**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
Stephanie, La Habra, CA Ps 119: 32 NIV “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” Sorry I’m late, out of country, but memorizing God’s Word just this morning has redirected my discouraged heart to sing His praises! Praise you Lord!!!
Lisa – Houston
Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
Psalm 91:3
Memorizing scripture has kept me in the word more, focused on God’s truth, and hiding His word in my heart. No one can take that away!
Sara from Columbus, OH (formerly Knoxville, TN)
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)
I’m so sorry this is so late–I just completed a quick and stressful move to a brand new place. I don’t know a soul and this verse has become my mantra when I feel overwhelmed, lonely, and am questioning God’s plan!
I just moved this week also….it is tough, I know. And I am praying for you. I moved from Utah to WA State for my husband’s job. Hang in there, sweet sister in Christ!
Staci – Wichita, KS
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.
Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow” – when you now have it with you.
Prov 3:27 & 28 NIV
Kathleen, Tallahassee,FL
“Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.”
Isaiah 40:28 (NASB)
Karen, Virginia Beach, VA
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Cor 13:4 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been hard and yet I’ve never needed it more.
Lindsay ~ Bangor
“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.”
~I Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)
*Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped to cast out fear; it has increased my faith.
I am still confident of this: that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Ps.27:13-14 NIV
Mary Jane, Troy KS and Cindy, King City, MO
“Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.” Proverbs 30:8 NIV
Memorizing scripture has brought us closer together as friends, and has kept us sane. 🙂
Dana, Houston – “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:19 (NIV)
Late, as usual; fighting to keep this up, but determined I can do it with the Lord’s help and so convinced I need it more than anything.
Janice
Nova Scotia,Canada
Before the mountains were born, before You gave birth to the earth and the world,
from eternity to eternity,
You are God
Psalm 90:2
Mary H.
Ardmore, AL
Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV
And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.
Anita, Chattanooga, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” I Peter 4:10 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has shown me His faithfulness to His promises for me and has kept me running my race for Him!
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94 : 18-19 NIV
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (NIV)
Ephesians 4:1
Houston, TX
Psalm 62:8 (niv)
“Trust in him at all times, O people, pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
Elizabeth from Rochester, NH:
You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! ~Psalm 119:4-5
Tammy, Dallas
Colossians 3:12 NIV “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Kathy, Mansfield,
Because I’ve been a slacker the last couple of weeks, I’m taking this week to review. I know this was allowed the last time, so I’m taking the liberty this time!
wendy, broken arrow, ok
Ps.119:114 You are my refuge and my shield;
your word is my source of hope. NLT
Christy, FL – “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.” Hebrews 10:39
Kathy, Wilmington NC
Psalm 145:18-19 NIV
“18)The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. 19) He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.”
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Robin, Indialantic, Fl. Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
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.
Each time I marvel at how God uses this to speak to my deepest need and lift me up. He is ever faithful which is as much the lesson as the memorizing!! Praise God.
Kamilah — Houston, Tx
Commit your works to the Lord. And your thoughts will be established. (NKJV) Proverbs 16:3
Romans 8:28 NIV
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Loyce, Deer Park. “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1;10 (NIV) Memorizing God’s Word this year has greatly helped me in taking my thoughts captive.
Sacha, Midland, TX
Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Shari- Columbus, Ohio
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
Psalm 118:29 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has brought me closer to him and given me something to draw upon in times of need.
Ephesians 3:18-19 NIV
May have the power, together with all the saints, to grasp
how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Paulette
Elmer, La
Memorizing God’s Word this year has set me on a course that I WILL continue on until I draw my last breath!!!
From Heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth.
Psalm 33: 13-14
RaeLeen, Greenwood
James 5:8 (NIV)
You too be patient and stand firm because the Lord’s coming is near.
I’m so thankful for Beth’s challenge to memorize scriptures, I needed someone to jump start me. Thanks, Beth, it has been inspiring to me.
Kathryn, Glendale AZ, “Depend on the Lord and his strength; always go to him for help” 1 Chronicles 16:11 NCV
Memorizing Scripture this year has been a blessing as I go through a difficult season at this time of my life.
Melissa, Granbury Texas, 1 Corinthians 3:6 (NKJV)
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
Isaiah 66:2b (NIV)
These are the ones I look on with favor:
those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
and who tremble at my word.
Heather J.
Macclenny, FL
Christina
Louisville, KY
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:10-12 NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me to focus on what is most important rather than getting caught up in all of the little details.
Antoinette – Menomonee Falls – NIV
Acts 2:21
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Memorizing God’s word this year has kept me doing it on purpose because I find a scripture for the 1st & 15th of each month. I love it!
Amber-Vienna, WV
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Connie
Austin, TX
Romans 8:32
Amplified Bible (AMP)
32He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?
Memorizing God’s word has kept me focused on what God is doing in my life!
Pat – Hayden Co. Psalm 63:1-8
Adding v. 2 & 3 this time: “So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your Power and Your Glory.
V3 – Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise you.
Memorizing is truly setting me free from a stronghold.
A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. Proverbs 12:16 NIV
Susie, Whitehouse, TX
Luke 12:23 NIV (Lisa) Life is more than food and the body more than clothes.
Memorizing Scripture this year has helped me beat back Satan’s attempts to steal my hope and contentment.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV (Annabelle) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Memorizing Scripture this year has helped me stay close to God.
Elaine, Bismarck
From the rising of the sun to its setting
The name of the LORD is to be praised.
Psalm 113:3 NASB
Memorizing God’s Word this year has challenged my mind and fed my soul.
Karen,Hewitt
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in it various forms”. 1 Peter 4:10 NIV Meditating (I’m not a very good at memorizing!)on God’s Word this year has caused me to be much stronger about putting my faith into action.
Nancilea, The Woodlands
May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.
Col. 1:11
Memorizing God’s Word this year has reminded me I do too much for the sake of people rather than Him.
Deborah, New Brunswick, Canada
“I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, ” and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
Jeremiah 29:14 NIV
Valerie, Spring, TX – Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV
Memorizing God’s word this year has been a personal challenge and much needed confidence builder.
Sarah Port Angeles NASB II Timothy 2:14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words which is useless, and leads to the ruin of the hearers.
Ada
Rochester, MI
Psalm 143:8 NIV
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 entrust my life.
Memorizing God’s word has equipped me with a tongue instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word.
Cameron – Richmond, VA
Do you intend to reprove my words, When the words of one in despair belong to the wind?
Job 6:26 (NASB)
Memorizing God’s word has reminded me of the need to be faithful every day.