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
Dimy~Griffin, Ga.
“I lift up my eyes to the hills~where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip~He Who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you~the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm~He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”~Psalm 121 (NIV)
Desta, Trinchera, CO ~ for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NASB
Amanda, Calgary, Alberta
And Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
John 11:40 ESV
Sarah P., Martinsburg WV ” and God will provide generously all that you need. He will provide in abundance …”2 corinthians 9:8. (NLT)
Shelley, Birmingham– “Who shall not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before you. For your judgements have been manifested.” Revelation 15:4, NKJV
Monica
Cheyenne, WY
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 NIV
Sara, Sioux City
For they speak against You wickedly;Your enemies take Your name in vain.
Psalm 139:20 NKVV
Sarah P., Martinsburg WV ” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will have plenty left over to share with others …”2 corinthians 9:8. (NLT)
Desiree in Carlsbad, CA
Desiree in Carlsbad, CA
Joshua 24:15b (NIV)
“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Sarah P., Martinsburg WV ” God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others …”2 corinthians 9:8. (NLT)
NIV James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom.
Shea from Birmingham, AL. “I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine sounding argument. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.” Col. 2:4-5 NIV
Marie Franse, Albuquerque NM: Psalm 27:8 (NIV) My heart says of you “Seek His face” Your face Lord I will seek.
Sacramento, CA
I will sing to the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long
as I live.
Psalm 104:33 NIV
Hannah, Albuquerque
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.
Proverbs 4:23 ESV
Janie — Warner Robins, GA
Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
Ps 25:4 NKJV
Lisa Diaz Houston The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 (NIV)
Michele Powell, Nampa, ID
Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
13 For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Tori DeClue; Bolivar, MO
“I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.”
Job 42:2 NIV
Lou Ann Smith, McAllen TX
I waited patiently for the Lord;he inclined to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1 ESV
Whitney, Ames, OK
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. Deuteronomy 6:6 ESV
Rebecca from 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
Maryjo, Chandler, AZ
may have power, together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ
Ephesians 3:18. NIV
Lesli Morrow-Mansfield, TX See, I am setting before you today a blessing & a curse-the blessing if you obey the commands of The Lord your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of The Lord your God & turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known. Deutoronomy 11:26-28,NIV
John 6:29                                                            “This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One whom He has sent; that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger)” (AMP)
Kaci; Moultrie, GA
“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Julene, Cowiche, WA
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100: 1-3 NIV
Lindy I. White of Oklahoma City
And our hope for you is firm, becasue we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
2Corinthians 1:7, NIV
Karen Sue
Austin, TX
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.
1 Chronicles 29:11 The NET Bible
Michelle, New Richmond: His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 2 Peter 1:3 ESV
Kristin A. in Cheney, WA
But I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God. My times are in Your hand.” – Psalm 31:14-15a (ESV)
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. Jer 29:11
Tracy A from Saskatoon SK, Canada:
“One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you.” Joshua 23:10 ESV
Kay, Sheridan
My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him.
Psalm 62:5 NAS
Pamela Mendoza
Cypress, CA
“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
My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Megan JOY – Calgary Alberta Canada – But he brought his people out like a flock;/he led them like sheep through the desert./ He guided them safely so they were unafraid;/but the sea engulfed their enemies. -Psalm 78:52-53 (NIV)
Nina
Moore, OK
Psalm 121:1-2 ESV/NIV
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Lisa, from Huntsville, AL, has been challenged by Prov. 31:8 – 9, NIV:
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Holly- Longmont, CO
When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
Proverbs 31:26NLT
Jonna, Malibu, CA
Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— (Philemon 1:15 NIV)
Megan from San Diego
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Ashley from Durban, South Africa
“Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died–more than that, who was raised–who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Romans 8:34-35 ESV
Ellen
TN
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit,
but with humility of mind let each of you regard
one another as more important than himself.
Philippians 2:3 NASB
Tangila, Pearland TX
You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. (John 15:16 NLT)
Elizabeth Blakeley. Escalon, CA. “The thief comes inly to steal, kill an destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” -John 10:10(NIV)
Lauren, Dedham, MA “For the sake of your name, LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.” Psalm 25:11 (NIV)
Jeri of Missouri City, TX
Proverbs 15:26
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
But the words of the pure are pleasant.
Melissa, Augusta, GA
Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Psalm 90:1-2, NIV