**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
Katie, Roswell, GA: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139: 13 NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me overcome anxiety attacks.
Gretchen, Kearney, MO “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” Psalm 34:8 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me get me through the most difficult trial I have ever faced.
Paula – Albertville, AL
God is light and there is no darkness in Him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness. We are not living in the truth. But if we are living in the light of God’s presence, just as Christ is, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from every sin.
1 John 1:5b-7 NLT
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been amazing! The very ones that were needed for me and for others in their time of need!
Martha – Albertville, AL
Guide my steps by Your Word, so I will not be overcome by any evil.
Psalm 119:133 NLT
Nancy-Yonges Island, SC “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. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 6:22-26 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has just plain drawn me closer to Him–and I am so grateful.
Sue – Troy, Michigan
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Gal. 6:9 (NIV)
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me love the word even more!
Susan, Meredith, NH: “Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”–James 1:22, NIV
Spending all this time memorizing Scripture has caused me to fall deeper in love with Jesus! 🙂
Kristy, MB Canada
“…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
Memorizing God’s Word this year has changed my focus from my own selfish desires to God’s goodness and faithfulness in my life!
Glennell Buda, Tx.
Proverbs 14:23
New International Version (NIV)
23 All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Bridget- Cadillac, MI
“Whoever hides hatred has lying lips and whoever spreads slander is a fool.”
Prov. 10:18 (NKJV)
Kinney, Oxford, MS
“Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you.
This is the Lord’s declaration.” Jeremiah 1:8
Rebecca, Madison
“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ.”
Phil 3:7-8 NIV
Suzanne, East Bernard, TX
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Philippians 3:12-21 NIV
Putting God’s Word in me has strengthened my love for Him. I have memorized all of Phipippians chapter 1 & 2 and half of chapter 3–all by the power of God ‘s spirit. So thankful for for your encouragement.
Cindy, St. Pete Beach, FL
Good people are taken away, but no one understands. Those who do right are being taken away from evil and given peace. Those who live as God wants find rest in death.
Memorizing God’s word this year has helped me to share His word with others when the Spirit leads me to encourage them.
Alicia, NE KY,
“…lead a quiet and peacable life in all godliness and honesty.” 1 Timothy 2:2b
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given me strength to pull from; the scriptures coming back to me when they were needed.
O God, you are my God, early will I seek You. My soul thirsts for You.my flesh longs for You.in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. Ps 63:1 (NKJV)
Miranda, Ft Payne, AL
Melanie, Arkansas, “Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions. Psalms 119:29
I had know idea what a “siesta” was before attending your LPM Live event in Little Rock, Arkansas in April with my sister. I got online and started reading the blog. I told my sister about the SSMT and she wanted to start. I went to USA Drugs and got us some spiral notebooks. My mother (who is 81 and having some memory problems of her own) is doing this with us!!! I know we don’t qualify for attending the event in January because we didn’t start SSMT until April…but our lives have CHANGED because the scriptures are alive and flowing through us on a daily basis!!!
oops, i forgot… New Living Translation
Kelly, Kimberly: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colosians 3:1-3. Memorizing scripture this year has been absolutely life altering – I’m a totally different woman.
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did
1 John2:6
Kari
Benton AR
MY GRACE is SUFFICENT for YOU, for my STRENGTH is made PERFECT in your weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Tammy
Cincinnati, Ohio
Memorizing scripture becomes a comfort in many situations.
Be always humble, gentle and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another.
Ephesians 4:2 (TEV)
Marrissa, Orlando
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Memorizing scripture this year has brought me closer in my relationship with God!
Vickie, Louisville. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has kept me in the Word when otherwise I would not have been.
Stacey, Albuquerque, NM 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
Memorizing scripture this year has been intimidating, amazing, and just what He wanted for me!
Carolyn
Kennesaw, GA
“Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” Says your God.
Isaiah 40:1 (NKJ)
Jane, Gulfport – “O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” II Chronicles 20:12 (NASB)
Molly Arnold, Rochester NY
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 TNIV
Anita, Lehigh, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.” Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Memorizing God’s word this year has given me a peace to overcome an almost crippling anxiety and fear.
Erin, Albertville, AL “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope” Psalm 130:5 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me maintain spiritual discipline, focus, and hope/peace/comfort when there was none elsewhere to be found!! Praise Him for this!
Barbie, Yankton, SD ” O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.” Psalm 139:1-2 NKJV
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me to focus on Christ and look UP instead of looking around me and trying to conquer problems on my own. The Lord Reigns!
Isaiah 53:6 (NIV)
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has tuned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Memorizing scripture this year has really brought the Word of God to my life; it is there to meditate any time.
Karen
Jefferson City, Tennessee
For my daughter who is getting married in 10 days. 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 TNIV, Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Memorizing God’s word this year and sharing that I am doing this with my students has opened up wonderful lines of communication and connections with them. (I am professor at a Christian college.)
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
“Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you,
And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.
For the LORD is a God of justice;
How blessed are all those who long for Him.” (Isaiah 30:18 NASB 95)
Oops! Forgot scripture reference for above submission. Isaiah 57:1-2 (NCV). Hoping this is one I can use when someone questions why good people have to die!
Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Ps. 141:3 NIV
Memorizing scripture has made me realize how I can apply them to my life and thoughts.
“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. I say to myself, The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” – Lamentations 3:22-24 (NIV)
Memorizing scripture this year has been life to me as me and my family do battle against the enemy and a very difficult season for us. We will hold tight to eachother, our God and His amazing and most unfailing Word!
Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Shelley, San Angelo
Psalm 143:8 NIV
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
Kelly, Lilburn, GA:
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19 (NIV)
Lisa, Rainbow City, Alabama. ” Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 NIV
Memorizing scripture this year is helping me to develope an attitude of gratitude instead of focusing on my fear.
Maxie,Montgomery,AL “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.” (NIV)
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me focus on God’s living word instead of my situation!
Laurie, Chester The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has shown me how much God desires to have an intimate relationship with me!
Tina, Cincinnati, OH –
2 Timothy 1:7
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Dutchess of Winterville, NC: Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7 KJV
Memorizing scripture this year was like cleaning my full-length mirror so I could rightly see (and correct) my many flaws.
Kim
Arlington, VA
“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)
Clinton,TN
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts and your ways are not my ways, declares the Lord.”
Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me to accomplish a long-time desire to do so, and has been met with much resistance from the enemy as I am determined to stick it out!
Stephanie, Sparta, TN
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has made me realize that I can do all things through Christ–even memorize His Word. Thank you for the encouragement and “easy plan” to accomplish this–it was torture to memorize poetry in school, but knowing this is Truth that affects my life and those around me makes this a need.
Debbie, New Delhi India: I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin, I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.” Psalm 39:1
Memorizing Scripture this year has helped me keep my miind focused on God and the things He wants for me.
Johannah, Alexandria, LA
“Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.” Ps. 141:3 NLT
Memorizing God’s word this year has been such a reminder that my God is always in charge and amazingly aware of every circumstance, faithfully providing the right scripture for situations that hadn’t even arrived yet!
Isaiah 41:10 The Message
Don’t panic. I’m with you. There is no need to fear for I am your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
Memorizing God’s Word this year has made me feel connected to God and connected to other Sisters who are memorizing Scripture as well.