Finally!!!!!!!!
Are you ready, Sisters? Do you hear me cheering?? I have never been more excited about doing this.
I am on the verge of doing about 10 backward flips on my hardwoods. I said on the verge. Not quite doing it. Well, I’m doing it in my heart. That counts for a lot around here.
SO LET’S DO THIS THING! Now, promise me this! Promise me you will read this entire post before you leave a single comment. I know you’re about to burst and I am, too, and, for that reason, I’ll keep it as short as possible. It’s so important that we get our ground rules firmly established so that we’ll have a fabulous experience. Remember, hundreds of our participants this time around are brand new so let’s make sure everybody’s on the same page.
A few things you absolutely MUST KNOW:
*Your comment to this post is your official registration onto the team. Everybody starts at Verse 1 no matter when they begin the process. (Word gets around and we often still have people joining in with us even in March and April. We don’t mind how late they begin as long as they can catch up, memorize their verses, and document each one of them on the proper post as an official participant.) This launch post will remain right here in this January 1st 2013 slot all year long and each new person will need to make her first entry here. This is how we track who signed up when we get to the end of the year and it’s party time.
*Your comment must be strictly limited to the following 5 pieces of information: name, city, verse, reference, translation. I’ll say it slower now for those brand new to the process:
Your name (or first name if you prefer), city. Your verse for that two-week period written all the way out, the reference for it (where it is found in the Bible: Book, chapter, verse) AND the *translation you’ve taken it from.
(*For instance, is the Bible you’ve pulled the passage from a KJV, an NAS, HCSB, NIV or NLT? Or is it The NET Bible, The Message or another similar version? The translation almost always appears on the outside spine of a Bible. If not, you will find it on the first few pages. If you’re looking on line, you’ll get an option to choose a translation. Do so as it speaks most clearly to you. We aren’t fussing over translations here in our memory work. You also do not need to stick with one version throughout.)
Just those 5 pieces of information! They will comprise every comment to this post. And the moment you start scrolling through all of them, you’ll see why. Page after page after page after page of Scripture and each one telling a reader exactly where to find it. It is the most powerful sight to behold. This invites people who are not participating in the memory work to reap tremendous benefits by just reading the comments and taking strength from verses they may not have known existed. This way it has the potential to bless our whole community or any weary visitor to our blog. I’ve been in crises before and gotten on the comment pages and scrolled from Scripture to Scripture and practically wept with relief and fresh courage or revelation. That’s why it’s best to keep the SSMT comments as succinct as possible. If you’ve got an exclamation in you that you just can’t hold back, you can occasionally make the briefest comment like, “I really need this one!” or “I’m sharing so-and-so’s verse” but, please, no more than that.
Comments other than the verse-entries on the 1st and 15th of each month can’t be approved. I’m so sorry and I hope you’ll understand. Thousands of us will be doing this together so the moderation process is monumental from the administrative side. The verses will be all Lindsee and I can handle in the comments for our two SSMT days per month. Keep in mind: NONE OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS PERTAIN TO THE OTHER BLOG POSTS HERE AT LPM. We will be completely free to do our regular thing on all other posts! The really stringent rules are only for the 1st and 15th of each month in 2013 and in reference to Siesta Scripture Memory Team. I hope that makes sense!
*Your comment may take 24 hours to get moderated (or posted if you’re new to the blog process) and sometimes a bit longer if it falls over a weekend. We try our hardest to stay up with it but on those days when 500+ come in at once, it’s quite a task! But we love it! It just requires a little patience on all sides! Before you assume that your entry somehow vanished and you’re tempted to write it again, give it one full day and see if it shows up. Keep track of what time you posted it and double check the comments around that same time. The accidental repeats make it much harder to track participation through the course of the year so always double check. If you don’t find it a day later, by all means, post it again!
*Remember that you get to choose your own verse! That’s really important! The ease with which you can memorize a verse is greatly impacted by how much it means to you. The more you need it or want it, the more you’ll absorb it. If you come up dry at times, no problem! You can either share my verse or another in the comment line that really speaks to you.
*PRAY that God will bless you in this endeavor and will enable you to memorize His Word! Ask continually throughout the entire year! When I get stuck and frustrated that I can’t get my words in order, if I’ll stop what I’m doing and ask God to supernaturally infuse me and help me to concentrate, you would not believe how quickly a breakthrough will come.
Are you about to stuff a sock in my mouth?? I’m about 2 seconds from stuffing one in my own mouth. Melissa gave me two new pair of boot socks for Christmas so at least I have fresh choices.
All right, already! Here goes mine! In honor of our process ahead and how willing the Holy Spirit is to help us…
Beth from Houston Texas, But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 NIV84
Here’s one more alternative if you’ve never memorized it for a new year! I just love it for January 1st:
You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
May God’s grace abound to you, Sweet Thing. WELCOME! We have such a fabulous challenge ahead of us. GOD, GRANT US YOUR GOOD FAVOR!
So…what are you waiting for??? SIGN IN WITH VERSE ONE!
PS. I thought you guys might find it a bit amusing that I brought in the first 300 comments in the CAR on the way to the airport to catch my Atlanta flight for Passion 2013. Laughing. You keep your blog mama busy. I love you so!
