**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
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NLT
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God.
Angie Kendall, Cynthiana, KY Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 NKJ
Memorizing scripture this year has been a challenge and has caused me to dig into His word to find verses that go with the situations in my life.
Andrea, Overland Park, KS
“Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea – the Lord on high is mighty.”
Psalm 93:4 NIV
Susan, Jonesboro, Arkansas
For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation.
Psalm 100:5
I’m 51 years old, struggle with chronic depression and have loved Jesus all of my adult life. This is the first time I’ve been involved in any ongoing scripture memorization. The power of this mind-renewing experience is thrilling!
Knoxville, TN
“Search me and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts; See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” Ps. 119:23-24 NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has stocked my armory of weapons and defenses against the attacks of my enemy.
Happy are the people whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. Psalm 84:5 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word is very difficult for me, but the process has turned out to be God’s loving way of confirming the work He is doing in my life this year.
Barbara, North Olmsted, Oh
‘Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is your faithfulness.’
Lam. 3:21-23 NIV
Erin Hardy
Albion, IL
Matthew 6:8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (NIV)
Memorizing scripture has helped me get through a tough year.
Cindy in Mt. Pleasant, SC
Ps. 25:4-5 NIV
Show me your way, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are my God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Memorizing God’s word this year is helping me to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”. Love you Beth!
And the earth 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
“Your new life is not like your old life. Your old birth came from mortal sperm; your new birth comes from God’s living Word. Just think: a life conceived by God himself!”
The Message 1 Peter 1:23
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been a lifeline in my journey to recovering from abuse.
Sharon
South Charleston, Ohio
Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield it’s harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps. ~ Psalm 85:10-13
Memorizing God’s Word this year has caused me to become more intimate with him and trust him to bury it deeply into my heart and soul in order to bring it forth when it’s needed!
The Lord’s blessing is our greatest wealth. All our work adds nothing to it! – Proverbs 10:22 Living Bible – Linda R. Springfield, MO
Tinley Park, IL
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 (NET)
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me to remember HIS truth instead of what the world is constantly telling me.
Beth C., Huntsville, AL
I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I have been saved from my enemies. Ps 18:3 (NIV)
Memorizing Scripture this year has given me truth to combat the enemy’s lies when I have been discouraged and it has given me great joy.
Sarah, Marion, KS – “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” Phillipians 7:10, NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me to realize the power that is contained in God’s Word and draw it like a sword as Christ instructed. May we all be free from those bindings that hinder us!
Diane, Rockford MI
“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” James 1:26 NASB
Memorizing God’s word has drawn me closer to Him and helped me listen for His voice…i.e. “What verse do you want me to learn”?
“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!”
1 Samuel 12:16 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word has allowed me to fully rely on Him to carry me through losing my unborn child.
Cindy, Fort Worth, TX
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 NAS
Roni – Demopoolis, AL
No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 2 Timothy 2:4 NKJ
Amy; Tacoma, WA
“Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.”
Is. 43:5 NIV
Laura, Little Rock. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” John 14:1
Memorizing Scripture this year has led me to crave a deeper knowledge of my Lord even more.
Diane, Florence Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. KJV
Memorizing God’s Word has helped me keep my focus on the Lord rather than on myself, other people, and my difficult circumstances.
For now we see in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection of reality as in a riddle or enigma but then when perfection comes we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly) but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood by God. 1 Cor 13:12
Memorising scripture has taught me how personal God is, choosing each verse and the combination of verses to speak specifically and abundantly to ME.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Memorizing God’s Word this year gave me strength, peace and complete trust in Him during a medical crisis with my young son.
Diane, Chesapeake, VA.
“The Lord says to you,
‘Do not be afraid.
Do not lose hope…….
The battle is not yours.
It is MINE’ !
2 Chronicles 20: 15b NIV readers version
Memorizing God’s Word this year has drawn me closer to Him, and given me the opportunity to use my scriptures to encourage someone who was fighting a huge battle alone !
The one who … perseveres, being not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (James 1:25, ESV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has reminded me of forgotten treasures and exposed new jewels that help me keep focused on Him.
