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
Sarah in Appleton, WI
Oh Lord, you are so good, so ready for forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask your aid.
Psalm 86:5, NLT
“And I tell you that on Judgement Day people will be responsible for every careless thing they have said.”
Matthew 12:36
Hilary from Langley, Canada, says:
“You hem me in – behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.”
Psalm 139:5 & 6 (NIV)
Vanessa , Calgary
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 NIV
SKay Fires, Possum Kingdom Lake, Tx
Psalms 139:12 (NIV) even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Lakeisha Bing, Mays Landing NJ
And the effect of righteousness will be peace,
and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
Isaiah 32:17 NIV
Christy L., Royal Palm Beach, FL
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
(Isaiah 26:3 ESV)
Mindy Rowley, IA
James 4:12 NKJV
There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?
Susan,Fairhope,AL- And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name. Philippians 2:8-9 (NIV)
Laura ~ Plainfield,IN
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 NIV
Quita from Trenton,Tx KJV
Jo.11:40
Jesus saith unto her,
Said I not unto thee, that,
if thou wouldest believe,
thou shouldest see the glory of God?
I went online this morning to post SSMV and came across the “summer” video. After watching, I was amazed how my verse went right along with “looking for those summer fruits”! To God be the glory!
Linda, Mandeville, LA
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 (NIV)
Tracey from Shawnee, Kansas
2 Cor. 3:18 (NAS)
We all, with unveiled faces, are reflecting the glory of the LORD and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, this is from the LORD who is the Spirit.
Kerry, Nederland, TX
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
Philippians 2:3, NLT
Susan, Houston
Full of splendor and majesty is His work, and His righteousness endures forever. Ps. 111:3, ESV
Kaitlyn, Fort Walton Beach, FL
Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty…
Psalm 104:1 (ESV)
Sandy from
Long Beach, CA.
He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
1 Thessalonians 5:10 NIV
Gretchen, Gahanna, Ohio– So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess, and our acknowledgement of it, for He who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word. Hebrews 10:23 (Amplified)
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”
Proverbs 16:3, NIV
Kellye, Las Vegas. If you obey The Lord, he will watch over you and answer your prayers. Psalm 34:15 (CEV)
Jeanette dahm. Tualatin. Oregon. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace and be thankful.
Rosalie Cincinnati
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23 KJV
Jordin, Albuquerque
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”
Isaiah 55:6, NIV
Judy from Lake Charles, LA
“The wicked plot against the
righteous and gnash their
teeth at them;” Psalm 37:12 (NIV)
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Rom 5:5 NIV
Shawna Longmont, CO
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Luke 6:37 (NIV)
“For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Matthew 7:8 NIV
Kim from Dimmitt, Texas
Ephesians 4:29 CNIV
” Let everything you say be good and helpful
so that your words will be an encouragement to those who
hear them.”
Melissa Droegemueller, San Antonio, Texas
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Deut 6:4-7 ESV
“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:5 NIV
Chrissy, Aurora, IL
“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)
Birmingham, AL: “…The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:14 ESV
Castle Pines, Colorado
King James Psalm 118:24
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and
be glad in it!
Loveland, CO NIV Psalm 62:1 My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.
Tiffany, Summerville, SC “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
DeeDee in Tallahassee, FL – “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8, NIV
Terri from Winchester, VA
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:13 HCSB
Alesha, Charlotte, NC
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1 NKJV
Mary Ann, Woodbury, MN
Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,
so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
Psalm 90:14 NLT
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” Galations 6:9 NASB
Sarah Spencer, Marion, KS
he predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—
Ephesians 1:5, NIV
linda, colorado springs.
those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
psalm 126:5 (niv)
I will open my mouth In parables, I will utter hidden things from of old- what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children , We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of The Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. Psalm 78:2-4. NIV.
Dad, we will tell them. Carrying your love with us always. <3
Marty Stringer, Spanish Fort, AL
The Lord will fight for you, you have only to be silent. Exodus 14:14 ESV
Annie
Dallas, TX
“Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation – but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die;”
Romans 8:12, 13a
NIV
Ann, SC
O LORD, You are great, mighty, magnificent, majestic, glorious,and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt Yourself as the ruler of all.
1 Chron 29:11 NET Bible
Tracie, Albuquerque, NM.
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 NIV
Fort Worth, TX
“The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.” Psalm 121:6 NLT
Peggyann Calderwood, Crestview, Florida
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the Skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Psalm 19:1 NIV
Susie, Columbus, Ohio Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)