**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
Psalms 90:12 (KJV)
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Candice; Blacksburg, VA
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:3-4 NIV
Luann, Grand Junction CO,
Isaiah 55:8-9
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
8 “For My thoughts are not (A)your thoughts,
Nor are (B)your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
9 “For (C)as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
That it has taken me this long to memorize scripture. How simple this is! There is no other way to do it than to DO IT!
Robyn Wright
Topeka, Kansas
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” James 3:9-10 (NIV)
Debbie, Calgary AB.
Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer…lead me to The Rock that is higher than I, for You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
Psalm 61:1,2b,3
Memorizing scripture this year has amazed me with God’s intimate involvement in my life — giving me EXACTLY (“chill bump” exactly) the scripture I needed to stand firm and grow in faith. Praise His Name!
Caroline; Blacksburg, VA
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:3-4 NIV
Melanie- San Antonio, TX
“I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Isaiah 44:22 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s word this year has reminded me what Travis sang this weekend. The Word of God has spoken and I am changed forever.
My new favorite song!!!!
Cassie McLelland, Mansfield, Texas. “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2
Memorizing God’s word this year has helped to keep me focused on Him and has challenged me.
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; Luke 6:35-37 ESV
It has been a blessing to my relationship with the Lord to be sure to focus on heavenly things every day and at many times during each day! God’s Word does not return void!
Emily
Fuquay-Varina, NC
Mark 10:44-45 “And whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” NAS
Memorizing God’s word this year has changed my life for the better and given my children a memory that will stay with them for life, God willing. They have been my study partners, checking to see that I say my verses correctly.
Emily,
Being a huge AWANA fan, it does my heart good to read your post. It made me smile with happiness. I can just see you kids checking you as you recite your verses to them. How wonderful!
Pat
Karina Victoria/Vancouver, BC, CANADA
And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You sent. – John 17:3 NKJV
Memorizing Scriptures this year has helped me see how God can use me in encouraging others with His Word more readily and with confidence.
Amen Karina, me too!
Gretchen in Buffalo, NY:
“Whether I turn to the right or the left, Your voice is behind me saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.'” Is. 30:21 (NIV)
Memorizing scripture this year has bebome a much needed spiritual discipline and comfort for me.
I had chosen another verse for today until I saw yours…exactly what I needed 🙂 Thank you.
Kristina, Huntsville, AL: “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
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me take every thought captive!
Jan, Marion IA, “You wil tread upon the lion and cobra, The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.” Psalm 91:13 Memorizing God’s word this year has assured me of his presence and protection.
Chris, Sugar Land, TX
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
Memorizing scriptures this year has kept me in the word daily and I have read parts of the Bible that I had not delved into previously.
Psalm 16:6 NIV
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
Memorizing Scripture this year has kept me from despairing amidst an overabundance of adjustments.
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
John 15:10 NASB
Memorizing scripture helps me keep my mind focused on things above.
Lynda, Ocala, FL: 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. Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has given me ammunition to leverage against Satan and stop Him from using my own weaknesses to undermine Jesus’ place in my heart, mind and life.
Kim B. – Orlando, FL
“Lift your eyes and
look to the heavens;
who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.”
Isaiah 40: 26 NIV
Memorizing Scripture this year has redirected my perspective from earthly to eternal day after day.
Karen, Springfield, MO: For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. Ephesians 1:4
Phyllis
Gilmer, Tx
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
And without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Memorizing scripture this year has been more challenging than 2009, when it came fairly easily, but it has caused me to be more intentional about it.
Jill – Noblesville: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16 (NIV)
Durant, OK
For we are God’s workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus,
to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has
gotten me through a rough time of
grieving over the loss of my Dad
and struggling with my brother.
Things are getting a lot better, now.
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Jill, Crystal Springs, MS
His banner over me is love.
Song of Solomon 2:4b Message
Karen, San Antonio, Texas
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NLT
I John 3:3 (NIV): “All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.”
