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
Janice, Abbeville, Al
“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)
Barb, Prescott Valley, AZ
“Look, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for me?” Jeremiah 32:27 HCSB
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV
Erika-Gadsden Al
danae | lafayette, in
the Lord himself watches over you! the Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. — psalm 121:5 [nlt]
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” Hebrews 10:35
“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.” Jeremiah 29:11, NIV.
Shelley from San Angelo
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:12
NIV
Romona, Rosewood Heights,
Hatred stirs up contentions (conflict/strife), but love covers all transgressions (wrongs/offenses). Proverbs 10:12 (AMP)
Michele-Huntington I am a few weeks behind since I normally just post on the app blog, but it hasn’t been working for me and I am finally remembering to post on here. So here are my last few…Ephesians 4:29 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. John 3:30 He must become greater; I must become less. Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” And finally, Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. NIV
Michele-Lubbock, TX
Psalm 91:13-14 “Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the
dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me,
therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.” KJV
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31, 32 NIV)
Kathy Leamington Ontario Canada
“…the Lord has kept the promise He made…”
1 Kings 8:20
Martha from Corpus Christi
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Col. 3:16 a NLT
Ouida in Trenton, TX
No, in all these things we are more that victorious through Him who loved us.
Romans 8:37 (HCSV)
Amy, Seattle, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Alyson, Elgin TX
For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control
2 Timothy 1:7 NET
Jill, from Sterling Heights, MI
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:18
Janna from Frisco, TX
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. – John 14:27 NIV
Emily, Houston TX~
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today & forever. Hebrews 13:8 niv
Sharon, Florien, LA – O Lord, You are great, mighty, magnificent, glorious and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt Yourself as the ruler of all. I Chronicles 29:11 (The Net)
Lori Behrens
Granbury, Tx
Psalms 139:24 (RSV)
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Lisa Riley from Sussex, WI
1 Corinthians 13:1
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. (NIV)
Ann, Lexington, TN. You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Allison Cypress, TX
“Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your strength” Ecclesiasties 9:10a HCSB
Kendall- Tulsa, OK
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. -Titus 2:11
Mary, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:10 NLT
Evangeline, Loveland, CO
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 NIV
In addition to all this take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16 NIV
You will look in vain for those who tried to conquer you. Those who attack you will come to nothing. (Isaiah 41:12 NLT)
Kristi – Greenville, TX
“May He give us the desire to do His will in everything and to obey all the commands, decrees, and regulations that He gave to our ancestors.”
1 Kings 8:58, NLT
Vanessa, Rio Rancho NM
Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that do battle against the soul 1 peter 2:11 NET
Pam, Sioux Falls, SD
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 34:4, ESV
Conway Springs, KS
But I say to you who are listening, love your enemies, Do good to those who hate you.
Luke 6:27
Stephanie S., Richardson, TX
Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know!
Proverbs 30:4 ESV
Sandie, Red Deer, Alberta
I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
Psalm 63:4 NLT
Norma
Leander, TX
Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Psalm 100:3 ESV
Jennie F. from Long Creek, Oregon. “Ah, Sovereign LORD, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You.”
~ Jeremiah 32:17 ~ NIV
Cheryl; Redlands, CA:
1 Corinthians 13:6 (NIV)
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”
Annette,Tomball. “As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.”. 2 Samuel 22:31 NIV
Emily, Derby KS
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come
Proverbs 31:25 NIV
Heidi in Whitefish, MT
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God; trust also in me.”
John 14:1 NIV
Susan
Corinth, TX
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
Pam from Wassenaar, The Netherlands
Philippians 4:8-9(CEB) From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise. Practice these things: whatever you learned, received, heard, or saw in us. The God of peace will be with you.
Sarah, Lambertville, MI
Philemon 1:6 (ESV)
and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.
Prov 4:8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
Sarah, Bracknell, UK
“Whatever you do, do heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.”
Colossians 3:23 NAS
Susan – Maynard, MA
Psalms 62:5 (NCV)
I find rest in God; only he gives me hope.
Heather Louisville, KY
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. 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.
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV84)
Erin Sheldon, Savannah, GA
“It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega-the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings , and I will be their God, and they will be my children.” Revelation 21:6-7 NLT