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
Marisa, Michigan
1 Samuel 3:9
Speak LORD, for your servant is listening.
Liz Taylor, Washington D.C.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 ESV)
Jeri, Lynchburg, VA. 1Corinthians 2:9. NIV 84. “As it is written: no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what GOD has prepared for those who love him.”
From Sibley, Louisiana
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14 KJV
Mikelan, Overland Park “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV
Shannon, Buda TX.
He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
Psalm 103:9
Raleigh, NC
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.
Ephesians 6:14 NIV
Andi, Lincoln NE
“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Phil 1:6 NIV
The sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
Isaiah 50:4
Janet – Columbus, GA: “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.'” -Romans 8:15, NKJV
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
Dublin, OH
“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own.” Matt. 6:34 NIV
Jennifer, Denham Springs, LA
Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. Ephesians 5:1, HCSB
Hebrews 4:13(NIV)
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.
Angela, Louisville KY
Now to the King eternal,immortal,invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen
1 Tim. 1:17 NASB
Kristine, Welland, ON
“Be assured that from the very first day we heard from you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so aquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works.”
Colossians 1:9 (The Message)
Phyllis – Salisbury, MD
Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NIV
Aimee, Houston, TX
Psalm 40:1-3 NIV: “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.”
Brooke. Princeton ME
The heart of man plans his way, but The Lord establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 ESV
Peggy, Bangor, Maine
Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found. Psalm 119:35 NLT
Summer J., Crystal, MN
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”
I Timothy 6:6-7, NIV
Janet Ronkonkoma, NY
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Ps 91:1-2 NIV
Cindy
Flemingsburg, KY
“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
Kimber, Panama City, FL
In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. (Psalm 10:4 NIV)
After shoulder surgery this verse is very real in my life right now!
VERSE 12:
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 NIV
Ronnie, Ostrander, OH
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 ESV
Candis, South Bend IN, He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. Rev. 2:18 KJV
Gwen, Muskogee,OK. As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. Proverbs 27:19
Karen, Hartselle, AL
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Laura Beth, Jackson
Psalm 28:7, NLT
“The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”
Cindy
Salt Lake City
Above all, love each other deeply,
because love covers over
a multitude of sins.
1Peter 4:8 NIV
Lynn, Pittsburgh, PA
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
Matt. 11:29 NAS
Kim B.-Orlando, FL
“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm,. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. ” 1 Cor. 15:58
Sarah
Portales, NM
Psalm 139:13 ESV
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.”
Kristin, Austin, TX
“Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”
Rev. 7:12 NIV
Lori from Athens, Ga.:
“Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
Psalm 27:13-14 ESV
13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Sharice, Shelby, NC
“Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23 (HCSB)
Reeder. auburn, AL
Psalm 118:24 This is the day th Lord hath made.Let us rejoice an be glad in it!
Susan, Carbondale, IL
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. (Romans 12:15, 16 NIV)
Jessica, Waukesha, WI
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)
Cyndi, Lexington KY
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV
What man is he that fearth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. Ps. 25.
The meek will he guide in judgment; and the meek will he teach his way. Ps. 25.9
Lori Lehrmann ~ Port Arhtur, TX
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord -who is the Spirit- makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
~2 Corinthians 3:18
Stephanie, Columbus, OH John 1:1 KJV In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the was God.
Melissa, Denver:
He says, “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)
Melinda
Wichita, KS
Call out to me and I will show you wonderful things you do not know. Jerm 33:3
Valerie ~ Oklahoma
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 KJV
Charlene, Waterloo, ON
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…”
Isaiah 30:15a (NIV)
“Turn from evil & do good; seek peace & pursue it.” Ps 34:14
Michele O. Raleigh, NC