Betsy in Birmingham, AL
I’m not going to offer God sacrifices that are no sacrifice.
1 Chronicles 21:24 (MSG)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has strengthened and comforted me in some serious times of need. HE is faithful!!
Kathy, Lake Jackson, TX
“Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: To believe in the one he has sent.’ ” John 6:29 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has taken me deeper into the Scriptures, looking for just the right verse each time to reflect my personal needs.
Melanie, Houston, Texas: In addition to all this, take up the shiled of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:16-17 NIV).
Memorizing the word of God this year has caused me to see it come to life – I waited on the Lord’s timing and provision and He provided in way that ONLY He could!
Debbie, Crystal Springs, MS
His banner over me is love.
Song of Solomon 2:4b Message
Know ye that the Lord he is GOD: it is He that has made us and not we ourselves. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Psalms 100:3 KJV
Memorizing God’s word this year has caused me to encourage my family more and back it up with scripture.
Lanita, Lake Jackson, TX
1 Peter 4:10
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been exactly what I needed at this time in my life!
Kathy, Shreveport,Louisiana
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Philippians 2:3 NIV
Ronda in Marion IN
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Rom 12:14-16 NIV
Memorizing God’s word this year has rejuvenated my faith in that nothing is impossible with God!!
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Heb.10:23 (NIV)
By memorizing scripture this year I have come to appreciate very much all of the treasures that are contained in God’s word.
Ann, Murrells Inlet
“Come near to God, and he will come near to you.”
James 4:8a NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has been my security, my hope.
As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God. My being thirsts for God, the living God. When can I go and see the face of God?
Ps. 42:2-3 NAB
“The father of a good child is very happy; parents who have wise children are glad because of them.”
~Proverbs 23:24 (NCV)
Bobbie Jo
San Angelo, TX
Christy, Talking Rock, Georgia.
Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.”
Amy, Hood River, Oregon
It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights.
2 Sam 22:33-34, NIV
Memorizing Scripture this year has kept me focused on God instead of circumstances!
Sylvia, Georgetown TX
Romans 7:18 NASB For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.
Memorizing Scripture this year has been a challenge for this 62 (almost 63) year old, but I refuse to give up.
Suzanne, Decatur, Texas
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
This is a milestone for many of us. Each scripture memory verse so far has been tremendous!!!God’s Word is Great!!
Diana, Surrey, BC Canada
“As for you, the annointing you recieved from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His annointing teaches you about all things and as that annointing is real, not counterfeit -just as it has taught you, remain in HIM.”
1 John 2:27 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word has directed my heart-eyes to see HIM as He says HE is!
Sierra, Vandalia, MO
And over all of those good things put on love. Love holds them all together perfectly as if they were one.
Let the peace that Christ gives rule in your hearts. As parts of one body, you were appointed to live in peace. And be thankful. COLOSSIANS 3:14-15 nirv
Christy
Fayetteville, AR
Acts 4:12 NIV
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Annalee in Houston
2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV)
That is why, for Christ’s sake,
I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships,
in persecutions, in difficulties.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Memorizing God’s Word this year has challenged me to spend time pouring truth into my mind instead of trash.
Rachel – Spokane, WA
Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; Trust also in Him and He will do it.
~ Psalm 37:3-5
Memorizing God’s word this year has refreshed my desire to spend time in His word!
Cathi – Morristown, TN
“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
~Isaiah 58:11~ (NIV)
Memorizing scripture this year has made me realize how God gives me the right encouragement from the Word at exactly the right time.
Janet from St. Louis – “When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.” Prov. 31:26 (MSG)
Most of my verses so far are on the subject of the tongue. I guess I’m gearing up for the James study 🙂 The Lord has been teaching me about the words I say. He is giving me an instructed tongue. I am a work in progress!!
(BTW, Happy birthday to our Mama Siesta!)