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!
Tracy, Spring, TX
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who completes the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
1 Cor. 9:24-25 NIV
Melissa, Hampton Roads, VA:
“The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”
Lamentations 3:25-26 (NIV)
Jennifer,Atlanta ” The Lord is my strength and my song;
He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.” Exodus 15:2,NIV
Lynette, Nashville, 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. Galations 5:1 NIV
When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need— words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.
(eph 4:26 ncv)
Cheryl, Cleveland, GA
Psalm 62:7-8 “My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock; my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your hearts to Him. For God is our refuge.” NIV
Sandra, West Asia
NLT Habakkuk 3.17-18
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
Vickie, Poplar Bluff, MO:
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. Acts 20:24 NIV
Megan from San Diego
“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.” Hebrews 12:7 NIV
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are unseen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV
Stacy, Big Lake MN
Ginger, Austin
“Show me your ways, 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 NIV
Lubbock, TX Zephaniah 3:17 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
Dawn, Orland Park, IL “May the God of HOPE fill you will all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may OVERFLOW with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (NIV)
Susan, Cumberland,
“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)
Lori, Atlanta, Georgia
“My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7(The Message)
Cindy, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
“Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.”
Psalm 54:4, NIV
Pam, Tyler, TX
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.” Prov. 16:24 (HCSB)
Emily- Monroe, LA “5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6
Donna, Raleigh
Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (NIV)
Vicki, Cynthiana, KY. “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV
Missy, Winston-Salem, NC:
“Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” ~ Proverbs 16:3 (Amplified Bible)
Shannon
Richmond KY
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
Lyndsay, New Castle, In. “With unfailing love you will lead this people whom you have ransomed. You will guide them in Your strength to the place where your holiness dwells.” Exodus 15:13–NLT
Tara
Kyiv, Ukraine
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindess; and to brotherly kindness, love. 2 Peter 1:5-7 (NIV) {I’m memorizing v.1-8 during Jan/Feb}
Emily Babb- Monroe, LA “5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6
Monique, Elizabethtown, KY: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Eph 4:2 NIV
Kristi, Mobile, AL
Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill. He whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue. Psalm 15:1-2 NIV
Kate, Hillsboro OR
“I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therfore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;” Lamentations 3:24&25 NIV
Amy in Perkasie, PA: “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
Jenn, Orlando, FL
“Think about the things that are good and worthy of praise; think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. (Phil 4:8 NCV)
Tara, Kosciusko, 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. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Lyn Steriti
Littleton NH
And after you have sufered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
I Peter 5:10 NASB
Anna
Houston, TX
“I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding, and have the knowledge of God’s mystery – Christ.”
Collosians 2:2 (HCSB)
Rebecca, Louisa, VA: Psalm 19:1-2 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. (NIV)
Cheryl, Coffeyville, KS
“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” 2 Thes. 3:5 NIV
Penny, Mansfield, Ohio… Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you–they really are useless! 1 Samuel 12:21
Ontario, Oh “Honor and majesty surround Him; strength and joy fill His dwelling.”
I Chronicles 16:27 NLT
Debbie, Sevierville
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 NIV
“How can a young person live a pure life? By obeying your word. With all my heart I try to obey you. Don’t let me break your commands. I have taken your words to heart so I would not sin against you. LORD, you should be praised. Teach me your demands.” Psalm 119:9-12 New Century Version Melissa, Canyon, TX
Lauren: Boston, MA
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Anne from Hot Springs, AR:
“If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” – 1 Corinthians 13:3 NIV
Lisa, Kinston North Carolina
Daniel 4:3 NASB
“How great are His signs,
And how mighty are His wonders!
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And His dominion is from generation to generation.
Isaiah 55:8
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts. Nor are your ways My ways” declares the Lord. NIV
Julie
Clanton, AL
“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.” 2 Corinthians 10: 4&5 NIV
Cathy,Rhinebeck. “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV.
Kathy, Hudsonville, MI
Isaiah 53:5 (NLT) But He was pierced for our reellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
Isaiah 53:5 (NLT)
The Lord loves us very much.
So we haven’t been completely destroyed.
His loving concern never fails.
Lam. 3:22 New International Reader’s Version
Waylene, Loma Linda
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain, except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to eat the bread of sorrows, for so He giveth his beloved sleep.
Psalms 127:1, 2 KJV
sorry, left out 2 phrases, from verse 1: “they labour in vain
and from verse 2: “to rise up early,
🙂 intending to memorize it correctly though!
I guess my symbols caused the omitted phrases to be omitted again, so I’ll just type the whole thing, good practice for memorizing.
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it, except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so He giveth His beloved sleep. Psalms 127:1,2 KJV
Colossians 1:15-16 – Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.
Rhonda, Houston
Sacramento, CA
My soul finds rest in God
alone;
my salvation comes from him.
Psalm 62:1