**January 20-21, 2012**
Hear bells and whistles and lots of music, maybe even a few beginning bars of the Hallelujah chorus: YOU MADE IT EXACTLY HALFWAY!!!! You are officially over the hump after you get this entry behind you.
Way to go, Sisters. Way to go! It’s a pretty good feeling, isn’t it? Don’t think for a second that the enemy didn’t try to steal away your focus and commitment. If you made it this far, you fought with him and won. This is a big victory. Celebrate it with your very faithful God.
I want to brag on you for being so fastidious about limiting your comments to the memory verses. Even when I’ve taunted you with extra conversation, you’ve held steadfastly to the rule. You are the best group ever. To look down the comment stream and see nothing but verses is immensely powerful. My faith explodes in my chest every single time. The sight of it and the effect it was having on my own personal life led me to invite anybody on Twitter who could use a fresh brainwashing to come and peruse it. I pray that numbers were blessed and that some took the challenge and decided to start memorizing Scripture.
All that said, this time, since we’re at the halfway point, I’m going to open your comments up to one extra line for the sake of personal testimony. After you’ve documented all your usual information (First name, city, verse, and translation), finish this sentence: Memorizing God’s Word this year has…
Get as specific as you can!
So you’ll have an example to go by, here’s my entry this time around with the completion of the added sentence:
Beth, Houston. “Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (The NET Bible) Memorizing God’s Word this year has caused me to have a redirected mind in a situation that could have bred fear and discontentment.
Get the idea? OK, now it’s your turn.
P.S. Here’s some really great news! Android and Blackberry SSMT apps are up, running and available. AND, plans toward our January celebration are already in full swing! We can hardly wait to host you here, Sisters.
I love you like crazy.
Beth
Vicky, Enders
Proverbs 24:3 (NKJV)
Through wisdom a house is built,And by understanding it is established;
Memorizing God’s Word has been an encouragement during difficult times.
Romans 5:3 – 4
And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
NRSV
Corinne in Chehalis, Washington
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been challenging and difficult and overwhelming and even something I think I cannot really manage to do at all, which is why I know it is exactly what I need the most right now, no matter what.
You go girl!! I’m struggling right along with you and doing the impossible. (Most of my verses are half to three quarters memorized or a jumble of several but I’m not going to quit!)
Thank you, Mindy. Your encouragement means the world to me!! I hope we can meet and hug in January! May the Lord help us both press His word in our hearts!!!
Kathy Cupit
Hazlehurst, MS
Psalm 110:1 NKJV
The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
Brandy, San Angelo, TX Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” King James Version
Cindy Gandy
Hazlehurst, Mississippi
Micah 6:8 (NKJV)
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Sabrina
Morristown, Tennessee
“I’m homesick- longing for Your salvation; I’m waiting for Your word of hope. My eyes grow heavy watching for some sign of Your promise; how long must I wait for Your comfort?”
Psalm 119:81 (The Message)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been the very breath I’ve needed for each obstacle. I picked out all the verses beforehand and each one has been exactly what I needed to get through each week’s circumstances.
Sonjia, Raleigh, MS: “Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.” Psalm 103:2-3 NLT
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me stay focused on Go. During circumstances where my flesh really wanted to take over, the Holy Spirit was able to bring back to my remembrance God’s truth.
I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:1-2, ESV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has eased and focused my mind and heart during a year of some huge transition & challenge!
“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” (Acts 18:9-10) NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given me courage to profess my faith, share the good news and spread the joy that is in knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and Saviour!
Dagmar, Tyler TX
And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV
Memorizing God’s word this year even though I’m not perfect at it has really brought me into a closer relationship with our Dad, and my studies of His word have become much more intense.
Marita, Maricopa, AZ – Philippians 2:4 (ESV)
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Memorizing God’s Word has given me building blocks to strengthen my faith, and a desire to focus on Jesus more and more.
Andrea, Saskatchewan Canada
No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. Hebrews 12:11, NLT
Memorizing God’s Word this year has set me free!
Karen, Denver. “Where is the god who can compare with you-wiping the slate clean of guilt, turning a blind eye, a deaf ear, to the past sins of your purged and precious people? You don’t nurse your anger and don’t stay angry long, for mercy is your specialty. That’s what you love most. And compassion is on its way to us. You’ll stamp out our wrongdoing. You’ll sink our sins to the bottom of the ocean.”
Micah 7:18-19 MSG
Memorizing God’s Word for me this year has been reasuring.I struggle with the idea that God could possibly forgive me for my wrongdoings. Listening to God’s word and meditating on verses such as the one above has brought me peace and has deepend my relationship with my creator.
Jane, Port Orchard. Zech 13:9 Then I will bring the remaining third into the fire;
I will refine them like silver is refined
and will test them like gold is tested.
They will call on my name and I will answer;
I will say, ‘These are my people,’
and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” 13
Memorizing Scripture has recalled to my mind God’s heart of compassion and kindness.
Liz, Okemos, MI
1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety (cares) on Him because He cares for you.”
