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
Janet, Vine Grove, KY
“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” Proverbs 19:21 NLT
Eva, Knoxville, (cont.) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 (NIV)
Psalms 34:19 NIV
A righteous man may have many troubles,
but The Lord delivers him from them all:
Julie, Carlsbad, CA
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
Anita; Purcellville, VA
For it is God who works in you
to will and to act
according to his good purpose.
Philippians 2:13 NIV84
Jan
Bemus Point, NY
Psalm 22:3 (HCSB)
But you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
Natalie, Grand Prairie, TX
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 NKJV
Sheri in Naples, Italy:
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.(Heb 4:12 Updated NASB)
Karen, Florence KY
Jesus replied “If anyone loves me, he will obey my
teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”
John 14:23 NIV
Pam H. Buena Park, CA
“Even the darkness is not dark to You and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.”
Psalms 139:12 (NASB)
Marie, Post Falls, Idaho –
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” – Romans 12:18 (NKJV)
Cherie-Pocatello, ID “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” (1 John 5:21, NLT)
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14 NAS
Chris M, Seattle, WA
Hebrews 11:1-2 NIV
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
Phyllis
Gilmer, Tx
ERV (easy to read version)
Psalm 71:18
Now that I am old and my hair is gray, don’t leave me, God. I must tell the next generation of your power and greatness.
Molly, Cypress, TX
“Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?”
Isaiah 58:7 NASB
Patti, Phoenix AZ Psalm 119:103 NIV
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
Amy from Everett, WA
“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.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Dorothy, San Diego.
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you. Proverbs 4:7-8 (NLT)
NIV. Children, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching . Bind them upon your heart forever.
Nicole Bloomington, IL:
“For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.” Psalm 25:11 ESV
Michelle Alosa Concord, NH
Proverbs 19:21 NLT
“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail”.
Diane from Chesapeake, VA.
“Teach me your ways, O LORD,
that I may live according to your truth!
Grant me purity of heart,
so that I may honor you.”
Psalm 86:11 NLT
Eva in Wichita, KS
Perhaps the reason he was seperated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever.
Philemon 1:15 NIV
Cheryl P, Pensacola, FL
Luke 22:31-32
New International Version (NIV)
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
June 15 – “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:45 HCSB
Marsha, Knoxville, TN
“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
Margaret from The Villages, FL
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. (Psalm 25:16 NIV)
Lyn Steriti
Littleton NH
I appeal to you, therefore, brethren and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational,
intelligent) service and spriritual worship.
Romans 12:1 Amplified
Kristel from Russellville says “I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.”. Psalm 130:5 NLT
Amanda Porter. Lubbock, Texas.
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 NET)
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; (Psalms 130:5 ESV)
Ginger in Phoenix, AZ
“How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.” Psalm 139:17-18, NIV
Tyler, TX
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (ESV)
Tomi, Des Moines. Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy, to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen. Jude 24 & 25 HCSB
Keri Lee Robbins, Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. (James 3:5-10 NKJV)
Brynn in Rogers, AR
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:21-26
Stephanie King – Richardson, TX
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”.
2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
Michelle P., Cypress, TX
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.
John 6:47 ESV
Debbie, Marion, IN. “”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
Psalm 37:7 (ESV)
7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one whoprospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!
Betsy from Westerville, Ohio
Psalm 50:15 from the NLT
“Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”
Betsy, Lincoln Park,
“You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,” Psalm 91:5 NIV
Marky, Pocatello, ID
“How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.”
Psalm 36:7 NIV
Rev. 22:1-5 ESV
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun , for the Lord God will be their light and they will reign forever and ever.
Romans 12:9 NIV
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Kristi B.
Houston, TX
1 Kings 8:58a
“May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him…”
“Like a city whose walls are broken through
Is a person who lacks self-control.”
Proverbs 28:25 (NIV)
Shannon Pate
Little Rock, Arkansas
“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.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Erin B., League City, TX
“And now the prize awaits me–the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” 2 Tim 4:8 NLT
Psalm 16:8 NIV
I keep my eyes always on the Lord.With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Paulette P. Mays
Elmer, La.