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, Goshen, IN
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 ESV
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 KJV Susan from Vilonia, AR
Joan, Fredericktown, OH niv
In you unfailing love You will lead the people You have redeemed. In Your strength you will guide them to Your Holy dwelling!!
Exodus 15:13 (late due to ice storm)
Shana St. Paul, MN
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
Psalm 100.4 NIV
Kelly, Houston
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2 NIV
Angela – Hampton VA
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
Margie – Stockbridge, GA
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity,
but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
NLT
Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.
Ezra 10:4
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Michelle Parma, OH
Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. Ps 89:2NLB
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Kendra, Yukon, OK
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
John 14:26 (NASB)
Marlies, The Netherlands. “May the Lord answer you when you are in trouble; may the God of Jacob make you secure!” Psalm 20:1 NET
Natasha – Frisco, TX
“Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend you works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:3-4
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”
Acts 1:8 (NIV)
Psalm 105:4
Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.
Traci
Knoxville, TN
Tiffany, Chesterfield:
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses (strongholds). We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. NASB.
Katie, New York
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love and self discipline. 2 Tim 1:7 NIV
Nicole, Reynoldsburg
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
Zan, from Franklin, TN
“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. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me- everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Phil 4:8-9 NLT
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
Bartlett, TN
Sharon from Kingfield, Maine
Psalm 62
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
1 Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. (NIV)
Mary, Pierre, SD
“I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.”
Mary, Pierre SD
“I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” Phil 4:13 NIV
Teri, Kalamazoo, Michigan: Isaiah 41:10 (nkjv) Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
The Lord is my rock; and my fortress; and my deliverer, my stronghold Psalm 18:2 KJ
Sherree Hunsberger–Lilburn, GA: “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of Lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
Revelation 17:14 NAS
Eva, Colfax NC “I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.” Psalms 9:1 NIV
Cindy Huntingdon, PA
“Cast all your anxiety on hime because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. 1Peter 5:7-8a. NIV
Waupun, WI
Lamentations 3:22-24 (NIV)
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, the Lord is my portion, therefore, I will wait for Him.
Versailles, Ky
E – Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief -Prov 14:13
Conne, Angel Fire,
“But if one loves God truly (with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience and grateful recognition of His blessing), he is known by God (recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love and he is owned by Him). I Corinthians 8:3 (Amplified Version)
Kirsten in Roswell, GA
“All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has done among you since the day you heard about it, and understood God’s grace in all its truth. You learned it from Epapharas, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who has also told us about your love in the Spirit.” Colossians 1:6b-7 NIV
Beverly
Jackson, MS
As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. Psalm 16:3(NIV)
Cindy Dillon, Charleston, WV
“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.”
Matthew 5:4 from The Message Bible
Elmira,ON,Canada
“Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father'” (Gal.4:6) NIV
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:13 (NIV)
Kristin, Simpsonville SC
“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” Hebrews 6:12 (NIV)
Martha, Round Rock — My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Psalms 27:8 NIV
Gloria
Jacksonville, FL
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)
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ (NASB)
Dallas, Romans 7:15, The Message, What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise.
Matthew 4:4 And he answered and said, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Wanda North Canton, Ohio
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. Isaiah 40:28
Robyn – Lake Wylie, SC
Galations 5:1
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.
Same as Beth in Houston.
So let us come boldly to 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. Heb.4:16
Julie, Vienna. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
Rockwall, TX
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement.” James 2:12-13 (NIV)
Julie, Lexington, KY
Isaiah 40: 31
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings of eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (NIV)
Raleigh, Rev 1:8 NIV
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”