**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
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
Karen, Centralia, MO: My grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect in your weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Memorizing God’s word this year has challenged me to walk with the Lord consistently.
Andrea, Ontario, Canada
..”Don’t be afraid of them. remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons your daughters, your wives and your homes.”Neh. 4:14b
Memorizing scripture has enabled me to have on hand, battle ready, at all times, my sword, so that I can quickly draw it out to fight spiritual battles, anytime, anywhere.
Proverbs 14:1 CEV
A woman’s family is held together by her wisdom, but it can be destroyed by her foolishness.
Memorizing God’s Word this year…has been mentally challenging, but I KNOW it’s good for me as it does not return void!
Happy Birthday, Beth.
I hope your day was great and that God reminded you all over again how mcuh He loves you.
Sue in Grand Rapids, MI
The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 peter 3:9 ESV
This adventure in memorization has been powerful — God’s Word IS alive and is my sword. An effective tool for instruction, protection, and spiritual warfare.
Becky, Chattanooga, TN
“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” Romans 8:26 NLT
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given me phrases of truth to cling to as I am being battered by lies of defeat.
My daughter and some other young ladies have been given the challenge to memorize the books of the New Testament this month, sooooo I am in it with her! (rather than a verse for the 15th, I thought I would go with these books) We are doing this to the tune of This Old Man 🙂 Here we go:
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,
Acts and Romans
first and second Corinthians,
with a Galations, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians,
first and second Thessalonians
first Timothy,
second Timothy,
Titus, Philemon, Hebrew, James
with a 1, 2 Peter
1,2,3 John
Jude and Revelation
Darcy from Navarre, FL
For the word of the LORD is right, and all His work is done in truth. He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. Psalm 33:4 NKJV
Memorizing scripture has enabled me to have peace during a time of moving across country with my family.
Joyce, Ooltewah, TN
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
Sharon Meekins
Richmond, VA
“The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord” Psalm 45:11
Memorizing scripture is life when the battle is fierce!
Carla, Orlando
Don’t be afraid, the prophet answered. Those who are with us are more than those wo are with them. 2Kings 6:16 NIV
I just found you. I have to join in. Love it.
“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 2 Tim 2:23 (NIV)
Deborah, Bon Aqua, TN
Job 26:14 niv
And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?”
Memorization this year has helped me when I couldn’t open my Bible because of the events taking place, I had the words in my heart and I could still claim God’s promises and words of comfort.
Psalms 63:7 NIV
Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings.
Emily D, Portsmouth, England
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold Job 23v10 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me learn how to wait on God.
jenny
white hall, ar
we are now going to Bethel, where i will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when i was in distress. He has been with me wherever i have gone.
genesis 35:3 (nlt)
Habakkuk 3:19
“The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!
Memorizing scripture has been so good but honestly hard for me this year! Praying for discipline and His grace to finish strong…
Barb, Madison, WI
“This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Gal. 3:2-3 KJV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has made me more aware of how I can have His direct presence in my life, when I call upon those verses to get me through.
Harleysville, PA
A woman’s family is held together by her wisdom, but it can be destroyed by her foolishness.” Proverbs14:1
Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. (NLT)
Allyson
League City TX
Romans 8;1-2 NIV
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Jesus Christ the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been challenging, but I press on to have it penetrate my heart and change me.
Natalie ~ Jacksonville, Fl~ Psalms 139:5&6 (NIV) You hem me in behind and before,and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Karen, Caledonia
If you think you know it all, you’re a fool for sure; real survivors learn wisdom from others.
Proverbs 28:26 The Message
This has been one of the most challenging things that I have done.
Diera, Austin
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19-20 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has shown me the value of daily scripture in my life.
“…God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. o 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.”
Hebrews 12:10b-11
NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has kept me focused on being in the Word every day, which in turn has kept me more focused on the triune God every day.
Amy, Huntsville AL
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depends on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
Psalm 62:5-8
O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; my soul thirsts for You, My flesh yearns for You. In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1 NASB
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me to stay focused on God’s promises through difficult circumstances with a loved one who is dealing with one of the so called hidden disabilities.
Karen
Hope, AR
But he said, “What is impossible with man is Possible with GOD.”
Luke 18:27 ESV
Memorizing God’s Word has taught me that I really need to watch my tongue, and that with God… things are POSSIBLE…..Happy Birthday Beth !!!!!!
Mary, Westfield, NJ “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Catherine Ladson, SC Psalm71:23 My lips shall shout for joy when I sing praises to You, and my inner being, which You have redeemed.
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20 NASB
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been so important to me as I’ve been realising and discovering anew my identity in Christ, memorizing Scripture has helped renew my mind.
Susan,
England, U.K.
Marie
Byhalia, MS
Psalm 16:11 NASB
You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
Memorizing scripture has been WORTH IT.
Shannon, Houston, TX
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Genesis 50:20 ESV
Therefore, as God’s chose people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Karen
Ponte Vedra, Florida
Michelle from California
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 Timothy 4:11-13 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has kept me focused on Him and His plans for me.
Mary Lou, Young America “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 helped me to begin to control my tongue. Have so much farther to go, but I’m beginning to see signs of progress.
Liz, Logansport: “Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 HCSB
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me hear God’s voice even more clearly.
Elizabeth, Verona, WI:
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
~Psalm 46:10 NIV
Robyn, San Antonio
“The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in Thee.”
Isaiah 26:3 NASB
Gloria in Houston says:
The same was in the beginning with GOD.
All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.
John 1:2,3 (KJV)
Tricia, Xenia, OH
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me to focus on Him when I’m discouraged.
Johnnie
Wake Forest, NC
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Luke 18:27 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been an amazing blessing … for God has been faithful to reveal the perfect verse just for me each and every time!!
Susan, Oak Ridge, Tn
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.”
Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Leanne; Billings, MT
Psalm 86:2 “Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.”
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)
Diane C.
Vinton,La
Amy, Louisville, tn, I Samuel 1:27-28 … I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted what I asked for. So now I give him to the Lord for his whole life.
Memorizing this year has made me be intentional about searching the Word for something that speaks to RIGHT NOW in my heart …
In keeping with that, these verses are the ones I chose for this season as I send my 15 year old son to Nicaragua for 3 weeks to serve with some friends who are missionaries there. I promised the Lord that I would teach AJ to love Him with his whole heart … and as hard as sending him off will be … I am overwhelmed as I watch him trample over all the generational sins that could so easily have enslaved him … but because we serve a faithful God … he wants to go tell the world about Jesus!! Would you pray for him with me?? sorry so long this time … yikes
Happy Birthday, Beth!!!!
Stephanie, Canton. “Teach me Your Way, O Lord, that I may walk and live in your Truth; direct and unite my heart to fear and honor Your name.” (Psalm 86:11 AMP)