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Christy from Conifer, Colorado
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV
Andrea, Overland Park. Kansas
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law….Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-23,25 NIV
But seek the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you Luke 12:31 NKJ
Marilyn Gadsden Al
Tracie, Huntsville
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
NIV
Annette – Richmond,TX, John 1:1-3 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. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Hannah from Perry, MI
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
Elain from New Orleans,Louisiana. “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Psalm 119:103 NIV
Rita, Bristol, 2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Janet
Bemus Point, NY
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)
17 Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
And in French:
Habacuc 3:17-18 (Segond 21)
17 En effet, le figuier ne fleurira pas, la vigne ne produira rien, le fruit de l’olivier manquera, les champs ne donneront pas de nourriture; les brebis disparaîtront du pâturage, et il n’y aura plus de bœufs dans les étables.
18 Mais moi, je veux me réjouir en l’Éternel, je veux être dans l’allégresse à cause du Dieu de mon salut.
Hi Janet! I was so excited to see your post – that is verse that has spoken to me a lot lately and I am also francophone! Tu es francaise? je vois que tu habites a NY. Bon courage avec les versets, je suis contente de les commencer aussi.
-Sarah W.
Linda, Sanbornville, NH “This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask_ we know that we have what we asked.” 1 John 5:14-15 NIV
Sherry
Indianapolis, IN
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blamless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved gernation, in which you shine like stars in the universe”
Philippians 2:14,15 NIV
Pam from Chiangmai, Thailand — Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NLT
Peggy from Yorktown VA
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Ps 100:1-3 NRSV
Betsy from Maryville, TN, We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB
Dawn from Auburn, New York , Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts I think towards you says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. NKJ
Beverly from Clarksville, Tennessee: “But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Psalm 33:11 NIV
Kelsey Chute, Damariscotta, Maine. “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.”
Mark 11:25 NAS
Angela, Wilmington DE Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV
Terri from Aynor, SC–Now HOPE does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who was given to us. –Romans 5:5 KJV
Vickie from Poplar Bluff, MO
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34 ESV
Jane W. from Lincoln, Nebraska; “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 ESV
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17 NIV
Cathy Louisville/ Kentucky
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good pleasing and perfect will.
NIV
Terry from Victoria, BC Canada. I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward. Genesis 15:1b KJV
Katie Brown (Greenfield, IN)
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 ESV
RaeLeen – Greenwood Indiana: ” For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgement.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (Holman)
Paula, O’Fallon, Far above all rule and authority and power and lordship and every name that is named not only in this age but also in that which is to come; Ephesians 1:21 RcV
Kelly, Columbus,Ohio.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV
danae | lafayette, in
listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. each morning i bring my requests to You & wait expectantly. — psalm 5:3 [nlt]
Hi. How did you get your picture to come. I created a gravitar…but it didn’t show when I commented. Natalie
Kim Bogart,Jacksonville Florida “You crown the year with Your good blessings,and You leave abundance in Your wake.” Psalm 65:11 NET Bible
Linda from Mackenbach, Germany: John 1:1-2, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. He was in the beginning with God”. NASV
oops–“and the Word was God”
Carrie from Wentzville, Missouri
I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things. Revelation 2:19 NLT
Kristy from Ajax, Ontario, Christ has set us free. He wants us to enjoy freedom. So stand firm, don’t let the chains of slavery hold you again! Galatians 5:1 NIRV
Altalynn from Indiana
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13 NIV
Laura from Front Royal, VA
By obedience to the truth, having purified yourselves for sincere love of the brothers, love one another earnestly from a pure heart. 1Peter 1:22 HSCB
Sarah – Sour Lake TX – Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry: (NIV)
Cynthia, Massanutten, VA
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” (ESV)
Becki from Battle Creek, MI.
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him”, but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 John 2:3-4 (NIV)
Cindi from Amanda Ohio, And we know that God works everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NIV
Colossians 2:2-3
“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (NIV)
Karla
Maumee, OH
Jan Ayers, Denton TX “The grass withers and the flower fades but the word of our God stands forever.” NIV84
Isaiah 40:8 so excited I forgot the reference!
Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. Matthew 9:13 ESV
Colleen H, Mae Sot, Thailand
Crissy Wright
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Galatians 2:20
New International Version (NIV)
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Valerie, Louisville KY
I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? Ps 121:1 NASB
Michele, Liverpool, NY
ἵνα ἐξισχύσητε καταλαβέσθαι σὺν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἁγίοις τί τὸ πλάτος καὶ μῆκος καὶ ὕψος καὶ βάθος, γνῶναί τε τὴν ὑπερβάλλουσαν τῆς γνώσεως ἀγάπην τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἵνα πληρωθῆτε εἰς πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ θεοῦ. Eph 3:18-19, NA27
Kim from Austin, Texas And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV 84
Abby Kaufman
Vacaville, CA
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 Corinthians 10:5
NIV
Barb ~ St Cloud, MN ~ Romans 12:9-10 NLT
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Debbie, Shreveport, Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. NIV84