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
Stann, Frisco
For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.
1Timothy 6:7 NASB
Heather
Little Rock, AR
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. (Psalms 103:3 NLT)
Kimberly, Fresno, VS
“all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:16. NIV
OOPS! CA not VS.
Amy in Waipahu, Hawaii
“But whatever I am now, it is ALL because God poured out His special favor on me – and not without results.”
~1 Corinthians 15:10a NLT
Liz – Costa Mesa, CA
By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.
Heb 11:8 NASB
RaeLeen, Greenwood:
He is your constant source of stability.
Isaiah 33:6a (NET)
Marta, Anchorage
1 Chronicles 29:12-13 NIV
 Wealth and honor come from you; Now, our God, we give you thanks,
Debbie, Sevierville
Gods angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray.
Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him. Psalm 34:7-8 message
Kim, Hickory, N.C.
Psalm 46:5 NIV
God is within her , she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
Hosea 13:5 I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. KJV
Southlake, TX. “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”. Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Kim, Valdosta, GA.
But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overtake you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Isaiah 43:1-3, NKJV
“Acknowledge the God of your father and serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind. For the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9 NIV Katharine Lee Jonesboro, AR
Jodi, Perth Western Australia
Ephesians 1:18 NLT
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
Charlotte, United Kingdom
“He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He” ~ Deuteronomy 32:4
Patti, Shalimar, FL, “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 3:16 NET
Romans 8:11, NLT
The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
Jenny, Des Moines, IA
Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8 NIV
Allison Moldenhauer – Huntsville, TX
JAMES 3:2-13 NIV
2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Natalie; Leesburg, GA; You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV)
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,”
James 2:12
Brittnie, Sugar Land, Texas
Psalm 130:5 NIV I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.
Dorinda, O’Fallon, MO- Even youths grow tired and weary, amped young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in The Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40: 30-31
Tracy from Kentucky
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!
Psalm 119:1 ESV
Theresa – Plainfield, IN
“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)
Karen from Powell, Ohio
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6 (NIV)
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. Ecclesiates 12:13
Adrienne, Valdosta, GA
“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.”
Luke 2:52 NIV
Deborah-Hartsville, SC; “Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 NASB
Deneen – Pittsburgh, PA
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress,
I will never be shaken. ”
Psalm 62:1-2 NIV
Deer Park
“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.” 1Corunthians 16:13 NLT
Cyndy, Huntingdon, PA, Psalm 103:12 As far as the west is from the east, so far has He removed our transgression from us. NIV
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2 NASB
Mandy from Mt. Vernon
“Give yourselves to God…surrender your whole being to Him to be used for righteous purposes.” Romans 6:13 (TEV)
Psalm 9:9 NIV
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
Crystal Ogden
Tenaha. TX
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2 NASB
Lynette – Aurora, CO – The LORD will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.” Psalm 138:8 (NLT)
Lisa from Waycross, GA
Donna from Albany, GA
“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
Susan B., Chapin, SC
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. (1 Chronicles 16:23 NLT)
Ellen K., Stoughton, MA – Praise God half way! What a privilege to hide The Word in my heart.
Revelation 1:6 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:6 NLT)
Isaiah 11:2 And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:2 NLT)
Beth, London, U.K. “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens.” (Psalm 68:19, NIV)
Terri, Natchitoches, LA
Don’t use foul or abusive language. 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)
Hebrews 13:9 (NASB)
“Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.”
Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain, they have rushed for prophet into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion. Jude 11 TNIV
Paige, Flowood, MS
“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Luke 7:47 (NLT)
Ginny Wilson, Ooltewah, TN
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Heather, Tallahassee “Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Cor 10:31 NIV
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETH!!!!!!
Laura K, Spearfish SD
“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his work as God did from His.” Hebrews 4:9-10 ESV
Angela, Houston, TX: Isaiah 55:2 (NLT) – Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen, and I will tell you where to get food that is good for the soul!
Michelle, Houston, “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.” Psalm 119:104
NIV