**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
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever”.
Psalm 73:26 NIV
Lynn
Rochelle, GA
Dayla, Springfield,MO
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
Memorizing God’s word this year has reminded me that God is ALWAYS with me, ALWAYS faithful, ALWAYS working His plan for my life.
Michelle, Orange. “Seek the Lord and His strength. Seek His presence continually.” Psalm 105:4 (ESV) Memorizing God’s word this year has reminded me WHO He is, and WHOSE I am.”
Carol, Santa Maria, Hebrews 13:20-21, “Now, may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our LORD JESUS, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through JESUS CHRIST, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen”
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:26) ESV
Hanni, Indiana
Beth, London, ON
“Great gifts mean great responsibilities; greater gifts, greater responsibilities!”
Luke 12:48
Memorizing God’s word this year has renewed my mind so that I think God’s thoughts and not my own. And I have a new appreciation for the richness and beauty of God’s word -the hardest part of this is deciding which verse to learn, there are so many and I am so sad when I have to choose one at the expense of others – I wish we weren’t already halfway done, I want to spend the rest of my life doing this!!
Springdale, AR.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so decieve yourselves. Do what it says.” NIV
Memorizing God’s word this year or parts of this year since I am new to this blog has been for me like water in a dry land from a rock and manna in the mornings when I am hungry. It has been what I needed..external motivation turned inward. :+)
ops that verse is found in James 1:22 NIV I forgot to reference it. Sorry. :+)
BETH- I AM SOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT THE BLACKBERRY APP. I was seriously about to switch to the iphone just for that!!! Can you believe it!!! wooooo-hoooo!!!!
My verse is going along with you Revelation study you did. We just started on Monday!!! God is doing amazing things in my life siestas, I feel I am on my way to the promise land! Dancing right now, but I swear, He has had to drag me part way, I slumbered part way, crawled part way… but right now I’m just a dancin’! It’s amazing, I realized this week- God is giving me more responsibility and I feel so much less qualified and unworthy. Sorry I know I wasn’t supposed to post this much, but I just GOTTA share with someone!!! Okay here’s my verse!!
They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings- and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers. Revelation 17:14
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given me power and strength! Victory!
Love you girls!!!
Sharon Warren
Newport News, Virginia
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (ESV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has uplifted me during a depression.
Melissa, Hampton, VA:
“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 given me hope, encouragement, humility, and perseverance as we continue to wait for God to answer our prayers and bring home the baby we’ve been waiting over a year to adopt.
Dana from Lexington:
“I trust in You, do not let me be put to shame, or let my enemies triumph over me” Psalm 25:2 NIV
Memorizing God’s word this year has helped me to break free!
Kathleen, Marietta, GA
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5
Memorizing God’s word this year has restored my belief in myself that I am worthy of something , instead of nothing. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me….. Philippians 4:13
Jennifer – Otisville, MI
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
Amarillo Tx
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult,
but with blessing,because to this you were called so that
you may inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:9
Addie, sulphur, and the world was waste and void;and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Orillia, Ontario, Canada
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
NIV
Matthew 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me to grow in trusting Him and keeping my focus on Him. It has also helpd me to keep my big mouth shut at least once.
Elizabeth S. , Norfolk, NE
“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)
Orillia, Ontario, Canada
Humble yourselves before teh Lord, and he will lift you up.
James 4:10 NIV
Shari, Augusta, GA
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
Philippians 4:8 NASB
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been easier than I thought!!! I know I don’t have a super godly answer here but WOW am I ASHAMED of myself for not focusing on memorizing verses before!! I always thought it’d be hard but the Lord has totally helped me to hide the verses in my heart!!!
Bath, PA
“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions… Who are you to pass judgement on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls.”
Romans 14:1,4a, ESV
TammyM,NC
For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.2Timothy 1:7 HCS
Memorizing God’s Word this year has challenged me and kept in His word.
Cathleen, Saskatoon, SK Canada
“For God has not given ME a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
Memorizing God’s word this year has started a WAR! Things are going from bad to worse. I pray this means that the evil one is scared and that God holds good things for me in the future. I could REALLY use some prayers and some friends. If you are comfortable please comment. I’m doing this alone. I’m really trying not to give up.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do no be afraid.
