**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
He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Psalm 62:2 NIV
Elise Newark
Trying to memorize verses that have special meaning to me or touch me in some way that day, have renewed my love for the Word.
Elise – loved reading your last sentence. So true! God bless you, sister~
Denise, Stillwater. NLB.
The law of their God is in their hearts, their feet do not slip Psalms 37-31
Memorizing these verses has helped ground me in the storm
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him…”
Nahum 1:7 TNIV
Shelly, Portland, OrSo let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.
Shelly: Portland, Oregon “So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.” James 4:10 The Message
Julie, Sheffield, UK. “Everything is permissible for me”, but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissible for me”, but I will not be brought under the control of anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12, HCSB
Jennifer, Colorado Springs,CO- MAtthew 5:4 MSG- ” You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.”
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 NLT
Jodi Zagreb
Memorizing God’s word this year, I am realizing, is not an optional activity but an integral part of the life of a believer and I am ashamed at how I neglected it.
Kathy, Danvers
Psalm 143:8 KJV
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
Memorizing God’s Word this year has focused me on letting God change my thinking, words, and actions at a basic level.
“I want to know Christ” Phil. 3:10
Leaving on a mission trip this morning and that is my desire for the week, I want to know my Lord better!!!!
Linda Delray Beach, FL
“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 His singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Erika, Chester VA
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
2 Corinthians 2:14-15
memorizing Scripture this year… I have been able to go back and look at the verses I chose to memorize. Those verses represent what difficulties I was going through at the time I chose them and I can give praise to God for “coming through” for me during each of those times! He is so faithful!
Shelby Ft Myers FL 1 John 2:22 Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist – he denies the Father and the Son. NIV
“Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by FAITH we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” KJV
We have moved & now we Skype our verses and share our praise & prayer items
God is pleased when I hide His word in my heart.
Bear Creek, “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” NIV Rom 8:1-2.Memorizing God’s Word this year has shown me how much further I have to go in my walk with Him.
Debra, Gentry Ark. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
MaryD – Charlotte
Colossians 1: 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.
I know, O LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.
— Jeremiah 10:23 (NIV)
Stacey, Shreveport “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life and i will live in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalms 23:6/NLT
Linda, Wichita, KS
Ps 109:4 NIV
“In return for my friendship they accuse me,
but I am a man of prayer.”
Memorizing God’s word helps me keep my eyes on Him, and not on me.
Sheilah, Melbourne, FL
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation,so that you may know Him better.”
Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me claim His promises for my life and in my children’s lives…it’s given me hope!
Beverly, Glasgow, KY
1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV)
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me focus my mind on TRUTH instead of Satan’s lies when he tries to lead me into destructive thought patterns – which is often.
Gretchen, Cincinnati
Psalm 130:5 NLT
“I am counting on the Lord; Yes, I am counting on Him. I have put my hope in His word.”
Memorizing scripture has helped me overcome the lies of Satan and win the battle of wild running thoughts.
Suzy – Atlanta
Therefore do not be anxious saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:30-33 ESV
Memorizing God’s word this year has caused me to have a greater awareness of His constant presence in my life – like a never-ending conversation. 🙂
Rena, Tulsa. “Who is among you that fears the Lord, that obeys the voice of His servant, that walks in darkness, and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.” Isaiah 50:10
Connie G. Freeland, MI: A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bone. Proverbs 15:30 NIV. Find joy in every day.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13 NIV
“If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son purifies us from all sin.”
I John 1:7
I lift my eyes unto the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and of earth. Ps 121:1-2
He’s the only real friend I have.
Patty, Gadsden, AL “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, that you may live and multiply. And the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go posses.” Deut. 30:15 NIV Memorizing scripture has increased my faith in God to help me overcome things I once thought were beyond me.
April, Boerne, TX
The mind of the man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 NASB
Memorizing God’s word this year has helped soften my heart and turn to HIM more.
Jennifer, Milford, OH
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”John 14:6 NIV
In honor of one of the best Christian women I have ever met I will be using this one this time (we lost her this week) Proverbs 21:30 Charm us is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised. HSB RIP Alice Fowler
Barb, Kentwood MI:
So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.
1 Pet 5:10-11 MSG
Amy H. OKC, OK
NIV 19:21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
Lisa from Waycross, GA
Donna from Albany, GA
“May blessing (praise, laudation, and eulogy) be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual (given by the Holy Spirit) blessing in the heavenly realm!
Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above
reproach, before Him in love.” Ephesians 1:3-4 Amplified
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been a daily reminder of who I am in Christ as I face the challenges of each day.
Susan, Tucson. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Memorizing Gods word this year has brought me closer to Him. I always struggled with verse memory and God has carried me the entire way! I’m enjoying this fellowship and feeling of “SISTAHOOD” that I never would have imagined I would be a part of. To God be the glory.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Proverbs 17:22 NIV
Memorizing God’s word this year has helped me to focus on what really is improtant in this life!! :)It reminds me daily to stay in God’s Word!! I love it!!!!!!!!!!!
Gina, Atlanta: “All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives.” Proverbs 16:2 (NASB)
Holly, Boulder
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 NLT
Memorizing God’s word this year has been such a blessing on my life!
“Lord, there is none beside thee to help.” (2 Chron. 14:11, RV).
Rhonda, Newnan, GA
Luke 18:27
New Living Translation (NLT)
27 He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.”
Federal Way, WA
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8. ESV
“I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:11, NIV
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34 ESV
My absolute favorite scripture of all time!!!
Kelley, Round Rock, Tx
And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” Gen 22:14
Memorizing God’s Word this year has caused me to occupy my brain with truth, rather than being a junkie of unhealthy memories or lies.
Could I just say, Kelley, that you are right. God’s word is Truth and does Not return void. You are one His princesses and you are all that the Lord says you are. Blessings to you. 🙂
Christina, Hanover, MD
But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Romans 8:26, NKJV
Kim, Searcy, Arkansas “For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.” NIV Psalm 71:5
Memorizing God’s word has been an ointment and comfort to my soul after the loss of my sister in November. The Word has reminded me of God’s faithfulness and has been the light in the darkness of grief and a life jacket in the ocean of hurt.
Kim, Searcy, Arkansas…Verse 11 because it’s the only one I’ve missed and my ocd won’t let me just forget it! I’m determined to not give up! “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV.