**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
Gizmo, Spring Branch, TX
“Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”
Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me to focus on Who He is at times when I could easily be distracted by the enemy. P.S. SSMT accountability rocks!
Psalm 45:10-11 MSG”Now listen, daughter, don’t miss a word:
forget your country, put your home behind you.
Be here—the king is wild for you.
Since he’s your lord, adore him.
I read it this morning. How beautiful
Laura, Jefferson, ME
Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Memorizing God’s Word this year has brought me closer to my mom and sister, as we’ve been memorizing these verses together. Memorizing God’s Word this year has also brought a fresh flood of gratitude for Who He is, and What He has done for me.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Eph 6:12-13, NIV
Memorizing God’s word this year has made me realize what an awesome and MERCIFUL God He is and hiding His words in my heart is truly a privilege!
Oops! Forgot! Clemmons, NC 🙂
Julie, Minneapolis, MN
Since ancient times no one has heard or perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you,
who intervenes for those who wait for him. Isaiah 64:4 NET
this year’s set of verses have so far been familiar favorites but I have been learning them in different versions;they remind me of how God’s word is alive and fresh for each day’s worth of needs and circumstances.
Connie H – Forsyth, MO “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
Laura, Greenville: “The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days.” Deuteronomy 33:25 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s word this year has held me accountable in numerous occasions and kept my tongue from getting me in trouble!
Amen to that, Laura! My tongue was constantly getting me in trouble. So . . . God had to give me laryngitis! I finally got the message. 🙂
Robbyn, Dickinson, ND
Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”
Memorizing God’s Word this year has shown me how God continues to speak specifically to me through his word regarding his call on my life.
Lena, Wilmore
Resist him (the devil), standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. I Peter 5:9 (NIV)
I’m 45 and have always used the excuse that I’m not good at memorizing. Satan has lost! These verses flow clearly through my mind night and day!!
Kelly, Springfield, MO. “Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.” Isaiah 30:18 (ESV)
Memorizing God’s Word has challenged me in my spiritual walk and required me to have an eternal perspective rather than an earthly one.
Melissa, Naju, South Korea
Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV
Ruth, Royse City, Texas
Psalms 18:20
“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who
take refuge.”
Keller TX, Psalm 46 (ESV) (May end up being next time’s verse, as well. We’ll see how quickly it comes)
1 God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore I will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, the earth melts. 7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, how He has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Memorizing God’s Word this year has allowed me to bring to mind God’s truths when I need them the most…when Satan’s words are most loud and convincing.
Debra Sulphur Springs Psalm 2:12 KJV ” Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little; blessed are they that PUT their trust in him.” Memorizing scripture is like a home cooked meal not a fast food fix ! enjoyed every morsel of Gods goodness!
blessings to all especially you Beth for the invite!
Lawan, Lawton, OK-Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you and remember I will be with you until the end of the age. Matthew 28:19 & 20 NIV.
Memorizing God’s word this year has begun to change the way I think and has been a good example to my grandchildren. This verse is one I worked on with my granddaughter for VBS.
Melissa, Scarborough, ME: “That He might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” Deuteronomy 8:3b ESV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has reminded that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Amen.
But this is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit
and trembles at my word.
Isaiah 66:2b
God’s word has been my rock and fortress this difficult year. He has proven Himself faithful and ever present
through His word. It has been my strength.
Shanna, Petal MS
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
That translation is actually HCSB. Sorry.
Karen, Scottsdale
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV
Stephanie, Oscar, LA
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Eph 6:13 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has encouraged and reminded me to approach each situation I am in during the day with God’s perspective.
Laurie, Lubbock, TX: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” Haggai 1:5-6 (NIV). Memorizing scripture this year is growing the Holy Spirit-powered fruit of self-control in my life.
What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NAS
Blessed be God, who had not turned away my prayer, nor His loving kindness from me.
Psalm 66:20
NAS
Kathy, Cumberland, RI – Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Isaiah 12:5 NIV
Sarah, Christina and Esther May; Wenatchee
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit,
showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8 NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me focus on God, the ONE who has the power to save, instead of on the enemy and the destruction he is trying to bring to my family.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Brianna, San Antonio, TX:
“Delight yourself in the Lord; and HE will give you the desires of your heart.” Ps 37:4
Memorizing God’s word this year has given me the armor I need to stand firm in God, with the sword of TRUTH out and ready!
“Teach me Your way, Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your Name.” -Psalm 86:11
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been challenging but everytime I return to it I am renewed and given new strength. It has been a blessing during a move to a new state, during the beginning of this new chapter in my life.
Deidra – Waynesboro
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Gal. 5:1 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has brought specific Scripture to mind at just the right time for the situation.
Charlotte, Seymour, TX “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has kept me more consistent in my daily relationship with the LORD.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (MSG)
The world is unprincipled. It’s dog eat dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way – never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity. Memorizing God’s Word this year has been and continues to be a lifeline for me, helping me to have Jesus-filled instead of me-filled days as the center of God’s will finds me in immensely difficult and challenging living conditions. I’m reasonably sure that even if I have to repair my spiral a few times before January that I’ll still be able to use it as a ticket for the SSMT celebration.
Andrea, Tulsa. “She is clothed in strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” – Proverbs 31:25, NIV
Cara, Highlands Ranch, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thes 5:16-18 NIV
Elaine, New Orleans, LA
“Above all else, guard you heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Cassandra, Crawfordsville, IN “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” Colossians 4:5-6 Memorizing God’s Word this year has…kept me actively learning who God is and who I want to be.
Kate, Charlottesville
The Message Isaiah 40: 29-31
“He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength…”
Memorizing God’s Word this year continually picks me up when I’m ready to give up…thus my verse for the second half of 2011.
Bev, Austin
“I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.” Jeremiah 32:40 ESV
Memorizing Scripture this year is awakening in me a Deeper Strength that only God can provide to make me more alive in Him and change my world.
Stacie- Cyvadier, Haiti
This verse is my life’s calling, so it means a lot to me 🙂
Isaiah 61:1
“The Lord God has put His Spirit in me,
because the Lord has appointed me to tell the good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort those whose hearts are broken,
to tell the captives they are free
and to tell the prisoners they are released.”
Shannon in Louisville, KY
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
~ Psalm 73:26 (NLT)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has seen me through some very difficult circumstances where relying on His promises is exactly what I need.
Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Margie
Hilton Head Island, SC
Forgot to include:
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given great joy!
Forgot to include:
Memorizing Scripture this year, and placing it on my heart, has given me great joy!
Kelli ~ Kalispell, MT
“I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.” Psalm 40:1-2 NKJV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me to realize how much I need to hide His Word in my heart and to really focus on knowing Him even in busy times.
“I will 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 given me hope and strength in many different situations.
Barb – ChaingMai Thailand
“The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”
Psalm 16:6 (ESV)
Memorizing God’s Word has given me strength & endurance to press on for His glory when life seems filled with difficulties all around me.
Teresa Naples, FL
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:4-6
Brenda, Raleigh
The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away
Ps 1:4 NKJV
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Stephanie, Elkins, WV: Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. Hab 1:5 NIV. Memorizing verses has caused me to stop and listen to God.
Kayra, Hazlehurst, MS
Isaiah 40:31 NLT
“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.”
Jennifer J. – Texarkana, AR
“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 stay focused on Him instead of my circumstances.