**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
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Susan, Longmont, CO. “My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalms 121:2
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given me assurance to trust in and rely on the Lord for all things.
Meredith, Trabuco Canyon, CA
And pray in the spirit on all occassions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Memorizing scripture this year helped me be ready for, and trust God through, my husband’s unexpected termination from work in March!
Stephanie
Corvallis OR
But the women who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this not forgetting what she has heard but doing it she will be blessed in what she does.
James 1:25 NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has kept my feet on THE ONE AND ONLY ROCK. All praise to You Lord!
Michele
North Oaks
Ex 4:12 (NIV)
I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.
Darcy, Houston TX May the God of peace…that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will. Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV Memorizing scripture this year has kept me from straying away from God’s word.
Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God.
Barbara, New Orleans
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;” Psalm 103:13 NIV
God is affirming my identity in Him. He is soundly saying that He is the qualifier; no person(from the greatest to the least)can pick who serves God in what capacity. For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn; Except by us when we become paralzed with fear. Thank you God, You make me strong.
“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 Kathy Ontario Canada
Amy, Grand Rapids, MI
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!
Hebrews 10:35 NLT
Memorizing Scripture this year has opened my eyes and my heart to what the Father is doing in me and in His world (and given me something exciting to do while I wash dishes). 🙂
Julie, Grimsby, ON Canada
Ezekial 36:26 (NLT)
“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stoney, stubborn heart and give you a tender,responsive heart.”
Memorizing scripture this year has been hard – but such a wonderful discipline to train my mind in. It’s helped me to be more aware of scriptures and how they may speak to me where I’m at right now. I’m not truly ‘memorizing’ it always, but constantly referring back to my little spiral notebook that I carry with me always!
Kathy S. Hudsonville, MI
Psalm 34:18(NLT) The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
Cara McKaskle
Conway, AR
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9, NIV
** sorry this is a little late! **
Kim
Orange City
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Psalm 73:25-26(NIV)
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Abigail, Cincinnati. “Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45, NLT). Memorizing scripture this year has given me courage and God’s strength when I needed it most.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Memorizing scripture has been helped me tune into the Holy Spirit and thus turn to God more quicky to confess my sins, be broken, and run to God, my strong tower!
Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer.
Romans 12:12 (NET)
Jessica, Toronto
Contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Romans 12:13(NASV)
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21
Wendy, Mechanicsville, VA
Alicia, Ft.Wayne, IN: “But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. he was whipped so we could be healed.” Isaiah 53:5
Diane, Lumpkin, GA
Colossians 4:5-6
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
April – Lubbock, TX
Proverbs 16:3 – Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has reaffirmed that HE is in control! I can do anything He asks me to do because HE provides what I need to do it!
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good work, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10, NIV 84
Shelly, Downey, CA
Memorizing Scripture this year has enabled me to look back and see a record of God’s faithfulness to me.
Psalm 139:5 (ESV)
You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
Memorizing scripture this year has been THE thing God used to direct our steps during a difficult season.
Patti Rae, Saskatchewan Canada
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time.
1 Peter 5:5b,6 NIV
Pat-Las Cruces,NM
David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God is with you.” 1 Chron. 28:20a (NIV)
Kara, Ponca City, Ok: Isaiah 30:18…NLT
For the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.
Lydia, Vicksburg, MS
“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.”
Job 19:25 NIV
Memorizing god’s Word this year has enabled me to be able to quickly call to mind the portion of God’s guidance, challenge, comfort, peace that I need that day.
Lorraine, Ada, Mi..”Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” I Cor. 13:6-7 (NIV)
Revelation 2:19 NIV
“I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.”
God has used SSMT to prepare my heart and mind for my mission trip to Tanzania in July. So excited!
For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14 NIV
Victoria B., Fort Worth TX, “They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in His paths.” Psalm 119:3 NLT. Memorizing God’s Word this year has help me clarify my passion and calling to love God’s Word, be a student of it, and share it with others!
Sherry in Marietta GA
John 10:10 NASB
” The theif comes only to steal, and kill and destroy; I HAVE COME that they may have life, and might have it abundantly.”
Memorizing God’s word this year with the Siesta’s has really helped me to focus on God and not the problems.
meagan, austell, ga
Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God.
Katherine The Colony, TX
Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV)
“A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heaven and earth.”
Memorizing scripture has provided immense perspective–God is God and I am not!
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
Gal. 5:16 (NAS)
Lori
Friendswood, TX
We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. Rom. 5:3-4 The Message
Debbie
Highland, MI
Jennifer, Fairfax VA
John 14:21 (NIV)
“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Memorizing scripture this year has… proven to me that He is faithful even when I am not because even the Word I haven’t totally committed to memory ministers deeply – profoundly – every time I review it.
“I do believe; Help me overcome my unbief.” Mark 9:24 NIV
Memorizing is giving me strength in this lonely/illness time of my life.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me renew my mind and begin most of my days by lying in bed and reciting my scriptures before my feet hit the ground! 🙂
Melissa, Lino Lakes ~ “So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the special blessings that will come to you at the return on Jesus Chrust.” 1 Peter 1:13NLT Memorizing verses this year has been a challenge, but I am learning to “think clearly and exercise self-control”.
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” (2 Corinthians 4:18, NIV)
Memorizing Scripture has reminded me again and again, that God loves ME! Imperfect, impatient, flawed, sometimes whiney and grumpy and unloveable ME! This has been a real hard concept for me to embrace and I had no idea that there were so many verses that address His love! AND that I can run to Him in times of major distress – which have unfortunately been many in 2011.
Marybeth in Oxford, PA- “For the LORD is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100:5 ESV
**Memorizing scripture this year has been a source of comfort and strength to me…He is my ROCK!**
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. II Timothy 2:15 NET
Kristi Knoxville TN
Kara, Ephrata, PA
“For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Col 3:3 NASB
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped renew my mind as I raise my three young children and try to be a picture of Christ to them. Place the verse on the chalkboard in their bedroom…
Sedrone, Arp, TX
Psalm 91:1 NIV
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High,
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Jolynn, Rowlett, Tx
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1, NIV
Courtney, Houma, LA
All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16, ESV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has ignited a passion for knowing and understanding God’s word deeper.