I’m in McDonough, GA. Forgot to include that again. 🙂
Julianna (Istanbul, Turkiye) In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3 (NIV) Memorizing God’s Word this year has shown me that my thoughts do indeed affect me – good or bad.
Julie Tuttle,Chico,CA
Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom.
Memorizing God’s Word has helped me take most of my thoughts captive and exchange them for His truth!
Rita Harrison, Cantonment, FL
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery. “. Galatians 5:1. NASB
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me get through a difficult year. God has settled each verse in my mind and heart, just as I have needed it.
Angie, Toronto.
But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.”
Matthew 7:26-27
The Message
Memorizing scripture is transforming my mind so that I am becoming more and more a woman of faith, hope and security and less and less a woman of unbelief, despair and insecurity. Thank you Beth for encouraging and mentoring so many of us!
Rhonda, Houston TX
“To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them each by name. By His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:25-26 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given me an additional wealth of ‘voice of God’ passages to draw from in the middle of the night, in a problem at work, when I want to give thanks eloquently, when I have no words of my own to say what I want to say to Him.
Kadie- Tinley Park
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27:14 (NET)
Shelly, Amarillo, Texas
Psalm 119:57 (NET)
The Lord is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.
Memorizing Scripture this year is renewing the attitudes of my mind; focuses my heart, mind and eyes on Him; and keeps me secure in the uncertainty of life.
Teri, Boise “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach 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 NIV
Heather F, Beaumont, TX
Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. Isa 26:4 (NLT)
Memorizing God’s Word has helped me get through so many different situations this year. It’s always nice to find a scripture that applies to every situation. God’s word is living.
JennLee, Perfect Austin, TX
That day they offered great sacrifices, an exuberant celebration because God had filled them with great joy. The women and children raised their happy voices with all the rest. Jerusalem’s jubilation was heard far and wide.
-Nehemiah 12:43, MSG
Memorizing God’s Word this year is a faith pilgramage. Some days it’s been fun; on other days it’s been hard to feel like “fitting it in.” But it is worthwhile and helpful every day.
Michelle, Frisco, Texas – In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6
My joy and praise are all to HIM this year as I continue my first journey (and I’m 40!!!) to really memorizing scripture. I can SEE the very hand He has on my life in this season – I am clinging to Him in all His power, grace and love, and the scriptures that I choose are evidence of this!!!! Fascinating and faith affirming!!!!
Nancy St. Petersburg Fl
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 NIV
Memorizing God’s word this year has empowered me to live in victory and focus on God’s promises for me all day long. God’s promises in my spiral notebook have been my strength through some uncertain times this year! HE IS FAITHFUL!!
O how I love you Jesus!
Your love LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You LORD, preserve both people and animals. How priceless is Your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. Psalm 36:5-7 NIV
Kosciusko, MS
“They will be my people, and I will be their God. And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me. I will find joy doing good for them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land.”
Jeremiah 33: 38-41
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Jennifer
Charleston, SC
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given me deeper understanding of who He is and it has given me strength to stand in a tough situation.
Melanie, Greenbrier, TN
“You have made known to me the path of life;
You will fill me with joy in Your Presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been a challenge, but, oh, so rewarding! TRIUMPHAL!!!!!!!!
Beth, Troy
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:5(NIV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given me something to pray back to God — when I was at my wits end, and didn’t know what to pray.
Tina, Success:
Acts 2:28 NIV
“You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.”
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been hard for me but having these spiral index cards has been priceless! I can stand them up next to my chair where they are in my face each evening. Thank you Beth!
Julie, Lexington, KY,
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ. Romans 10:17, NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has given me the opportunity to use His Word to write the story of our year together on the tablet of my heart.
Faith, Safford<AZ
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NIV)
Memorizing God's word this year has kept my focus on Him and what He wants for my life, rather than what I want for myself.
Linda, East Chain
II Timothy 2:15 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.
The NET Bible
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given me peace and hope in the midst of a very long trial and testing period.
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
1 Peter 4:13 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has reaffirmed that He is always going to meet me right where I am, be it praising, rejoicing, emploring, giving it over to Him (again), suffering or trusting.
Psalm 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk is blameless. NIV84