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
Kristi, Pensacola, FL:
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity. Psalm 133:1 NIV
Linda
Fort Collins, CO
“He who loves purity of heart,
and whose speech is gracious,
will have the king as his friend.”
Proverbs 22:11 RSV
Janice, Harrison, AR
” For the word of a king is authority and power, and who can say, What are you doing?
Whoever observes the king’s command will experience no harm, and a wise man’s mind will know both when and what to do. “. Ecclesiastes 8:4-5. AMP
Faye from Calgary, AB, Canada
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13 NIV)
Beth, Fountain Inn:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Chris, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places
Ephesians 1:3 ESV
Abbie, Omaha, NE
Deut 33:26 “There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help,through the skies in his majesty.”
Sue – Troy, Michigan – ” But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
James 4:6-8 (NIV)
Jill from Searcy, AR
Matthew 7:18-20 NIV
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Karen, Dover, NH “For God who said ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” II Corin. 4:6 NIV
Ashley Edwards, Dallas, Ga
“Now some Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, “Why do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
John 1:24-25 (NIV)
Ally from Searcy, AR
Philippians 2:5 NIV
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
Kelly Haigler, Wingate, NC
Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29 NLT
Anne, Minneapolis
Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Proverbs 4:25, NIV
Michelle Weihing, Frisco, TX – Proverbs 12:25 ESV Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
Ronda from Murfreesboro, TN
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”
Philippians 2:13 (NLT)
christina moore, Plano, Texas~
You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of Him and were taught of Him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus (Eph. 4:20-21, NIV1984).
kathy
Madison, CT
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools Roman 1: 21-22 NIV
Becky, Oklahoma City
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
Carmela, Forney TX: And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:8-13 KJV)
Ann from Indiana
Dear children, keep away from anything that might take
God’s place in your hearts.
1 John 5:21 New Living Translation
Sarah, Dallas
“You, LORD, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you. “–Isaiah 26:3 GNT
Kathy from Aiea, HI:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phil. 4:13 NIV)
Debbie, Fort Thomas, KY
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
Colossians 4:2 (NLT)
Kristin, Carlsbad, CA “But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD.” Jonah 2:9 NIV
Beth, Story City,IA
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.”
Nahum 1:7, NKJ
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. I Peter 4:7 NIV
Paula, O’Fallon, “That He might display in the ages to come the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7 RcV
Tiffany E., Nampa, ID
Psalm 139:12 – NLT
but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
Stephanie, Scottsdale, AZ “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. John 14:1NlT
Bethany, Frisco,Tx
1Peter 5:7(NIV) Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.
Becca, St. Paul, MN “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” -Psalm 34:14 NIV
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 ESV
“Help me to guard my words whenever I say something.” Psalm 141:3 CEV
Jen, Houston.
“Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. My heart is set on keeping Your decrees to the very end.” -Psalm 119:111-112 (NIV)
Angela Talley, Murfreesboro, TN
Philippians 2:3-4 ESV
” Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourself. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interest of others.”
Nell , Gallatin NIV 2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
In All these things we have FULL VICTORY through God who showed His love for us. Romans 8:37 (NKJV)
Laura, Southaven, MS
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD! Psalm 31:24
Chisholm MN
Hebrews 11:14-15. Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy, without holiness no one will see The Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. NIV
Be completely humble and gentle: be patient bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3 NIV
Pam Hendersonville, NC
“The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.” Psalm 126:3 KJV
Lindsay, West Point, NE
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. … 2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV
Jaclyn from Naperville, IL:
If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.
1 Peter 4:11, NIV
Judy Sommerville
Fairmont, MN
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Phillipians 4:4
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Psalm 91:4 (NIV)
Kim from Tuscaloosa, AL:
Trust in The Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)
Ande S. Corryton Tn
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God.
Romans 4:20
KJV
Tracy, Sidney, Ohio
Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29 NLT
Stacy B. Detroit, MI
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” Proverbs 31:10 (niv)
Melissa in Fort Worth, TX “Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3 (NASB)