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!
Wendy, Newmarket ON: Galatians 5:22-25 New King James
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning, Great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
Melissa, Miles City, MT: 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
Cindy, Summerville, SC
Isaiah 11:2 (NLT)
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord.
Faran, Bald Knob, AR
Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid;
For the LORD GOD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.
Therefore, I will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation.
Isaiah 12:2-3 (NASB)
Philippians 2:14
Do everything without complaining or arguing.
Nichole, Lexington, KY: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11, NIV
Stacie, Bulls Gap, TN –
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” Psalm 28:7 NIV
Betty Joyce from Austin, Texas
Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18&19 NIV
Kerri
Auburn, AL
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.”
Philippians 4:6 ESV
Cindy, Montgomery, AL For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayers, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. I Peter 3:12 (NIV)
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; Yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Psalm 77:11-12 NIV
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (James 1:2-3, NIV).
in (very cold) Oklahoma City
Kristie
Michigan
Psalm 55:22
Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders, he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out. He will never let good people topple into ruin.
For am I now seeking the favor of men or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond servant of Christ.
Galations 1:10 NAS
Vikki
Cleveland, Ohio
I John 4:10 (KJV) Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Kristen, Oklahoma City “The Lord will guide you always, he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. ” Isaiah 58:11 NIV
Lorie Columbia
Hebrews 10:35-36 NAS
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God; you may receive what was promised. 🙂
Jill, Austin, TX
They cried out to Him in the battle and He granted their entreaty because they trusted in Him.
1 Chron. 5:20 NRSV
Andrea, Houston, TX
Jeremiah 31:25 NIV
I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.
Susie, Knoxville, TN
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
Isaiah 40:30-31
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 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.
NIV
Lari – Austin, TX
Carol, Locust Grove, VA: ” …to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort those who mourn,” Isaiah 61:2, NIV
Liz – Mascoutah, IL
“Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.”
Psalm 27:14 NIV
Maria, Lithia, FL
I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.
Jeremiah 24:7 NIV
Heidi~Lindale, Texas
1 Cor. 13:3 “If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” NIV
Lisa, Medicine Hat, Canada. “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 (HCSB)
Katie, Madison – “You shall remember all the way in which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these 40 years, that He might humble you, testing you to know what is in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.” Deuteronomy 8:2 NASB
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Psalm 119:133 NIV
Gracen, Floyds Knobs, IN
And Mary said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Luke 1: 46-47 NIV
Bobbi, Aberdeen SD
Set a guard, Oh Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalms 141:3
Heather, Birmingham, Alabama
Psalm 105:4
Look to the Lord and His strength, seek His face always.
NIV
Debi, Alva, FL
Isaiah 55:11 (New King James Version)
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Rebecca Grogan, Jacksonville, AL “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10, NIV
Dayna, Ontario “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27 NKJ
Kathy, Bradford-With the tounge we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers (sisters), this should not be. James 3:9-10 NIV
Stephanie
Knoxville, TN
“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)
Heidi, Round Rock, TX
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Paslm 139:13 & 14
Pat S., Lago Vista, TX
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
Robbi, Glen Allen
“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”
Psalm 27:4 NIV
Paula: Mesquite, TX: Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5
Sarah, Marion, KS – May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14, NIV
Patricia, Midland –
15For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.
16Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. Hebrews 4:15-16 Amplified Bible
Megan-Kansas City, KS
James 2:12-13 NIV “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Tara N, Frederick, MD:
Psalm 119:32 “I run in the path of your commands,
for you have set my heart free.” (NIV 1984)
Marian, Blackshear, GA
Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch His breath. And He knows everything, inside and out. Isaiah 40:28 The Message
Carol – Lubbock, Texas
“Surprise us with love at daybreak; then we’ll skip and dance all the day long.” Psalm 90:14 The Message
Candie in Gulfport, Ms
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6,7
NIV
Paige, Flatwoods. “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” James 3:17 NLT
Bunny from Fithian, IL:
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love and sound judgment. HCSB