**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 waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.” Psalm 40:1-2 NKJV
Judy, Virginia
Reading and learning scriptures gives me peace and comfort in times of trouble.
Catherine ~ Grants Pass, OR
“The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him. ” Daniel 9:9 NIV
Day 4 of our VBS memory verses for SonSurf Beach Bash)
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”
1 Peter 2:9 NIV
Memorizing God’s word this year has… been powerful as I can look back and see each and every verse is like a standing stone. Every verse was needed at the time I memorized it, and each one is a reminder of all that God has done and will do. Standing stones. Just think! By the end of the year, I will have 24 standing stones to show for it… not too shabby! 🙂
Heather
Mosinee, WI
Linda From Rockwell NC KJV Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart:try me, and know my thoughts.”
Memorizing God’s Word this year has shown me that God is the answer for each and every need in my life and in the lives of my family.
Angie, Belleville.
“God saw the trouble we were in. God’s love never fails.” Ps 136:23 CEV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me see myself as God does, a beautiful young woman worthy of being loved. I have the head knowledge but when you live in this world as a young woman it is hard not to compromise, memorizing these verses has helped me to stay focused and not give in or give up because the life I chose is unpopular.
“In your anger do not sin.” Ephesians 4:26a (NIV)
Donna, Franklin, TN
Memorizing God’s word this year has…kept me together during the most difficult time in my entire life…made me continue to see God in my life…given me hope…made me hold on to my faith!
Sym – Corpus Christi, Texas
“Let the words of my mouth and
the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Thy sight,
O LORD, my rock and my Reseemer.”
Psalm 19:14 (NAS)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been exciting, especially when I see how the verses apply so beautifully to my current struggle. It has also been frustrating when I get behind (like right now).
Kristi, OKC
“This is my command — be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NLT
Memorizing God’s Word this year has…been a part of the discipline I’ve been lacking in my life. I don’t have it anywhere near all memorized yet, but it’s progress, and more than I was doing before!
Robyn, Lake Wylie SC
Proverbs 16:33 (NKJV)
The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the LORD.
Danville, CA
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
Shelli, Almont, MI – “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?” – Isaiah 58:7 ESV
Rebecca, Vancleave, MS:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 (NKJV)
Theresa – Pace, Florida
“For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.”
Ephesians 1:4 (NIV)
Had second thoughts if I had posted or not….just to be safe, sayin’ it again!
“…and thus be pure an without blame for the day of the Messiah. Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Yeshua the Messiah–to the glory and praise of God.”
Philippians 1:9-11
Bella of Rochester, Michigan
Just because something is technically legal doesn’t mean that it’s spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I’d be a slave to my whims. 1 COR 6.12 MESSAGE
Carrie, Princeton, MN:
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:33 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has taught me the Truth of God’s grace. I am thankful that He has brought just the right verses to me when I have needed them.
Memorizing God’s Word this year has changed the way I pray.. now I pray God’s Word back to Him – seems like such a better, more authoritative way to pray and to talk to my own heart… I was upset during a meeting so I went into the bathroom and recited Phil 4:6-7 to myself in the mirror!! 🙂
Josie (9 yrs. old), Princeton, MN:
“In humility consider others as more important than yourselves.”
Philippians 2:3b HCSB
Diana of Nacogdoches, TX (formerly of Hawkins, TX)
Daniel 2:20-23 NKJV
“Daniel answered and said: ‘Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness and light dwells with Him. I thank You and praise You, o God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of You, for You have made known to us the king’s demand.'”
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given me hope and peace while my family survived with no regular income from November to early June. Repeating my memory verses soothed my anxiety while reminding me “by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving” I was to make my requests known to God. And Hallelujah, He has answered!
Jennifer, Eugene, Oregon
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” –John 10:10 NKJV
Late to the party, but excited to see what the next six months of scripture memorization will bring.
Becky – Rushsylvania OH
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4 NIV84
Memorizing God’s word this year has been a great blessing to me. Along with a daily reading plan it has increased my dwelling on God’s word immensely.
