We continue our November theme of "Tears & Weeping in the Bible" with a look at very familiar (and oft repeated) scriptures.John 11:17-44Psalm 30

Tears & Weeping is the theme for this study.There are 64 Bible verses about weeping in the Bible. There are 96 references to weeping and gnashing of teeth.Isaiah 38James 5:1-12Matthew 8:5-13Matthew 13:40-43

Our Guest Host Bria Lacour shares about Jeremiah - known as the weeping prophet. He also wrote the book of Lamentations. Scriptures:Luke 22:44Matthew 26:36-46Hebrews 5:7Jeremiah 8:18-22, 9:1, 9:10-12, 13:17, 31:15-17

We are studying friendships in the Bible, and this week we're taking a look at Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They stuck together even under the threat of death. Scripture shares:How friends stick closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24)That a friends loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17)That the wounds of a friend can be trusted (Proverbs 27:6) Daniel 1:3-20 - friends together in serviceDaniel 2:14-18, 48-49 - prayer with friendsDaniel 3:12-30 - friends in the fiery furnace We discussed how friends 1) share opportunities; 2) pray with and for each other; 3) are birds of a feather - so choose wisely. (1 Corinthians 15:33, Proverbs 13:20) Jesus called His disciples His friends (John 15:12-15).

Tonight we read about Ruth and Naomi Scripture:Ruth 1

Tonight we continue our study of "Idols in the Bible" with a look at the universal caduceus symbol - a serpent or snake coiled around a staff. Scriptures:Numbers 21:4-9 - The Bronze Snake2 Kings 18:1-4 - Hezekiah smashes itJohn 3:10-15 - Jesus references it These articles talk about the early history and biblical origin of the symbol:https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/the-biblical-caduceus-symbol-of-medicine/ https://armstronginstitute.org/256-the-serpentine-symbol-of-healing-a-biblical-origin

We discuss good influences, like Abigail was for her fool husband Nabal (1 Samuel 25:2-42), and bad influences, like Jezebel was for Ahab (1 Kings 16:29-33, 19:1-2, 21:1-28, and 2 Kings 9:1-37).Choose your spouse and your friends wisely. It can keep you from being thrown out of a window and having your body eaten by dogs!

The Bible says a LOT about keeping your word - most of it is hilarious! There is definitely some "shade throwing!" My sisters and I had a great time talking about this issue tonight. We shared some tips on what to do and what NOT to do! Scriptures:Deuteronomy 23:21-23 - If you make a vow to the Lord, keep it. Better yet, don't do it.Proverbs 20:25 - Don't make rash commitmentsEcclesiastes 5:2-7 - "God is in heaven, and you are on earth. So let your words be few."Matthew 5:33-37 - Let your yes be yes, and your no, no!

Tonight, we discuss Visions and Dreams in the Bible, starting with Joseph in Genesis 37.Do you write down your dreams? If not, I encourage you to get a journal and start writing them down, because nothing God does is random. If you have dreams, it's for a reason.In Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:17, it tells us we will dream dreams and have visions.

How often have you panicked under pressure? Here's what scripture says about it: Matthew 8:23-27, Matthew 14:22-33

We take a look at repeating patterns by learning about Samson's story in Judges chapters 13-16. He made the same mistakes over and over again.

The story of Ananias and Sapphira   Scripture:Acts 5

Tonight, I talk about the Bible and Science, and read from Daniel 3.

Dealing with the 17-year cicadas has me thinking about the plague of locusts in the Bible. Yikes!   Scriptures:Exodus 10:1-20Ezekiel 25:17

Did Jesus use His superpowers when He disappeared right out of the middle of the crowd?   Scripture:Luke 4

Jealousy vs. Envy - there is a difference. Merriam-Webster defines "Jealousy" as:A feeling of unhappiness and anger caused by a belief that a loved one might be unfaithful. And "Envy" as:Envy means discontented longing for someone else's advantages.Envy is most often used to refer to a covetous feeling toward another person's attributes, possessions, or stature in life. They go on to say: Many people use jealous to mean the same thing.But they are clearly different.

Did you know there are 21 dreams (or nightmares) mentioned in the Bible?  Ten of them are in the book of Genesis. In this Bible Study on Dreams, we discuss several of them. Dreams are given to us as warnings (Job 33:14-18), as prophecy, and as a way for us to simply talk to God Himself. Did you know that Solomon's request for wisdom was made via a dream? (I Kings 3:5-15) And there are two instances of people hearing about dreams - Judges 7:13-16 (Gideon hears about a dream that a Midianite had) and Matthew 27:19 (Pontius Pilate's wife warns him to leave Jesus alone because she had a nightmare.) In Matthew 1:18-25, Joseph is told via a dream not to be afraid to marry Mary, even though she's preggers. Here is an interesting link to learn more about dreams in the Bible:https://overviewbible.com/infographic-dreams-bible/

I was determined to push through and have Bible Study even though I'd been sick all day.We read about the Woman with the Issue of Blood in Matthew 9:18-22, which always gives me strength.We also read about Jacob's Ladder in his dream in Genesis 28:10-19.

In this Bible Study we finish our discussion of asking for forgiveness, and explore the concept of not looking back when God calls you to move forward.Scriptures:Matthew 18:21-35 (The Unmerciful Servant)Genesis 19:6-5-26 (Lot's Wife)Luke 9:57-62 (The Cost of Following Jesus)Matthew 10:11-15 (Shake the Dust Off Your Feet) We also referenced:Acts 9:1-22 (Saul's Conversion)John 8:1-11 (Jesus and the Adulterous Woman)2 Samuel 6:6-7 (Uzzah Steadies the Ark and Dies)

We had a great discussion about how hope can seem lost, but it's not. We have to remember the character and promises of God. Hope is not lost even when we screw up (like David) or make repeated stupid mistakes (like Samson).  Sometimes hope seems loss because of our faith - like with Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Hope sometimes seems lost when we're reluctantly asked to step up but we're afraid (like Esther).  And, when we've been given, told or shown a vision and it hasn't yet manifested - like with Jesus, Joseph, Abraham and Moses. We determined that we need to hold onto our hope and celebrate when God brings us through and/or blesses us! Scripture References:Esther 7:1-10 (Haman gets his!)Daniel 3:8-30 (Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace)Daniel 6:5-24 (Daniel in the Lion's Den)Genesis 22:1-18 (Abraham is asked to sacrifice Isaac)Judges 16:23-30 (Samson's last stand)