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
Connie, Longmont, CO.
“But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
James 1:5. (NASB)
Mary Lou, Young America, MN
Psalm 18:23-24 (NIV)
I have been blameless before him
and have kept myself from sin.
The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.
Susie, Carmel, IN
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:18-19a (NIV)
Martha, Ooltewah, TN
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Jeremiah 33: 3
Elaine, Jefferson, GA
Quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed armies.
Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.
Some faced jeers and flogging; while still others were chained and put in prison.
Heb. 11:34-36, NIV
Brenda, Collinston
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:14. NLT
Jennifer from Otisville
Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places. Deut 33:29 NIV
Those who are honest will stay in the land.Those who are innocent will remain in it.
Proverbs 2:21
Shannon, Mandeville: “Better a patient person than a warrior, those with self-control than those who take a city.” Prov. 16:32 TNIV
Jane, Houston
Psalms 118:24
“The Lord has done it this very day;
Let us rejoice today and be glad.”
Three different times I begged The Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NLT
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 NIV
Terry
Washington, Il
A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. Proverbd 17:22 AMP
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance of the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 1:18-20 (June 1 and June 15)
Kelly Snodgrass
Rogersville, TN
Ephesians 6:14-17 ESV (VBS verses 🙂
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breast plate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith, eith which you can extinguish all the firey darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation and the sword fo the spirit which is the word of God.
Kristen, Rockville, VA: Now glory be to God! By his mighty work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May He be given glory in the church & in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Eph. 3:20-21 New Living Translation
Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ
John 1:17
Nora, Shreveport, LA
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart & wait for the Lord.
Psalms 27:14, NIV
Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. (Proverbs 21:23 NLT)
Janet, Wesr Linn, OR
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Matthew 5:6 NIV
Jackie, Mobile,AL
..”That Power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead & seated Him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule & authority, power & dominion, & every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”
Ephesians 1: 19-21 NIV
Crystal, Livonia, Michigan
“And above all things, have fervent charity among yourselves…for charity covers a multitude of sins”
I Peter 4:8 KJV
Jill
Plano, TX
Isaiah 26:3
Amplified Bible (AMP)
3 You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
Lisa Christopher, Olympia, WA
“Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.” (Psalm 19:12, NIV)
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. Proverbs 31:18 NIV
Dedra Vick
Weatherford
Prov17:4
Michelle W
Boynton Beach, FL
The Lord your God is giving you rest and is giving you this land…But you shall pass before your brethren armed, all your mighty men of valor, and help them, until the Lord has given your brethren rest, as He gave you, and they also have taken possession of the land which the Lord your God is giving them. Joshua 1:13b-15a NKJV
Dedra Vick
Weatherford, Texas
Proverbs 17:4
An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
Roni – Demopolis,AL “Your laws are perfect and completely trustworthy” Psalm 119:138 NLT
Tina from Ohio
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NKJV
Amy, Florissant “Any temptation you face will be nothing new. But God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can handle. But He always provides a way of escape so that you will be able to endure and keep moving forward.” I Corinthians 10:13 (The Voice)
Patty, Shelton, Washington
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 KJV
Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good.
Phil. 1:15 (NIV)
Kristin, Archbold, OH
That he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers. I Kings 8:58 (ESV)
Amherst, VA
Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor….. Isaiah 58:7 GNTD
Sarah S., 1 Corinthians 13:7,8
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Susan, Tallahassee, Fla.
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 NIV
Ashlie McDonald-SLC, UT
Continuing on in my memorization of Psalm 91.
On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:12, ESV)
seantea b. * los angeles, ca
“As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” – James 5:11 (NIV)
Carmen, Summersville, WV “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12 NIV)
Stefanie, Moses Lake, WA
Psalm 19:1-2 ESV
The heavens declare the glory of God,and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech,and night to night reveals knowledge.
Marita, Maricopa, AZ
Eph 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
ESV
Jackie Pope, Covington, IN. As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one. Romans 3:10 NKJV
Debra – Dahlgren, IL
Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5 HCSB
Rebecca Stewart
Julian, NC
(Love Beth’s verse this time around!)
“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
Lauren from Demopolis, AL: “For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (HCSB)
Dianne – Hartselle, AL
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.
I Chronicles 19:11 The NET Bible
Amber from Manor, Texas: Isaiah 41:10 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; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. NIV
Lala Ball Cooper from Ruston, Louisiana, says: Caught up at last…
24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
1 John 2:24-26 KJV
Carolyn
Kearney, Nebraska
Isaiah 26:3 GNB
You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you.