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
Kristin, Suwanee, 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)
Kristin – Jacksonville, AL
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (Deuteronomy 6:5 ESV)
Ashley
Fort Worth, tx
Do not let any unwholesome talk come it of your mouths, but only
what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Ephesians 1:4(NIV)
For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.
Donna
Ponder, TX
Dee, Zeeland, MI NIV84
Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Kathleen Saint Joseph, Michigan
…. Put on the strength of the Lord’s power.
Isaiah 51:9a
HCSB
Juleann, Wayne pa, Titus 2:13 KJV Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ
Sonya Dickerson, Chesterfield, VA
“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:4 (NIV)
“Trust ye in Jehovah for ever. For in Jah Jehova [is] a rock of ages.” Isaiah 26:4 (YLT)
Kim from Mansfield TX. Psalm 32:8 NLT The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
Jamie, Crossett:
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 NET
Adrienne
Jasper, TN
“Rejoice with those who rejouce; mourn with those who mourn.”
Rom 12:15 NIV
Cindy, Largo, Florida
Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever –
Philemon 1:15
Melody, Jefferson, Ga.
I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of
your hands.” Psalm 143:5 ESV
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19 NIV
Rebecca, Hallsville, TX (formerly Kilgore)
“But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.” Psalm 71:14 KJV
Christine, Atlanta, GA – “Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!” Psalms 119:5 NIV
Marcia Jordon, Fulton, MO
Philippians 2:13 (NET)
For the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort — for the sake of His good pleasure — is God.
1 Peter 5 7-8 AMP
7 Casting the [c]whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, [d]once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you [e]watchfully.
8 Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [[f]in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.
Linda – Holland, OH
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
I Timothy 4:8 NIV
Krista from Midlothian, VA
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 32:7 NIV
Dawn, West Monroe, LA
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
Elaine – Baltimore
Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is he who has forgiveness of his transgression continually exercised upon him, whose sin is covered.
Psalm 32:1 AMP
Julia, Springfield, TN
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Ontario, OH
Pour out Your unfailing love on those You love; give justice to those with honest hearts. Psalm 36:10 (NLT)
Mansfield, OH
But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken! Isaiah 54:17 NLT
Donna Huneycutt, Mt. Pleasant, NC
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
James 1:27 HCSB
Stacy Carmel, IN Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Jesus Christ throughout all generations, forever and ever AMEN. Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV
Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4
Sue in Grand Rapids, MI
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 ESV
Jill from Houma, LA
Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
Psalms 119:66 ESV
Annie, Alabama
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
Sandy – Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Psalm 130:5 ESV
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I hope..
“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 11:18-19
My goal is that (we) may be encouraged in heart, and united in love, so that (we) may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that (we) may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3 NIV
Eph. 4:29 NIV “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Leslie, Kansas City, MO
Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.
Psalm 116:7 HCSB
Kiersten, Wake Forest, NC
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. 1 Chronicles 29:11 (NLT)
Tracy, Kountze, Texas
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want. Psalm 23:1 NASB
Andrea Woodstock GA
I Chronicles 29:11 NIV
“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.”
Mary Anne Peters
Osler,SK, Canada
Make them like tumbleweed, O my God,
like chaff before the wind.
As fire consumes the forest
or a flame sets the mountains ablaze,
so pursue them with Your tempest
and terrify them with Your storm.
Cover their faces with shame
so that men will seek Your name
O LORD.
Psalm 83:13-16
Paula- Conway,SC
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
—Psalm 19:1–2
Theresa, Cincinnati, But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit which is not anxious or wrought up, but is very precious in the sight of God. I Peter 3:4, Amp.
Sherry, Winston-Salem, NC
For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgement.
2 Timothy 1:7
Carolyn, Orofino, Idaho.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Kari-Amery,WI
Probers 19:21 NIV
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
John 15:4 NIV Kelley Mansfield, Sharpsburg, GA
Remain in me & I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
Trinna, Covington, “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil.” Psalm 37:8 NIV84
Christine Krueger, SLC
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.
Proverbs 10:12, ESV
Beth W. Omaha, NE
Colossians 3:23-24 HCSB
Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.
Proverbs 10:12 (ESV)
Freida, Chatham, LA “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12 NIV