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
Joan, Portage
“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
Patty, Ada, OK
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:11-13 NIV
Michelle, Fort Worth
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 ESV
Crystal from Phoenix
Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Jessie
Grayson, Ky
Psalms 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. KJV
Tracy – Andice.TX
“He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord required of you
but to do justice, to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8 NASB
Andrea, Norman, OK
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5, NIV
“Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed
In his name, he gave the right to be children
Of God.” John 1:12
Beth, Toronto: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy
– meditate on these things… and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8, 9b (NKJV)
Emily McAnear, Corona CA
“The LORD God is my Strength, my personal bravery and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering or responsibility]!
Habakkuk 3:19, Amplified Version
Karen, Houston Eph 4:22,24
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires…and to put on the new self, created to be like God in its true righteousness and holiness.
Ellen from Chattanooga, TN
He fills my life with good things. My life is renewed like the eagle’s! The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. He revealed His character to Moses and His deeds to the people of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
Psalms 103:5-8 NLT
Patty, Granite Bay, CA “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you wil be forgiven.
Luke 6:37 NIV
Melissa, katy, texas, Psalm 38:21-22 NIV. Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.
Suzy Myers
Bay Springs, MS
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him”
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV)
Sandra Borgen, Lidgerwood, ND “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 KJV
Jennifer, Sisters, OR
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord
Romans 8:38-39 ESV
“Is anyone among you ill? He should summon the elders of the church, and they should pray for him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.” James 5:14 NET
Beth S. Coon Rapids, MN
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV
Karen J from Westminster,MD
I will lift my eyes to the hills–where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Bombey Bellaire, TX
Col 4:6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. NIV
“…for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.” Proverbs 2:8 (NIV’84)
Kathy
St. Louis, MO
Rebecca Alburn
Salem, OR
“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”
Philemon 1:6 NIV
Teresa, Orange City. But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak. 2 Corinthians 4:13 NASB
Dana Nance
Blue Ridge, TX
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 NIV
Oh Lord, You are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt Yourself as the ruler of all. (Net bible) 1 chronicles 29:11
Cheryl, Huntington, WV He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it. Revelation 2:17 ESV
Jen from Wyoming Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17 NIV
Pat, Hot Springs, AR
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31 KJV
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
Colossians 1:18 NIV
Maureen, Utah
Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire but You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:25-26 NIV
Meredith, Jacksonville, NC
James 1:16-17 NIV
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
Psalm 121:5-8 ESV
Stacey – Morocco,in
Psalm 34:8 (Message)Open your mouth and taste,
open your eyes and see—how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.
Susan Pittsburgh, PA
John 14:26 (NIV)
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Connie, Pickerington. “The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple.” Colossians 1:27 The Message
Doris, Whiteville, NC
Psalm 121:7-8 ESV (Finishing the passage)
The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
Leigh, Montgomery. “Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.” Isaiah 61:7 NLT
Collierville Tn
Oh Lord, you are great, mighty, majestic,magnificent , glorious, and sovereign over all the the sky and Earth! You have dominion and exalt yourself a ruler of all.
1 Chronicles 29:11
Tesa
Perry, GA
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind.
1Peter2:1
Brittany, Griffin, GA. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 NIV
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. -Psalm 18:3 (KJV)
Anne, Marion, IN
“For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.” Psalm 32:7 NLT
Liz, Bloomfield: “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. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:15-16, NET).
Ashley Pointer from Spring, Texas
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:13-14 NIV (These verses were also my Week 11 verses)
WendyC – Cheyenne, WY.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3 NIV
Debbie from Holbrook, NY
Find rest, O my soul, in GOD alone my hope comes from Him.
Psalm 62:5 NIV
Leah Cullen – Ramona, CA
Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9 AMP)
Debra from Calgary, Alberta
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.
Phil 1:9-10