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
Dawn, Clinton PA
Incline your ear and come to me; hear, that your soul may live.
Is. 55:3, ESV
Redfield,AR
[11] No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace* for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
Colleen, Cape Town, South Africa
I am confident of this: He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6 NIV
Sue, Groveport, OH Psalm 34:1-3, NIV
I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together.
Susan, Fort Worth, TX
Romans 12:9 NIV
[9] Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Marci, from Florence, SC…
“Search me and know my heart. Test me, and know my anxious thought. Point out anything in me that offends You and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24
Sarah Miller
New Palestine, IN
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. (Psalm 107:19 NIV)
Linda Gammon, Blue Springs, MO
Proverbs 31:25-27 ESV
25. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
26. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
3 Let them praise HIS name with the dance;
Let them sing praises to HIM with the timbrel and harp.
4 For the LORD takes pleasure in HIS people;
HE will beautify the humble with salvation.
Psalm 149:3-4 NKJV
Toni, Greer ,SC “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14 NIV
Lauren from Magee, MS –
“Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”
~Psalm 90:14 (NIV)
Elizabeth, Gilbert AZ
…and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:3 NIV
Olive branch, ms
I say: The LORD is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him.
Lamentations 3:24 hcsb
Mary, Lexington Park, MD
Finally, brothers, pray for us that the Lord’s message may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not all have faith. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 HCSB
Sandy E. from Kansas City, Missouri: May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV84
Claudia, Raeford, NC It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. (John 6:63 NASB)
Melanie Toups
Bridge City, TX
Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. — Colossians 3:16-17 NASB
Nadalin,Portland Texas
For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100:5 NIV
Toni, Argyle, TX
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Romans 8:31-32 NASB
Angie W. from Liberty, Missouri: So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:6 NLT
Jenna, Cedar Park. “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
Laura, Minneapolis.
“Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness.”
2 Peter 3:11, ESV
Susan Lawrence (central IL) Do your best to live in peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18, NCV)
Danielle from Cedar Park, TX
Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts, and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.
Psalm 139:23-24 (NASB)
Linda, Johnstown, Pa.
I Timothy 1:14, NIV
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
1 John 1:7 If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 NIV
Jennifer Mosher, Canfield, OH
P.S. I LOVE what you wrote about a verse really resonating, speaking to us from God—these are WAY easier to learn and more meaningful than assignments that don’t seem to speak into daily situations (even from fine Bible studies) 🙂
I wait for The Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5. NIV
Leslie G-Warner Robins, GA
1 Chronicles 29:12 NET
You are the source of wealth and honor; you rule over all. You possess strength and might to magnify and give strength to all.
Megan from Potlatch, Idaho: Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: Who am I, O Sovereign Lord and what is my family that you have brought me this far?
2 Samuel 7:18 (NIV)
MiChal in College Station, TX
“For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently” (I have indeed lived this out. Thank you for the reminder, Beth.)
Philemon 15 (HCSB)
Shannon, Ft. Collins, CO
So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on the things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. -2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT
Amanda, Van Buren, AR
It shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish. Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so you shall perish; because you would not listen to the voice of the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 8:19-20 NASB
Shelly Wilson, Fort Worth, TX
Isaiah 30:21 (NIV) – Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Sandy, Vienna, VA
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
—Psalm 62:5(NIV)
Amanda, Lexington, KY
“The Lord is the Rock, and his work is perfect! Yes, all his ways are right! God is true and faithful. He is good and honest.” Deuteronomy 32:4 ERV
Cathy Blount Monroe, GA.
Isaiah 43:11 NIV
I, even I, am the Lord and apart from me there is no savior.
Julie, Hawaii
Proverbs 13:12 nkjv
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick; but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.”
(emphasis on the first half)
Laurie from Edmond
Psalm 73:26 NAS
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Margaret Ann, Pacific Junction, IA
When you lie down you will not be filled with fear; when you lie down your sleep will be pleasant. You will not be afraid of sudden disaster, or when destruction overtakes the wicked; for the Lord will be the source of your confidence, and he will guard your foot from being caught in a trap.
Proverbs 3:24-26 NET
Vilma Rancho Cucamonga, CA
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 NLT)
Melissa, Greensburg, Kentucky – “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:31, NAS
Michele, Hollister, CA
Psalms 130:5 ESV
I wait for the Lord , my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
Joyce Davidson, Big River, Saskatchewan, Canada
“Who, then is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.” Psalm 25:12 NIV84
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. Psalm 55:22, NIV
Melissa, Sulphur, LA
Isaiah 44:3(NIV)
For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants.
Courtney, Lima, OH
Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! Romans 11:33 NLT
Jo Anne, Chicago, IL
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
Cheryl, Midlothian Va
Holy, holy, holy Lord Almighty
the whole earth is full of His glory
Isaiah 6:3
“pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
Lindsey Buchanan
Cynthia, Virginia
Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.
Jerimiah 33:3 (HSCB)