I have resisted verse memorization but realize that I can not live God’s word if I have not engraved it on my heart with memorization. I thank you Beth for the challenge.
Margie Allen, TX
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 4:13-14 NIV
Memorizing Scripture this year has made me realize how wonderful it is that I have God’s word to comfort and uplift me every moment of every day.
Jeanne, Santa Rosa, CA
Do not love the world or anything in the world.If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world.
1 John 2:15-16 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given me CONFIDENCE.
Kathy, Cochran, GA
So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.
Romans 10:17 (HCSB)
Anita, Lawrenceville, “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:2 (ESV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year is helping to keep me anchored to the truth as the Holy Spirit brings the verses to my mind during the day and night.
Marcie, Frisco, TX
Luke 1:45 (NIV) “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”
Memorizing God’s Word this year has kept me tied to my accountability friends after I moved from AZ, and has helped me focus on His good and perfect will in our new life in Texas. (Can’t wait to see my AZ friends again at the celebration!!)
Kathie. Satsuma, Alabama.
Jeremiah 6:16 NIV
This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths; ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ ”
Memorizing God’s Word this year so far is teaching me that getting all the words in perfect order is not as important as getting the message into my heart and mind — that is crucial to my victory over sin and disappointment.
Charissa – West Chester, OH
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has kept me focused on what matters.
Hebrews 13:16 (ESV)
“Do not neglect to do good and share what you have for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Memorizing God’s word this year has helped me to give my worries and fear over to Him!
Miss Kathleen
Bernardsville, NJ
Psalm 34:18
“The LORD is close to the broken hearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.”
Paddy in Florida
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 KJV
Memorizing God’s truth this year has helped me to renew my mind.
Nicole
Blue Springs, MO
Hebrews 10:25 “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Memorizing God’s word this year has allowed me to recall His Word at just the right time for the right situations.
Luke 8:15, 18 (niv) Julie Boone, NC
15 But the seed on good soil
stands for those with a noble and good heart,
who hear the word, retain it,
and by persevering produce a crop.
18 Therefore consider carefully how you listen.
Whoever has more will be given more;
whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has
will be taken from him.
Jamie, sulphur, and the world was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the spirit of God was upon the face of the waters.
Genisis 1:2
American standard version
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father
Philippians 2:10-11 NIV
Heidi from Belgium:
‘The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love’ Psalm 145 v 8 NIV
Memorizing God’s word this year has been my anchor through and long and difficult storm.
Sarah, Euharlee Ga. (NIV)Psalm 119:171-172
May my lips overflow with praise, for You teach me Your decrees. May my tongue sing of Your word, for all Your commands are righteous.
Memorizing God’s Word this year has refreshed my soul and brought joy to my life! How blessed I am to be a daughter of the Most High!
“We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”
Ephesians 1:7-8 HCSB
Thank you, Jesus!
Tracy
Fort Mill, SC
Kelley Long, Olive Branch, MS
Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery. Proverbs 29:1
“He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.” Proverbs 17:27 (NKJV)
Cheri, Lubbock TX
If people want to boast, they should boast about this:
They should boast that they understand and know me.
They should boast that they know and understand
that I, the Lord, act out of faithfulness, fairness, and justice in the earth
and that I desire people to do these things,”
says the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:24 (NET)
Marilyn…in Mississippi
Galatians 3:11 KJV
“But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”
Penny, Mansfield
God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;
He does great things beyond our understanding.
Job 37:5 NLT
Memorizing God’s Word this year is an answer to prayer; to be able to memorize His Word, hide them in my heart and use them to minister to others and self. PRAISING HIM!!!!
Ontario, OH
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” Eph.4:2,3 (NLT)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been Him speaking His Truth into my life -perfect for this time and His Spirit using it many times to also share with others.
Judith, West Columbia, TX
“We live by faith, not by sight”. – II Corinthians 5:7 – NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has kept me encouraged on a daily basis!!!
Kim-Wylie TX
Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”
John 16:31-33
The Message
Misty, Marco Island; “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”. 2 Cor. 10:5 NIV
Memorizing God’s word this year has helped me to refuse the Devil’s firy darts into my thought life, where I am better prepared to withstand them. Romans 8:6 “For the mind set of the flesh is death, but the mind set of the Spirit is life and peace.”