**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
Jana, Port Byron, IL
Acts 4:33 “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon the all.” NKJ
Memorizing scripture this year has given me encouraging words for my friends in need.
The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; Romans 8:6 (NIV)
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me learn God’s Word.
Patty Pierce
Searcy Ar
Phillipians 4:4-5
NIV
Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again : rejoice, Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Memorizing scripture this year has shown me what God can do in me. I didnt think I could do this and I can’t but He can. Praise to be to God who loves to bless us so.
Katie, Houston. “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. ” – 1 Corinthians 13:7-8 NIV1984
Debra, Ponte Vedra Beach- The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. James 5:16b The living Bible
Marina, Kansas City
2 Corinthians 10:5, ESV
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ”
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
Psalm 46:1 NIV
Memorizing Scripture has brought me comfort and hope when life is difficult.
M.J.
Kristin, Carlsbad,CA
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and never give up. Luke 18:1(NIV)
Memorizing scripture this year has given me the insight to understand all that is going on around me.
Jessica Grand Forks, ND
“The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Memorization has been hard 🙂 but I can see how God brings the verses to mind at times I need them.
Marti, Charlotte, NC. “BE STILL, and know that I AM GOD.” Psalm 46:10, NIV
Daniel 12:4, 9 & 10 NASB
“But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”
He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time.
“Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.
Hilda in Pearland
When I’m feeling discouraged or persecuted, I am comforted by prophetic verses that proclaim Jesus’ soon return to set things right! MARANATHA!
Patti Walker, Ft. Walton Beach, FL, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 NIV. Memorizing scripture this year has helped me tuck His words in my heart and I can actually remember them when I need them.
Jana (Kalispell, MT) “May the words of my mouth and the mediations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” Psalm 19:14 (NIV). Memorizing scripture this year has helped me focus on God’s promises and stay accountable to being in his word.
Joy, Durham, N.C.,
Children are a heritage from the Lord. Offspring a reward from him. Ps. 127:3
Shannon, Parker, CO:
“Blessed are they who mourn for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4, New American
Sheri, Fort Worth
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverb 3:5-6 NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me seal his word in my heart and draw strength from
it.
Debbie
Millen, GA
Romans 8 NLT
6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
Memorizing scripture this year is strengthening my “God-confidence” to witness to others.
I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them and my soul is downcast within me. 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. 3:19-23 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been humbling and reassuring. My twice-monthly printout goes everywhere I go.
Becky- Mechanicsville,VA
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” -Romans 5:8
Ann – Sardis, AL
Php 3:7 ESV But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
I love His Word!
Krista, Birmingham
“Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is lead astray by them is not wise” The NET
Linda, Carolina Beach, NC “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled. Set you hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Perter 1:13 NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me focus on having the “Mind of Christ” as I watch my Mom’s mind slowly slip away with Alzheimer’s disease. It has been a glorious challenge and I have been amazed that I have memorized this many verses.
Kate, Aurora CO
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 lift up my soul. PS 143:8 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has not been easy, but I’m pressing on. 🙂
Elizabeth Richmond, VA
“For by the grace given to me, I say to everyone of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”
Romans 12:3, NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has made me refocus my attention on God in situations when I usually myself get in the way and to know encouraging words that I could share with my best friends as they went through a rough time.
Bethany
Clyde, TX
“Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.” Jonah 2:8
Marla, Columbus OH
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
James 1:27 (ESV)
Memorizing Scripture about God’s love and care for the poor and oppressed has given me an overflowing heart for pursuing his kingdom purposes.
Heather
Little Rock, AR.
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.
Galatians 5:1 (NLT)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given me peace in times of turmoil and strength in times where I’d usually be weak…..that could only come from Him.
Lis, London: For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:7,8 ESV
Jennifer in Cincinnati
Isaiah 61:4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
Memorizing scripture this year has increased my awareness of how personal God is – many times the scripture took on new meaning or depth as things happened in my life that I wasn’t expecting when I chose that verse.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
ESV
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Memorizing scripture this year has shown me more deeply who I am in Him!
Bettie, Wendell, NC
Philippians 4:6 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Dixie, in Trophy Club says:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
New American Standard
Deb B., Topeka, KS
Galatians 5:16 (NIV) So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me build my confidence and resist temptation.
Rosalee, Oklahoma City
The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has fed my soul and helped me grow closer to God.
” This is my command -be strong and courageous!Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Jennifer
Enterprise AL
NLT
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me through fearful and discouraging times! 🙂
Erin, Chippewa Falls, WI
“I say to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.'”
Psalm 16:2 NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has shown me that it IS living and active in my own life. God has spoken his truth to me with precision timing and I am amazed by Him.
Lauren, Senoia “And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”
2 Timothy 2:24, NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has reminded me that God carries me through everything.
Bunnie, Hume,CA. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him!” Psalm 28:7
Lori – Syracuse
Psalms 9:10 (NIV)
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Karen, Eupora, MS
When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.
Psalm 138:3 NIV
Rebecca, Durham: “So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that with two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.” Hebrews 6:17-19
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Memorizing scripture has given hope that I can think differently, therefore responding differently than I would have in the past to the things that threaten me.
Jaime
Fort Collins, CO
I have stored up Your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against You.
Psalm 119:11 ESV
Shirley Barry, Mooresville, NC
But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. Jer 17:7 NIV
Memorizing scripture has been difficult because I am too old to remember things but it has kept me from falling off the edge!!! Praise the LORD!!
Psalm 40:1-3 “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD” (NIV).
Memorizing God’s word this year has freed me from the bondage that Satan has had me under for most of my life! Thank you Beth, you were God’s Angel to me, encouraging me that I could memorize scripture. Thank you for being obedient to God’s calling!
Linda, O’Fallon, IL
And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now thatn when we first believed.
Romans 13:11 (NIV)
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 NKJV
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
Michele ~ Kenosha, WI
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been refreshing, kept me sane and given me hope when things look UN-understandable. Given breath.
Debbie
Walpole, MA
Psalm 121:1 (NIV) I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?
Aliza, NZL. I will praise You forever, O God, for what You have done. I will wait for Your mercies in the presence of Your people.
Psalm 52:9 (NLT)