**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
I will thank the Lord with all my heart. How amazing are the deeds of the lord!
Psalm 111: 1-2
Memorizing God’s word this year has KEPT ME ALIVE through a dark, dark time and now absolutely thriving! as God has just last month brought a 20 year long prayer of mine to the beginning of full fruition!
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 NIV
Memorizing Scripture helps me to keep my mind stayed on him and has given me a sense of being guarded by Him when the struggles strike. I have also had a measure of emotional healing in my life this year that I believe is related to spending more time in His Word.
Stephanie, Hampton, VA: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up others according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me focus on God’s TRUTH, not Satan’s lies or my own understanding of circumstances.
Nitsa, Eugene, OR.
“A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4
Memorizing scripture has helped me KNOW the power of God’s Word.
2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
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.
Memorizing God’s Word this year has kept me from falling into the “ditches” of my mind!
” A woman’s family is held together by her wisdom, but it can be destroyed by her foolishness.” Proverbs14:1
I’m still here, haven’t posted the last 3 times, but still memorizing!! I am so glad I joined up with this, I need the accoutability!!
Jenifer B.
Frisco, TX
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Col. 3:12 NIV
Brie, Charlotte. Hebrews 12:11 NIV “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Memorizing God’s Word this year has… given so many more of my thoughts to Godly things that would have been lost on trivial details of life.
Deborah, Marshall, Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)
Stephanie Parker co.
“call on me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
Psalm 50:15 NIV
Memorizing God word has help me trust in Him more.
Sara, Houston
Make me know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.
Psalm 25:4 NASB
Rachel – Nashville, TN
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)
Deborah – Nashville, TN
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s word this year has caused me to keep my
mind focused on His word and all that I do.
Deborah – Nashville, TN
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7
Denise, Hernando Beach, FL
‘This is what the LORD says:
“Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows Me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice,
and righteousness on earth for in these I delight.”
declares the LORD.’
Jeremiah 9:23-23
Memorizing God’s Word this year has fueled the fire inside me to want to know Him more!
Romans 8:1 NASB
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Sarah, Greensboro, NC
Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
Isaiah 6:8 (NLT)
Karen Orem, Utah
Job 40:3-5 “I’m speechless, in awe—words fail me. I should never have opened my mouth! I’ve talked too much, way too much. I’m ready to shut up and listen.”
God’s Word bathes my heart and mind in truth when circumstances around me are painful, hard or even joyful. Scripture has given me access to His heart, desire and who He really is. Having the Word in me changes my responses to life happenings.
Sarah, Moravian Falls, NC
“Devote yourselves to prayer; stay ALERT in it with thanksgiving.” Col. 4:2 HCSB
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me fight the good fight of faith, it’s nice to win.
Jennifer, Portsmouth, VA: “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’declares the Lord.” -Isaiah 55:8 NIV
Chonda, Fayetteville, AR, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has truly been a lifeline for me in a year that at many times has felt like a torrential flood was coming over me and I am holding on by a thread! Praise God for the constant reminders!
Charlotte, Easley SC
“…but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.” I Peter 1:19
Debbie, Stevenson Ranch,CA
“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth” 1John 1:8
“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.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Jess, Auburn, AL.
Chesney, Knoxville. “But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my Salvation. My God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will stand up; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.” Micah 7:7-8 (NET Bible..I think) Memorizing God’s word has shown me His faithfulness and His sovereignty.
And the Lord their God will save them in that day as the flock of His people, For they are as the stones of a crown, sparkling in His land.
Zechariah 9:16 NASB
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been like writing a memorial. As I go over each verse I am rehearsing the events of this year where God has shown Himself STRONG!
Betsy, Lincoln Park:
“My son, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words.
Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
for they are life to those who find them
and health to a man’s whole body.” Proverbs 4:20-22 NIV
O may Your lovingkindness comfort me, According to Your word to your servant. May Your compassion come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight.
Psalms 119:76 NASB
Sabrina, Redding. “To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.” Jude 24 (NIV)
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
The scripture memory challenge has made me more aware of the awesome power of scriptures in my day to day life, reminding me where I’ve been and how far He’s brought me.
Oops, forgot something…2 Corinthians 12:8, ESV
Melany, Garrison, Mo: Late but not forgotten! I will not let you go unless you bless me! Genesis 32:26b NIV(and not even then will I let you go Lord!!) Satan has tried to come against each and every one of the scriptures I have chosen to proclaim….. and he hasn’t won! Praise The Name of God Most High!
Beth and Tori, Waco, TX
“Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.”
Hebrews 7:25 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has reminded me of His promises and how faithful God is through those promises.
Rene Thompson Claremore OK: I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things. Isaiah 45:7 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given me peace amid turmoil and chaos (not always bad chaos either).
Mei, Easley SC
“Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold – gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away – and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:7 NET
Brandy-Prattville, AL. I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shild and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:1-2
Stacy, Big Lake, MN:
You do not lack any spiritual gift as you eargerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 1:7-8 NIV
Kathy, Henning, MN:
even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:12 NIV
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galations 6:9, NIV
Karen, Martinsville, NJ
“Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men, for He breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.”
~Psalm 107:15&16 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s word this year has increased my arsenal against the evil one and made me stand strong when I hear his accusations.
Kim Banks, Newbury Park, CA
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has made me stop and examine where I am today and where I want to go.
robin, scottsdale, AZ
” A woman’s family is held together by her wisdom, but it can be destroyed by her foolishness.” Proverbs14:1
memorizing scripture has helped me focus on God’s truth, understand the power of scripture, and has strengthened the bonds of friendship and accountability. this has been such a huge blessing in my life!!
Nina, Moore, OK
But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me.
Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness,
the LORD will be my light.
Micah 7:7-8, NIV
Tonya, Searcy, AR
‘I will say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety and protection. You are my God and I trust you.”‘
Psalm 91:2 NCV
Choosing these scriptures to coincide with my life at the moment has shown me, once again, how RELEVANT the Word of God truly is!
Penne, Spokane, WA
“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
Isaiah 41: 13 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has shown me just how intimate and personal He wants our relationship to be with us.
Heidi~Lindale, TX
1 Cor. 13:12 NIV
“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (continuation of memorizing 1 Cor. 13)
Memorizing this portion of scripture for me this year has been like a bit in a horse’s mouth that helps to direct my actions and remind me to act and respond lovingly–even when I may not want to…
Christi – Colleyville, TX
Phil. 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Learning what it means to hide God’s word in my heart, to be able to call on a scripture from memory when I need it. Especially when things aren’t going well and I’m tempted to panic.
lanie, perry, ga Psalm 119:90 Your faithfulness endures for all generations; You established the earth, and it abides.
“Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.”
~ Hebrews 10.23 (NLT)♥ Memorizing God’s Word this year has been constant provision and blessing in a season of wandering in the desert.
Karla – Cedarburg,WI
No weapon forged against you will prevail. Isaiah 54:17 NIV
Anne Marie, Woburn, MA
In quietness and trust is your strength. Isaiah 30:15b (NIV)
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me continue the forgiving process by working through bitterness and focusing on God.
Susan, Buena Vista, GA. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, amy abound to every good work. II Cor. 9:8.KJV.
Memorizing God’s Word this year is continuing to transform me into a Christ follower that hopefully looks more like Jesus with each day that goes by.
Ginny, Ooltewah, TN
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Psalm 139:23 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been more difficult than I thought it would be, but more than worth it.