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
Chelsia Waverly, MN
“Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. ”
Colossians 3:19 NIV
Terra from Owasso, Oklahoma:
No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39 NLT
“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” (Psalm 62:1-2 NIV)
Christie from Plano, Texas – studying Kelly Minter’s No Other Gods!
“They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods in accordance with the customs of the nations from which they had been brought.”
2 Kings 17:33 (NIV84)
Debbie from Jacksonville, FL
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. NIV
Sarah H.
Conroe, TX
Isaiah 40:30 NIV
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
Annalee in Houston
But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name
may rejoice in you.
Psalm 5:11
Amanda The Colony, TX
Jeremiah 1:5 NIV “Before I formed you int he womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
“If anyone thinks she is religious and does not bridle her tongue but deceives her heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” James 1:26 NIV
(pronouns changed by me) 🙂
Luke 6: 37-38
NIV
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Mandy from Mt Vernon
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.”
Psalms 1:1 NIV
Phoebe, Birmingham, AL. “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31, NLT
Geri
Deer Park, TX
2 Cor. 7:2 ESV
But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth, we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Freeland, MI Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice Philippians 4:4 NIV
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
Theresa
Pace, Florida
NIV
Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the woman who takes refuge in Him.
Deb, Littleton, CO: “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” James 1:14 NKJV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 ESV
Tami,Decatur,Tx.
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.”
Psalm 145:8 (NIV)
No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse. Psalm 25:3
Brigette Brock
Morehead, Ky
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25
NIV84
Jenny S., Fishers, IN
Let all that you do be done with love. 1 Corinthians 16:14 (NKJV)
Millie from Huntsville, AL
Romans 12:10 KJV
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Romans 12:10 KJV
Deb N., Lansdale, PA
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
1 John 3:1 NIV
Chrissie from Aurora,
“Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back-given back with bonus & blessing. Giving not getting is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” Luke 6:38 (MSG)
So don’t be like a horse or a donkey, that doesn’t understand. They must be led with bits and reins, or they won’t come near you. Psalm 32:9
susan oak ridge tn
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
Courtney, LaPlata, MD
1 Peter 5:12 (ESV)
By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
Laura, Katy, TX. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Ps. 119:105
And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love Him, and are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28. NIV
Lillian, Vermilion, OH
“Give yourselves completely to serving Him,
and do not be stubborn any longer.” Deuteronomy 10:16 (NCT)
Psalm 42:11 (NIV84)
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God; for I will yet praise Him, my savior and my God.
Jan, Denton, TX “Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family that you have brought me this far? 2 Samuel 7:18
Emily, Derby KS
He says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalms 46:10
“Then Jesus told him,”Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29
NIV
Lori from St. Catharines, ON
Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
Deuteronomy 6:4
Abilene, TX
For where your treasure is there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 NIV
He who has knowledge spares his words. And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.
Poverb 17:27 NKJV
Pam in Chiangmai, Thailand
Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Gail Jones. Decatur TX
Psalm 51:13
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.
Juliana
Livermore, CA
Proverbs 3:5 CEV
With all your heart
you must trust the LORD
and not your own judgment.
Emma, Conifer, Colorado
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
20 Now to him who is able(AI) to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Sonya
Aurora, Colorado
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
Psalm 103:9 (NIV)
Mary H. Ardmore, AL
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Kendra W., Dallas:
“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.”
Deuteronomy 6:5 (NLT)
Ivy Morrison
Willis, TX
“Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.”
Psalm 51:6 NKJV
Chelsie, New Hudson, MI
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 1 John 3:18, NLT
Good morning siesta’s my verse for aug. is…Psalms and it is from KingJames …psalms 4;5 Offer the sacrifices of righteous and put your trust in the Lord.
Rena, Tulsa. “I also pray that [I] will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.” Ephesians 1:19a NLT
Orlando, FL
Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: Revelation 21:12