff AZ
“Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord,
Trsut also in Him, and He will do it.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light
And your judgment as the noonday.
Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him”
Psalm 37:3-7 NASB
Jenn
Katy, TX
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
Rebecca, Berlin GA
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14
Mercy, Tampa Fl
If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. (Philippians 2:1-4 the message)
Ainslie,Oakland
1Samuel 1:27 I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. NIV Bible
Patti-Newburgh, IN
“Keep watching & praying, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41-NAS
Suzette, Vidor
1Peter 2:6 niv
For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
Brandy East Bend NC 1 Samuel 16:7 “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” from NIV
Amy, Easley
Mary Ann
Woodbury, MN
Psalm 139:23 (HCSB)
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns.
Dana, Louisville, KY
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”
Psalm 116:15 NIV
Erin, Lubbock, TX “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Moncks Corner
Ephesians 3:20,21 NKJV
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Shannon, Kissimmee, Florida.
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; He will never let the rightous fall. Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
Stay warm siestas:)
Julie, Jackson, MS…Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.
-Zechariah 4:6b NIV
Michelle: Sylacauga, AL Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 NIV
Tammy, Clayton, NC – Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2 NIV
Michele, Weber City, Virginia
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.
Romans 12:1 (NIV)
Allison, Ruston,LA
“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
Deanna – Frisco, TX: Colossians 3:12: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. NIV
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
Lanita, Lake Jackson
Philipians 2:14
Do everything without complaining or arguing.
NIV
For you have been my hope O sovereign Lord,my confidence since my youth Psalm:71-5 NIV
Jerri, Princeton TX
NIV Psalm 138:8
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever–
do not abandon the works of your hands.
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in HIM. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.” Psalm 62: 5-7 NLT
Joy, Pella-“Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He (She) who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing shall doubtless come again rejoicing…Bringing his (her) sheaves with him (her).” Ps.126:5-6 NKJ (Joy’s–hope that’s ok…)
Stacie- Jacmel, Haiti
James 3:17, The Message
“Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced.”
Amy, Easley …take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish ALL the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Epehesians 6:16 NIV
Kristin, Hamburg, AR
“Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of GOD, you will receive what He has promised.”
Hebrews 10-35-36 NIV
Linda, Longview. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV
“Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth, so that you have a genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart.” 1 Peter 1:22 (NRSV)
Rachel, Bellngham, WA – “Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:8-9 NIV
Jayme; Marietta, Georgia
Isaiah 40:31
Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.
NASB
Vonda, Michigan
Ephesians 4:29 {NIV}
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
K-K, Whidbey Island,WA: Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Eph. 6:11 NIV
Leighanne – Athens, GA
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.”
Philippians 2:3 NLT
Amanda, Jackson, MS – “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Ex 14:14 NIV
Lily, Oklahoma (1) Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,(2) but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1: 1-2 NIV