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
Â
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
Jennifer
Lexington, KY
Proverbs 31:21 (MSG)
“She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.”
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matt. 6:22-23, NIV)
Sherri Bennett, Huntington Beach, CA:
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”
Psalm 37:5-6, NIV
Joanne, Orange, TX
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Vicki, Surprise AZ
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 NIV
Rachel, Mt. Carmel, PA
Deut. 10:12-13, NIV
“And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?”
May the God of HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE as you trust IN Him, so that you may OVERFLOW with HOPE by the Power of the Holy Spirit! Rom. 15:13 NIV
Debbie
White Lake, MI
April, Lake Charles, LA
Now the Lord is the Spirit. and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ~ 2 Cor. 3:17 (NIV)
Sally, Columbus, OH
“May the peoples praise You, O God; may all the peoples praise You. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth.”
Psalm 67:3-4 NIV
Cyndi Munson, Oklahoma City, OK
“But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel:“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” -Isaiah 43:1, NIV
Jane Mattox from Lubbock, Tex: You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1John 4:4 NKJV
Susie H., McKinney, TX
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
“If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
John 14:13-14 (NKJV)
Margo, Littleton, CO
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Lisa from Denver
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
Cindy Cannon, Otterville, IL
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:45 (NIV)
The Lord’s blessing is our greatest wealth.
Proverbs 10:22
Beth P, Roswell, GA
Proverbs 10:12 ESV
“Hatred stirs up strife, but Love covers all offenses.”
Matthew 5:11,12 NIV
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
kathy from leesville, la Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. Colossians 3:20-21 NIV
Karin Smith
Pittsburgh,PA
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
Proverbs 12:2 NIV
Peg, Naperville, IL
“Praise the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. Psalm 104:1 (NIV)
Tamara Ward
Alexandria, VA
“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. ”
II Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)
Jacqui. Lemoore, ca. Finally all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tender hearted and keep a humble attitude. 1 Peter 3:8 NLT
Marilyn, Mission Viejo, CA
Psalm 119:11 ESV
I have treasured Your Word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.
Tammy,
Lusby, MD
Psalm 34:10 (NIV)
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Stephanie Volkmer, Tulsa, Ok.
*Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God Himself. (Philipp. 1:28, NLT)
Melanie, San Antonio
“For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13 (ESV)
Natalie, Houston
Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful. (Colossians 3:15 NET)
Connie – Fulton, KY
1. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
2. in you I trust, O my God
Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over
me. Psalm 25:1-2 NIV
Leslie
Wisner, La.
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and HE WILL ACT.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.
Psalm 37:3-6 ESV (emphasis mine!)
Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things.
Joel 2:21 KJV
Missy S, Winston-Salem, NC
“The one who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 (NET)
Holli from Corona, Ca. In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” Isaiah 25:9 NIV 84
PatC
S Burlington, VT
“May the Lord make you increase, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Ps: 115: 14 & 15 NIV
Kim, from Duncan, SC:
We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails.
Proverbs 19:21, The Message
Kim C from Franklinton, LA
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. ”
Gal 2:20 ESV
Cathi, Morristown TN
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” (Psalm 16:2 NIV)
Philemon 1:6 NET
“I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to your in Christ.”
Tracy
Fort Mill, SC
Roxie, Jerseyville, IL Romans 4:3 EVS
“For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.'”
Angie, Belleville. Romans 8:6 NIV
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
Beverly, Vicksburg, MS
Psalm 90:14
“Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.”
Linda, Delray Beach, FL
And God is able to make all grace abound to you
so that in all things
at all times
having all that you need
you will abound in every good work. 2Corinthians9:8(NIV)
Jean Schlosser, Rubicon
“Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?” James 2:7 NIV
Misti from Houston, TX
Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Gail Dorn
San Antonio, TX
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.
Prov. 3:5,6. (NLT)
Allison from Chicago IL
Galatians 6:9 Amp
And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17
Diane from Cypress, TX
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked to cover him, and to not hide yourself from your own flesh.
Is. 58:7 ESV
2 Corinthians 1:5 (NIV): “For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”
Kristi from Lee’s Summit, MO
He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV