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
Natasha K
Kitchener, ON, Canada
Hosea 2:19-20 (NIV)
I will betroth you to me forever;
I will betroth you in righteousness and justice,
in love and compassion.
I will betroth you in faithfulness,
and you will acknowledge the Lord.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Romans 1:16 NIV
Julie from Bristol, Tennessee
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and will make your paths straight.
Angie
Albertville, AL
Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13 NASB
Luann, Grand Junction CO
James 4:17 NIV
“Anyone, then, who knows the god he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”
Cheryl, Coffeyville, KS
“With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” Psalm 18:29 NIV84
Kim from Bloomington, IL.
Jesus wept.
John 11:35 NIV
Jane, Milton, GA And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:14 NIV
“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
Julie, Texarkana- “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. “(Lamentations 3:25 HCSB)
Christine from Lauren, MD
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and
patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Lindsey Johnson
San Antonio, TX
James 1:5 NIV
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.
2 Chronicles 6:14 (HCSB)
LORD God of Israel,
there is no God like You
in heaven or on earth,
keeping His gracious covenant
with Your servants who walk before You
with their whole heart.
Margie
Hilton Head Island, SC
Jeremiah 17:7 NAS
Blessed is the man who trusts in The Lord
And those whose trust is The Lord
Alyssa Mochen
Rio Rancho, MM
For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised. Hebrews:36 AMP
Hebrews 10:36
Kimberly, Lawrenceburg, KY. Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 1 John 3:18 NLT
Rebecca B., Springfield, OH
Habakkuk 2:2 NKJV
Then the Lord answered me and said:
“Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.”
1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Soni in Gulfport, MS Hebrews 13:6 RSV
Hence we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?”
Ephesians 1: 20 This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. NLT
Hannah from Winter Haven, FL
Psalm 119:37-40 (NKJV)
37-Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way. 38-Establish Your word to Your servant, who is devoted to fearing You. 39-Turn away my reproach which I dread, for Your judgments are good. 40-Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me in Your righteousness.
Deborah from Calgary, Canada – Isaiah 40:28a.
“Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth
Rachel, Jackson, TN
“but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 9:24, NIV
Cindy, Fort Worth, TX
Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.
1 Corinthians 7:17 ESV
Ellen Forrester, Spring,TX
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Colossians 3:23,24 (NASB
Aubrey, Casper WY
“All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”
Ephesians 4:31-32 HCSB
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8 NIV
Ephesians 1:3, NIV
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the havenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
I have been so drawn to this passage lately, even before I read Beth’s page. Thank you for the confirmation.
Tammy
Ingleside, TX
Lisha Adam, Wetumpka, AL
But as for me, I am filled with power — with the Spirit of the Lord.
Micah 3:8a (ESV)
Betty M Voltaire, ND
Ps 139: 8 NKJV “If I ascend to heaven, you are there if I make my bed in hell, behold you are there.
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”
Romans 8″16 NIV
Janet from Richmond, IN
If your gift is serving others serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.
Romans 12:7 (NLT)
Deanne Johnson, Laguna Hills, CA
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
SKay Fires, Possum Kingdom Lake, Tx, solo: 1)”Don’t Worry, Be Happy”/”His Eye Is on the Sparrow” 2) semi-retired, relocated, new lifestyle & friendships, new church worship & fellowship, but still seeking accountability/friendship with Christian sisters 3)I’ve always been a type A personality/control freak but God is humbling me to learn submissiveness and servant hood. 4)There will always be “Summer fruit” ripening in my life that needs plucking, preparing, storing, and sharing with others for the glory of God.
Janet from Odessa, TX
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,
but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
Proverbs 31:30 HCSB
Connie says: ” But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” NKJV James 1:14
Kendra Husband from Charlotte, NC
“Teach me your way, O LORD and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.” NIV
Jane, Northfield, MN Psalm 121:1-4 NIV I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip-he who watches over you will not slumber, indeed He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Cindy, Kearney NE
You can make many plans, but the Lord ’s purpose will prevail. (Proverbs 19:21 NLT)
Kristin, Searcy. Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
Proverbs 23:17-18.
Lisa, Wylie, TX
The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14 NASB)
Kim Cliatt, Loganville, GA
“She will have no fear of bad news; her heart is steadfast, trusting in The Lord.”
Psalm 112:7 (NIV-changed “He and his” to “she and her.”)
Emily, Topeka, Kansas
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 (NIV)
Cris from Mooresville, IN
For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever- Philemon 1:15 (ESV)
First off, this memory team is a gift from God to me. I had been praying and asking Him
to help me memorize scripture. I’ve had a little trouble with actually memorizing things
since having my kids. ( I have four:)
I have enjoyed every minute of this Siesta community!!
And I have been able to memorize all my scriptures!!! Not trying to brag, just so thankful for Him answering my prayer. Also I’m in a tough marital situation, and when my worries and fears try o get the better of me, I just start goin down the list of verses, and His Word blesses my soul!!! You have no idea how much it means to me to be a part of this. I enjoy connecting with y’all so much.
Mindy, Gloster, La
Ps 13:5-6
But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
I will sing into The Lord because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
Much love to y’all!
1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love…But the greatest of these is love.
Kara C, Aurora, IL
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NIV)
16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Mary, Atlanta – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything 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)
Lisa M., Davidsville, PA
‘For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.’
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ESV
Vicki
Murfreesboro, TN
Psalm 105:4 (HCSB)
“Search for the LORD and for His strength; seek His face always.”