**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
Mari, Raleigh, NC
“Submit yourselves then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” James 4:7 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has caused me to examine my character, admit my flaws and ask God to help me become more Christlike.
Marlys, Hillsboro
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Memorizing God’s word has allowed me to work toward grounding my heart in His truth.
Karen Tucson
“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue,
but with actions and in truth” 1 John 3:18 NIV
Memorizing scripture has given me a wonderful weapon
against fear and a kingdom perspective on life.
Hebrews 12:1 – 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
Shandra – Dallas, TX
“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Phil 1:6
Carla, Coweta. You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Cathy, Gastonia NC
Shawna ~ Boise, Idaho
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you. Psalm 143:8 NIV
Memorizing scripture has kept my focus on God through difficult situations. It has been a tremendous blessing.
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 NIV
Memorizing scripture has helped to keep me grounded and has also prepared me for battle with the enemy!
Cathy, Gastonia NC
“More than that< I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."
Philippians 3:8a HSB
Memorizing God's Word has given me time spent in His presence as He brings to my heart and mind the scriptures I am learning at different times that I need Him.
Tanya, Killen, “You may say “I am allowed to do anything.” But I reply, “Not everything is good for you.” And even though “I am allowed to do anything.” I must not become a slave to anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NLT)
Psalm 34:13 AMP
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
Lino Lakes
Memorizing God’s Word has kept me focused on Him and His love for me and my family during a very trying lack of job/finances time.
I’m embarrassed that I’m so late! Picked this verse but didn’t get on here to post it.
Martha, Asheville, NC
“For this reason, fully set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed by making your mind ready for action by being self-controlled.” 1 Peter 1:13 (translated/exegeted by Jobes in her commentary on 1 Peter)
Memorizing God’s Word has allowed Him to wash my mind (Eph 5:25) and get His truth to live in me, rooting out lies. Just studying this morning about sanctification and how He sanctifies me (or sets me apart and makes me holy) by Truth (John 17:17), His Word (Himself). This is what He is doing in me. A work so huge! I keep saying to Him this morning, (and have often through out this year so far), “Lord it is too much! I can’t bear it! Your Word is so rich, I can’t contain what You are speaking to me! I feel like I will burst. But don’t stop, Lord. Don’t stop!” 🙂 He. Is. So. Good!
The accountability is so helpful for me memorizing God’s Word. Thank you! I need it so I can keep his Word in my heart! Also, the last few months I have been memorizing 1 Corinthians 13. This has helped me break down a chunk of Scripture into smaller parts :).
“For we know in part and we prophesy in part,”
1 Cor. 13:9 ESV
Kristi
Charlotte, NC
Stacey, Sugar Land, TX
“for all that is in the world – the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches – comes not from the Father but from the world.”
1 John 2:16 NRSV
Odessa, Tx
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:15 ESV
Memorizing God’s word has helped me keep the focus off of me and on my Lord!
Isaiah 61:10
I delight greatly in the LORD;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of
his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1 NASB
Memorizing God’s Word this year has made fighting the enemy in the last few days victorious for me!!!!!!!!!!!!
Holly C. Longview, TX
“The Word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid Abram, I am your sheild, your exceedingly great reward.” Genesis 15:1 NKJV
Memorizing scripture this year had enabled me to keep my mind stayed on Christ when my circumstances could have had me thinking only condemnation and fear.
2 Corinthians 4:18
18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
Robin
Snohomish Wa
Paula, Batavia, Oh
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phil 4:6 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given me more focus in an
area that all too often doesn’t get my undivided attention. His word reminds me
Of His presence in my life daily.
1 Peter 5:6-7, The Message
“So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.”
Susan,
I love that verse. It goes so well with a Bible Study I am doing this summer. May have to put that to memory later on this year.
Jan
Trisha Wall, Midland, TX: “Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me. For you are God my Savior and my hope is in You all day long.” Psalm 25:4,5
Memorizing God’s Word this year has kept me grounded in His Word and reminded me that it’s not about me–it’s all about HIM!
NLT: Psalm 16:8-9
I constantly trust in the Lord because He is at my right hand I will not be upended. So my heart rejoices and I am happy. My life is safe.
James 3:17 NLT
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”
Eposi
Houston,TX
Everything comes from Him;
Everything happens through Him;
Everything ends up in Him.
Always glory! Always praise!
Yes. Yes. Yes
Romans 11:36 (MSG)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been like a scalpel to my heart from my Great Physician (very convicting), and yet so encouraging (healing) at the same time.
Tammy, Hendersonville,TN “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 NIV
Ephesians 4:29 NAS
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
Annette, Toronto ON
I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
Psalm 9:1 NKJV
Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your teachers won’t be hidden anymore, but your eyes will see your teachers; and when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.” Is. 30: 20-21
Memorizing scripture with this group has helped me be determined to finish and not stop. It is good discipline for me and life changing. Thank You. 🙂
for the anger of man does not achieve the rightousness of God.
James 1:20 NASB
Rhonda ~ Kalamazoo, Michigan
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him.
Nahum 1:7 (NIV)
Kathy
Dow IL
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalms 147:3 NIV
Memorizing God’s word this years has made me realize Jesus not only lives in my heart but His word is hidden there also.
God is our refuge and strength; an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
PS. 46:1-2
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who morn,
Isaiah 61:2
Kim, Mabank, TX
“So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Jesus Christ.”
Romans 10:17, HCSB
LS, NC
“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 help in tight moments and given me something super fun to do while i am biking at the gym 😉
Arlette, Cheney, WA
“Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!”
As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, “Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.” ~ Daniel 10:19, NLT
Memorizing God’s Word this year ~ a verse every two weeks ~ has helped me take time to meditate on it rather than just regurgitate it. I hear Him speaking, and I’m listening 🙂
Brenda, Greenville, sc
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
You will seek me and find me when you seek e with all your heart.
Margaret, Sebring Fl.
And let us not grow wearing while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9 NKJV
2 Peter 1:5-8
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Kate, Grapeland, Texas
Donna, Lufkin, Texas
Elaine, College Station, Texas
Laura, College Station, Texas
Phil. 4:19 (NIV) And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Denise
Asheville, NC
Psalm 139:1 (NIV)
You have searched me, LORD, and You know me.
Memorizing scripture brings life to me, drives out fear and gives courage, provides a weapon for battling my enemy, renews my mind and it has helped me lose 50 pounds this year.
Rita
Midland, Texas
Hebrews 12:1-2a NIV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…
Memorizing scripture this year has been harder for me than last time but still an amazing blessing.
Kimberly, Ocoee, FL
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Ephesians 6:15-18 KJV
Amie, Glendale, AZ: 1 Corinthians 13:4, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” NIV
Traci, Columbus, OH.
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to anger, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
James 1:19-20. NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has been hard, but worth it. I feel stronger knowing God’s word is considered a how-to book on Christian living.
Amber Parker, TX
1 Peter 4:8. MSG
“Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything”
Marty ~ Mobile, AL
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5
Memorizing scripture this year has challenged me to remember that my hope is in the LORD, not in myself.
Kristen, Austin, TX
Ephesians 1:4 (NIV)
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.