Hey Sweet Things! I’m putting this post up an evening early so I don’t have to be up and working at 7:00 AM on a Saturday morning off. Smiling. Thank you for understanding! Don’t stress if the comments aren’t moderated right away. We take it a little slower on weekends so nobody’s working nonstop.
I wish I had a way to add some great celebratory music to this post. You are officially halfway! Doesn’t that feel fabulous? Oh, come on, now. Let yourself feel it. Great job, Sisters! It’s not easy. We know we can do the second half because we have already done the first.  And we’ll do this next half exactly the same way: through the unction of the Holy Spirit. Just keep choosing Scriptures that are speaking to you in your exact season and need and they’ll come alive in the marrow of your bones.
I feel like I’ve been talking to you all day because I think of you while writing the lessons for the Bible study underway. We have hashed some things out in the Scriptures today, Sister. You just couldn’t hear them. I’ll just be glad when some of you are sitting on the other side of that page talking back. When I was at the taping for Children of the Day in May, we explained to the group that it would be a whole calendar year before the study comes out. The process takes a long time, especially because it involves both written work and video. We also have to dodge around a travel schedule that is set in calendar-stone a good bit in advance. But, in the twinkling of an eye, another month has already passed. The very last of the manuscript is due in December so you’ll not waste a prayer on me between now and then. I don’t get to write every week because I am on the road more often this time of year so each day I get to sit with my Bible open to 1st and 2nd Thessalonians is a gift. And a brain cracker at times.
You and I have plenty to do before next May, however! I so hope many of you are doing the Gideon Bible study this summer with us that our gifted sister, Priscilla Shirer wrote. It’s tremendously powerful. I saw one of you give her a shout-out today on Twitter with the hashtag #Siestaville at the end of it. It made me so happy. God has graced us with such anointed messengers at this hour in the Body of Christ, men and women alike. Hasn’t He? It has been my privilege to study under a number of them with you and to hear about many others from you. Our discipleship worlds are so much bigger when we’re willing to come together. Otherwise, we sit tight in all our own little corners and have no idea how many people God has gifted to serve the Body. We cheat ourselves when we separate ourselves.
OK, Sisters, are you ready to log in your 12th verses? I’m choosing mine from a sermon Curtis’s good friend, Jerrell Altic, brought in Curtis’s absence last Sunday at our church. His primary text was Mark 1 but he tied in a verse that really jumped out at me. I love the Book of Philemon and have taught out of it several times in the last two years but that’s the beauty of living words. A Scripture will suddenly pop off the page that had somehow been veiled from our recognition before. I’d been so taken with phrases like “yet for love’s sake” in verse 9 that I’d missed the treasure of V.6, and who couldn’t get distracted by a verse like the 15th? “For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever.” I bet some of you have a pretty slack-jawing testimony of that very concept under your own roof.
But when Jerrell referenced this verse, I knew it was my choice for our 12th round of SSMT. In fact, don’t tell but I jotted it immediately on the yellow notes app of my iPhone, took a screen shot and made it my screen saver right then. Sometimes a “now” word is like RIGHT NOW. Here it goes:
Beth, Houston. “I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ.” Philemon 1:6 The NET Bible
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I want God to deepen my understanding of every blessing that belongs to me in Christ while I’m here plowing into some stubborn earthly soil with sweat sopping my forehead. Don’t you? I’m so thankful to be blessed but wouldn’t fleshing it out be a whole different prospect if we came to understand the depth and breadth of many of those blessings? To stand on them, act on them, pray from them, teach from them, love from them, and serve through them? Now we’re talking.
Colossians 2:2-3 gives a glimpse into the grandeur involved as the Apostle Paul prays “that their (and our) hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Look at that again: “the riches of full assurance of understanding.” We can’t soon wrap our minds around all that encompasses but we can instantly and actively start praying for God to deepen our understanding of the blessings that belongs to us in the One who embodies every divine and hidden treasure.
I’m making these prayers mine and I am looking for God to answer them. He wouldn’t dictate a prayer right there on the pages of the New Testament that He had no intention of responding to.
