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
Kim K., Columbus, Oh area
‘But You remain the same,
an Your years will never end.
The children of Your servant
will live in Your presence;
Their descendants will be established before You.”
Psalms 102:27-28 NIV
Joyce, St. Louis For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:15-16 NIV
Julie
Holland, Michigan
Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.
Ecclesiastes 11:6 NIV
Sue, Wellington.
“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
Brandi, Fort Worth, TX
Ephesians 6:19 NIV(84)
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.
Hannah from Mt. Holly, NC
James 3:18 (NLT) “And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”
Mary Ellen, Billings, MT
“Praise the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.” Psalm 104:1 (NIV)
Please note that I submitted two verses. I had my e-mail address wrong on the first one.
Pam; Spring, TX
Direct my footsteps according to Your Word; let no sin rule over me.
Psalm 119:33 NIV
Debbie, Corpus Christi:
“Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1 NAB
Debbie Gentry, Poplarville MS
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Andi Crumrine, Rockwall, TX
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Andrea Nicholson, McKinney, TX
“They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”
Psalm 112:7, NIV
Terri Sims, Orange TX
“He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112:7 ESV
Bonnie, Alexandria, LA
Romans 15:13 NLT
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Kathy from Chandler, OK – Ephesians 4:29 NLT “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
Houston, TX
1 Timothy 6: 18-19 NIV
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
Staci
Corona
[esv]
Isaiah 61.1
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.
Jan
Hawkinsville, GA
Psalm 103:12 (NKJV)
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
“How precious are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand-when I awake, I am still with you.” Psalm 139:17-18 NIV
Lindsey, Hayden, Colorado (formerly Tucson, AZ)
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV
Barbara Severns, Eagle, Idaho
Therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
2 Timothy 2:11 NASB
MaryClare in Frisco, Texas
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
Mark 11:25, NIV
Pam, Springfield, MO
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 NIV
Janet,Longmont,CO
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace
as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV
Susan, Overland Park. KS “I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the LORD who judges me.” 1Cor. 4:3-4 NIV84
Jennifer, Cullman, AL
Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. ” (Luke 6:38 NLT)
Kristi, White Pigeon, Michigan – “My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.” Psalm 31:15, NIV
Alicia Mesa, AZ
Therefore brothers and sisters, we have an obligation–but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. Romans 8:12 NIV
Leanne from Eden Prairie, MN
The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. (Habakkuk 3:19 NLT)
Tami Kc,mo
Isaiah 26:3 NLT
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you.
E’Von, Houston,James 1:19 (NIV)
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
Lori Feeler (Odessa, TX)
Matthew 5:14 (ESV)
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Jeanene – Newnan,Georgia
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trust in yiou. Trust in the Lord forever for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV
Vickie, Poplar Bluff. “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.”
Psalm 143:8 NIV
Lisa S, Plano TX
(06/15/13)
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a Light has shined. – Isaiah 9:2 NKJV
Jenni, Birmingham, AL
Psalm 139:23(CJB)
“Examine me, God, and know my heart; test me, and know my thoughts”
Jennifer, Frisco, TX
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
Misty, North Charleston, SC
“See, God has come to save me. I will trust in Him and
not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song;
He has given me victory.”
Isaiah 12:2 NLT
Tracy, Tangent, OR
Col 3:15 NKJV And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Colossians 3:23 NIV
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for The Lord, not for human masters.”
Kay
Plainview, TX
Joy-Georgetown, TX. Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.NIV
Katie, Clovis, CA
Philemon 1:6 Amplified Version
And I pray] that the participation in and sharing of your faith may produce and promote full recognition and appreciation and understanding and precise knowledge of every good [thing] that is ours in [our identification with] Christ Jesus [and unto His glory].
Georganne, Piedmont, Ok. I Chronicles 29:11 NET Bible
O 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.
Tammy from Gravette, AR
Beloved let us love one another for love is from
God and whoever loves has been born of
God and knows God. I John 4:7 ESV
Susan Sarver, St. George, UT
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; Yes, I will remember the miracles of long ago.” Psalm 77:11 HCSB
Kelley, Olive Branch, MS
Don’t give it (sin) the time of day. Don’t even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time—remember, you’ve been raised from the dead!—into God’s way of doing things. Romans 6:12b-13a The Message
Psalm 119:35 (NLT)
Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.
Tami
Columbus, Ohio
Katy – Mount Juliet, TN
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not tive up.” – Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Katy
Frisco, TX
“You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. (James 4:2 NLT)”
Valerie, Little Elm, Texas
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Proverbs 31:25 NLT