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
Patti from Tampa: The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory; the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (NIV)
Gina, Rosamond, Ca
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Phillipians 4:7 NIV
Katie g; Knoxville, tn
“One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.”
Psalm 145:4 (ESV)
Houston, Tx.
NIV 1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the Lord,
for he is good; his love
endures forever.
Emily, Loveland, CO – “My mouth is filled with Your praise and with Your glory all day long.” Psalm 71:8 (NASB)
Deb, Loveland, CO – …”persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” II Corinthians 4:9 (NKJV)
Lindsay from Boston, MA: “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Matthew 6:1 NIV
Maureen, Pascoag, RI
Be doers of the word and not merely hearers who
deceive themselves
James 1:22 NRSV
Vicki, Peoria IL
Each heart knows its own bitterness and no one else can share its joy.
Proverbs 14:10 (NIV)
Vicki, from Grapevine, TX
For when I am weak, then I am strong. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:10b NIV
emi, white house: “Even when I am old and gray, O God, do not abandon me, until I tell the next generation about your strength, and those coming after me about your power.” Psalm 71:18 NET
Michelle ~ Grandview, TX
1 Peter 3:4 AMP
But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God.
– ( to stop being swayed by my emotions! 🙂
Sabrina from Morristown, Tennessee
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.”
2 Corinthians 4:17-18a ESV
Kim Baker, Louisville, Ky
John 10:28 ESV
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
WAYNE,PA
For God is working in you, giving you desire and power to do what pleases Him. Phil 2:13 NET
in Muscle Shoals:
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:14 NIV)
Lord, your faithful love is so valuable that people take shelter in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7
Leslee Taveener from Columbia, sc
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written “it is mine to avenge, I will repay.” says the Lord. Romans 12:18-19 NIV
Ellen, Albuquerque.
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Matthew 6:34 (The Message)
Marilyn — Seattle
If people’s thinking is controlled by the sinful self, there is death. But if their thinking is controlled by the Spirit, there is life and peace. (Romans 8:6 NCV)
Michelle ~ Watkinsville, Ga
O Lord, You are great,
mighty, majestic, magnificent,
glorious and sovereign
over all the sky and earth!
You have dominion and exult
Yourself as the ruler of all.
I Chronicles 29:11 (The NET Bible)
Marsha Fort Smith
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not.
Proverbs 3:5 NAB
Dawn, Mt. Olive, NC
Isaiah 33:2-NIV
O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress
Jo, Columbia, Missouri
Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to The Lord,
and he will have mercy on them, to our God, for he will freely pardon.Isaiah 55:7
Hannah, Miramar Beach. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” Colossians 3:15a NIV
Heather S., Louisville KY
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb; sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24 NET
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (Romans 8:18, 19 KJV)
Pam~ Moss Bluff, LA
“And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.” James1:4 (NET)
Jenni, San Diego, continuing with Psalm 37. Verses 14and 15: The wicked have drawn the sword And have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay those who are of upright conduct. Their sword shall enter their own heart, And their bows shall be broken. (Psalms 37:14, 15 NKJV)
Pammie, Southern CA. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14 NLT
Mariel
Wake forest, nc
Because i need Him to change my answer to the question: what do you desire most right now?
“One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple.” Ps. 27:4 esv
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV)
Caroline from Rio, WI
“But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.”
Hebrews 10:39 NIV
Michelle, West Des Moines, IA
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8 NIV
Lisa from Moyock, NC
For I will give the command, then I will shake the nation of Israel out among all nations like grain in a sieve. Not even a pebble will reach the ground.
Amos 9:9, NIV
Lord, help me and mine not to be a pebble- today and everyday.
San Bernardino Ca.
I will say to the Lord my refuge and my fortress my god
in whom I trust.. Ps:91:2 Esv.
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God , and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
John 1:1-2
Cara, Highlands Ranch, The mind of sinful man is death but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6, NIV
Ashley from Dexter, MI (formerly Indianapolis, IN)
“The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.” Psalm 29:11 (NIV)
Dawn, Highlands Ranch, CO
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13, 14 ESV)
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Luke 12:6-7
Lorene, Lafayette, LA
Look to The Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Psalm 105:4 (NIV)
Hannah, Perry, MI
“Jesus said to her, ‘Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! Be healed of your plague.'”
Mark 5:34, The Message
Lisa, Frisco Tx – Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT)
Jean, Platte City, MO
2 Samuel 22:36. (The Net) You give me your protective shield;
your willingness to help enables me to prevail.
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Cor. 10:5 NIV Pam in San Diego
Fenton, Ashburn, VA. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments. (Habakkuk 3:19 NKJV)
Berni, Albuquerque
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other,
making allowances for each other’s faults because of
your love.” Ephesians 4:2NLT
Erin, Cheyenne WY:
Proverbs 16:3(NIV)Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Judy, Littleton, NC
I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness; and thou shalt know The Lord.
Hosea 2:20 KJV
Thinking of all the June weddings…and he wants me as HIS bride!