I love working through some verses and concepts with you, Sisters. You are so dear to me. Thank you for spending a little time around here and committing to something challenging in the midst of many priorities. I pray that every part of your life is invaded by the Word of God coursing through your brain. May God bring your harvest forth 100-fold.
It’s your turn, Sisters! Give me a hint about what Christ is doing in you right now through the selections of your verses. You are so loved.
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Sheri, Milwaukee, WI
“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”
James 3:5,6 NIV
Mechanicsville, VA
‘Heal me oh Lord, and I shall be healed; save me and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.’ Jer 17:14 KJV
Emilie Eaton, IN
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Sue, Standish, ME
I Peter 2:9 NLT
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.
The word is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path.
Psalms 119:105 KJ
Lexington, KY
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
James 4:8 HCS
Roxy
Riverton, Utah
Prov 10:19
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
NIV
Johnine from Murfreesboro, TN
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NIV
Natalie from Frisco, TX
“Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” I Corinthians 1:31 NIV
Holly from Alpharetta, GA
For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
Psalm 103: 11 NLT
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10 NIV)
Sandy from Hygiene Colorado. Romans 12:18 “If is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (NIV)
The Lord your God is with you and He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you.
He will quiet you with you with His love.
He rejoices over me with singing!
Zephaniah 3: 17
Susan
Kansa City
Paula
Atlanta, Tx
Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
Psalm 139:12 NKJV
Tiffany
Muskogee, OK
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NLT)
Whitney from Russellville, TN
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. James5:7. TNIV
Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High.
Then call on my when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.
Psalm 50:14, 15
Daniel 2;20 NKJV
Daniel answered and said. “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever. For wisdom and might are His.”
Natasha, Pearland, TX
“The Lird is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” Nahum 1:7 NIV
Natasha, Pearland, TX
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” Nahum 1:7 NIV
Lisa, Wichita, KS
Psalm 112:7 NIV
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in The Lord.
BECKY PEURIFOY – LONGVIEW TX – PS 51:10 NKJ “CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART O GOD AND RENEW A STEADFAST SPIRIT WITHIN ME.”
Nancy Engberg from Minneapolis
Whoops I forgot to post verse 12!
Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Luke 9:23
NIV
Joanna K, Salinas, CA
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV)
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
waylene Bellevue, WA:
And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities Ps 130:8 KJV
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Stephanie Knight
Waynesboro, MS
“The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation”
PS 118:14 HCSB
stephanie, houston
Even the darkness will not be dark to you, the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
Psalm 139:12 NIV
Inez Barnes
Hamburg, AR
Phillipians 4:4-6 NIV
Rejoice in the LORD always I will say it again rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The LORD is near. Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God
Angela Greenville Ohio
“No weapon forged against you will prevail.”
Isaiah 54:17 NIV
Gina, Tulsa
To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Mark 12:33 NIV
Bev from Austin, Texas
“By the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.” Hosea 12:6 ESV
Lisa Auten: Rogers, AR: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” Phil 4:7 NIV
Julie Huffman, Springdale, AR: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” Phil 4:7 NIV
Sara, Plymouth, IN
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
James 3:17 (NIV)
Jesus said “I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life”
John 8:12 NIV
Melissa Eaton
Anna, TX
ESV Psalm 71:6
“Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you.”
2 Cor 4:6-7- “God who said ‘Let your light shine out of darkness’ made His light shine in our hearts, the light of the glory of the knowledge of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from man.”
Debbie, Orlando
“All Scripture us God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
II Timothy 3:16-17, NIV
Sheila Lindsey, Henderson, Tennessee James 1 9-18 NKJV Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation. But the rich in his humiliation. Because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass. It’s flower falls and it’s beautiful appearance perishes. So this rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. Blessed is the man who endures temptation for when he is approved he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him. Let no man say when he is tempted I am tempted by God. God cannot be tempted by evil nor does he himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then when desire has conceived it gives birth to sin and sin when it is full grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift comes from above and comes down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of his own free will He brought us forth by the word of truth that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.