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! Doesnāt 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. Ā And weāll 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 theyāll come alive in the marrow of your bones.
I feel like Iāve 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 couldnāt hear them. Iāll 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 youāll not waste a prayer on me between now and then. I donāt 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. Itās 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. Hasnāt 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? Iām choosing mine from a sermon Curtisās good friend, Jerrell Altic, brought in Curtisās 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 thatās the beauty of living words. A Scripture will suddenly pop off the page that had somehow been veiled from our recognition before. Iād been so taken with phrases like āyet for loveās sakeā in verse 9 that Iād missed the treasure of V.6, and who couldnāt get distracted by a verse like the 15th? āFor this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever.āĀ 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, donāt 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 ānowā word is like RIGHT NOW. Here it goes:
Beth, Houston. āI pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ.ā Philemon 1:6 The NET Bible
Ā
I want God to deepen my understanding of every blessing that belongs to me in Christ while Iām here plowing into some stubborn earthly soil with sweat sopping my forehead. Donāt you? Iām so thankful to be blessed but wouldnāt 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 weāre talking.
Colossians 2:2-3 gives a glimpse into the grandeur involved as the Apostle Paul prays āthat 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 Godās mystery, which is Christ,Ā in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.ā
Look at that again: āthe riches of full assurance of understanding.ā We canāt 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.
Iām making these prayers mine and I am looking for God to answer them. He wouldnāt 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.
Itās 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
Sharon from North Plainfield, NJ
So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. ~ Romans 9:16 (NKJV)
Hey someone from my neck of the woods…..I go to Stonecrest community church in warren where do you go??? Awesome to see a sister in Christ here in a blog from my neck of the woods….. what are the chances of that happening????
Amy from North Plainfield, NJ
Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel. ~ Psalm 69:6 (ESV)
Christina Fort Worth
Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.
Psalm 116:7 HCSB
Amy from Plainfield IL
āI am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5 NIV)
Jennifer from Liberty, NC
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
Maggie, Seattle, WA
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” -Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Laurie, Gibsonville, NC
“When the angel of theĀ LordĀ appeared to Gideon, he said, āTheĀ LordĀ is with you, mighty warrior.ā Judges 6:12 NIV (Gideon Bible Study!) š
Gina, Bolivar, MO
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”
1st Corinthians 16:13-14 (NIV)
Kelly West Richland, WA
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 ESV)
Brenda Kelley, Taylors, SC
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NLT
Carolyn from Nashville, TN
You can make many plans,
but the Lordās purpose will prevail.
Proverbs 19:21 NLT
Lindsey from Dubach, LA…”He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.” -Psalm 40:2-3 (NIV)
Tawni, Oregon
The Lord is very compassionate & merciful. James 5:11c HCSB
Tyra, Houston
Since ancient times no one has heard or perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You,
who intervenes for those who wait for Him.
Isaiah 64:4 NET
Susan, Wynne
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
Trish
Paintsville KY
“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”
Psalm 118:6 KJV
Linda Ney from Gahanna, Ohio
…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
Diane, Largo, Fl
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have great power to demolish strongholds.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Cor 10: 3-5 NIV
Andrea; Cartersville,GA: “I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.” Psalm 143:5 ESV
6-15-2013
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NKJ
Sherri – Galena, OH
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Exodus 33:14 NIV
love this
Susan
Jersey Village, TX
“Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue.”
Proverbs 17:28
NIV
Ps. 145:8 (Amp.)
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in mercy and loving-kindness.
Sheila, Beckley, WV. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of Lights, with whom is no variable ness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17.
Cami, OKC. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lordās people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Romans 12:12, 13 NIV)
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)Kristin, Clearwater, FL
Shawna Kent, WA
I love beth’s verse this month & going to make it mine too…
“I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ.ā Philemon 1:6 The NET Bible
Melissa, Denham Springs, LA ” be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Margie ~ San Angelo, Tx
Exodus 20:11 KJV
11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Delores, Columbia, 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
Dee Dee, Smyrna, GA – “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 (ESV)
Mary
Silver Spring, MD
Ephesians 4:26 (ESV)
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.
For this we declare to you by the Lord’s own word, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall in no way precede those who have previously fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud cry, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God. And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive will be caught up along with the dead in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so always we will be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. I Thessalonians 4:15-18
But the Lord is faithful and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3. NIV
Carolyn, St. Catharines, ON
I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, āMay you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,ā and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. Mark 11:23 (NLT)
Fay Gossen, Ozark, NO
Jeremiah 17:7 NLT But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
Rita – Alva, Florida
“The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”
II Chronicles 15:9 NLT
Anita, Lawrenceville,
For with you is the fountain of life; and in your light do we see light. Psalm 36:9 ESV
Jaclyn, Houston, TX. She opens her mouth with wisdom and teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:26-27
Becky, Roswell, GA
“When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.”
Psalm 84:6, NLT
10 that ye might walk worthy of the Lord, in all pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 1:10 nasb
Jaclyn, Houston, TX. She opens her mouth with wisdom and teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:26-27 (ESV)
Erin from Murfreesboro TN
Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.
1 Peter 5:7
Sharon Lee, Riverside, Ca.
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22,23 NIV
Missy Newman Andersonville, TN Deuteronomy 6:9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Chester, VA: “Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.” I Chron 29:11 (NIV)
But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. I Peter 4:13 NIV
Carrie, Atlanta, GA. “…pray continually…” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV
Wendy, Fort Walton Beach, FL
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
Jeanne San Antonio,TX
Psalm 27:4 NIV
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
Kristy from Tallahassee, FL
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”
2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
1 Timothy 6:3 (NKJV)
“If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness.”