Kalonni, Van Meter, Iowa: “Jerusalem is a well-built city; its seamless walls cannot be breached.” (NLT)
Memorizing these words has made God’s thoughts my thoughts. We just returned from our first trip to Israel and Jerusalem is a well-built city!
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” I Peter 2:2,3
…the anchor I have held onto when the waves of grief wanted to overtake me.
In memory of granddaughter Naomi who lived 3 months and lives in Heaven since 3/4/2009 and in gratitude to God for her newborn sister Mackenzie who entered our world 6/17/2011! Thank You, God!
I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle, be patient bearing with one another in love.
“Then neither do I condemn you”, Jesus declared. “Go and leave your life of sin.” John 8:11
Denise
Deming, New Mexico
2 Corinthians 9:10
Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
Leanne, Georgetown, TN
“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV)
Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.
Prov. 10:19
Tina, Cynthiana, KY
Rose in Dallas
2 Corinthians 7:1 “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been refreshment for my soul, and encouragement to press on when life gets hard.
Jackie, Versailles, KY
Romans 12:6-7 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; (NIV)
Memorizing scripture this year has helped me through making a very tough decision and the aftermath involved.
Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house— too much of you, and they will hate you. (Proverbs 25:17 NIV)
Katherine,Edmonton,AB
Lisa ,Corbin,KY ” I have set the Lord always before me.
Because He is at me right hand
I will not be shaken! Psalm 16:8 ESV
Memorizing scripture and meditating on His Word “sets the Lord always before me” and as I trust Him and His promises I have seen the enemy defeated! I can’t say he hasn’t shaken me but through the power of God’s Word, the Lord has stopped the shaking and given me victory.
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him. Nahum 1.7
Judy Fuquay-Varina, NC
John 14:1 Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. NIV
Christi of Clinton, Utah-
“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
II Chronicles 20:12b NIV
I am amazed at how words written so long ago are so alive, true, appropriate, understandable, full of hope and life-giving today! When I pray scripture, there is no debating or refuting it; it is God’s mighty Word!
Lisa V., Washington, NJ
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” – Psalm 19:14
Elizabeth
Wilmette, IL
On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
My soul clings to you;
Your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:6-8 NIV
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30 (NIV)
Pickering, Ontario, Canada
Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
I’ve been on vacation and away from my computer but I don’t want to miss a verse – so better late than never! Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me be more aware of my need for His grace.
In my distress I called to the Lord;
I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry camed before him, into his.
Psalm
18:6
NIV
Lisa
Ider, AL
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let now our hearts be troubled nor let them be afraid.” John 14:27 ESV
Memorizing scripture has given my frantic mind a peaceful, present place to land when it wants nothing more than to rush into the presumed sorrows of tomorrow.
Cindy in Raleigh NC
Isaiah 33:6, “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.” (NIV)
Memorizing God’s word this year has been a struggle and challenge for me, and I’m not sure why?? Urgh. But by his grace I’m pressing on.
Molly, Gainesville, GA
“My soul clings to You,Your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:8 NASB
Teresa, Cincinnati, Ohio
“But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.”
Psalm 37:11 NIV
Memorizing scripture this year has not been as smooth as I’d like, but the verses are great reminders for the healing process God has me in. I love being connected to others who are doing it too.
Alece from Lawton OK
Yet those who wait on the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Memorizing scripture has definitely deepened my Bible study and occupied my thoughts for the Lord. This verse is from this week’s study in the new series by Angela Thomas BRAVE.
May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, LORD, is in YOU.
Psalm 25:21
NIV
Laurie T.
Richmond, Maine
Raines, Albany, GA: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51: 10&12 NIV
Karen, Lexington, KY. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:29 (NIV) I’ve been out of the county/unable to post till now. Memorizing God’s word this year has increased my relationship with God and others.
Bartlesviile,OK
Hebrews 4:16
let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Michelle, OKC, 25
Lamentations 3: 21-26 (For the next 7 verses)
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him”
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.