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! Doesnāt 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. Ā And weāll 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 theyāll come alive in the marrow of your bones.
I feel like Iāve 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 couldnāt hear them. Iāll 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 youāll not waste a prayer on me between now and then. I donāt 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. Itās 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. Hasnāt 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? Iām choosing mine from a sermon Curtisās good friend, Jerrell Altic, brought in Curtisās 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 thatās the beauty of living words. A Scripture will suddenly pop off the page that had somehow been veiled from our recognition before. Iād been so taken with phrases like āyet for loveās sakeā in verse 9 that Iād missed the treasure of V.6, and who couldnāt get distracted by a verse like the 15th? āFor this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever.āĀ 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, donāt 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 ānowā word is like RIGHT NOW. Here it goes:
Beth, Houston. āI pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ.ā Philemon 1:6 The NET Bible
Ā
I want God to deepen my understanding of every blessing that belongs to me in Christ while Iām here plowing into some stubborn earthly soil with sweat sopping my forehead. Donāt you? Iām so thankful to be blessed but wouldnāt 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 weāre talking.
Colossians 2:2-3 gives a glimpse into the grandeur involved as the Apostle Paul prays āthat 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 Godās mystery, which is Christ,Ā in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.ā
Look at that again: āthe riches of full assurance of understanding.ā We canāt 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.
Iām making these prayers mine and I am looking for God to answer them. He wouldnāt 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.
Itās 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
Jude 12 NIV
These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm–shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain blown along by the wind, autumn trees without fruit and uprooted- twice dead.
Giovanna Kerr, Holbrook, NY NIV Matthew 3:8
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
Charlotte Good
Mesquite Texas
Lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from the evil one.
Matt 6:13 NIV
Norma
Leander, TX
For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
Hebrews 10:14 ESV
“Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute and love without stopping”
1 Corinthians 16: 13 & 14
Patti from La Porte
“When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
It is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.”
Psalm 27:2 NIV
Bonnie Wallace, Charleston SC
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NLT
Sharon Modesto, California
Ps 46:11 NIV
The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress!
For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
Isaiah 58:10 NKJV
If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday.
I Peter 1:16
“…for it is written:’Be holy,because I am holy.'”
Laney from tulsa, OK
Romans 8:6-8
“For the mind set on the flesh is death but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God … And those who are in the flesh cannot praise God.” (NASB)
Rochet, Kennesaw, GA
Therefore rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that The Lord is good.
1Peter 2:1-3
Dawn Lafayette, LA
3 John 4 NIV 1984
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Deb, Littleton, CO: “Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown brings forth death.” James 1:15 NKJV
Allyson
League City TX
Psalm 86:10 ESV
“For you are great and do wondrous things; You alone are God.”
Tracee, Morristown, TN
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
Lauren Morton, Decatur, TX – I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have so that no one will take your crown. Revelation 3:11 NIV84
Tiffany-Lancaster, PA
“O Lord, You are great, mighty, majestic, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler of all.”
1 Chronicles 29:11 The NET Bible
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
Isaiah 55:7 ESV
Amy from Minneapolis, MN
“The Lord has declared this day that you are his people, His treasured possession as He promised, and that you are to keep all His commands.”
Deuteronomy 26:18 NIV
Amber, Huntington, IN – The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. Lamentations 3:25 ESV
Mickey, Blue Springs, MO
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
Isaiah 43:18 NIV
Mickey, Blue Springs, MO
(This verse, #12, should actually be the following. I miss-posted.)
And make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but be healed.
Hebrews 12:13 NIV
Des Moines, IA
Trust in The Lord your God with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. Prov 3:5-6, NLT
Charlotte, Tomball, TX, He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Colossians 1:15, NKJV.
Becky Scherle, Waddell,AZ
Above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.
Pr 4:23(NIV)
The name of The Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10
The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him. Daniel 9:9 NIV
Alpharetta, GA
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Philemon 1:6 NIV
Mimi Alpharetta GA
Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.
Isaiah 43:18 NIV
Debbie, Hattiesburg, MS
“Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge, His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”
Psalm 91:3-4
Becky Wang, Ohio
Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house that You have brought me this far?
2 Samuel 7:18, NKJV
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It will come to pass that before they call, I will answer, and while they are speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24
Aug.13th. I am doing my verse early iam going to be celebrating my 44th.anniversary with my man..My verse is fromIsaiah 26:4
Trust ye in the Lord forever,for in the Lord is everlasting strength.
KariAnn – Houston
James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature, not lacking anything.
Alissa, Spring, TX
“This hope, which is a safe and secure anchor for our whole being, enters the sanctuary behind the curtain.”
Hebrews 6:19 CE
WAYNE, PA
“Then I realized that my heart was bitter and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant–I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
YET
I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.” Ps 74:21-24 NLT
Julie Elrod Smyrna,GA James 4:5-7 NIV .5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Kathy French, Austin
“My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only He will release my feet from the snare.”Psalm 25:15 NIV
Diana Yarborough, Gallatin, TN
“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will proclaim justice to the nations. Matthew 12:18 NIV
2 Corinthians 10:17-18 (ESV)
“‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’ For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”
Carolyn
Wheaton, IL
Deb, Littleton, Co: “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.” James 1:16 NKJV
Jennie F. 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.”
Jer. 32:17 NIV
Karina
Baton Rouge, La.
“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”
2 Timothy 2:13
NASB
Olivia, Lapwai, Idaho: But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Hebrews 10:39 ESV
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
Jana, Tampa, FL
You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. Colossians 3:7 NIV
Allison, Jersey Village
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Deuteronomy 6:5 ESV
Anna in Mobile, AL
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Is. 26:3 NIV