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
Lu, Garner NC –Hebrews 12:12 (NIV), 13 (ESV) Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but may be healed.
Bonnie B., Florence, Colorado.
“All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
for those who keep the demands of His covenant.”
Psalm 25:10 NIV
Lilburn, GA
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. (Psalms 139:14 NASB)
Cheryl, Brisbane, Australia says:
“This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. (Habakkuk 2:3 NLT)
DeeDee. Houston,Tx
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
1 Peter 3:8
NIV
Lisa S.
Kinston,NC
Philemon 1:6 The NET Bible
“I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ.”
Paula Stemple, Marlinton, WV
But I will sing of Your mighty strength and power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy and loving-kindness in the morning; for You have been to me a defense (a fortress and a high tower) and a refuge in the day of my distress. (Psalm 59:16 AMP)
“The Lord has established HIS throne in the heavens,and HIS sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19 NASB
June 1
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23
May 15
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.” Psalm 34:19
Lori in Pine Island, MN
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11 NIV
Laura, Houston: “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” Romans 14:19 (KJV)
Cindy, living in Cochem Germany: Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
Tempa, Palm Bay, Florida
“Above all, love each other DEEPLY because love covers over a multitude of sins.” I Peter 4:8 NIV
Kelly, Auburn Al – For the eyes of The Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chromicles 16:9 NIV
Shannon Boyer, Missouri city, tx
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. ” 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV)
Marilyn, Amarillo , TX: “Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear, what man can do to me? Psalm 118:5-6, ESV
James 1:22, “Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” NIV
Jill , Williamsburg
Whoever believes in me , as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.
John 7:38
Michelle, Carver MA.
Matthew 5:8 (NIV)
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Kristi, Piedmont,Al,
Hebrews 13:6
God will help me. I will not be afraid.
Sally, Houston Philemon 1:7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
Myra, London, England
“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”
Isaiah 48:17 NIV
Joan G, Allentown, PA “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” 1 Corinthians 13:6 NIV
Kathleen D.
Bernardsville, NJ
Luke 18:27 ( NIV )
What is impossible for men is possible for God.
Troy, Ohio
Jeremiah 32:17 NIV
“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the
heavens and the earth by your great
power and outstretched arm.
Nothing is too hard for you.
Cheryl
Kokomo,Indiana
#10 – Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Mark 13:31
#11 – Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8
#12 – For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
Marie, Easley, SC
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)
Sharon, St. Louis John 14:15 NIV If you love me, you will obey what I command.
Kim,Arab
A man finds joy in giving an apt reply- and how good is a timely word! Proverbs 15:23 NIV
Cathy, Richmond, VA
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not seen Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for your are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV
Dawn, Raleigh, NC, NLT, Psalm 16:2 “I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.’ “
Alicia, Gulfport
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)
Elizabeth, Broomfield, CO
Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. Jonah 2:8 (NIV 1984)
Kimberly Orr~Zionsville, Indiana
John 16:33 NIV~I have told you these things, so that IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
and
Jeremiah 17:14 NIV~Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved for you are the One I praise
NIV Application Study Bible Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you;bless and do not curse.
Valerie – Clinton, Me
“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.” Ecclesiastes 5:9 (NIV)
Walker, LA:
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. (Psalm 73:24 NIV)
Lynn, Lake Villa, IL
Isaiah 43:1 NLT
But now, O Jacob, listen to The Lord who created you. O Israel, the One who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.”
Paul, a bond servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy scriptures,
Romans 1:1-2 nasb
Big Lake, Mn
For the wrath of GOD is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Romans 1:18 ESV
Suzann Benson
Kingwood WV
Elaine ~ Powder Springs ~ If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. Psalm 139:12 ESV
Tina, Columbus Ohio
Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you saying “Destroy him” NIV
D’Anna Nowack
Kilgore, Texas
Philippians 4:6
New International Version (NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Judy, Oswego, NY
Psalm 130:7 HSBC
Judy, put your hope in the Lord! For there is faithful love with the Lord, and with Him is redemption in abundance.
Stephanie, Westerville, OH.
Job 23:10-11 (NIV)
10 But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
11 My feet have closely followed his steps;
I have kept to his way without turning aside.
Heidi, Littleton, CO
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Ps. 139:24 NIV
Traci in Pipestone, MN
Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Birmingham AL
Galatians 5:22-23
English Standard Version (ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Linda, Little Rock, AR For the flesh sets its desires against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. Galatians 5:17 NASB