Memorizing God’s word this year has shown me how important it is to keep up with God’s word daily, not just whenever it suits me, AND it is SO encouraging to see how many women have stuck with it!
Laura, Southaven MS: “But I the Lord will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, you rebellious house, I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign Lord. Ezekiel 12:25 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year (and actually keeping a log of the verses) has allowed me to leave spiritual markers along the trail on where I’ve been and where I am going on this journey with God.
“Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.”
Psalm 119:34 NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me focus on God and His Word when I am so easily distracted!
Romans 8:14: “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.” (NASB) Memorizing God’s Word this year has put me more in touch with the Holy Spirit who dwells inside me and that has caused my love for God to grow immensely.
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has redirected my thoughts from Satan’s lies to God’s Truth.
Linda, Westport
The Lord will always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land,and strenghen your bones.You will be like a watered garden and like a spring whose waters never run dry.
Karen
Tallahassee, FL
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. Ps. 40:2 NASB
Memorizing God’s Word this year has taught me endurance and faithfulness. I participated in 2009 and received a special blessing that year of memorization as a brand new gift. I sailed through the year and was amazed how the Word became like breath to me. This year has been more of a struggle and requires discipline…but I know without any doubt that His Word is actively bearing fruit and making my footsteps firm.
Kim,Hickory,NC
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. Psalms 56:3 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year is making a huge difference in my life. Saying these verses over and over everyday keep them constantly on my mind and bring peace. They keep me looking to God instead of listenting to the enemy’s voice. I will continue this in the years to come. I look so forward to the 1st and 15th of every month to read all the scriptures. What a BLESSING!!:)
Joni, Princeton WV
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on Me, because the Lord has annointed Me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. -Isaiah 61:1
Memorizing scripture has helped me tear down the lies in my mind & reprogram with God’s truth!!
Carol, Lubbock, TX “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26 NIV
Lewisville, TX
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
Gail, Phoenix
My soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge. Psalm 57:1 NKJV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has put the focus on Him, not the cares of this world.
Wherever your treasure is, there the desire of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:21 NLT
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 NIV
Kathie Aiken, SC
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me greatly with my wandering thoughts and attitudes.
Valerie, Fultondale, AL
‘Return to your rest, my soul, for the lord has been good to you.’
Psalm 116:7 NIV
Nicole, Stuttgart. “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) Memorizing God’s Word this year has give me something to hold onto during a season of feeling isolated and disconnected.
Donna, Spring, TX: “It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.” 2 Samuel 22:33 (NIV). Memorizing God’s Word this year has kept my face plastered on Jesus – the lover of my soul and delight of my heart.
Jeanni, Westland, MI
O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name, for thou hast done wonderul things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Isaiah 25:1 KJV
Yanna, Bryan, Texas “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105
Linda, Westport
The Lord will always lead you, satify you in a parched land, and strenghten your bones. You will be lke a watered garden and lke a spring whose waters never run dry.
Isaiah 58:11
Kem, Memphis
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Kerry/Apple Creek, Ohio
Romans 8:12 NLT
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.
Catrina, Plano, TX
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Philippians 4:6 NLT
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been the challenge I needed to keep me focused on God’s grace and goodness instead of my own circumstances.
Kim, Dickinson, ND
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13 NIV
Lisa, Little Elm TX:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing;
in everything give thanks,for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NASB)
Memorizing God’s word this year has been my very life. Without it, the difficult circumstances I am in would have crushed me.
Kellie N. Mobile, AL The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words. Proverbs 15:28 NLT
1 John 4:16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in Him. NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has caused me to sit in and meditate on the truth of the everlasting New Covenant we have in Christ.
Kim and Abby, MO
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in You. Psalm 39:7 (NLT)
Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” Luke 8:48 NIV Memorizing God’s Word this year has led me back to a bible study and I’m doing “Breaking Free!”
Lorie, Rochester, MN Psalms 57:1-2 KJV “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me; for my soul trusteth in thee; yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge until these calamities be overpast. I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.
Lindsey
Fuquay-Varina, NC
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)
One specific (and seemingly trivial, but major to me) way memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me was when I donated blood for the first time. I had been memorizing scripture about not being afraid and that God would help me and strengthen me and HE DID!! 🙂
Ruth, Odin, IL
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” -Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me to keep my eyes fixed on Christ so that I won’t lose heart. (I noticed this connection as I chose several verses on fixing my eyes, and as I read or quoted a few together, I all of a sudden realized how often the phrases of not losing heart or growing weary were in the same passages!)
Christy, Pennsylvania
Lamentations 3:32 Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. New Living Translation
Memorizing scripture this year has been a source of strength when my heart is torn and confused.
Sheila, Carthage, MO
Phil 2:5 NIV
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
Dora, Houston, Tx: “A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.” (NLT)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given me hope that I am not alone and that someone (God) always has my back.
Joy, Tri-Cities: “Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.”
Psalm 119:37, NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been fun (picking my verses and discovering some new and wonderful ones) and very challenging (actually memorizing them)!