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
Amy from Frisco, Texas
Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Proverbs 16:24 (NLT)
Jill, Austin, tX
O, Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answers and looks after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from Me comes your fruit.
Hosea14:8 ESV
Becky, Fairfax, VA:
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head.
Psalm 3:3
Jennifer, Monroe, GA
Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know HIm. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of the dawn or the coming of rains in early Spring. Hosea 6:3 NLT
Darlene, Mt. Airy, MD
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints
Ephesians 6:18. NASB
Cindy, Rochester, MN. Therefore, since these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates anddefiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God. 2 Cor. 7:1 AMP
Vicki, Smithwick/Marble Falls, TX
“As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:18 ESV
Teri, Aledo, Texas
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips”
Psalms 141:3
Inez Barnes
Hamburg, AR
Philippians 4:4-6 NIV
Rejoice in the LORD always. I will say again Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The LORD is near. Do not be anxious about anything but in everythng by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to GOD
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. ~ Isa 26:3 (AMP)
Pamela, Kansas City
Claire – Dalian, China
“The Lord God is my strength. He has made my feet like the feet of a deer, and He makes me walk on high places.” Hab 3:19 NLV
Joelle, Abilene,TX
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 NET)
Abbie, Katy “Do you not know that all the runners in a stadium compete, but only one receives the prize? So run to win. ”
1 Corinthians 9:24 (NET)
Candace~Colorado Springs
“But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.”
Psalm 71:14 NIV
haven’t checked in for so long…and need to correct this..will be in RI for next 3 weeks so checked blog for your dunkindonuts conference (DD & mcdonald’s coffee shakes say RI best,,except for Italian food and maybe BEACHES)anyway I read this post and have to say—-What a PROFOUND Blessing it is to be Blessed by a verse….(and I quote here)”for pete’s sake!” and the double portion is the ability and desire (need) to share that verse blessing with others…..which then blesses the sharer…it truly is the font of blessings…ABUNDANCE Abundance, abundance…..oh,btw, I will miss you by one day in RI….can that be possible?
Jean from Lebanon, Tennessee
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”
Psalms 141:3 NASB
Lexington, ky
James 5:7 NIV
Be patient then brothers, until the lords coming
See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop
How patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.
Beth, Robinson, TX
“The Lord is my strength and sheild. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.”
Psalm 28:7 NLT
Tori, Robinson, TX
“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
I John 3:16 NLT
Susan Knowles, Bradenton,FL
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 NET
Laura
San Antonio, TX
James 3:3-8 NASB
Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For ever species of beats and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race. But no on can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
Choctaw, OK
Heaven & earth will pass away, but My words will ever pass away. Mark 13:31. Holman
Christi, Newnan, GA
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, 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 NIV
Pat S., Lago Vista, TX
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 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 4:17-18 NIV
(Sorry I am so late – on a mission trip.)
“But as for me, God’s presence is all I need. I have made the sovereign LORD my shelter, as I declare all the things you have done.”
Psalm 73:28 (NET)
Pat
Crawfordsville, IN
Lisa from Grand Prairie Tx
James 4:10 (NIV)
Humble yourselves before The Lord and He will lift you up.
Kim, Nashville, TN
How precious are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
Psalm 139:17-18a (ESV)
(So sorry, on vacation!)
Cathy Eason, Olive Branch, MS Arise and shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises over you and His glory appears over you. IS. 60:1 &2
Candace, Narvon, PA
The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.
Deuteronomy 30:6
debbie jo, greenwood, “Do everything in love.” I Corinthians 16:14 (NIV)
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13 NLT
Proverbs 21:23 (ESV)
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
Nicole from Severance, CO (used to be Littleton, CO)
Acts 4:12 (NLT)
“There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them.”
Kristie Lovely
Queen City, TX
“Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.” Psalm 139:12 NKJV
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Col 3:15 (NLT)
Eleanor
Memphis, TN
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust on Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Michelle from Norman OK “yet he did not waiver through unbelief regarding the promise of God but was strengthened in His faith and have glory to God being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He promised.” Romans 4:20-21 NIV
Vicki, Corpus Christi, Tx
John 17:17
Thy Word is Truth.
Evansville, IN
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Bridget, Cadillac, MI
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? James 4:1 NKJV
Becky, St. Augustine, “For The Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and
His faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100:5 NIV
Amy, Fort Collins, CO
(Philippians 4:5) NIV
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NIV)
Amy from Noble, OK
2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
Betsy from Maryville, TN
1 Peter 1:11 (NASB)
seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
Sorry this is late but I’ve been in Peru on mission –
Jeanette, Mansfield – Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness because they will be filled. Matthew 5:6, HCSB
Happy are they who have the promise that they shall be filled, for the righteousness they receive will be no empty promise, but real satisfaction. Bonhoeffer
Stephanie, Austin, The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. Psalm 145:20, NIV
Millie W. from Huntsville, AL
Isaiah 55:6
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.
Isaiah 55:6, KJV
Connie from Plano, TX says: “‘As the rain and the snow come down fom heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.'” Isaiah 55:10-11 NIV
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 NIV)